Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) vs Hillstone E-Series comparison

Cisco and Hillstone Networks are both solutions in the SSL VPN category. Cisco is ranked #2 with an average rating of 8.0, while Hillstone Networks is ranked #9 with an average rating of 8.0. Cisco holds a 11.7% mindshare in SV, compared to Hillstone Networks’s 4.0% mindshare. Additionally, 92% of Cisco users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Hillstone Networks users who would recommend it.

Cisco Secure Client (includ...

Read 78 Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) reviews

5,785 Views
926 Comparison Views

92% willing to recommend

Hillstone E-Series

Read 10 Hillstone E-Series reviews

1,619 Views
227 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Cisco Secure Client (includ...

Hillstone E-Series

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on May 21, 2025

Hillstone E-Series and Cisco Secure Client, including AnyConnect, compete in the network security domain. Hillstone holds an advantage with its competitive pricing and user-friendly design, while Cisco stands out for its comprehensive feature set and robust security offerings.

Features: Hillstone E-Series offers user-friendliness, innovative hardware with significant throughput capabilities, and ransomware protection. It integrates virtual switching and routing, eliminating the need for third-party devices. Cisco Secure Client provides ease of use, seamless VPN connectivity, and multi-factor authentication. Its interface is user-friendly, and it includes an inbuilt diagnostics option.

Room for Improvement: Hillstone could enhance its feature set to match the advanced security functionalities offered by competitors like Cisco. More flexible integration with third-party solutions might broaden its appeal. Expanding scalability could also benefit larger enterprises. Cisco Secure Client could simplify its setup process and refine its stability under heavy loads. Enhancing compatibility with non-Cisco infrastructure and reducing its complexity could improve user experience.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Hillstone E-Series is praised for easy setup and integration with existing systems, supported by responsive customer service, ensuring a smooth transition for users. Cisco Secure Client’s deployment process is more intricate, although it offers substantial technical support resources, ensuring users have guidance through its comprehensive configurations.

Pricing and ROI: Hillstone E-Series is valued for its affordability, attracting budget-conscious buyers while providing decent ROI. Cisco Secure Client, though more expensive, offers extensive functionality that justifies its cost through significant long-term security benefits, yielding high ROI in dynamic environments.

To learn more, read our detailed Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) vs. Hillstone E-Series Report (Updated: January 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) vs. Hillstone E-Series

January 2026

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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 Secure Client (includ...

Ranking in SSL VPN

2nd

Ranking in Enterprise Infrastructure VPN

6th

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

6.6

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

ZTNA as a Service (9th), Cisco Security Portfolio (5th)

Hillstone E-Series

Ranking in SSL VPN

9th

Ranking in Enterprise Infrastructure VPN

24th

Average Rating

9.2

Reviews Sentiment

7.7

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Firewalls (39th)

Mindshare comparison

As of February 2026, in the SSL VPN category, the mindshare of Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) is 11.7%, down from 14.5% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Hillstone E-Series is 4.0%, up from 2.5% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

SSL VPN Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect)	11.7%
Hillstone E-Series	4.0%
Other	84.3%

SSL VPN

Featured Reviews

AJAY SARPAL

Manager - Projects at airtel

Offers work-from-anywhere flexibility but navigates occasional proxy confusion

The analytics I downloaded from your site as a free download did not carry the information that was actually required. I was looking at the market segmentation and market share, along with some USPs which differentiated them from each other. The free download had two issues: many things were repetitive, and it was designed to not release any relevant information. Only headers were present, so I was not able to determine whether the final report would be worthwhile. I have not worked with enterprise tools that I could share feedback on for website publication. I see benefits from using Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect). However, I would not recommend it because future adoptions will be towards Zscaler, as SSC is a better model than VPN. On a scale of 1-10, I rate this solution a 7.

