Cisco AnyConnect vs Aruba Central

Struggling to choose between Cisco AnyConnect and Aruba Central? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

Cisco AnyConnect is a Network & Admin solution with tags like vpn, remote-access, cisco, secure-connection.

It boasts features such as Secure remote access VPN, Multiple VPN protocols (SSL, IPSec, IKEv2), Pre-deployment via Active Directory, SMS, etc, Centralized management via Cisco Prime Infrastructure, Integrated posture and compliance checks, Per-app VPN for secure access to specific resources, Clientless VPN via web browser, Network Access Manager for NAC and pros including Secure and flexible remote access, Broad platform and OS support, Integrates with other Cisco security products, Granular access controls and compliance enforcement, Centralized deployment and management, Per-app VPN increases security.

On the other hand, Aruba Central is a Network & Admin product tagged with networking, infrastructure-management, analytics, automation, cloudnative.

Its standout features include Unified cloud-based management for wired, wireless and SD-WAN infrastructure, AI-powered analytics and insights for network optimization and user experience, Automated workflows and remediation for simplified operations, Integrated security features for securing the network edge, Scalable and flexible deployment options for small to large enterprises, Mobile app for remote monitoring and management, and it shines with pros like Centralized management of network infrastructure, Improved visibility and control over the network, Reduced operational overhead and IT resource requirements, Enhanced user experience through AI-driven optimization, Scalable and flexible deployment options.

Feature	Cisco AnyConnect	Aruba Central
Overall Score	1	N/A
Primary Category	Network & Admin	Network & Admin

Product Overview

Cisco AnyConnect

Description: Cisco AnyConnect is a VPN client that provides secure VPN connections to Cisco VPN headends and cloud services. It enables remote users to securely access corporate resources and applications over the internet.

Aruba Central

Description: Aruba Central is a cloud-native platform for managing wired, wireless and SD-WAN infrastructure. It provides a unified dashboard with AI-powered analytics and automation to simplify operations, optimize users' experiences and secure the network edge.

Key Features Comparison

Cisco AnyConnect Features

• Secure remote access VPN
• Multiple VPN protocols (SSL, IPSec, IKEv2)
• Pre-deployment via Active Directory, SMS, etc
• Centralized management via Cisco Prime Infrastructure
• Integrated posture and compliance checks
• Per-app VPN for secure access to specific resources
• Clientless VPN via web browser
• Network Access Manager for NAC

Aruba Central Features

• Unified cloud-based management for wired, wireless and SD-WAN infrastructure
• AI-powered analytics and insights for network optimization and user experience
• Automated workflows and remediation for simplified operations
• Integrated security features for securing the network edge
• Scalable and flexible deployment options for small to large enterprises
• Mobile app for remote monitoring and management

Pros & Cons Analysis

Cisco AnyConnect

Pros

• Secure and flexible remote access
• Broad platform and OS support
• Integrates with other Cisco security products
• Granular access controls and compliance enforcement
• Centralized deployment and management
• Per-app VPN increases security

Cons

• Complex setup and management
• License costs can get expensive for large deployments
• Interoperability limited to Cisco products
• Requires supporting Cisco infrastructure

Aruba Central

Pros

• Centralized management of network infrastructure
• Improved visibility and control over the network
• Reduced operational overhead and IT resource requirements
• Enhanced user experience through AI-driven optimization
• Scalable and flexible deployment options

Cons

• Potential vendor lock-in with Aruba hardware and software
• Ongoing subscription costs for cloud-based management
• Limited customization options compared to on-premises solutions
• Dependency on stable internet connectivity for cloud-based management

Pricing Comparison

Cisco AnyConnect

• Subscription-Based
• Pay-As-You-Go

Aruba Central

• Subscription-Based