Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Cisco ASA VS OpenVPN

Compare Cisco ASA VS OpenVPN and see what are their differences

Cisco ASA logo Cisco ASA

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

OpenVPN logo OpenVPN

OpenVPN - The Open Source VPN
  • Cisco ASA Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-28
  • OpenVPN Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-19

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.

OpenVPN features and specs

  • Security
    OpenVPN uses robust encryption standards like AES-256, providing a high level of security for data transmission.
  • Open Source
    Being open-source, OpenVPN allows users to verify its code for vulnerabilities, ensuring transparency and reliability.
  • Flexibility
    OpenVPN can run on various platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android, offering extensive compatibility.
  • Customizability
    Users can configure OpenVPN according to their specific needs, allowing advanced network setups and policies.
  • Performance
    OpenVPN offers strong performance with efficient handling of large data transmissions and support for high and stable speeds.
  • Community Support
    A large and active community provides ample resources, including tutorials, forums, and user support.
  • Cost
    As a free and open-source solution, OpenVPN significantly reduces the cost compared to many commercial VPN offerings.

Possible disadvantages of OpenVPN

  • Complex Setup
    Setting up OpenVPN can be complex and may require technical expertise, particularly for advanced configurations.
  • Resource Intensive
    OpenVPN can be resource-intensive compared to some other VPN protocols, potentially impacting the performance of older or lower-spec hardware.
  • Client Software
    The official OpenVPN client software has a less user-friendly interface compared to some commercial VPNs, possibly deterring less tech-savvy users.
  • Mobile Experience
    Although OpenVPN supports mobile devices, the user experience on mobile can be less streamlined compared to desktop environments.
  • Initial Learning Curve
    New users may find the initial learning curve steep due to the multitude of configuration options and the need for understanding networking concepts.
  • Support
    While community support is strong, there may not be as much immediate or personalized support as found with some commercial VPN services.

Cisco ASA videos

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

OpenVPN videos

OpenVPN Overview

More videos:

  • Tutorial - How to setup OpenVPN on Windows | macOS | Android | iOS - Smart DNS Proxy

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Cisco ASA and OpenVPN)
Security & Privacy
2 2%
98% 98
VPN
0 0%
100% 100
Office & Productivity
100 100%
0% 0
Tool
100 100%
0% 0

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 OpenVPN

Cisco ASA Reviews

We have no reviews of Cisco ASA yet.
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OpenVPN Reviews

The top 10 alternatives to OpenVPN
OpenVPN is an open-source software application that provides virtual private network (VPN) services. It allows the creation of secure network connections over the internet, using a custom security protocol that utilizes SSL/TLS for key exchange. OpenVPN is capable of traversing network address translators (NATs) and firewalls, providing users with the ability to securely...
Best Top 20 OpenVPN Alternatives (Pros and Cons)
OpenVPN is a virtual private network system used to create trusted end-to-end connection configuration and remote access services. As with any other VPN service, OpenVPN also has its own drawbacks. For instance, its inability to bypass particular proxy servers and complexities in user journeys lead to less user-friendliness. Therefore, we will be discussing a few...
6 Types of VPN Protocols, Compared: Which is the Best to Use?
In most cases, OpenVPN or WireGuard will be your best bet. PPTP is a protocol we don’t recommend using because of its relatively low-level encryption. However, you could try this protocol when privacy and security are not your highest priorities, such as for unblocking streams. If OpenVPN is not supported or does not work well for whatever reason, you could consider using...
Source: vpnoverview.com
OpenVPN vs WireGuard: Which protocol is best?
OpenVPN was first released in May 2001. Although the PPTP protocol had been around for five years already at this point, OpenVPN became popular because it offered stronger encryption without too much of a drop in speed. Over the years, vulnerabilities were patched and new clients were developed that brought OpenVPN support to a greater range of devices. This previously...
9 Best NordVPN Alternatives You Must Use In 2022
The next alternative to NordVPN on our list is OpenVPN. OpenVPN allows you to establish a point-to-point secure connection between your device and the Internet. It is a flexible VPN solution that can cater to business needs as well.
Source: wethegeek.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, OpenVPN seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 40 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.

OpenVPN mentions (40)

  • Ask HN: Who is hiring? (October 2023)
    OpenVPN is hiring! https://openvpn.net/ C++ Developer in the United States. Full-time| Fully remote| Flexible work schedules Link to look at vacancy details and apply:. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Are there any work arounds for the Netflix new "household" system?
    How you connect to your modem will depend on the device you are using, but for windows laptops as an example you download the OpenVPN program and input your modem details there, much like you would any other vpn service. I think there would be some guides on youtube. https://openvpn.net/. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Can i use PFSense to control incoming user connections (without a vpn?)
    I just started playing with CloudConnexa for remotely managing my second pFSense. Really nice and is free for up to 3 concurrent users. https://openvpn.net. Can also self-host OpenVPN access server with a free 2 concurrent license. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Is the 7spotlight Markle family interview airing now? Is anyone watching and can provide comment? 👀📺
    If anyone is being blocked check out free OpenVPN. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Is it possible for a sysadmin to block only some packets from a VPN connection ?
    I too haven't used the client-nat directive in some years (I currently implement 1:1 NAT with pfsense to access my network because I'm too lazy to change the networks subnet from the default) so I decided to retest and it does appear that OpenVPN Connect clients do not properly support the client-nat directive but the traditional OpenVPN server/clients still do. I've just tested this on OpenVPN 2.6.3 Server,... Source: about 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

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

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

ProtonVPN - ProtonVPN is a security focused FREE VPN service, developed by CERN and MIT scientists. Use the web anonymously, unblock websites & encrypt your connection.

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.

Hotspot Shield - Hotspot Shield is a software application developed by AnchorFree, Inc.

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

Psiphon - Psiphon is circumvention software for Windows and Mobile platforms that provides uncensored access to Internet content. Read more about Psiphon.