Azure Virtual WAN vs. Cisco Routers

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Azure Virtual WAN
Score 8.4 out of 10
N/A
Microsoft's Azure Virtual WAN connects global branch offices, point-of-sale locations, and sites using Azure and the Microsoft global network. With it the user can plan, configure, and seamlessly deploy new connections.N/A
Cisco Routers
Score 9.0 out of 10
N/A
Cisco routers support secure, reliable enterprise connections. These enterprise routers help users implement an intent-based, future-ready WAN that is constantly learning, adapting, and protecting. Deploy routers for the branch, cloud, co-location, or the data center with any type of connectivity, including MPLS, Internet, and 4G LTE. With over 30 years of experience and an end-to-end portfolio, Cisco routing solutions can deliver for today’s networking needs. The vendor promises to help…N/A
Pricing
Azure Virtual WANCisco Routers
Editions & Modules
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Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Azure Virtual WANCisco Routers
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Azure Virtual WANCisco Routers
Considered Both Products
Azure Virtual WAN
Chose Azure Virtual WAN
As we were already using Azure as a cloud platform, it was easy setting up a Virtual WAN inside Azure as users/developers and DevOps engineers were familiar with the user interface and functioning as compared to going to some other portal for just the VWAN solution. The …
Cisco Routers
Chose Cisco Routers
Cisco product have shown proven operation and reliability for our teams. Our old routers were also Cisco series that where in continuous operation for over a decade with no issues.
Chose Cisco Routers
Cisco Routers are the most reliable and stable internet edge routers ive used. They' have also always offered high performance for the most demanding traffic workloads. Lastly, from all of the various vendors I've used, Cisco routsrs have the best TAC support.
Chose Cisco Routers
Very well! Cisco Routers were much faster.
Chose Cisco Routers
We have used Cisco Routers and ASA for many years, they provide us the stable network connection with high performance, high security, and new technology.
Chose Cisco Routers
When it comes to CIENA routes , we don't use the latest overlay technology EVPN in our CIENA metro environment. Because CIENA doesn't yet support the EVPN VPWS and EVPN VPLS services. We still relay on LDP based Pseudo wires for achieving L2VPN services in our metro …
Chose Cisco Routers
Other vendors definitely bring some great features. We've gone from Fortinet to HPE, to Ruckus. Each product has benefits to consider. For us, Cisco is a trusted brand that's used about thousands of customers and many fortune companies. While some of the newer or smaller …
Chose Cisco Routers
In my opinion, we do not like the Meraki MX compared to Cisco Routers. It is not flexible enough for our needs and is only really viable for very simple east to west traffic. From my experience, for a "Firewall" it has an awful policy management interface that manages to be so …
Chose Cisco Routers
The main reason to go with Cisco Routers is reliability. Other than that most engineers are certified to operate these routers. Other reasons are good technical support, quality community and familiarity/experience within the industry of networking. It is by default product to …
Chose Cisco Routers
Similar, if not slightly better.
Chose Cisco Routers
Cisco Routers stack up against them and we have selected Cisco Routers to accommodate the limited rack spaces. The stack cables are giving seamless connectivity between switches.
Chose Cisco Routers
I have not used any other router apart from Cisco Routers. So cannot compare any other router with the same.
Chose Cisco Routers
Cisco has been the top vendor while selecting the router, they are always on the list. Cisco has been very up-to-date with current market trends and technology. Cisco has better material available over the Internet, so Cisco has better competency compared with any other vendor, …
Chose Cisco Routers
Netgear and Dlink wireless routers also support cloud-based management, however, Cisco is the first one to implement a cloud-based centralized management portal. Cisco Meraki routers provide enhanced network security using Meraki Air Marshal wireless intrusion and prevention …
Chose Cisco Routers
Cisco Routers have better performance and are more efficient when working. They are friendlier in their configuration environment and in turn, their TAC service is superior to that of other brands, and at the same level of documentation it is more accessible than that of other …
Chose Cisco Routers
Cisco routers are great and are the industry standard. They have proven their ability to last and [continually] provide support for their devices. You can go into a lot of IT closets and see old Cisco switches and routers. Why? because they are workhorses and they last. Their …
Chose Cisco Routers
As a Cisco partner, we had access to Cisco devices only. I can't offer this information.
Chose Cisco Routers
Mikrotik Routers are very inexpensive and lightweight routers. They support many features that enterprise routers support like routing protocols, ACLs, Nating, radius server-based authentication, GUI management, and many more. However, it is not built to handle large amounts of …
Chose Cisco Routers
As needing a physical piece, this is the only logical step forward.
Chose Cisco Routers
I haven't used other routers in my career. We evaluated Palo Alto but quickly realized we needed to stay with Cisco, as they never gave us a reason to change. Palo Alto also was a much greater financial investment we were not willing to take, along with the learning curve to …
Chose Cisco Routers
The Meraki devices are much simpler to manage and configure than any of their other devices. Being able to manage all devices at once makes it easier to detect a problem. The monthly subscription fee is the hardest part to look past, as it's a lot more costly to use Meraki …
Chose Cisco Routers
Important reason is the certified and qualified engineers to support the Cisco devices compared to other vendors in the market. Cisco Routers are easy to manage over a long time compared to Juniper devices. Cisco SDM tool also helps for small sites to manage these routers. …
Best Alternatives
Azure Virtual WANCisco Routers
Small Businesses