Read full review

TahirMahmood

IT Manager at Zubair Feeds

Offers good features like URL filtering, IPS, and IDS to users

We received an update for the tool in July. The update was provided for the tool as there was a problem with the firewall, where too much memory was consumed, and the firewall was hanging a lot. When we updated the tool's features, everything became okay. The tool only had some memory-related problems. It took the tool a month to fix the issues.

Read full review

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"The solution has good performance. It is a simple tool to use, once I turn on Windows it automatically starts to use the VPN."

"This is a stable solution."

"The most valuable feature is AnyConnect's reliability."

"The security AnyConnect offers is excellent. It disconnects automatically if someone isn't using it on a private network and doesn't allow you to work, ensuring the data within the system is secure."

"The most valuable feature of Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client is the consistency, I have not had any issues with the performance."

"Advanced malware protection helps us to prevent any virus from contaminating computers. We also have DLP for prevention. And AnyConnect has a feature that lets us do some sandboxing to evaluate files that arrive from the outside. So before opening them, we can check them with the sandbox."

"I like how I don't need to see the solution or start it up. I just use my computer and have it working in the background. I start my laptop and it's there and working. That's the most important feature."

"The solution provides secure and easy access to corporate network resources."

More Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) pros

"Very reliable solution with good scalability and straightforward implementation."

"Working with the Hillstone E-Series has, from a remote perspective, allowed me to give my clients a secure connectivity."

"The most valuable feature of the solution is the ransomware protection that the tool offers."

"Five out of five ROI."

"I am impressed with the application filtering feature."

"Stability-wise, I rate the solution a ten out of ten."

"This solution has two main features that we find very valuable; a threat-intelligence option, and a web/application filtering option. The technical support team are very good and very quick."

"The initial setup was straightforward. It only took a few hours to deploy."

More Hillstone E-Series pros

Cons

"The security could be improved."

"If there's any cloud version available, instead of on-premise, that would be ideal."

"They can redesign the reset password, reset function, and user interface."

"Complicated scenarios are difficult to deploy. On a scale from one to ten, with one being the most difficult, I'd give a rating of between two and three for the initial setup."

"It should autodetect or monitor it, when I am in the office it goes to the network in the office, or when I'm not at the office, it automatically activates my VPN connection."

"Every two weeks there was a new version to install which was annoying for the users."

"Setting up Cisco Secure Client, especially when using certificates, is quite a job and complicated."

"In general, it's always a good idea to improve scalability and stability."

More Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) cons

"Support from Hillstone E-Series has a shortcoming that needs improvement."

"I am not sure if this solution offers active directory integration. Adding that feature will definitely be an advantage."

"The tool needs to improve its price."

"SSL VPN license cost is not cheap."

"Having frequent live webinars on a monthly basis would really help."

"The tool only had some memory-related problems."

"The solution doesn't have a web proxy built into the system like Sophos. This is something they should work to change."

"The current usage reporting is very basic."

More Hillstone E-Series cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"It costs around 80,000 Indian rupees for a hundred licenses, so approximately $1,020 USD."

"We pay for an annual subscription. Additionally to the subscription, we thought in order to connect this solution to the Active Directory we had to purchase a Cisco ACS, Access Control System. It turns out we did not actually need it."

"Sometimes there is a problem with the number of licenses for the end-user. The number of concurrent users is limited due to a valid license."

"I would rate the pricing for the license of Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client around four to five out of ten. It's not the cheapest option, but it's also not overly expensive."

"There is a license needed to use this solution. There are different licensing models available, such as a three-year license."

"My company has a three-year or a four-year license. In scenarios attached to a solution where the product may be reaching an end-of-support or end-of-life phase, Cisco provides OS support in such environments."

"The licensing costs are reasonable."

"It is not a free solution and the user needs to buy license."

More Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) pricing and cost advice

"Hillstone's pricing is economical and neither very high nor very low."

"The cost per year for licensing, and hardware, is approximately $850 for the basic plan."

"The tool's pricing is reasonable. It depends on the model. The product's pricing is around 600 USD. You need to buy a software license to activate the features. You need to pay around 150 USD for that."

