

KACE Systems Management Appliance and Fortinet FortiClient both operate in the endpoint management and network security category. KACE SMA has the upper hand in automation and integration, while Fortinet FortiClient excels in security features and scalability with Fortinet products.
Features: KACE SMA provides robust automation for remote image deployment, a comprehensive device overview, and seamless integration with Bomgar. Users also benefit from its ticketing system and asset management capabilities, making it a vital tool across large campuses. In contrast, Fortinet FortiClient emphasizes security with strong integration within the Fortinet suite. It offers easy deployment, VPN functionality, and robust web filtering, enhancing security and flexibility for users.
Room for Improvement: KACE SMA users experience challenges with scalability during large-scale imaging and request better automation for application management and patch updates. Fortinet FortiClient users suggest improvements in multifactor authentication and handling license expiration issues. Some also seek better usability and stability on macOS and VPN integration.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: KACE SMA is mainly on-premises, with praise for its customer support and technical assistance. Users appreciate its management and response speed. Fortinet FortiClient offers deployment flexibility in both cloud and on-premises environments but has occasional delays in technical support and complex setup procedures.
Pricing and ROI: KACE SMA is seen as cost-effective, significantly improving ROI through IT productivity and reduced product dependency in large organizations. Fortinet FortiClient provides competitive VPN service pricing. Some users find it costly, but its overall functionality justifies the expense. Both solutions enhance ROI by boosting administrative efficiency and end-user productivity.
The VPN performance has a substantial impact on our remote workforce.
The return on investment is seen in the quick access to information, good inventory management, and efficient systems management.
They initiate the troubleshooting process quickly and resolve issues in a timely manner.
In 99% of cases, we do not have to do configurations on our own as they are normally handled by their service providers.
They provide very good support, and an issue I had was resolved quickly over the phone.
I would rate the customer support for Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) as a 10.
The customer service is very good, providing quick customer support in Spanish.
We normally take into consideration while installing the product that it can scale up to approximately 20%, but not more than that.
Most of our clients are using the free version rather than the paid version due to the high range of maximum users available for the free version.
I hope Fortinet will start an insider developer program where professionals can provide feedback on new releases to ensure improvements.
The product is very scalable as it supports 10,000 thousand endpoints with just one appliance.
We have outgrown the size of one KACE appliance and are now running two.
Its stability level is excellent.
I normally get a call within 15-20 minutes after logging a complaint.
Fortinet FortiClient is a stable product with no glitches or latency issues.
KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) is stable and secure;
FortiClient needs improvement in restricting user information and ensuring more secure customer data to better protect source code and reduce the risk of security breaches.
There are advanced features like Zero Trust that I currently do not use but could be beneficial for security.
Fortinet frequently releases updates without thorough testing.
Currently, we have to go into each org to deploy applications when we need them all across the university.
The dashboard could be more interactive; for example, it should provide alerts if an endpoint is vulnerable to viruses.
The user interface needs improvement as customers have mentioned they do not like the interface since it is not an SMA-based interface.
FortiClient is a value-for-money product and is not considered expensive compared to similar products on the market.
Justifying the price to clients can be difficult.
FortiClient is included in a package with the UTM features, so there is no separate cost for it.
The pricing is in the middle range of the market, not too expensive but not the cheapest either.
My experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing for Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) is that, hands down, it beat all of the others in simplicity and pricing.
In terms of cost-effectiveness, considering a situation where I want to deploy KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) for just pushing updates, it is completely fine.
The most valuable feature of FortiClient is its high security level.
We appreciate its VPN capabilities and the features that offer extra security functionalities like antivirus and malware scanning.
I strongly recommend this solution, especially for Fortinet customers who use FortiGate or other Fortinet products, as they can easily integrate these features and exchange information seamlessly.
Scripting has saved us hundreds of hours over the years when patching these vulnerabilities compared to how we did it before.
Overall, KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) helps streamline my processes by allowing me to check the uptime and downtime of machines, whether they are connected to the internet or not, and how long a machine has been switched off.
The most valuable features include simplicity, which makes systems management easier and faster, especially for device management.
| Product | Mindshare (%) |
|---|---|
| Fortinet FortiClient | 16.9% |
| KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) | 8.2% |
| Other | 74.9% |

| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 59 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 23 |
| Large Enterprise | 25 |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 8 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 20 |
| Large Enterprise | 16 |
Fortinet FortiClient is a comprehensive security tool, renowned for its VPN capabilities and seamless remote access, making it ideal for businesses seeking efficient endpoint protection and secure remote work options.
FortiClient integrates well with Fortinet systems, offering user-friendly features and centralized management. It supports Active Directory, multi-factor authentication, and delivers robust security measures including web filtering and antivirus. As a cost-effective solution, it provides rapid connectivity, scalability, and performance for businesses. While valued for its functionality, users seek improvements in management simplicity, web filtering, multifactor authentication, and version compatibility. Challenges include occasional slow connections, support quality, and pricing concerns. Areas needing enhancement involve deployment, stability, security, and reporting. Frequent updates demand better endpoint detection, broader integration, and reliable connectivity with improved documentation and analytics.
What are the key features of Fortinet FortiClient?In specific industries, FortiClient is utilized in sectors such as finance and healthcare, where high levels of security are mandatory. It enables secure VPN access to critical systems and data, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Education institutions deploy FortiClient to protect academic data and facilitate remote learning environments, safeguarding both faculty and student interactions online.
KACE Systems Management Appliance offers integration capabilities, efficient image deployment, and comprehensive asset management. It supports centralized management across diverse devices and locations, simplifying IT processes and enhancing security.
KACE Systems Management Appliance provides single-pane visibility for endpoint management, mass software deployment, automated patch management, robust scripting, and detailed inventory tracking. It streamlines IT management and improves cyber-security compliance through remote software updates and centralized IT request handling. Despite struggles with scalability and the need for interface improvements, it enables efficient device imaging, script automation, and network management through detailed reporting. Organizations find it effective for software deployment, asset management, and endpoint monitoring, serving thousands of IoT devices and desktops.
What are the key features of KACE Systems Management Appliance?In healthcare, KACE Systems Management Appliance is used for maintaining device compliance and security standards. Educational institutions benefit from its capabilities to manage large numbers of endpoints across campuses. In finance, it aids in strict compliance requirements through automated patch management and detailed reporting. Retail sectors leverage its asset management features to streamline operations across numerous locations.
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