Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Cisco AnyConnect
Score 9.0 out of 10
N/A
Cisco offers an SSL VPN solution via AnyConnect.N/A
OpenVPN Access Server
Score 8.6 out of 10
N/A
OpenVPN headquartered in Pleasanton allows users to create secure access to a private network in the cloud or on-premise with Access Server. Access Server is available to deploy directly on various cloud platforms like Amazon AWS, Google GCP, Microsoft Azure, DigitalOcean, and also available as ready-to-deploy virtual appliances for Microsoft HyperV and VMWare ESXi. Alternately, OpenVPN Access Server Virtual Appliance is a full-featured secure network tunneling VPN virtual appliance solution…
$27
per month 3 connections (minimum)
Windscribe
Score 8.0 out of 10
N/A
N/A
$49
per year
Pricing
Cisco AnyConnectOpenVPN Access ServerWindscribe
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
3-99 Connections
$9
per month per connection
2,000 Connections
$3,100.00
per month per connection
Basic
$49
per year
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Cisco AnyConnectOpenVPN Access ServerWindscribe
Free Trial
NoYesYes
Free/Freemium Version
NoYesNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional DetailsMore connections reduces cost per connection, as does going with an annual plan versus a monthly price.
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Cisco AnyConnectOpenVPN Access ServerWindscribe
Considered Multiple Products
Cisco AnyConnect
Chose Cisco AnyConnect
Cisco AnyConnect is a little more straightforward and works better in legacy contexts, in our experience. That being said, it does lack some of the functionality and information provided by OpenVPN, and other logistical factors are relevant as well.
Chose Cisco AnyConnect
Easier to set up on existing Cisco-based devices and equipment. In a Unix-based server environment, OpenVPN may be more appropriate. OpenVPN is great but offers little in the form of support unless via another third-party company. OpenVPN offers more options in terms of …
Chose Cisco AnyConnect
I have tried the above too. I have noticed that the consistency and reliability that connect provides are way better than theirs. Integration with 2-factor authentication apps is something extremely important, and I am not sure if this two software provide such functionality. …
Chose Cisco AnyConnect
I've tried other VPN services in the past, actually use OpenVPN with another company. I am not a huge advocate of using other VPN products because I've worked with Cisco AnyConnect for so many years. Its been a solid and reputable VPN that I would recommend to any …
OpenVPN Access Server