"The licensing model is very complex with many subcategories of licenses you can purchase. They could make it more simplified for customers to understand."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Manufacturing Company

10%

Computer Software Company

10%

Financial Services Firm

10%

Government

Comms Service Provider

16%

Financial Services Firm

10%

Manufacturing Company

Educational Organization

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	27
Midsize Enterprise	10
Large Enterprise	46

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	9
Midsize Enterprise	1

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client?

The tool is user-friendly, robust and easy to use in any environment.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client?

Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) is somewhat expensive compared to others such as Fortinet or Palo Alto, which provide free VPN when the firewall is purchased. Palo Alto and Fortinet prov...

See all answers

What needs improvement with Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client?

At times there is confusion regarding when to keep the proxy on or off, a problem faced by some users.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Hillstone E-Series?

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Hillstone E-Series?

I use the solution in my company for site-to-site VPN, SSL VPNs, URL filtering, IPS, IDS and all the other features which are available in the firewall.

See all answers

What advice do you have for others considering Hillstone E-Series?

Our company did not use the tool's micro-segmentation features. There were no issues while integrating the tool. I have not used any AI in the tool. I recommend the tool to others. I rate the tool ...

See all answers

Comparisons

OpenVPN Access Server vs Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect)

Compared 8% of the time

Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway vs Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect)

Compared 7% of the time

Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange Platform vs Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect)

Compared 6% of the time

Ivanti Connect Secure vs Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect)

Compared 6% of the time

Check Point Remote Access VPN vs Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect)

Compared 5% of the time

More Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) Competitors

OpenVPN Access Server vs Hillstone E-Series

Compared 17% of the time

Fortinet FortiGate vs Hillstone E-Series

Compared 16% of the time

Hillstone A-Series vs Hillstone E-Series

Compared 9% of the time

Sangfor SSL VPN vs Hillstone E-Series

Compared 9% of the time

Palo Alto Networks NG Firewalls vs Hillstone E-Series

Compared 3% of the time

More Hillstone E-Series Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect)

February 2026

Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) report

Download Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) product report

Buyer's Guide

Firewalls

January 2026

Download Hillstone E-Series product report

Also Known As

Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client

No data available

Overview

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?

Reliable Connectivity: Provides stable, dependable VPN access with a one-click connection.
Multi-Factor Authentication: Enhances security through additional user verification steps.
Advanced Malware Protection: Safeguards against threats with proactive protection measures.
Automatic Error Diagnostics: Identifies and fixes errors promptly.
Cross-Platform Support: Compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux for broad accessibility.

What benefits or ROI can users expect?

Increased Remote Work Efficiency: Facilitates secure, fast access to necessary resources.
Improved Network Security: Provides robust protection against external threats.
Ease of Use: Features simple setup and user-friendly interface for quick deployment.
Enhanced Data Protection: Keeps sensitive information secure through encryption and authentication.
Cost-Effectiveness: Offers a good balance of features against pricing, though further improvements could enhance value.

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.

Cisco

Hillstone E-Series is a comprehensive network security solution designed to protect organizations from advanced threats. It offers a range of features including a firewall, intrusion prevention system (IPS), virtual private network (VPN), and application control.

With its advanced threat intelligence capabilities, E-Series can detect and prevent sophisticated attacks, ensuring the security of critical data and systems. It also provides granular control over applications, allowing organizations to enforce policies and optimize network performance.

E-Series is easy to deploy and manage, with a user-friendly interface and centralized management console. It offers high-performance throughput and scalability, making it suitable for small businesses to large enterprises. With its robust security features and ease of use, Hillstone E-Series is an ideal choice for organizations looking to enhance their network security posture.

Hillstone Networks

Sample Customers

MST, Molina Healthcare, Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, Arup, New South Wales Rural FireService

Bank of China Macao, Instituto Tecnológico Bolivariano, Ministry of Labor in San Salvador, FEDCO

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) vs. Hillstone E-Series

January 2026

Free Report: Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) vs. Hillstone E-Series

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