Cisco IOS SSL VPN vs Surfshark One comparison

Cisco and Surfshark are both solutions in the SSL VPN category. Cisco is ranked #4 with an average rating of 9.2, while Surfshark is ranked #11 with an average rating of 9.0. Cisco holds a 10.3% mindshare in SV, compared to Surfshark’s 3.0% mindshare. Additionally, 100% of Cisco users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Surfshark users who would recommend it.

Cisco IOS SSL VPN

Read 50 Cisco IOS SSL VPN reviews

1,730 Views
1,003 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Surfshark One

Read 2 Surfshark One reviews

267 Views
267 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Cisco IOS SSL VPN

Surfshark One

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on May 21, 2025

Cisco IOS SSL VPN and Surfshark One compete in secure online access and virtual private networking. Surfshark One leads in user satisfaction due to its comprehensive features, appealing to tech-savvy buyers seeking an all-in-one privacy suite.

Features: Cisco IOS SSL VPN provides enterprise-level network security and integration with existing Cisco infrastructure, offering robust protection for business data. Surfshark One includes malware detection, identity protection, clean web browsing, and VPN service, focusing on individual users with its expansive feature set.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Cisco IOS SSL VPN is for enterprise deployment, requiring a complex setup benefiting from Cisco's customer support. Surfshark One offers simpler installation for consumers, with efficient customer service facilitating an easy deployment experience.

Pricing and ROI: Cisco IOS SSL VPN involves higher initial setup costs due to its enterprise capabilities but offers substantial ROI for businesses prioritizing security. Surfshark One is a cost-effective alternative with lower upfront expenses, delivering high ROI for personal users by bundling multiple services competitively.

To learn more, read our detailed Cisco IOS SSL VPN vs. Surfshark One Report (Updated: March 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Cisco IOS SSL VPN vs. Surfshark One

March 2026

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Helped 884,873 peers since 2012

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

Cisco IOS SSL VPN

Ranking in SSL VPN

4th

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

7.2

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Enterprise Infrastructure VPN (10th)

Surfshark One

Ranking in SSL VPN

11th

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

6.6

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of March 2026, in the SSL VPN category, the mindshare of Cisco IOS SSL VPN is 10.3%, up from 8.5% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Surfshark One is 3.0%, up from 1.3% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

SSL VPN Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Cisco IOS SSL VPN	10.3%
Surfshark One	3.0%
Other	86.7%

SSL VPN

Featured Reviews

Viktor Masnyy

student at a university with 1,001-5,000 employees

Cost efficiency and ease of setup define network management while potential improvements in complexity handling are noted

Optimizing and configuring for network segmentation is the biggest thing for helping with segmenting traffic management. Configuring QoS on Linksys is pretty easy, especially compared to Cisco QoS, which I am certified in, as it helps ensure that the bandwidth for voice or other applications doesn't bleed over into the data links. In the past, Linksys has been pretty good at network protection, segmenting off that protection for unauthorized access or cyber threats. Cost savings and ease of use are the benefits I've seen from Linksys. It's a little bit less complex to set up and configure compared to Cisco switching. I utilized the VLAN support feature in the Linksys switches. A lot of the networks I have were broken up by VLAN, and I definitely configured them for different VLANs. The best feature of Linksys in my opinion is cost, as they tend to be more cost-effective compared to larger switches or Cisco switches.

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Wai Kok Cheng

Head of Information Security at K2 Baseline Sdn Bhd

Offers ease of use and has an initial setup phase that is straightforward

The tool's performance is quite good till now, so I have no complaints about it. The tool still blocks IP addresses for certain websites, making it an area of concern that requires improvements. This may be because some websites don't accept VPN connections from non-VPN servers, so sometimes, users are blocked from accessing certain sites.

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"Cisco VPN is easy to connect."

"Cisco certainly has a really strong support team."

"The solution is very stable."

"Cisco IOS SSL VPN is an easy-to-use and straightforward solution."

"The most valuable features are that it's reliable, convenient, and easy. It always works if configured well."

"It is very effective and I am satisfied with how it works and with its performance."

"The product is very stable."

"I like to work with the CMD command line because it's easy and it doesn't take very long to configure."

More Cisco IOS SSL VPN pros

"It did what I needed it to do. It was easy to use."

"The solution's most valuable feature is its ease of use."

Cons

"The solution's graphical user interface is not very user-friendly."

"Compatibility can sometimes be a challenge. There have been issues with operating systems where newer updates cause problems with backward compatibility."

