Cisco AnyConnect is a popular VPN solution that provides secure access to corporate networks for remote users. It offers a range of features, including endpoint security, network visibility, and centralized management. In this article, we'll explore the top 10 alternatives to Cisco AnyConnect, helping you make an informed decision when choosing a VPN solution for your business.

1. Twingate

We may be biased, but we’re convinced that Twingate is the best option.

Our mission at Twingate is to simplify and demystify cybersecurity. Through our Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) solution, we offer secure and streamlined remote access. This includes detailed access controls, rapid deployment, and an effortless user experience for both administrators and end-users. Twingate empowers organizations, big and small, to transition from outdated VPNs to a more secure, software-defined mesh network that's perfectly suited for private and cloud data environments. Specifically tailored for the intricate needs of technical teams, Twingate is crafted to improve the workflows of IT, DevOps, and Security sectors.

Why should you opt for Twingate for your remote access needs?

Twingate revolutionizes remote access with its Zero Trust Network Access, featuring robust access controls, extensive automation, and exceptional speed. Here are the standout features of Twingate:

• Robust peer-to-peer connections: Utilizing NAT traversal and QUIC protocols, Twingate establishes direct, peer-to-peer connections, ensuring verified, secure requests.

• Minimized attack surface: Twingate effectively reduces vulnerabilities and entry points by restricting lateral traffic with precise access control policies and eliminating the need for open inbound ports on your network.

• Advanced Network Monitoring: With Twingate, you can monitor and refine access policies through detailed logging and analytics, along with integrations with leading SIEMs.

• Detailed access controls: Set up and automate minimal privilege access to safeguard corporate assets like SaaS platforms and cloud environments, while eliminating unneeded permissions.

• Comprehensive multi-factor authentication (MFA): Twingate supports a variety of MFA methods, such as TOTP, biometrics, and security keys, covering an array of resources including SSH, RDP, and traditional applications.

• Simplified compliance: Twingate aligns with strict standards for SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, and more, ensuring effortless adherence to regulations.

• Automated Zero Trust Journey: Featuring native access automation and an API-first approach, Twingate seamlessly integrates with your security and infrastructure stack, supporting IaC providers like Terraform and Pulumi.

• Inherent internet security: With DNS filtering capabilities and DoH, Twingate extends protection beyond your network, safeguarding users anywhere with just one agent.

But that’s just the tip of the iceberg in terms of what Twingate offers:

Explore the key features of Twingate

• Features: Highlights include multi-device support, unlimited bandwidth, live customer assistance, and adaptive access control.

• Use cases: Ideal for businesses seeking secure remote access, network segmentation, data protection, VPN replacement, or implementation of internet security controls like DNS filtering.

• Price: Twingate offers a free Starter plan, a Teams plan at $5 per user per month, a Business plan at $10 per user per month, and custom pricing for Twingate Enterprise. Yearly billing provides a 15% discount for the Teams and Business plans.

• Reviews: Twingate has an average rating of 4.7/5 on G2.

Twingate is trusted by leading companies such as Webflow, Modern Health, Cameo, and Blend as their go-to security provider.

2. Netskope

Netskope is a global cybersecurity leader offering an Intelligent Security Service Edge (SSE) platform designed to help organizations apply zero trust principles to protect their data.

• Use cases: Netskope is suitable for organizations looking to protect their data and apply zero trust principles to their cloud strategy, with a focus on CASB, SWG, and ZTNA.

• Features: Key features include integrated data context, visibility, instance awareness, adaptive policy controls, and complete threat and data protection with sensitive data awareness.

• Price: Pricing is not readily available, though users may request a demo for more information.

• Reviews: Netskope has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars on G2.

3. Cato Networks

Cato Networks is a global converged cloud-native service that offers a range of security services, including Security Service Edge (SSE), Secure Web Gateway (SWG), Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), Data Loss Prevention (DLP), and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA).

• Use cases: Cato Networks is suitable for organizations looking to securely connect their branches, datacenters, users, and clouds with a focus on SASE, SD-WAN, and network security.

• Features: Key features include a global private backbone, converged and cloud-native architecture, global coverage, and the ability to secure and optimize traffic from all users, locations, clouds, and applications.

• Price: Cato Networks does offer a free trial, but for more specific pricing information, users can request a demo.

• Reviews: Cato SASE Cloud has an average rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars on G2.

4. OpenVPN

OpenVPN is a business VPN solution for secure networking, offering two main products: Cloud Connexa and Access Server. Cloud Connexa is an easy-to-use, scalable, and efficient solution for connecting private networks, devices, and servers. Access Server is a self-hosted solution that provides full control over network security and simplifies the rapid deployment of a VPN.

