We performed a comparison between Cisco IOS SSL VPN and F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) based on real PeerSpot user reviews in five categories. After reading all of the collected data, you can find our conclusion below.
Comparison Results: Cisco IOS SSL VPN is the preferred option over F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) according to user reviews. It is described as user-friendly, secure, and feature-rich. F5 BIG-IP APM is stable and reliable but complex and expensive, with room for improvement in reporting and management. It also requires a larger team for maintenance compared to Cisco IOS SSL VPN, which is easy to install and has excellent customer support. Overall, Cisco IOS SSL VPN is a reliable and scalable solution that provides a strong ROI.
"The most valuable features of the solution are its ease of use, management, and support."
"Cisco IOS SSL VPN is stable, and once we connect, we don't face any issues and can do our work."
"It's a very stable solution and I'd say it works perfectly."
"I like to work with the CMD command line because it's easy and it doesn't take very long to configure."
"The solution is quite transparent."
"It's a stable solution."
"The solution's environment is stable and doesn't get disconnected every now and then."
"It helps us access networks from anywhere."
"The solution is stable and reliable."
"We have seen a return on investment from F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager. It provided access at a time when we didn't have it."
"This is a product that is easy to install and integrate, and it is simple to use."
"The performance of the solution is valuable."
"The portal access was very good."
"The load balancing features are valuable."
"The tool is reliable and easy to configure."
"The most valuable feature is the virtual IP creation. It's our most frequently used feature."
"The product costs a lot of money."
"The product’s dashboard is not good enough."
"It would be nice if we could use this not just on mobile, but on laptops and desktops as well."
"Multi-factor authentication in Cisco IOS SSL VPN has certain shortcomings that need improvement."
"The graphical interface is old and needs to improve."
"When many people are using the internet at home, which is usually right after dinner, this type of service is a little bit hard to use. The internet becomes quite slow, and sometimes, I have to stop using this application. I am not sure if this issue is because of the application or my internet provider."
"The configuration must be improved."
"The solution does not give us options if the connectivity to one server is not available."
"F5 BIG-IP APM disconnects when you leave it for long enough, but that is natural for IT solutions to do. That's a little bit frustrating."
"The solution’s GUI looks very old."
"F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager has room for improvement in integration with other products."
"In my opinion, the GUI side needs some improvement based on my usage. Sometimes, it doesn't work as efficiently as the CLI side."
"The operational deployment is not great."
"I'd suggest improved documentation integration directly within the GUI. Right now, finding comprehensive documentation often requires going to external websites like the community portal."
"We do not have knowledgeable support teams locally."
"Cloud services are something that F5 Access Policy Manager could do better"
More F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) Pricing and Cost Advice →
Cisco IOS SSL VPN is ranked 1st in SSL VPN with 47 reviews while F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) is ranked 4th in SSL VPN with 13 reviews. Cisco IOS SSL VPN is rated 8.6, while F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) is rated 8.2. The top reviewer of Cisco IOS SSL VPN writes "The solution is very stable and scalable, but it is expensive, and the configuration is complicated". On the other hand, the top reviewer of F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) writes " Facilitates packet inspection, modification, and offloading and offers visibility and troubleshooting capabilities, allowing for pre-production server testing". Cisco IOS SSL VPN is most compared with Zyxel VPN Client, Fortinet FortiClient, Ivanti Connect Secure, Citrix Gateway and Symantec VIP Access Manager, whereas F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) is most compared with Citrix Gateway, CyberArk Privileged Access Manager, Ivanti Connect Secure, Cisco ISE (Identity Services Engine) and Microsoft Remote Desktop Services. See our Cisco IOS SSL VPN vs. F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) report.
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We monitor all SSL VPN reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.