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Cisco ASA VS MikroTik RouterOS

Compare Cisco ASA VS MikroTik RouterOS and see what are their differences

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  3. » Reviews
  4. » Alternatives

Cisco ASA logo Cisco ASA

Cisco ASA Software delivers enterprise-class security capabilities for the ASA security family in a variety of form factors.

MikroTik RouterOS logo MikroTik RouterOS

The main product of MikroTik is a Linux-based operating system known as MikroTik RouterOS.
  • Cisco ASA Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-28
  • MikroTik RouterOS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-25

Cisco ASA features and specs

  • Comprehensive Security
    Cisco ASA offers a wide range of security features, including firewall capabilities, VPN support, intrusion prevention, and advanced threat inspection, providing comprehensive protection for networks.
  • Scalability
    The Cisco ASA series is designed to scale with network demands, making it suitable for small to large enterprises seeking to expand their security infrastructure as their network grows.
  • High Performance
    Cisco ASA devices are known for their robust performance attributes, including high throughput and low latency, which ensure minimal impact on network speeds and efficiency.
  • Integration with Cisco Ecosystem
    Cisco ASA can seamlessly integrate with other Cisco products and solutions, providing unified management and enhanced security across the network through Cisco’s ecosystem.
  • Reputation and Support
    Backed by Cisco’s strong reputation and extensive support network, users benefit from reliable service, frequent updates, and a wealth of resources for troubleshooting and optimization.

Possible disadvantages of Cisco ASA

  • Complex Configuration
    Setting up and configuring Cisco ASA devices can be complex and may require a good understanding of Cisco systems, which could pose challenges for organizations lacking expertise.
  • Cost
    Cisco ASA solutions can be expensive compared to competitors, including both the initial hardware purchasing costs and ongoing maintenance and support contracts.
  • Limited User-Friendly Features
    The user interface and management features may not be as intuitive or user-friendly as some competing products, potentially leading to longer learning curves.
  • License Complexity
    Cisco ASA’s licensing structure can be complex, with multiple options and add-ons that may require careful consideration to match organizational needs precisely.
  • Third-Party Integration Limitations
    While Cisco ASA integrates well within the Cisco ecosystem, it may face limitations or require additional configurations to work effectively with third-party solutions.

MikroTik RouterOS features and specs

  • Cost-Effective
    MikroTik RouterOS offers enterprise-level features at a significantly lower price point compared to other competitors, providing excellent value for small to medium-sized businesses.
  • Feature-Rich
    The OS includes advanced features such as VPN, firewall, bandwidth management, and remote access, making it suitable for a wide range of networking needs.
  • Scalability
    MikroTik RouterOS is highly scalable, making it a good choice for both small networks and large, complex installations.
  • Customizability
    Users have a high degree of control over network settings, enabling customization to meet specific requirements.
  • Strong Community Support
    A large and active online community provides forums, tutorials, and third-party tools to assist users.
  • Regular Updates
    MikroTik frequently releases updates to RouterOS, offering new features and security improvements.

Possible disadvantages of MikroTik RouterOS

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Due to its advanced features and wide range of configuration options, it can be difficult for beginners to get started.
  • Complex Interface
    The interface can be overwhelming and less intuitive compared to other networking solutions, necessitating more time and effort to manage.
  • Limited Third-Party Integrations
    Fewer integrations with third-party tools and services can be a limitation for some users looking for specific functionalities.
  • Hardware Compatibility
    Not all hardware is compatible with MikroTik RouterOS, potentially requiring investment in new, supported devices.
  • Support Costs
    Although there is a strong community, official support from MikroTik can be costly for advanced troubleshooting and issues.
  • Limited Graphical Interface
    For advanced configuration, users often need to rely on command-line interface (CLI), which can be daunting for those more accustomed to graphical user interfaces (GUIs).

Cisco ASA videos

+ Add

MicroNugget: What is Cisco ASA?

