F5 BIG-IQ vs Microsoft System Center Orchestrator comparison

F5 and Microsoft are both solutions in the Process Automation category. F5 is ranked #29 with an average rating of 7.5, while Microsoft is ranked #18 with an average rating of 9.0. F5 holds a 0.8% mindshare in PA, compared to Microsoft’s 1.3% mindshare. Additionally, 75% of F5 users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 33% of Microsoft users who would recommend it.

F5 BIG-IQ

Read 15 F5 BIG-IQ reviews

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564 Comparison Views

75% willing to recommend

Microsoft System Center Orc...

Read 2 Microsoft System Center Orchestrator reviews

1,058 Views
1,058 Comparison Views

33% willing to recommend

F5 BIG-IQ

Microsoft System Center Orc...

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Dec 17, 2024

F5 BIG-IQ and Microsoft System Center Orchestrator compete in network management and automation. Microsoft System Center Orchestrator seems to have the upper hand due to its integration capabilities and comprehensive automation features.

Features: F5 BIG-IQ provides comprehensive visibility into app services, automates repetitive tasks, and delivers streamlined management of F5 devices. Microsoft System Center Orchestrator automates workflows between data centers and supports heterogeneous environments, largely standing out for its ability to integrate seamlessly across varied platforms.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Microsoft System Center Orchestrator offers a straightforward deployment process and efficient customer service, supported by Microsoft's global presence. F5 BIG-IQ provides an effective deployment model, yet Microsoft's support is noted as more accessible and responsive.

Pricing and ROI: F5 BIG-IQ is noted for its cost-effectiveness with lower initial setup costs, offering a robust return on investment. Microsoft System Center Orchestrator might involve a higher upfront investment but is deemed cost-effective over time due to its integration capabilities and operational efficiencies.

To learn more, read our detailed F5 BIG-IQ vs. Microsoft System Center Orchestrator Report (Updated: December 2025).

Buyer's Guide

F5 BIG-IQ vs. Microsoft System Center Orchestrator

December 2025

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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

F5 BIG-IQ

Ranking in Process Automation

29th

Average Rating

7.4

Reviews Sentiment

6.0

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Microsoft System Center Orc...

Ranking in Process Automation

18th

Average Rating

7.6

Reviews Sentiment

6.1

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of January 2026, in the Process Automation category, the mindshare of F5 BIG-IQ is 0.8%, up from 0.2% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Microsoft System Center Orchestrator is 1.3%, up from 0.9% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Process Automation Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
Microsoft System Center Orchestrator	1.3%
F5 BIG-IQ	0.8%
Other	97.9%

Process Automation

Featured Reviews

Bikale Kassu

Manager for Implementation and Administration at a financial services firm with 10,001+ employees

Has faced challenges with visibility and technical support but allows centralized management of multiple sites

The configuration part is complex for F5 BIG-IQ. The simplicity and visibility part needs improvement. The dashboard, especially the analytics part, needs to be more simple and presentable. For the security part, it is difficult to present to our management, so we have to capture it and prepare manual reporting options rather than getting them directly from the system. The automation part in F5 BIG-IQ is limited; we are still using it only for load balancing for some services. We haven't integrated it with our Accesso or implemented any automation options. The setup process for F5 BIG-IQ would rate a five out of ten.

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Dan Campeanu

Security Engineer at ProVision

Automates tasks and manages multiple servers from a central location

The initial setup was quite complex. It required careful preparation of installation steps, as many tasks were not automated as expected. Special attention was needed to prepare groups, users, and permissions at each step to ensure a smooth setup process. Please do so accurately to avoid having to start over. Challenges encountered during deployment included issues with installation and configuration and difficulties detecting machines and executing tasks as expected. Some solutions were found through trial and error during installation, while others were discovered through recommendations from other users. Despite these challenges, the deployment and rollout of Orchestrator took approximately one and a half months to ensure proper functionality.

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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

"We use this solution on a daily basis, and it is very stable."

"It is quite good in a large environment where I have multiple devices; it is easy to manage the devices."

"The backup, monitoring and logging are the best features."

"F5 BIG-IQ is a central management system for the BIG-IP."

"We mainly use F5 BIG-IQ to protect our web-based applications, such as our email and website, so we use it as a web-based application firewall for those services."

"F5 BIG-IQ reduces the propensity for error."

"The GUI is fine, at least from an engineer's perspective."

"The best aspect of the solution is that we can have everything integrated with a rather large capacity in order to personalize and configure specific rules."

More F5 BIG-IQ pros

"It can manage multiple servers and workstations from a single location."

"Automation is the most valuable feature of the solution."

Cons

"Integration with VAS is something that they need to work on."

