# Cognitas CrossLink ZTNA vs Fortinet Universal ZTNA: side-by-side comparison (2026) [Cognitas CrossLink ZTNA](https://cybersectools.com/tools/cognitas-crosslink-ztna) is a commercial [zero trust network access](https://cybersectools.com/categories/ztna) solution by [Cognitas](https://cybersectools.com/companies/cognitas). [Fortinet Universal ZTNA](https://cybersectools.com/tools/fortinet-universal-ztna) is a commercial [zero trust network access](https://cybersectools.com/categories/ztna) solution by [Fortinet](https://cybersectools.com/companies/fortinet). Features, integrations, deployment and the company behind each one, side by side. ## Our take What our shortlists say about the one we picked. ### [Fortinet Universal ZTNA](https://cybersectools.com/tools/fortinet-universal-ztna) Best for: FortiGate customers moving from VPN to ZTNA It is on the list because Fortinet says ZTNA is built into FortiOS, so if you run FortiGate you can move from VPN to ZTNA at no added cost. The gateway sits on your own firewalls, which suits mid-market and enterprise sites that want access enforced on premises. If you do not run FortiGate, much of that case falls away. From [Best ZTNA Solutions for Business](https://cybersectools.com/shortlists/best-ztna-solutions), Fall 2026. Reviewed by [Nika (Nikoloz) Kokhreidze](https://cybersectools.com/about). Need the answer fast? [Best ZTNA Solutions for Business](https://cybersectools.com/shortlists/best-ztna-solutions) picks Zscaler Private Access (ZPA), Netskope One Private Access, Palo Alto Networks Prisma Access ZTNA 2.0 and 4 more. ## Side-by-side comparison | | Cognitas CrossLink ZTNA | Fortinet Universal ZTNA | |---|---|---| | Pricing model | Commercial | Commercial | | Category | Zero Trust Network Access | Zero Trust Network Access | | Verified | No | No | | Deployment type | Cloud | Hybrid | | Company size fit | SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise | Mid-Market, Enterprise | | Company | Cognitas | Fortinet | | Headquarters | – | – | ### Use cases and capabilities | | Cognitas CrossLink ZTNA | Fortinet Universal ZTNA | |---|---|---| | Remote Access | Yes | Yes | | Visibility | Yes | – | | ZTNA | Yes | Yes | | Hybrid Work | – | Yes | | Zero Trust Architecture | – | Yes | ### Core features **Cognitas CrossLink ZTNA** 10 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them. **Fortinet Universal ZTNA** 10 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them. ### Integrations **Cognitas CrossLink ZTNA** 2 integrations listed. Sign in on the page to see them. **Fortinet Universal ZTNA** 2 integrations listed. Sign in on the page to see them. ## Which one fits you Based on what each listing shows: deployment, company size, price and open source. - [Cognitas CrossLink ZTNA](https://cybersectools.com/tools/cognitas-crosslink-ztna) fits if you want a cloud product and you are a small business. - [Fortinet Universal ZTNA](https://cybersectools.com/tools/fortinet-universal-ztna) fits if you need both cloud and on-premises options. ## Cognitas CrossLink ZTNA vs Fortinet Universal ZTNA FAQ Common questions when comparing Cognitas CrossLink ZTNA vs Fortinet Universal ZTNA for zero trust network access. ### What is the difference between Cognitas CrossLink ZTNA and Fortinet Universal ZTNA? **Cognitas CrossLink ZTNA**: ZTNA platform for secure remote access replacing VPNs with zero-trust controls. Built by Cognitas. **Fortinet Universal ZTNA**: Zero trust app access for remote and office users, built into FortiGate and FortiClient. Built by Fortinet. The table above shows where their features, integrations, deployment and company size fit differ. ### Who makes Cognitas CrossLink ZTNA and Fortinet Universal ZTNA? **Cognitas CrossLink ZTNA** is made by Cognitas. **Fortinet Universal ZTNA** is made by Fortinet. The vendor behind a product decides its roadmap, support, and longevity, so check each company's profile before you commit. ### Is Cognitas CrossLink ZTNA a good alternative to Fortinet Universal ZTNA? Often, yes. Cognitas CrossLink ZTNA and Fortinet Universal ZTNA are both Zero Trust Network Access products, and both cover Remote Access, ZTNA. Use the table above to see where features, deployment and company size fit differ. ## Related comparisons - [Cognitas CrossLink ZTNA vs ThreatLocker Zero Trust Network Access](https://cybersectools.com/compare/cognitas-crosslink-ztna-vs-threatlocker-zero-trust-network-access) - [Cognitas CrossLink ZTNA vs GoodAccess Zero Trust Architecture](https://cybersectools.com/compare/cognitas-crosslink-ztna-vs-goodaccess-zero-trust-architecture) - [Cognitas CrossLink ZTNA vs Cisco Duo Remote Access](https://cybersectools.com/compare/cisco-duo-remote-access-vs-cognitas-crosslink-ztna) - [Fortinet Universal ZTNA vs ThreatLocker Zero Trust Network Access](https://cybersectools.com/compare/fortinet-universal-ztna-vs-threatlocker-zero-trust-network-access) - [Fortinet Universal ZTNA vs GoodAccess Zero Trust Architecture](https://cybersectools.com/compare/fortinet-universal-ztna-vs-goodaccess-zero-trust-architecture) - [Fortinet Universal ZTNA vs Cisco Duo Remote Access](https://cybersectools.com/compare/cisco-duo-remote-access-vs-fortinet-universal-ztna) ## Alternatives to each - [See all Cognitas CrossLink ZTNA alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/cognitas-crosslink-ztna) - [See all Fortinet Universal ZTNA alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/fortinet-universal-ztna) --- Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/cognitas-crosslink-ztna-vs-fortinet-universal-ztna For AI agents: each product above has its own Markdown page (add .md to its URL, for example https://cybersectools.com/tools/cognitas-crosslink-ztna.md). Every CybersecTools shortlist is listed at https://cybersectools.com/shortlists.md. More on Cognitas CrossLink ZTNA and Fortinet Universal ZTNA: funding, momentum, hiring and news, plus the full product and company record, are available through the Mandos MCP Server (paid plans), which connects to AI assistants: https://mandos.io/mcp?utm_source=cybersectools.com&utm_medium=compare-md