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 #3 with an average rating of 8.0, while Hillstone Networks is ranked #10 with an average rating of 8.0. Cisco holds a 9.5% mindshare in SV, compared to Hillstone Networks’s 4.3% 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

6,985 Views
1,257 Comparison Views

92% willing to recommend

Hillstone E-Series

Read 10 Hillstone E-Series reviews

2,524 Views
404 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: April 2026).

Buyer's Guide

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

April 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

3rd

Ranking in Enterprise Infrastructure VPN

8th

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

6.6

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

ZTNA as a Service (12th), Cisco Security Portfolio (5th)

Hillstone E-Series

Ranking in SSL VPN

10th

Ranking in Enterprise Infrastructure VPN

22nd

Average Rating

9.0

Reviews Sentiment

7.7

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Firewalls (38th)

Mindshare comparison

As of May 2026, in the SSL VPN category, the mindshare of Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) is 9.5%, down from 15.6% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Hillstone E-Series is 4.3%, up from 3.0% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

SSL VPN Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect)	9.5%
Hillstone E-Series	4.3%
Other	86.2%

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

"Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client is great for connecting to the company's network when working from home."

"The initial setup is easy."

"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."

"The solution is stable and secure, with no bugs or glitches, no crashes or freezes, reliable performance, and very strong security."

"The most valuable feature of Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client is the one-click VPN connection, and additionally, the performance is good."

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

"It is easy to handle, you can have it on Windows, Mac, and Linux."

"What I like most about Cisco AnyConnect VPN is its reliability and stability."

More Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) pros

"Five out of five ROI."

"The installation is easy, we have not had any complaints from our customers."

"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 Hillstone E-Series is its user-friendliness."

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

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

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

More Hillstone E-Series pros

Cons

"Behavior analytics and other newer technologies should be integrated into the solution."

"The cost could always be a bit less."

"The product is stable unless there's a fluctuation in connections as the internet can fluctuate anytime; we can lose stuff or the whole connectivity the moment there's a slight microsecond of connectivity, and it tries to reconnect, however, it's not always successful, and that's where the pain is."

"The setup is a bit difficult to handle on the server-side."

"As with most Cisco products, standing by itself, this solution is not perfect."

"If user authentication has already been done on a device, maybe there could be connectivity directly without needing to log in each time I access the service."

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

"With Zero Trust Network, I have reviewed Palo Alto and Cisco, and I must admit that Cisco's products are lacking."

More Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) cons

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

"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."

"The room for improvement would be the SSL VPN license cost."

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

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

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

"The tool needs to improve its price."

More Hillstone E-Series cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The solution is reasonably priced and costs $600 for a five-year license in our scenario."

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

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

"The solution is based on an annual licensing model and is expensive."

"The price is okay."

"The licensing costs are reasonable."

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

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

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

"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."

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

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

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

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

12%

Manufacturing Company

10%

Government

Computer Software Company

Comms Service Provider

14%

Construction Company

12%

Financial Services Firm

11%

Manufacturing Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	27
Midsize Enterprise	10
Large Enterprise	49

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	9
Midsize Enterprise	1

Questions from the Community

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?

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...

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client?

Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) is used to make a VPN connection to work, specifically for a VPN and internet connection to my work's office.

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

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

Compared 5% of the time

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

Compared 4% of the time

Ivanti Connect Secure vs Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect)

Compared 4% of the time

Check Point Harmony SASE (formerly Perimeter 81) vs Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect)

Compared 4% of the time

More Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) Competitors

OpenVPN Access Server vs Hillstone E-Series

Compared 16% of the time

Fortinet FortiGate vs Hillstone E-Series

Compared 12% of the time

Sangfor SSL VPN vs Hillstone E-Series

Compared 8% of the time

Sophos Firewall vs Hillstone E-Series

Compared 7% of the time

Cisco IOS SSL VPN vs Hillstone E-Series

Compared 6% of the time

More Hillstone E-Series Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect)

May 2026

Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) report

Download Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) product report

Buyer's Guide

Firewalls

April 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 known for user-friendliness and advanced security features, offering high-performance threat protection with virtual switching and routing to support significant data volumes without third-party hardware. It provides top-notch firewall capabilities tailored to educational and energy sectors.

Hillstone E-Series delivers comprehensive network security with threat intelligence, ransomware protection, and state-of-the-art hardware innovation. Its 64-bit call processor facilitates handling large data volumes efficiently. Capabilities such as SSL VPN, integrated IPS, and application filtering make it a valuable choice for network protection. While further integration with a web proxy and enhanced usage reporting can enhance its offerings, enhancements in pricing models, support systems, and updates align with evolving user expectations for improved regional support and detailed analytics.

What are the standout features of Hillstone E-Series?

User-Friendliness: Intuitive setup and management for all users.
Threat Intelligence: Advanced protection against modern cyber threats.
Ransomware Protection: Strong defenses to mitigate ransomware attacks.
Hardware Innovation: Virtual switching/routing for seamless operations.
64-Bit Call Processor: Efficient performance with high data volumes.

What benefits should users expect when evaluating Hillstone E-Series?

Comprehensive Capability: Addresses complex network security needs.
Impressive Throughput: Maintains high performance under load.
Easy Policy Management: Simplifies network security rule application.
Robust Security Features: Offers extensive filtering and blocking options.

The Hillstone E-Series is implemented extensively across industries like educational institutions and energy companies to safeguard local networks against gateway-level threats. Many organizations benefit from features such as antivirus, integrated IPS, site-to-site VPN, SSL VPN, and policy management, enhancing remote work security and simplifying network management tasks.

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

April 2026

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

Find out what your peers are saying about Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) vs. Hillstone E-Series and other solutions. Updated: April 2026.

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