No answers on this topic

No answers on this topic

Medium-sized Companies
Cisco Meraki MX
Cisco Meraki MX
Score 9.1 out of 10

No answers on this topic

Enterprises
Cisco Meraki MX
Cisco Meraki MX
Score 9.1 out of 10

No answers on this topic

All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Azure Virtual WANCisco Routers
Likelihood to Recommend
8.4
(0 ratings)
9.4
(0 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
-
(0 ratings)
10.0
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
Azure Virtual WANCisco Routers
Likelihood to Recommend
Azure Virtual WAN provides single functional interphase for routing, monitoring, connectivity and security operations. The connection of hubs in Azure virtual WAN makes it simple for us to use Microsoft as the pillar of our spoke connectivity. The platform provides us with robust connectivity features that allow for transitive connectivity across different spokes. However, you should always ensure you have understood your total cost of ownership to avoid potential price bombshells.
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We will recommend theCisco Routers if there is requirement of high availability and more reliability. Also it is best for implementing and achieving state of the art technologies in both enterprise and service provider environment. The integrated management and monitoring solutions it comes with makes the routers attractive for all network operations. We don't recommend the Cisco Routers if cost is a concern since all these next generation features are very expensive.
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Pros
  • It offers a seamless experience while connecting Virtual networks and Workloads via Azure Hub.
  • Lot of connectivity options present - site to site VPN/Express route etc.
  • Very easy connectivity and migration with on-premise sites and Azure Hub.
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  • Helps to separate routing information for different networks for different customers.
  • Helps peers with service providers and Customer Networks and starts the exchange of information between them.
  • Helps facilitate internet connectivity for enterprise networks.
  • Helps transferring Internet or Private Data from one place to another.
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Cons
  • Integrations are limited within Azure. It is difficult to carry out multi-cloud integrations.
  • If you haven't understood your monthly cost you can receive price shocks.
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  • I have had the opportunity to work with different vendors of routers and simply from my point of view they are the best equipment in the market. Perhaps the unfavorable point is the costs compared to other manufacturers, but they are still the best option
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Likelihood to Renew
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We are extremely likely to renew, as we have been very happy with our Cisco Routers for over 10 years. Their uptime as well as stable nature makes them ideal for us, as we are an industry that cannot afford downtime. We trust our partner to recommend our next model Cisco, when the time comes.
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Usability
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The best thing about Cisco products is their presence in community. When you have a problem you can do quick search and find whoever else had the same question and expert answer for that question. Other thing is there are Cisco certified people we can find very easily if want some help with comissioning these products
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Support Rating
No answers on this topic
Cisco support is very good. Of course, sometime you will run into support guy that isn't up to the task. Buf overall, the support system is well structure. You know if this support isn't able to help, you can esclate the situation to find another help. Also, their documentation is well developed and can be very useful.
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Alternatives Considered
As we were already using Azure as a cloud platform, it was easy setting up a Virtual WAN inside Azure as users/developers and DevOps engineers were familiar with the user interface and functioning as compared to going to some other portal for just the VWAN solution. The umbrella of features provided by Azure Virtual WAN made it the right choice for our infrastructure.
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Cisco Routers are the most reliable and stable internet edge routers ive used. They' have also always offered high performance for the most demanding traffic workloads. Lastly, from all of the various vendors I've used, Cisco routsrs have the best TAC support.
Read full review
Return on Investment
  • Automatic troubleshooting solves incidents without costing our operational time.
  • We are able unify all our operational activities.
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  • Network management has become easy and fast with cloud based portal.
  • Network policies could be rolled out quickly across the devices.
  • Improvement in Network security.
  • Stable internet connection has lead to less downtime and more productivity.
  • Stable internet connection in each location within the organization.
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