More videos:

  • Review - Introduction to Cisco Firewalls - Lecture # 1 - Doctor Networks Series: "Cisco ASA Fundamentals"
  • Review - Product Review! - Cisco ASA 5510 Adaptive Security Appliance

MikroTik RouterOS videos

+ Add

MikroTik RouterOS security review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Cisco ASA and MikroTik RouterOS)

Cisco ASA

MikroTik RouterOS

Security & Privacy
100 100%
Security & Privacy
0% 0
Operating Systems
0 0%
Operating Systems
100% 100
Office & Productivity
100 100%
Office & Productivity
0% 0
Linux
0 0%
Linux
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Cisco ASA and MikroTik RouterOS

Cisco ASA Reviews

We have no reviews of Cisco ASA yet.
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MikroTik RouterOS Reviews

  1. Guest
    many bugs that block connections

    since 2 years they didn't fix bugs that block the router from the internet

The Best Open Source Router OS Software for Large or Small Networks
MikroTik RouterOS is an open-source router OS software that is designed to provide a powerful, customizable, and secure networking experience. It is based on the Linux kernel and offers a range of features and capabilities that make it a popular choice among network enthusiasts, developers, and IT professionals. The open-source nature of MikroTik RouterOS means that users...
Source: www.comparitech.com
11 Best pfsense Alternatives To Secure Your Network
Before acquiring licensed software, MikroTik enables you to test the MikroTik RouterOS technology. This is referred to as Trial Mode by MikroTik, and it allows you to try the whole MikroTik RouterOS features and functionality set for up to 24 hours.
Source: technicalustad.com
10 Best pfSense Alternatives and Similar Firewalls
RouterOS has a stateful firewall, which conducts stateful inspection and maintains track of the state of network connections traversing it. It also includes Source and Destination Network Address Translation, NAT assistance for common applications, and UPnP compatibility.
Source: www.regendus.com
5 Router OS Turns Old PC Into High Performance Router And Enterprise Network Switch
RouterOS is the operating system of RouterBOARD. It can also be installed on a PC and will turn it into a router with all the necessary features – routing, firewall, bandwidth management, wireless access point, backhaul link, hotspot gateway, VPN server and more.
Source: www.geckoandfly.com
A Feast of Linux-Based Routers
Though the code is not open and it is more of a commercial offering, RouterOS from MikroTik is Linux-based. It installs onto and turns regular PCs into a enterprise-level router. It gives you all the necessary features, including routing, firewall, bandwidth management, wireless access point, backhaul link, hotspot gateway, VPN server, and more.
Source: www.linuxtoday.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, MikroTik RouterOS seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 24 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Cisco ASA mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Cisco ASA yet. Tracking of Cisco ASA recommendations started around Mar 2021.

MikroTik RouterOS mentions (24)

  • What the TP-Link Ban in the US Means for You
    Check out Microtik hardware, it’s good and reasonably priced. No association, I just like it. https://mikrotik.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago
  • Ubiquiti showing other users' consoles
    Anyone using Mikrotik these days? Been Mikro-curious for awhile and always see them thrown around as a Unifi alternative. Yet to hear of any firsthand implementations though. [0] https://mikrotik.com/. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Free - Self-hosted - WebRTC - alternative to Zoom, Teams, Google Meet - Real time video calls, chat, screen sharing, file sharing, collaborative whiteboard, dashboard, rooms scheduler and more!
    I keep reading it as the networking hardware company Mikrotik. Source: about 2 years ago
  • hap ax2 or ax3
    The "Buy" link at the top of mikrotik.com - this is how most hardware vendors with a distribution network have their site set up. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Germany ups reliance on Huawei for 5G despite security fears
    Or Mikrotik from Latvia, for switching/routing: Https://mikrotik.com/. Source: over 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Cisco ASA and MikroTik RouterOS, you can also consider the following products

Forcepoint Web Security - Seguridad Web De Última Generación Para La Fuerza Laboral Global Del Futuro

OpenWrt - OpenWrt is an open-source firmware based on Linux for wireless routers

Barracuda CloudGen Firewall - Barracuda's cloud-ready firewalls improve site-to-site connectivity and provide enterprises with uninterrupted access to applications hosted in the cloud.

pfSense - pfSense is a free and open source firewall and router that also features unified threat management, load balancing, multi WAN, and more

Untangle Web Filter - Web Filter from Untangle allows network administrators to enact policies and strengthen security across the network.

OPNsense - OPNsense® you next open source firewall. Free Download. High-end Security Made Easy™. Offers Intrusion Prevention, Captive Portal, Traffic Shaping and more.

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