Cisco AnyConnect vs Palo Alto Networks Prisma Access
Side-by-side from the Top 11 ranking of The 11 Best Business VPNs. Last verified June 9, 2026.
The short answer
Cisco AnyConnect ranks higher on Top 11 (#7 vs #9) for IT teams securing remote access. A legacy enterprise VPN standard, best for companies already using Cisco hardware.
At a glance
| Cisco AnyConnect | Palo Alto Networks Prisma Access | |
|---|---|---|
| Top 11 rank | #7 / The 11 Best Business VPNs | #9 / The 11 Best Business VPNs |
| Score (out of 9.4) | 7.9 | 7.5 |
| Best for | The enterprise standard for Cisco shops | Comprehensive SASE for global enterprises |
| Pricing | $$$ (Quote-based, requires hardware) | $$$$ (Quote-based) |
| HQ | San Jose, USA | Santa Clara, USA |
| Founded | 1984 | 2005 |
Cisco AnyConnect
A legacy enterprise VPN standard, best for companies already using Cisco hardware.
www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/security/anyconnect-secure-mobility-client/index.htmlPalo Alto Networks Prisma Access
A top-tier SASE platform offering massive scale and deep security for large enterprises.
www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/prisma-accessMethodology and scoring weights live at /methodology. No vendor pays for placement — see about.