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Cisco ASx500 [EOL] vs Microsoft Forefront [EOL] comparison

Cisco and Microsoft are both solutions in the Universal Access Gateways category. Additionally, 100% of Cisco users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 85% of Microsoft users who would recommend it.
Cisco ASx500 [EOL]
Read 2 Cisco ASx500 [EOL] reviews
    100% willing to recommend
     

    Comparison Buyer's Guide

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    Executive Summary
    We performed a comparison between Cisco ASx500 [EOL] and Microsoft Forefront [EOL] based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

    Find out what your peers are saying about Citrix, SonicWall and others in Universal Access Gateways.

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    To learn more, read our detailed Universal Access Gateways Report (Updated: April 2026).
    Buyer's Guide
    Universal Access Gateways
    April 2026
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    Helped 891,869 peers since 2012

    Review summaries and opinions

    We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
     

    Categories and Ranking

    Cisco ASx500 [EOL]
    Average Rating
    8.0
    Number of Reviews
    2
    Ranking in other categories
    No ranking in other categories
    Microsoft Forefront [EOL]
    Average Rating
    8.4
    Number of Reviews
    8
    Ranking in other categories
    No ranking in other categories
     

    Featured Reviews

    YD
    YuQing Ding
    Principle Network and Database Engr at Parsons Corporation
    Secure, scalable, and straightforward installation
    The technical support from Cisco is not very good. In a recent experience, they asked us for 20 minutes about our project and then redirected around to other people. I need to report to this agent, I need to register to this database, there is too much involved in getting a solution. This has always been the case, they are asking us too many questions, and then when it comes down to a solution, it is at a bare minimum. This is something they can improve on, but they do not seem eager to improve. However, we do have an assigned project representative that is helpful.
    Read full review
    it_user772620 - PeerSpot reviewer
    it_user772620
    Systems Consultant at a tech services company with 501-1,000 employees
    There is simplicity in the management of the product compared to its competitors
    Web proxy services along with the integrated firewall VPN Intrusion prevention Malware inspection URL filtering The simplicity of managing the product compared to its competitors, like BIG-IP F5 and Citrix NetScaler The ease of deploying mobile functionality through the web proxy has…
    Read full review

    Quotes from Members

    We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
     

    Pros

    "One of the most valuable features is keeping our data secure."
    "Overall, it does exactly what we want it to do, considering the specific features that we want."
    "One of the most valuable features is keeping our data secure."
    "It works well for any environment that wants to use a VPN."
    "The snort engine, which is the muscle behind the Sourcefire IPS technology, has always been a joy for me to work with."
    "To date we have not had a virus infecting a desktop with Forefront installed - this is the main reason why we will not use another anti-virus solution."
    "Our ROI is that we can provision users accounts within 30 minutes of them being put into the system."
    "Product has been enough for our customers’ requirements."
    "The simplicity of managing the product compared to its competitors, like BIG-IP F5 and Citrix NetScaler, is a valuable feature."
    "Performance wise, it's one of the most effective anti-virus solutions we have ever used."
    "It cost us approx. US$250k to set up and is roughly US$200 day to day."
    "It has automated the entire user and group management process, thus reducing manual work and help desk cost to a great extent."
     

    Cons

    "There is no security, such as an antivirus and URL filtering mechanism, which is something that should be improved."
    "There is no security, such as an antivirus and URL filtering mechanism, which is something that should be improved."
    "The technical support from Cisco is not very good."
    "The technical support from Cisco is not very good."
    "One of the biggest pain points was that username changes were not automated and caused problems."
    "The product has unfortunately reach its End-Of-Life (EOL) at Microsoft and is now replaced by several products."
    "More out of box connectors and conducting awareness of the product along with more marketing."
    "Web user interface from 1990s. Users laugh at it."
    "I’d personally like to see some additional customization capabilities in the reporting section."
    "Pretty awful. A large initial investment with something that could have been done by one person full time over six years with less hassle."
    "When using Forefront in a domain network, it is quite difficult to create the group policies needed for definition/engine updates using WSUS."
    "Without a local Windows Update Server, the client seems to update very slowly and may take a lot of time."
     

    Pricing and Cost Advice

    "This product is not too expensive and there are no costs apart from the standard licensing fee."
    "We pay approximately $15,000 a month but that includes everything together, such as hardware."
    Information not available
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    891,869 professionals have used our research since 2012.
     

    Company Size

    By reviewers
    Large Enterprise
    Midsize Enterprise
    Small Business
    No data available
    By reviewers
    Company SizeCount
    Small Business2
    Midsize Enterprise4
    Large Enterprise2
     

    Comparisons

    No data available
    ESET Endpoint Protection Platform vs Microsoft Forefront [EOL] Logo
    ESET Endpoint Protection Platform vs Microsoft Forefront [EOL]
    Compared 100% of the time
    More Microsoft Forefront [EOL] Competitors
     

    Product Reports

    Buyer's Guide
    Universal Access Gateways
    April 2026
    Cisco ASx500 [EOL] reportDownload Cisco ASx500 [EOL] product report
    Buyer's Guide
    Universal Access Gateways
    April 2026
    Microsoft Forefront [EOL] reportDownload Microsoft Forefront [EOL] product report
     

    Also Known As

    ASx500
    MS Forefront [EOL]
     

    Overview

    Information not available
    Cisco
    Our agile methodology and our integration expertise brings you the best catalyst to craft solutions of exceptional quality and distinctive success.
    Microsoft
     

    Sample Customers

    Aegean Motorway, Anilana Hotels and Resorts, BC Hydro, Beachbody, City of Biel, Department of Education Western Australia, Dundee Precious Metals, Fontys University, John Eagle Auto Group, Katy Independent School District, National Airport of Romania, North West Redwater, The Department of Education in Western Australia
    EUROVIA CS, a. s., King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Public Education Devel, Bank Alfalah Ltd., CLEAResult, St. Lucie County Public Schools, Wiltshire Council
    Buyer's Guide
    Universal Access Gateways
    April 2026
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    Find out what your peers are saying about Citrix, SonicWall and others in Universal Access Gateways. Updated: April 2026.
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    891,869 professionals have used our research since 2012.
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