"There are a lot of scripts available on the internet for people who know how to use them, but with a graphical interface, it would be easier for new users."

"I had trouble with high availability deployment in my environment."

"From a hands-on experience perspective, more resources should be available on the Internet, like labs and lab preparations."

"For stability, F5 BIG-IQ rates a two or three because currently we are integrating it with our third party as a port forwarding service. We created many VIPs, but on average, weekly, we lose three to five connections, making the troubleshooting part a headache for us."

"The shell, kernel, or Linux has something like a delay, especially with the Virtual Edition, when you are trying to implement it in the cloud and you want to access it remotely with web management. It would be great if they could improve their kernel. It was difficult for me, especially when I got started with BIG-IP. I was struggling to find which commands work with it. If you want to work with it, you have to be a Linux guy."

"The solution should improve pricing. It's expensive in comparison to other American solutions."

More F5 BIG-IQ cons

"The product's management aspect needs enhancement."

"I find the Orchestrator UI to be problematic."

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Users have to pay an annual subscription fee for the solution's iSeries."

"F5 BIG-IQ is a cheap solution."

"There is only one licensing fee for F5 BIG-IQ and everything is included in the price."

"I would like the product to be cheaper."

"We obtained a license that bundled Windows Server with System Center at no additional cost."

"I give the cost of the solution a five out of ten."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

No data available

Financial Services Firm

15%

Government

11%

Manufacturing Company

10%

Insurance Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	9
Midsize Enterprise	3
Large Enterprise	4

No data available

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about F5 BIG-IQ?

F5 BIG-IQ is a central management system for the BIG-IP.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for F5 BIG-IQ?

From the pricing perspective, F5 BIG-IQ rates an eight out of ten as it's reasonably priced.

See all answers

What needs improvement with F5 BIG-IQ?

See all answers

What do you like most about Microsoft System Center Orchestrator?

It can manage multiple servers and workstations from a single location.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Microsoft System Center Orchestrator?

The platform was almost free of cost for us. We obtained a license that bundled Windows Server with System Center at no additional cost.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Microsoft System Center Orchestrator?

The product's management aspect needs enhancement. It affects the visibility of powerful scripts that were previously accessible. Furthermore, the focus is shifting towards cloud-based features, sp...

See all answers

Comparisons

BMC TrueSight Orchestration vs F5 BIG-IQ

Compared 59% of the time

ServiceNow Orchestration vs F5 BIG-IQ

Compared 41% of the time

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Camunda vs Microsoft System Center Orchestrator

Compared 14% of the time

ServiceNow Orchestration vs Microsoft System Center Orchestrator

Compared 13% of the time

Rundeck vs Microsoft System Center Orchestrator

Compared 12% of the time

vCenter Orchestrator vs Microsoft System Center Orchestrator

Compared 11% of the time

CA Process Automation vs Microsoft System Center Orchestrator

Compared 11% of the time

More Microsoft System Center Orchestrator Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

F5 BIG-IQ

January 2026

Download F5 BIG-IQ product report

Buyer's Guide

Process Automation

December 2025

Microsoft System Center Orchestrator report

Download Microsoft System Center Orchestrator product report

Also Known As

No data available

MS System Center Orchestrator

Overview

F5® BIG-IQ® Centralized Management provides a unified point of visibility and control for the entire F5 portfolio, ensuring administrators remain aware on the pulse of F5 devices, modules, and licenses and enabling them to deliver optimal application availability, performance, and security.

BIG-IQ manages policies,licenses, SSL certificates, BIG-IP images, and configurations for F5 appliances and for the following BIG-IP moduals across hardware and virtual editions:

BIG-IP Local Traffic Manager™ (LTM)
F5 Advanced Web Application Firewall™ (WAF)
BIG-IP Advanced Firewall Manager™ (AFM)
F5 SSL Orchestrator®
F5 DDoS Hybrid Defender®
BIG-IP Access Policy Manager® (APM)
F5 Secure Web Gateway Services
BIG-IP DNS

As an IT administrator, you probably perform a lot of tasks and procedures to keep your computing environment healthy. You may have automated individual tasks, but typically, not the whole process. With System Center - Orchestrator you tie disparate tasks and procedures together using a graphical user interface Runbook Designer to create reliable, flexible, and efficient end-to-end solutions in your IT environment.

Microsoft

Buyer's Guide

F5 BIG-IQ vs. Microsoft System Center Orchestrator

December 2025

Free Report: F5 BIG-IQ vs. Microsoft System Center Orchestrator

Find out what your peers are saying about F5 BIG-IQ vs. Microsoft System Center Orchestrator and other solutions. Updated: December 2025.

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