"It would be helpful if Cisco IOS SSL VPN could help us set up devices on our iPads and phones."

"The configuration is critical and complex."

"Cisco has a history of problems with the area of web filtering, because of which my company sometimes had to change the vendor and the appliance."

"The servers should be more user-friendly."

"The graphical interface is old and needs to improve."

"Cisco ASA system doesn't provide interface with radius based user mapping, other than the standard schema of users and groups."

More Cisco IOS SSL VPN cons

"The tool still blocks IP addresses for certain websites, making it an area of concern that requires improvements."

"There is room for improvement in stability."

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The platform is expensive."

"Price flexibility could be improved in comparison to other vendors."

"FortiGate does not charge the client a licensing fee, although Cisco charges clients a couple of dollars per year for each license."

"The pricing of the solution is reasonable"

"The product costs less."

"Users have to pay a yearly licensing fee for Cisco IOS SSL VPN."

"Cisco IOS SSL VPN comes with a cost-effective subscription."

"I would say it is a bit expensive, but I think it is worth the price."

More Cisco IOS SSL VPN pricing and cost advice

"There is a need to pay towards the licensing charges attached to the product. The product is reasonably priced."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Marketing Services Firm

10%

Computer Software Company

Healthcare Company

Manufacturing Company

No data available

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	23
Midsize Enterprise	4
Large Enterprise	25

No data available

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Cisco IOS SSL VPN?

The solution is pretty fast.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Cisco IOS SSL VPN?

I am not sure about the pricing of Cisco IOS SSL VPN.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Cisco IOS SSL VPN?

I have not found any areas that could be improved so far. I am not sure how Cisco IOS SSL VPN can continue their improvements for the future, but I think it is a great product. To stay on top, they...

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What do you like most about Surfshark One?

The solution's most valuable feature is its ease of use.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Surfshark One?

There is a need to pay towards the licensing charges attached to the product. The product is reasonably priced.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Surfshark One?

See all answers

Comparisons

OpenVPN Access Server vs Cisco IOS SSL VPN

Compared 21% of the time

Sangfor SSL VPN vs Cisco IOS SSL VPN

Compared 9% of the time

Citrix Gateway vs Cisco IOS SSL VPN

Compared 9% of the time

Array AG Series vs Cisco IOS SSL VPN

Compared 8% of the time

Ivanti Connect Secure vs Cisco IOS SSL VPN

Compared 8% of the time

More Cisco IOS SSL VPN Competitors

Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) vs Surfshark One

Compared 86% of the time

More Surfshark One Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Cisco IOS SSL VPN

March 2026

Download Cisco IOS SSL VPN product report

Buyer's Guide

SSL VPN

February 2026

Download Surfshark One product report

Also Known As

Cisco SSL VPN

No data available

Overview

Cisco SSL VPN solutions help you easily and securely extend the network to users who have access to the Internet and a web browser. You can customize access and extend the reach of your corporate network to individuals based on their roles, including teleworker contractors and business partners.

Cisco

Surfshark One offers a comprehensive suite of tools designed to enhance online security and privacy for users. Known for its versatile applications, it provides robust protection with a user-friendly approach that appeals to tech-savvy individuals.

Surfshark One combines advanced security protocols with cutting-edge technology to deliver a seamless online experience. It integrates multiple tools such as VPN, Antivirus, Search, and Identity Protection to ensure a complete safety net against digital threats. Users can navigate the internet securely, enjoying anonymity and peace of mind. Its design caters to privacy-conscious users who prioritize data security without compromising on speed or efficiency.

What are the key features of Surfshark One?

VPN: Ensures anonymous browsing by masking IP addresses.
Antivirus: Protects devices from malware and potential threats.
Search: Offers a private search engine free from tracking.
Identity Protection: Monitors for data breaches and alerts users.

What benefits or ROI should users look for in reviews?

Enhanced Privacy: Users find value in comprehensive privacy protection.
Cost-Effectiveness: Affordable pricing combined with extensive features.
User Experience: Seamless interface resulting in user satisfaction.
Reliability: Consistent performance across different devices.

In the healthcare and finance sectors, Surfshark One is implemented to secure sensitive data and maintain regulatory compliance. Its features aid in protecting confidential information, preventing cyber attacks, and ensuring industry-specific safeguard requirements are met for business continuity.

Surfshark

Sample Customers

MST Systems

Information Not Available

Buyer's Guide

Cisco IOS SSL VPN vs. Surfshark One

March 2026

Free Report: Cisco IOS SSL VPN vs. Surfshark One

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