

Aruba ClearPass and F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) are competing network security solutions. Users tend to favor Aruba ClearPass due to its competitive pricing and support, although F5 BIG-IP APM is perceived as more feature-rich, appealing to those seeking extensive functionality.
Features: Aruba ClearPass offers excellent integration capabilities, a comprehensive set of NAC features, and robust security through modules like OnGuard for posture assessment. Meanwhile, F5 BIG-IP APM is valued for its user-friendly login interface, customizable portals, and reliable authentication solutions compatible with a wide range of vendors.
Room for Improvement: Aruba ClearPass is considered complex, with clarity needed in licensing models and third-party integration. Users suggest enhancements in its user interface, reporting capabilities, and integration methods. For F5 BIG-IP APM, improvements are needed in integration with identity providers and reporting functions. Initial setup and user documentation could also be streamlined.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Aruba ClearPass offers deployment flexibility with on-premises and hybrid options and is often praised for proactive support, although responsiveness could be better. F5 BIG-IP APM similarly offers multiple deployment choices but has been criticized for complex technical support interactions and costly service.
Pricing and ROI: Pricing for Aruba ClearPass can be complex, yet is generally seen as competitive with good returns. F5 BIG-IP APM is more expensive, but users feel this is justified by its comprehensive security and management capabilities. Both solutions provide ROI through enhanced data security and operational performance improvements.
Using Aruba ClearPass has resulted in less engineering time compared to other products we've used.
The investment is huge for enterprise clients, but Aruba ClearPass makes processes easier.
Portnox is one level up, as their customer support is outstanding.
We have faced delays in the resolution of production issues after raising tickets, which impacts productivity.
If Aruba ClearPass is not working, then the organization is not working because this is the access control in the organization.
Even if they respond, they don't update me with the process or what's going on.
Most of the technical support is managed in-house due to our extensive experience with F5 products.
F5 technical support is responsive and helpful.
I believe the scalability of ClearPass is rated as ten out of ten.
Everything will be handled when you add new users because all configurations are deployed from the beginning.
In our environment, ClearPass handles up to 100,000 users, which is better than some other NAC solutions like Fortinox that scale up to 25,000.
The product's flexibility and company culture contribute to resolving these challenges.
I would rate the scalability of F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) between seven and eight.
I have experienced more than three years without zero downtime with Aruba ClearPass.
There are issues with some versions, especially in integrating with AD and SSL configurations over port sixty-three.
However, there are disadvantages when it is not on-premises, as every NAC suffers from it if it is not on-premises.
On a scale from one to ten for stability, I would rate F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) a ten.
Sometimes, the logs are not quite informational or easy to understand.
The language and policy enforcement mechanisms are not clear, making it difficult to use the product effectively.
It is also better to improve threat intelligence for built-in threat detection and prevention.
A more streamlined menu of licensing options would be helpful.
If I could copy and paste objects instead of picking and configuring them from scratch each time, it would be great.
The main improvement needed for F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) is to integrate into the cloud-delivered services from F5.
The ability to run the Anycast feature would be valuable, as the current solution only operates on-premises.
Achieving the best price requires careful selection from a menu of licensing options.
We cannot mix in prices, and of course, prices are going higher.
Aruba ClearPass is a premium product with higher pricing, which seems unnecessary given its complexity.
F5 products are more expensive than other solutions but are valued for their quality and reliability.
In Aruba ClearPass, you can have control of all authentication in the company.
The ClearPass solution has reduced the amount of engineering time compared to previous solutions, making it more efficient for our purposes.
The most effective feature for us is the OnGuard feature.
APM is quite flexible for customers to use, providing secure remote access through various host-checking conditions for both machines and users.
It provides robust security and offers integration with multi-factor authentication systems, which is crucial for an organization's security policy.
A lot of features are useful to me, including mostly the authentication, SAML, or SSO, with no sign-on.
| Product | Mindshare (%) |
|---|---|
| Aruba ClearPass | 18.5% |
| F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) | 1.9% |
| Other | 79.6% |

| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 44 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 25 |
| Large Enterprise | 34 |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 9 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 2 |
| Large Enterprise | 9 |
Aruba ClearPass provides robust authentication and policy enforcement with seamless integration capabilities, enhancing security for corporate networks. It handles guest access, BYOD management, and offers dynamic segmentation and extensive network visibility.
Aruba ClearPass supports diverse environments through integrated device profiling, enhancing network and user security. Its intuitive GUI simplifies management while dynamic segmentation offers tailored user experiences. Though highly functional, users seek improvements in interface intuitiveness and simplified configurations. Streamlined integration, better support, and clarity in licensing are also desired to enhance user experience. Deployed primarily for network access control and wireless management, Aruba ClearPass ensures secure corporate network access with identity authentication, policy enforcement, and detailed visibility.
What are the core features?In healthcare, Aruba ClearPass manages secure access for medical devices and personnel, ensuring compliance and confidentiality. Schools utilize it for managing student and guest network access, while enterprises integrate it for consistent security across corporate environments.
F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) enhances access management by offering remote application access through SSL VPN, secure access verification, and login capabilities. Its user-friendly interface and robust security ensure efficient scalability and performance.
F5 BIG-IP APM serves enterprises by integrating multiple authentication protocols and supporting remote access via SSL VPN for secure application and network connections. Known for its strong performance and reliable scalability, APM allows custom policy management, facilitating load balancing and enhanced server management through virtual IP creation. It offers a secure bridge for users to connect to private networks while managing access through portals and enforcing compliance checks. Despite its efficient and user-friendly interface, APM has areas needing improvements such as updates for MacOS access, comprehensive reporting features, and simplifying the initial setup process. Better documentation and improved cloud integration are also areas for potential enhancement, alongside more efficient management and automation capabilities. Pricing and integration with other systems could be more competitive, and improvements in support response times would benefit users significantly.
What are the key features of F5 BIG-IP APM?In sectors like finance and healthcare, F5 BIG-IP APM ensures secure access management for sensitive data networks. Retailers utilize it to manage seasonal traffic efficiently with its load balancing and scalability, while educational institutions leverage its robust security and remote access features for faculty and students accessing campus networks remotely. These industries benefit from tailored policy management and comprehensive authentication integration to meet specific security and access needs.
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