Aruba Remote Access Points vs Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) comparison

Aruba Remote Access Points vs. Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect)

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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

Aruba Remote Access Points

Ranking in Enterprise Infrastructure VPN

8th

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

6.2

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Cisco Secure Client (includ...

Ranking in Enterprise Infrastructure VPN

6th

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

6.6

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

SSL VPN (1st), ZTNA as a Service (9th), Cisco Security Portfolio (5th)

Mindshare comparison

As of March 2026, in the Enterprise Infrastructure VPN category, the mindshare of Aruba Remote Access Points is 1.2%, up from 0.8% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) is 6.1%, down from 7.1% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Enterprise Infrastructure VPN Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect)	6.1%
Aruba Remote Access Points	1.2%
Other	92.7%

Enterprise Infrastructure VPN

Featured Reviews

Theesula Majuwanagamage

Head Of ELV and ICT at Intec Systems Solution Pvt Ltd

Efficient Setup and Strong Performance Highlight Versatile Capabilities

In terms of areas for improvement in Aruba Remote Access Points, when planning for the customer's end, you need to highlight the precautions against EMF emissions and environmental emissions, as well as power management limitations. If the user is in one direction and you're transmitting everywhere, that's not good power management. Currently, all access points provide the same power requirement to the client, but we should explore what extra mile we can go. We are facing energy crises and climate issues, along with GHG and SDGs protocols. If we highlight the alignment with these protocols, it can enhance the product quality as an environmentally friendly option. Apart from that, service-wise, every unit is the same. Users can only distinguish those requirements using spectrum analyzers; otherwise, minor data delays of one or two seconds do not matter, but for high-security or high-speed needs, it becomes significant.

Read full review

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

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"It’s very light."

"This solution is widely adopted and involves both technology and non-technical devices. It is robust, except in cases of significant power outages."

"Aruba Remote Access Points provide a level of protection for our IPs."

"The authentication features are valuable."

"The most valuable feature of Aruba Remote Access Points is the manageability from the central cloud platform."

"The most valuable features of Aruba Remote Access Points are the easy configuration, straightforward installation, and secure security features."

"The tool's most valuable features are its ease of configuration and deployment."

"What I like best about Aruba Remote Access Points is that it's pretty easy to set up."

More Aruba Remote Access Points pros

"The most valuable feature is the ease of use."

"It utilizes certificates, which allows for automatic setup."

"The most valuable features of the Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client is the reliability and scalability."

"The most valuable feature of the Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client is its ease of use and simple interface. It's always available as long as I have a good network connection."

"The VPN is the most valuable feature. In general, I like the solution and it helps me connect to my corporate site."

"Cisco Technical Support is very good, very friendly, and helpful."

"The dashboard and interface are fine."

"The multifactor authentication enhances security posture, and integrating our internal application for authentication was easy."

More Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) pros

Cons

"Its scalability capabilities should be improved."

"To make the solution better, the cloud solution should be more integrated as it has too many different menus, and it would be preferable to have it more cohesive in one solution."

"There are some issues, like the VLAN capabilities and support for routing between two VMs."

"The product needs an increased level of security for the end user."

"The device requires reconfiguration if we use a standalone setup because the battery fault leads to all configurations resetting."

"The product is not user-friendly."

"The solution is costly for medium-sized companies."

"I would rate stability as five out of ten. Sometimes it is stable, and sometimes it is not."

More Aruba Remote Access Points cons

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

"All I care about is being connected and I know that we've run into versioning issues in the past."

"We'd like the product to be cheaper."

"Usability could be improved, as the look and feel of it is somewhat dated. More generally, Cisco's security portfolio, including Secure Client and the firewalls, is falling behind."

"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."

"The various licensing options make it challenging to manage, and the cost is a significant issue for customers."

"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."

"The setup could be simplified for solutions engineers with a wizard."

More Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The price of Aruba Remote Access Points could be better. It is a little expensive."

"Aruba pricing is not very high. They offer competitive pricing for what they provide."

"There are no other expenses than standard licenses for the product."

"Price-wise, Aruba Remote Access Points is in the middle, so my rating for its pricing is three out of five."

"Aruba Remote Access Points' pricing is good and affordable."

"You require no separate licensing to convert an access point to RAP."

"In terms of pricing, we've found Aruba's offerings to be very competitive."

"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 pricing depends on the requirement, so proper planning and an RF analysis help to properly size the solution and get the best pricing."

"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."

"The initial cost is the ASA and other items, but after that, it is relatively inexpensive."

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

"One thing I've noticed is the price in comparison to other VPNs."

"The price is okay."

"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."

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

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Manufacturing Company

19%

Comms Service Provider

Government

Healthcare Company

Manufacturing Company

10%

Financial Services Firm

Government

Computer Software Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	8
Midsize Enterprise	5
Large Enterprise	8

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

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Aruba Remote Access Points?

This solution is widely adopted and involves both technology and non-technical devices. It is robust, except in cases of significant power outages.

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Aruba Remote Access Points?

We do not use Zero Touch Provisioning with Aruba Remote Access Points because the Aruba device being expensive compared to cheaper Cisco options holds us back.

What needs improvement with Aruba Remote Access Points?

The device requires reconfiguration if we use a standalone setup because the battery fault leads to all configurations resetting. This is a significant area for improvement, especially when the dev...

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

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

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...

What needs improvement with Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client?

Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) can be made better, as the product for me has not changed in the last year. The only problem is that if you want to download it somewhere else, you cannot...

Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks vs Aruba Remote Access Points

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Product Reports

Aruba Remote Access Points

Download Aruba Remote Access Points product report

Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect)

Download Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) product report

Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) report

Also Known As

Aruba RAP

Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client

Overview

emote APs connect to a controllerusing Extended Authentication and Internet Protocol Security (XAuth/IPSec). AP control and 802.11 data traffic are carried through this tunnel. Secure Remote Access Point Service extends the corporate office to the remote site. Remote users can use the same features as corporate office users. For example, voice over IP (VoIP) applications can be extended to remote sites while the servers and the PBX remain secure in the corporate office.

Secure Remote Access Point Service can also be used to secure control traffic between an AP and the controllerin a corporate environment. In this case, both the AP and controllerare in the company’s private address space.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise

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

Sample Customers

Trafford Metropolitan Borough

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

Aruba Remote Access Points vs. Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect)