Citrix Gateway and Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) are competitors in the network security and remote access market. Citrix Gateway has the upper hand in flexibility and configurability for complex network environments.
Features: Citrix Gateway provides features such as web app support, VPN, and robust security measures including a web application firewall, dual-factor authentication, and session monitoring. It is recognized for stability, scalability, and integration ease. Cisco Secure Client emphasizes secure VPN access, ease of deployment, advanced malware protection, and multi-factor authentication capabilities, focusing on reliable connectivity.
Room for Improvement: Citrix Gateway could improve in integration capabilities, user interface, and dashboards with suggestions for better multi-factor authentication and a more intuitive setup process. Improved logging and support are also noted. Cisco AnyConnect users desire a refreshed user interface, easier integration with platforms like Linux, better connection reliability, and streamlined auto-update processes. Management of licenses and deployment complexities are also highlighted areas for improvement.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Citrix Gateway offers flexible deployment options including on-premises and public cloud environments but receives mixed reviews on technical support response times. Cisco Secure Client is praised for deployment options across on-premises, hybrid, and cloud settings. Its technical support is generally effective, though some users express desires for improved response times and expertise.
Pricing and ROI: Citrix Gateway is perceived as expensive, with complex licensing models and additional support costs, potentially limiting accessibility for smaller businesses. Cisco Secure Client has more straightforward pricing but is still considered costly under certain license structures. Despite cost concerns, both solutions deliver significant security and connectivity ROI, with Citrix cited more frequently for cost considerations.
Citrix Gateway secures our environment from potential threats, which can save substantial financial resources, especially in preventing data breaches or ransomware attacks.
Cisco offers very high-quality customer service.
Cisco technical support is difficult, and it requires lots of contracts.
Over the years, there's been a decline in the quality, mainly in areas such as the experience level of support engineers and the time taken to address and escalate issues.
While there are multiple support tiers with priority response times of around 30 minutes, there appears to be a limitation in the number of technical teams who can immediately understand and resolve issues.
A smaller firewall can handle fewer sessions, while a larger one can handle tens of thousands of sessions.
The scalability of Cisco Secure Client depends on the hardware I choose.
Regarding scalability, Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) rates as excellent because we can scale out by simply buying more licenses from the vendor.
The solution features high availability, supporting both active-passive and active-active deployments to ensure constant product availability.
I believe that the scalability of Citrix Gateway depends on the project's requirements, as it can vary from simple load balancing to extensive Web Application Firewall implementations.
I would rate the stability ten out of ten.
The stability is really good, and I would rate it up to nine.
Regarding the performance of Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect), I have not seen any issues because performance-wise it functions properly.
I find Citrix products to be very stable.
I am using Intune for deployments, and it's not easy to create an automated deployment where users do not need to register server addresses.
Vendors offer more features, such as a kill switch.
Cisco's security portfolio, including Secure Client and the firewalls, is falling behind.
At this time it costs 35% more than other solutions.
The main purpose of Citrix Gateway is to enforce the appropriate level of access to the correct user on the proper device under the correct conditions.
Palo Alto and Fortinet provide free VPN connections, but Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) requires a license purchase.
I perceive the pricing to be a seven, however, I have perpetual licenses.
The pricing seems to align equally with other competitors like Palo Alto during a competitive situation.
I consider Citrix Gateway to be an expensive solution, generally ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 yearly, depending on the model.
Beneficial for businesses needing secure access outside the office.
Additionally, it gives the user flexibility of working from anywhere, which is a major feature we are looking at.
Cisco Secure Client's AnyConnect VPN's reliability has been absolutely wonderful, as well as the ability to connect from any network, regardless of location.
The product effectively helps me protect the organization's network from potential threats, thereby securing our environment from hackers and ransomware attacks.
It's easy to scale and easy to implement.
Secure SaaS access is particularly valuable as it ensures that SaaS-based applications are delivered securely.
Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) delivers reliable, stable connectivity and seamless integration with Active Directory, ensuring secure remote access through a one-click VPN capability. It's lightweight, user-friendly, and supports major operating systems, enhancing remote work flexibility.
Cisco Secure Client, including AnyConnect, is designed for secure remote connectivity, offering multi-factor authentication, advanced malware protection, and automatic error diagnostics. Compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux, it provides an intuitive setup and a clean interface. While it excels in ease of use, issues such as the outdated Linux build and the need for modern UI enhancements persist. Users also face connectivity challenges with frequent updates and high prices, alongside the need for better endpoint security and system integration. Popular for remote work, it facilitates secure access to corporate networks, allowing seamless interactions with resources like emails, documents, and applications.
What key features does Cisco Secure Client offer?Cisco Secure Client is widely implemented across industries for secure remote connectivity, especially in sectors requiring constant access to servers, data centers, and research labs. It supports remote work by enabling employees in diverse fields to access internal resources efficiently, maintaining productivity and security.
Citrix Gateway is a customer-managed solution that can be deployed on premises or on any public cloud, such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform. Citrix Gateway provides users with secure access and single sign-on to all the virtual, SaaS and web applications they need to be productive.
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