Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

F5 Networks VS Cisco SD-WAN

Compare F5 Networks VS Cisco SD-WAN and see what are their differences

F5 Networks logo F5 Networks

F5 application services ensure that applications are always secure and perform the way they should—in any environment and on any device.

Cisco SD-WAN logo Cisco SD-WAN

SD-WAN is a software-defined approach to managing the wide-area network, or WAN.
  • F5 Networks Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-15
  • Cisco SD-WAN Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-11-04

F5 Networks features and specs

  • Comprehensive Security Features
    F5 Networks offers robust security features that include advanced threat protection, SSL encryption, and DDoS mitigation, providing enterprises with strong security measures to protect their infrastructure.
  • Application Delivery Optimization
    F5's solutions optimize application delivery through intelligent traffic management and load balancing, ensuring high availability and performance for critical applications.
  • Versatile Product Range
    F5 provides a wide range of products and services, including hardware, software, and cloud-based solutions, allowing businesses to choose the best fit for their specific needs and environments.
  • Strong Reputation and Market Presence
    F5 has established itself as a leader in the application delivery and security market, with a large customer base, indicating reliability and confidence in its solutions.
  • Integration Capabilities
    F5 solutions integrate well with a variety of third-party technologies and platforms, enabling seamless operations within existing IT infrastructures.

Possible disadvantages of F5 Networks

  • High Cost
    F5 Networks' solutions can be expensive, both in terms of initial setup and ongoing maintenance, which may not be suitable for smaller enterprises with limited budgets.
  • Complex Setup and Management
    Implementing and managing F5 products can be complex and require specialized knowledge or expertise, potentially necessitating additional training or hiring of skilled personnel.
  • Potential Overhead
    The sophisticated features of F5 solutions might introduce additional overhead that can affect performance if not properly configured or managed.
  • Vendor Lock-in Risk
    Adopting F5's technology might result in vendor lock-in, making it challenging to switch to alternative solutions or integrate with non-compatible systems in the future.
  • Resource Intensive
    Some F5 solutions can be demanding on resources, potentially requiring significant hardware capabilities for optimal performance, which may strain existing infrastructure.

Cisco SD-WAN features and specs

  • Enhanced Network Performance
    Cisco SD-WAN optimizes the network performance by intelligently directing traffic over the most efficient path.
  • Cost Savings
    Utilizes cheaper internet links instead of costly MPLS circuits while maintaining a high level of performance.
  • Improved Security
    Incorporates strong security measures such as end-to-end encryption and segmented network access.
  • Simplified Management
    Provides a centralized management interface for easier configuration and monitoring.
  • Scalability
    Easily scales with business growth without necessitating major investments in new infrastructure.

Possible disadvantages of Cisco SD-WAN

  • Initial Setup Complexity
    The initial deployment of Cisco SD-WAN may require a significant amount of effort and expertise.
  • Cost
    While Cisco SD-WAN may reduce long-term costs, the initial investment in hardware and software can be high.
  • Vendor Lock-In
    Using Cisco’s products may result in a situation where transitioning to other vendors' solutions becomes more complex and costly.
  • Learning Curve
    IT staff may require training to effectively manage and optimize the Cisco SD-WAN solution.
  • Reliance on Internet Connectivity
    The performance and reliability of SD-WAN can be affected by the quality and stability of the internet connections it utilizes.

F5 Networks videos

Why you need to learn F5 Networks?

Cisco SD-WAN videos

Cisco SD-WAN Explained

More videos:

  • Review - Review of Cisco SD WAN Controller Bringup | Cisco SD-WAN | Learnedze Networks

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to F5 Networks and Cisco SD-WAN)
Security & Privacy
31 31%
69% 69
Monitoring Tools
25 25%
75% 75
Business & Commerce
100 100%
0% 0
Managed Security Services

User comments

Share your experience with using F5 Networks and Cisco SD-WAN. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, F5 Networks seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 2 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.

F5 Networks mentions (2)

  • sysadmin career path is not well understood, at least to me
    f5.com - there's tons of documentation to be found there, also "community" or whatever they call it there. So, lots of material one can well read and study ... And usefully a place to ask questions too. BIG-IP - see f5. Source: over 2 years ago
  • F5 cert exam 101 updated 13.1
    I took the 101 and didn't like it; I have a lot of experience with LTM/GTM, but the test was so basic and non-technical, they ended up asking a lot of 'pointless filler questions' (like, what is the URL for f5.com website, where do you click on f5.com to access XYZ info, etc). Source: about 3 years ago

Cisco SD-WAN mentions (0)

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

What are some alternatives?

When comparing F5 Networks and Cisco SD-WAN, you can also consider the following products

Entrust Inc. - Entrust Inc. is a third party administrator of health benefits based in Houston, Texas. 

Cisco Meraki SD-WAN - What is SD-WAN?

Epicor - Implement faster, customize less, and see your ROI sooner with software built to fit your business. Epicor software has your industry best-practices built in. Learn more about software for your industry.

FortiGate SD-WAN - SD-WAN

Kroll Ontrack - Ontrack provides cutting-edge technology services and products to address your critical information needs with data recovery and data erasure.

VeloCloud - SD-WAN