Top F5 Networks BIG-IP Edge Portal Alternatives for Secure Remote Access
F5 Networks BIG-IP Edge Portal is a well-known application designed to provide secure, layer 7 remote access to enterprise web applications, offering features like bookmarking and automatic authentication. While effective, organizations often seek alternatives for various reasons, including cost, specific feature requirements, platform compatibility, or the desire for open-source solutions. This article explores some of the best F5 Networks BIG-IP Edge Portal alternative options available today.
Top F5 Networks BIG-IP Edge Portal Alternatives
If you're looking to enhance your secure remote access capabilities beyond F5 Networks BIG-IP Edge Portal, or seeking a solution that better aligns with your infrastructure and budget, these alternatives offer robust features for secure web application access and broader network connectivity.
Cisco AnyConnect
Cisco AnyConnect is a robust commercial VPN software that enables secure remote access for employees across a wide range of platforms including Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, iPhone, Blackberry, Windows Phone, iPad, and Kindle Fire. As a powerful VPN solution, it offers a comprehensive alternative to F5 Networks BIG-IP Edge Portal for organizations needing secure connectivity from virtually any device.
CacheGuard-OS
CacheGuard-OS is an Appliance oriented Operating System focused on Web traffic Security and Optimization. While not a direct VPN replacement, its Web Application Firewall features make it a strong contender for securing web applications, offering a different but complementary approach to F5 Networks BIG-IP Edge Portal's content rewrite proxy. It supports Commercial use across Windows, VirtualBox, VMware vSphere Hypervisor, Microsoft Hyper-V Server, and Proxmox Virtual Environment.
FortiClient Endpoint Protection
FortiClient Endpoint Protection offers a Freemium model with SSL VPN capabilities, allowing secure connections from various devices including Mac, Windows, Android, iPhone, Android Tablet, and iPad. Its features include Filtering, Network Monitoring, and Security & Privacy, making it a comprehensive endpoint solution that can serve as an alternative to F5 Networks BIG-IP Edge Portal for secure application access and broader endpoint security.
ZEVENET
ZEVENET is an Open Source ADC (Application Delivery Controller) for Linux environments, designed to simplify application delivery with load balancing, high availability, security, and massive scalability. With features like Support for Docker, High Availability, Load balancing, and Web Application Firewall, ZEVENET provides a powerful and flexible open-source alternative to F5 Networks BIG-IP Edge Portal, particularly for organizations seeking robust application delivery capabilities.
Pulse Secure
Pulse Secure offers a commercial solution for seamless, secure access from anywhere, any device, with centralized management and visibility. It provides comprehensive Enterprise Mobility including VPN, NAC, Filtering, and Security & Privacy features, supporting Android, iPhone, S60, Blackberry, Android Tablet, Windows Phone, and iPad. Pulse Secure is a strong alternative to F5 Networks BIG-IP Edge Portal for its broad device support and integrated security capabilities.
Vulture
Vulture is a Free and Open Source application firewall for Linux and FreeBSD, supporting HTTP/2 and designed to detect behavioral anomalies to protect web applications from Internet attacks. As a dedicated Application Firewall, Vulture provides a robust security layer for web applications, making it a compelling open-source F5 Networks BIG-IP Edge Portal alternative for organizations prioritizing web application security.
Aerohive ID Manager
Aerohive ID Manager is a free, cloud-leveraged enterprise access management system for iPhone and iPad, simplifying the deployment and onboarding of guest and employee devices. Its features include Filtering, Network Monitoring, Security & Privacy, and VPN capabilities. While focused on mobile access management, its security and VPN features make it a viable alternative for specific use cases where F5 Networks BIG-IP Edge Portal is considered.
Palo Alto Networks Applipedia
Palo Alto Networks Applipedia is a free iPhone application providing an on-the-go knowledge base of applications controlled by Palo Alto Networks' next-generation firewalls. While not a direct secure remote access tool itself, it complements Palo Alto Networks' security offerings which often provide advanced alternatives for secure application delivery and access control compared to F5 Networks BIG-IP Edge Portal.
IBM Endpoint Manager
The IBM Endpoint Manager Mobile Client app is a commercial solution enabling secure connection of iOS devices to corporate networks for email, apps, and more. Supporting Windows, Linux, Android, iPhone, S60, Blackberry, Android Tablet, Windows Phone, and iPad, it offers comprehensive endpoint management with Filtering, Security & Privacy, and VPN features. This makes it a strong enterprise-grade F5 Networks BIG-IP Edge Portal alternative for secure and managed device access.
Tangoe Mobile
Tangoe Mobile is a free application for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch that simplifies connecting mobile devices to corporate infrastructure. It includes features such as Filtering, Mobile Device Management, Network Monitoring, Security & Privacy, and VPN. While its primary focus is MDM, its integrated security and VPN capabilities position it as a functional alternative to F5 Networks BIG-IP Edge Portal for specific mobile-centric secure access needs.
Choosing the right F5 Networks BIG-IP Edge Portal alternative depends on your organization's specific needs, including budget, required features, preferred deployment models (on-premise, cloud, virtual), and the types of devices and platforms you need to support. Evaluate each option carefully to find the best fit for your secure remote access strategy.