Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

SteelConnect VS NetFoundry

Compare SteelConnect VS NetFoundry and see what are their differences

SteelConnect logo SteelConnect

SteelConnect is a revolutionary SD-WAN solution that provides you with a simplified approach to designing, deploying & managing hybrid networks. Learn More.

NetFoundry logo NetFoundry

NetFoundry offers multiple SaaS and Cloud solutions, and one of these is the Secure Access Service Edge Platform, abbreviated as SASE, that allows you to access all your disparate networking and security solutions in a single place and enjoy unlimit…
  • SteelConnect Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-20
  • NetFoundry Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-08

SteelConnect features and specs

  • Simplified Network Management
    SteelConnect offers a centralized and intuitive interface that simplifies the configuration and management of the entire WAN network, reducing operational complexity and administrative overhead.
  • Enhanced Performance
    The solution optimizes application performance by dynamically routing traffic over the most efficient paths and utilizing Riverbed’s application acceleration technologies.
  • Cloud Integration
    Seamlessly integrates with cloud services like AWS and Azure, allowing for automated, policy-driven migrations to the cloud and improved connectivity to cloud-hosted resources.
  • Increased Agility
    Allows businesses to quickly deploy and modify network services, facilitating rapid responses to changing business requirements or new branch deployments.
  • Cost Efficiency
    Reduces the reliance on expensive MPLS circuits by allowing the use of cheaper broadband options without compromising on performance or reliability.

Possible disadvantages of SteelConnect

  • Initial Deployment Complexity
    The initial setup of SteelConnect may require significant planning and expertise, which can be challenging for organizations with limited IT resources.
  • Vendor Lock-in
    As a proprietary solution, organizations may face challenges if they decide to switch vendors or integrate with other SD-WAN solutions in the future.
  • Learning Curve
    IT teams may require training to fully understand and leverage all the features and capabilities of the SteelConnect platform.
  • Potential Downtime During Transition
    Transitioning from a traditional WAN to an SD-WAN like SteelConnect can cause potential downtime or disruptions during the migration process.
  • Cost of Implementation
    While it offers long-term cost benefits, the initial setup and licensing costs can be substantial, potentially posing a hurdle for some enterprises.

NetFoundry features and specs

  • Comprehensive Security
    NetFoundry offers zero-trust networking principles with strong encryption and micro-segmentation, ensuring secure data transmission across the network.
  • Cloud-Native
    The platform is designed to integrate seamlessly with cloud environments, providing flexibility and scalability for cloud-based applications and services.
  • Ease of Deployment
    NetFoundry provides intuitive interfaces and APIs for quick deployment, making it easier for organizations to set up and manage their network environments without substantial overhead.
  • Enhanced Performance
    The technology allows optimization of data paths and intelligent routing, which can improve application performance and reduce latency.
  • Global Reach
    Offers a globally distributed network architecture, enabling robust connectivity options in various regions around the world.

Possible disadvantages of NetFoundry

  • Complexity of Integration
    Some users might find the initial integration process complex, especially if they have legacy systems that require detailed customization.
  • Cost Concerns
    The pricing structure may be a concern for smaller businesses or startups with limited budgets, potentially being seen as a premium service.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite the ease of deployment, there may be a learning curve for IT staff unfamiliar with zero-trust networking concepts or those transitioning from traditional network models.
  • Dependence on Internet Connectivity
    The performance and reliability of NetFoundry's services are largely dependent on internet connectivity, which may not be ideal in areas with poor infrastructure.
  • Market Competition
    There are several competitors in the secure networking and zero-trust space, which may offer similar solutions, potentially making it challenging for NetFoundry to differentiate itself.

Analysis of SteelConnect

Overall verdict

  • SteelConnect is considered a solid choice for businesses seeking a reliable and comprehensive SD-WAN solution. Its functionality, combined with Riverbed's reputation for delivering quality network products, makes it a valuable asset for companies aiming to optimize network connectivity and management.

Why this product is good

  • SteelConnect by Riverbed is praised for its ability to simplify and automate networking configurations. It offers an intuitive interface and centralized network management, which enhances operational efficiency. The solution provides robust security features, rapid deployment capabilities, and seamless integration with existing infrastructure, making it suitable for modern enterprise environments. Additionally, it enhances application performance through intelligent traffic routing and optimization.

Recommended for

    SteelConnect is recommended for medium to large enterprises looking to simplify network management through automation and centralized control. It is well-suited for organizations with multiple branches seeking to enhance security and efficiency of their wide area networks. Additionally, businesses undergoing digital transformation or requiring enhanced cloud connectivity would benefit from the features SteelConnect offers.

SteelConnect videos

SteelConnect EX Architecture Overview

More videos:

  • Review - SteelConnect EX Internal Architecture
  • Review - SteelConnect 1.0 İnceleme (Review)

NetFoundry videos

NetFoundry Transform Your Network Today

More videos:

  • Review - NetFoundry Alexa App
  • Demo - DevOps Demonstration: Multi-cloud Connectivity with Netfoundry

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to SteelConnect and NetFoundry)
Monitoring Tools
67 67%
33% 33
Security & Privacy
42 42%
58% 58
Managed Security Services
Online Services
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, NetFoundry seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 17 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.

SteelConnect mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of SteelConnect yet. Tracking of SteelConnect recommendations started around Mar 2021.

NetFoundry mentions (17)

  • Tailscale Is Pretty Useful
    OpenZiti is developed and maintained by NetFoundry (https://netfoundry.io/). We provide a productised version which is very easy to deploy, manage, operate, and monitor with high SLAs, support, legal/compliance, liability, security, updates, feature requests etc. We are not rolling our own crypto, we use well vetted open source standards/implementations -... - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • Protect your SIEM/ SOAR deployment and data sources from cyber attacks over the internet
    NetFoundry via the cloudziti and openziti platforms has been helping mssps, siem and soar solution providers to protect their platform and customers from cybersecurity attacks over the internet due to open ports and IPs inbound. DeltaSecure GmbH is one such company using our solution. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Opening VPN session to get data from a third application
    And there you go. Finally, they have multiple options to deploy it, you can see them here in their OpenZiti WebSite, but also, if you don't want to mess with deploying anything and just creating your app and the access to the SAP, the company behind (NetFoundry) as a "Free Tier Plan" that may help you have everything ready in less than I took writing this answer. Source: over 2 years ago
  • According to your experience, what is the most resilient VPN technology?
    Take a look at NetFoundry (My employer) or the OpenZiti project it is based on. Highly resilient, much more flexible that VPN's, based on cryptographically secure identities, and a very high level of logging for management and security functions. It can run on any major operating system, and we ahve a few installations running on RPis and even OpenWRT routers, so it fits well in the ICS space. You can build a... Source: over 2 years ago
  • API Security Market?
    A huge part of the security of any system is understanding the use case. What is the API for? Is it supposed to be public, and how public? How much friction is allowable on the user side? That can significantly drive the direction of your security architecture. For example, NetFoundry offers a zero trust networking solution that is 100% software based on the OpenZiti project . That can protect the front end... Source: over 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing SteelConnect and NetFoundry, you can also consider the following products

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.

Fortigate Secure SD-WAN - Fortigate Secure SD-WAN is an industry-leading solution that allows businesses to transform and protect WAN.

Cisco SD-WAN - SD-WAN is a software-defined approach to managing the wide-area network, or WAN.

FortiGate SD-WAN - SD-WAN

Aryaka SmartCONNECT - SmartCONNECT is a reliable and all-in-one SD-WAN connectivity service designed by Aryaka to fulfill the needs of enterprises providing local, cloud, global, and regional connectivity to their customers.

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