• Use cases: OpenVPN is suitable for secure remote access, secure IoT communications, protecting access to SaaS applications, site-to-site networking, enforcing zero trust access, cyber threat protection, and content filtering. It caters to industries such as energy, engineering, finance, healthcare, manufacturing, technology, and retail.

• Features: Key features include easy set up, web-scale flexibility, scalability, efficiency, shielding data at scale, an easy-to-use admin web UI, pre-configured clients for team connectivity, and scalability through clustering and sharing VPN connections.

• Price: OpenVPN offers a Free plan, a Standard plan at $7.00 per connection per month (billed yearly), and Custom pricing. By choosing the yearly billing cycle, customers can save $240. Users can contact their sales team for more information.

• Reviews: OpenVPN Access Server has an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 stars on G2.

5. Palo Alto Networks

Palo Alto Networks is a cybersecurity solutions provider that offers a range of products to prevent cyber attacks, including Prisma Cloud, Cortex, Strata, Prisma SASE, and Unit 42.

• Use cases: Palo Alto Networks is suitable for organizations looking to protect their data and infrastructure from cyber threats, with a focus on Zero Trust Enterprise, Cloud Native Security, Security Operations, Threat Intel & Consulting, and ML-Powered Network Security.

• Features: Key features include integration of best-in-breed capabilities, automation-driven SecOps products, application of Zero Trust, and a comprehensive product portfolio.

• Price: Pricing for Palo Alto Networks is not available.

• Reviews: Palo Alto Networks Panorama has an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on G2.

6. Cloudflare

Cloudflare is a web performance and security company that offers a range of services to help businesses regain control over their IT and security across various platforms.

• Use cases: Cloudflare is suitable for organizations looking to improve their web performance, security, and control over IT infrastructure across different platforms.

• Features: Key features include connectivity cloud, SSE and SASE services, application services, network services, and developer services.

• Price: Cloudflare offers a Free plan, a Pro plan at $20 per month, a Business plan at $200 per month, and an Enterprise plan with custom pricing.

• Reviews: Cloudflare DNS has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on G2.

7. Banyan Security

Banyan Security is a Zero Trust Remote Access solution that provides a simple and scalable way to secure access to company applications and services using a zero trust approach.

• Use cases: Banyan Security is suitable for organizations looking to secure access to their applications and services using a zero trust approach, with a focus on hybrid and multi-cloud environments.

• Features: Key features include secure least-privileged access, real-time enforcement, integration with existing enterprise identity and security tools, and a patented Zero Trust architecture.

• Price: Banyan Security offers three pricing plans: Team, Enterprise, and Unlimited.

• Reviews: Banyan Security has an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars on G2.

8. Axis Security

Axis Security is a modern Security Service Edge (SSE) platform that securely connects users to business resources, regardless of application, device, or location.

• Use cases: Axis Security is suitable for businesses of all sizes, providing secure access to resources, including legacy VOIP, ICMP, and AS400 applications. It can be used across various industries and roles, making it a versatile solution for secure connectivity needs.

• Features: Key features of Axis Security include support for all ports and protocols, inline traffic inspection, surgical one-to-one connections based on identity and policy, and graphical interpretation of data and logs.

• Price: Axis Security offers four pricing plans: ZTNA Only, Core, Enterprise, and Harmony. Users may request a demo for further details.

• Reviews: Axis Security has an average rating of 4.7/5 on G2.

9. Fortinet

Fortinet is a company offering a range of products, solutions, and services, including their Fortinet Firewalls which have advanced features, providing effective network security for businesses of all sizes.

• Use cases: Fortinet Firewalls are suitable for businesses of all sizes, offering protection against various threats, including website and spam filtering, antivirus scanning, SSL/encrypted traffic inspection, wireless access point control, IPS, and sandboxing.

• Features: Key features of Fortinet Firewalls include ease of use, a user-friendly interface, and comprehensive documentation. They also offer support from the manufacturer for any issues that may arise.

• Price: Specific pricing is not available, but users may contact Fortinet for more information.

• Reviews: Fortinet Firewalls have an average rating of 4.6/5 on G2.

10. Illumio

Illumio is a network security company specializing in Zero Trust Segmentation, providing solutions to prevent breaches from spreading across various IT environments such as hybrid IT, endpoints, private clouds, data centers, public clouds, containers, and multi-clouds.

• Use cases: Illumio is suitable for industries such as banking and financial services, energy and utilities, government, healthcare, and small and midsize businesses, focusing on breach containment and network security.

• Features: Key features include visualization of communication between workloads and devices, granular segmentation policies, isolation of high-value assets, and prevention of breaches and ransomware spread.

• Price: Pricing plans are not readily available. However, users may contact Illumio for more information.

• Reviews: Illumio has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars on G2.