No answer on this topic

Windscribe

No answer on this topic

Features
Cisco AnyConnectOpenVPN Access ServerWindscribe
Virtual Private Network
Comparison of Virtual Private Network features of Product A and Product B
Cisco AnyConnect
9.1
27 Ratings
3% above category average
OpenVPN Access Server
7.4
1 Ratings
17% below category average
Windscribe
-
Ratings
AES 256-bit Encryption9.327 Ratings7.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Kill Switch9.020 Ratings9.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Multi-Platform Support8.726 Ratings6.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Split Tunneling9.125 Ratings6.01 Ratings00 Ratings
IP Address Masking9.224 Ratings6.01 Ratings00 Ratings
No-Logs Policy8.920 Ratings7.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Multiple Server Locations9.022 Ratings7.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Automatic Wi-Fi Protection9.422 Ratings9.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Simultaneous Connections9.322 Ratings9.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Customer Support Services8.723 Ratings8.01 Ratings00 Ratings
Best Alternatives
Cisco AnyConnectOpenVPN Access ServerWindscribe
Small Businesses
Norton 360
Norton 360
Score 7.2 out of 10
Norton 360
Norton 360
Score 7.2 out of 10
Norton 360
Norton 360
Score 7.2 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Quantum Firewalls and Security Gateways
Quantum Firewalls and Security Gateways
Score 9.2 out of 10
Quantum Firewalls and Security Gateways
Quantum Firewalls and Security Gateways
Score 9.2 out of 10
Quantum Firewalls and Security Gateways
Quantum Firewalls and Security Gateways
Score 9.2 out of 10
Enterprises
Quantum Firewalls and Security Gateways
Quantum Firewalls and Security Gateways
Score 9.2 out of 10
Quantum Firewalls and Security Gateways
Quantum Firewalls and Security Gateways
Score 9.2 out of 10
Quantum Firewalls and Security Gateways
Quantum Firewalls and Security Gateways
Score 9.2 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Cisco AnyConnectOpenVPN Access ServerWindscribe
Likelihood to Recommend
8.8
(111 ratings)
8.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
9.9
(12 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Usability
9.1
(91 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Availability
9.9
(9 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Performance
8.6
(3 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
8.4
(93 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Implementation Rating
9.0
(7 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Configurability
9.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Ease of integration
10.0
(7 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Product Scalability
8.9
(3 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Vendor post-sale
10.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Vendor pre-sale
10.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
Cisco AnyConnectOpenVPN Access ServerWindscribe
Likelihood to Recommend
Cisco
Providing secure remote access with a robust VPN, creating an encrypted tunnel so employees can safely access internal company resources like file servers and private apps from anywhere. It also allows enforcing device compliance: depending on policies, checks whether a device has an active antivirus and the latest OS updates before allowing it to connect. When there is not much need for remote access, the cost is too high.
Read full review
OpenVPN
OpenVPN is great for anyone who needs to access internal company resources while away from the office. For us, it's useful for our office staff if they need to work from home for a day or are at a work conference. I can see where it would not be helpful if you didn't store much on your intranet, but we do, so it's very helpful.
Read full review
Windscribe
No answers on this topic
Pros
Cisco
  • All Cisco AnyConnect data transfer processes are secure to enhance security.
  • It can connect multiple terminals across various sites directly.
  • Centralized management of the workstations connected to the network became easier than ever for managers with multiple locations in the organization's workforce.
Read full review
OpenVPN
  • Secure
  • Easy setup
  • 2 free users
  • automatic updates
Read full review
Windscribe
No answers on this topic
Cons
Cisco
  • Cisco AnyConnect can use the system resources as long as the program is being run.
  • Account activation may be very difficult when connecting from areas requiring captive portal login, if certain settings are not allowed.
  • By default, it is possible to request the user to authenticate again at specific intervals.
Read full review
OpenVPN
  • None, it accomplishes everything we need it for.
Read full review
Windscribe
No answers on this topic
Likelihood to Renew
Cisco
It is perhaps the second most functional tool we have, it will definitely be renewed every year. Our network is stable, which ensures that there is less for our technicians to troubleshoot, which frees them up to ensure other parts of the company are maintained. This keeps our costs low and our downtime at a minimum.
Read full review
OpenVPN
No answers on this topic
Windscribe
No answers on this topic
Usability
Cisco
It is very useful tool for companies having hybrid work culture. It will allow their employees to work seamlessly from home, office, other branches. This tool will increase your productivity as it will facilitates your employees to access corporate applications 24x7. Overall it is easy to use, deploy and integrate.
Read full review
OpenVPN
We've never had any issues with usability. The UI is very intuitive, and our general user base (which is not very tech-savvy) can use OpenVPN with two clicks since we have SAML set up. It's the easiest thing ever for them, and I don't know how we'd even begin to improve on it.
Read full review
Windscribe
No answers on this topic
Reliability and Availability
Cisco
I have been using Cisco AnyConnect for past two years and thus I can say very firmly that I have never seen the outage from the Cisco AnyConnect services either It is VPN, System Scans or the Network Connectivity. Talking about the errors likewise major errors I have faced throughout my period of use.
Read full review
OpenVPN
No answers on this topic
Windscribe
No answers on this topic
Performance
Cisco
Absolutely no speed issues, and I see no evidence of slowdowns across any of the multiple platforms I use daily. It's operation is completely invisible most of the time, except where there is a loss of connection due to server issues or a loss of power. Everything loads quickly and accurately.
Read full review
OpenVPN
No answers on this topic
Windscribe
No answers on this topic
Support Rating
Cisco
I don't know but nobody provides proper support for us as end user. They should have people to check whether end user is facing issues or not. Cisco AnyConnect having very high charges and still there is no proper support! Many requests and many tickets have opened, but the working speed is very low for the support team! They should have it to optimize.
Read full review
OpenVPN
No answers on this topic
Windscribe
No answers on this topic
Implementation Rating
Cisco
Our Managed Services vendor helped us with the implementation. When we initially setup our AnyConnect using MFA for remote connectivity, the setup was easy and straight forward and worked just fine. After a year, we decided to change to an "always on" feature and use machine and user based security certificates instead of MFA. We had to open a ticket with Cisco support and have their assistance getting this feature to work. Turned out they had a small bug in the code for that version of AnyConnect and it has since been corrected. We have had no issues with the upgrades since that time. The deployment of the software to the user machines was done with SCCM and was straight forward. The user machine upgrades are easy - when the user machine connects and sees a new version available, it upgrades itself! What could be easier?
Read full review
OpenVPN
No answers on this topic
Windscribe
No answers on this topic
Alternatives Considered
Cisco
Cisco is one of our core partners besides Microsoft and SAP. And so yes, we are utilizing very many projects from Cisco. I would mention the whole networking equipment, the routing equipment, the wireless LAN, and also when it comes to infrastructure to compute infrastructure, we are utilizing Cisco servers within our converged infrastructure Flex spot. So we have been running a flex bot from Cisco, NetApp, and VMware for 12 years, and we are still very satisfied with the product. We are looking forward to upgrading to the newest blades and fabric interconnect to continue this journey.
Read full review
OpenVPN
We found OpenVPN to be more cost-effective vs Azure. In addition, it was easier to install, deploy, and manage
Read full review
Windscribe
No answers on this topic
Scalability
Cisco
Cisco AnyConnect has been a speedy, reliable, and efficient tool for the creation of your own VPN whatever location that you've brought your laptop. Customer support is consistently top-notch, coming up with quick fixes to whatever difficulties are thrown your way. I would not hesitate to reccommend Cisco AnyConnect to any business that needs connected employees throught the world.
Read full review
OpenVPN
No answers on this topic
Windscribe
No answers on this topic
Return on Investment
Cisco
  • We are able to seamlessly work on multiple clients daily, and it allows us to quickly handle more projects at the same time.
  • Cisco AnyConnect has allowed our own company's coworkers to remotely connect back to the corporate network, easily assisting work schedules and processes, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Being forced to work remotely, meant our processes still happened quickly and efficiently, by being able to leverage and use Cisco AnyConnect VPN.
  • Even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, I have worked 100% remotely for a few years now. This was always due to the reliable connectivity and ease of use with Cisco AnyConnect VPN. I live 2+ hours from our nearest corporate office, and even further from some of my client locations, and I have always been able to connect to any of my multiple Cisco AnyConnect VPN connections, within seconds.
Read full review
OpenVPN
  • Only 2 free users, it would be nice if they would expand to 5.
  • Easy way to establish a VPN backbone between two locations
  • Great for work at home or BCP events.
Read full review
Windscribe
No answers on this topic
ScreenShots

OpenVPN Access Server Screenshots

Screenshot of Screenshot of