Cisco Secure Client (AnyConnect) Comparison Guide

Cisco Meraki Switching And Routing

Cisco Secure Client Overview

The Cisco Secure Client, which includes the robust capabilities of AnyConnect, provides secure and seamless access to corporate resources and private applications. As businesses increasingly rely on digital solutions, ensuring secure access becomes essential. Cisco Secure Client facilitates this by offering a unified platform for managing and deploying endpoint security agents, ensuring both ease of use and comprehensive protection.

One of the standout features of Cisco Secure Client is its intelligent VPN, which remains active to ensure continuous security compliance. This feature allows users to quickly and easily connect to the VPN, enhancing the user experience while maintaining robust security standards. This balance of security and usability makes Cisco Secure Client a preferred choice for many enterprises looking to protect their networks.

In addition to its core VPN capabilities, Cisco Secure Client provides advanced endpoint security, reducing the need for multiple client applications. With its unified cloud management, organizations can monitor all security agents from a single console, offering greater network visibility and control. The ability to view endpoint application usage and user behavior, when paired with Cisco Secure Network Analytics, further enhances the security posture of an organization.

The Cisco Secure Client integrates seamlessly with other Cisco security solutions, such as Cisco XDR and Cisco Secure Endpoint. This integration allows for early threat detection and prioritization, ensuring that organizations can respond swiftly and effectively to potential security incidents.

What’s New in Secure Client 5

Rebranded from AnyConnect, with full UI and feature continuity
Integrated Secure Endpoint module
New Zero Trust Access (ZTA) Module
End of support for AnyConnect 4.x by 2027
Cloud-native deployment via Cisco XDR or Secure Client Cloud Management
Expanded telemetry collection and VPN flexibility

Benefits for Administrators and End Users

A clear advantage of Cisco Secure Client is how it balances security administration needs with user experience.

Benefits for Administrators	Benefits for End Users
Lower total cost of ownership by consolidating multiple endpoint tools into one client	Highly secure access across desktops, laptops, and mobile devices
Context-aware endpoint security with continuous telemetry and posture enforcement	Consistent, user-friendly interface with minimal learning curve
Flexible, policy-driven access across wired, wireless, and VPN connections	Intelligent, always-on connectivity for seamless productivity
Simplified cloud deployment and update process	Smooth access to corporate resources without complex configurations

This dual focus makes Secure Client equally valuable for IT teams managing complex environments and for employees needing reliable, secure access.

Cisco Advantage License vs. Premier License – Benefits and Capabilities

Cisco offers two main licensing options for Secure Client: the Advantage License and the Premier License. Each provides a set of features designed to meet the varying needs of businesses.

Advantage License (Formerly AnyConnect Plus)

The Advantage License provides essential features that cater to most business needs. It includes device or system VPN capabilities, supporting Cisco phone VPN and third-party IPsec IKEv2 remote access VPN clients. This flexibility ensures compatibility with a wide range of devices and systems.

Per-Application VPN: This feature allows secure, per-application access to corporate resources, enhancing security while maintaining user productivity.
Cisco Umbrella Roaming: Included as a complimentary feature, this module provides cloud-delivered security even when users are off the VPN, ensuring consistent protection against threats.
Network Access Manager: This component simplifies network access control by managing user and device identity and ensuring seamless transitions between wired and wireless networks.
Cisco Secure Endpoint: Available for complimentary use, this feature offers advanced endpoint protection, reducing the risk of threats from connected devices.
Cloud Management via SecureX: This allows for centralized management of security policies and agents, streamlining operations and improving security posture.

Premier License (Formerly AnyConnect Apex)

The Premier License builds on the features of the Advantage License, offering enhanced security and management capabilities for organizations with more complex requirements.

Network Visibility Module: This feature provides detailed insights into endpoint application usage, allowing administrators to identify potential security issues and optimize network performance.
Unified Endpoint Compliance and Remediation: With posture assessment capabilities, this feature ensures that only compliant devices can access the network. Integration with Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) enhances compliance and security.
Posture for Secure Firewall: Ensures devices meet security policies before granting access, reducing the risk of compromised endpoints affecting the network.
Suite B and Next-Generation Encryption: Supports advanced encryption standards for securing data in transit, including third-party IPsec IKEv2 remote VPN clients.
ASA Multicontext-Mode Remote Access: Allows for secure, simultaneous access to multiple network segments, improving resource management and security.
SAML Authentication: Provides enhanced security for accessing cloud applications, ensuring user identities are verified before granting access.

Management VPN Tunnel: Allows administrators to manage devices securely over the VPN, ensuring that updates and policies are applied consistently.

Cisco Secure Client Editions Comparison

Advantage License (Formerly AnyConnect Plus)	Premier License (Formerly AnyConnect Apex)
Device or system VPN (including Cisco phone VPN)	All Advantage features with the other features in this column
Third-party IPsec IKEv2 remote access VPN clients (non-Secure Client endpoint)	Network Visibility Module
Per-application VPN	Unified endpoint compliance and remediation (posture) (Identity Services Engine Premier/Apex is required and licensed separately)
Cisco Umbrella Roaming (Complimentary use of client)	Posture (for Secure Firewall)
Use with Cisco Secure Web Appliance (through a VPN tunnel)	Suite B or next-generation encryption (including third-party IPsec IKEv2 remote VPN clients)
Network Access Manager	ASA multicontext-mode remote access
Cisco Secure Endpoint (Complimentary use of client)	SAML authentication
Cloud management via SecureX	Management VPN Tunnel

Licensing Options: Advantage vs. Premier

Feature/Module	Advantage License	Premier License
Device/System VPN	✅	✅
Per-Application VPN	✅	✅
Cisco Umbrella Roaming Module	✅ (license required)	✅ (license required)
Cisco Secure Endpoint (AMP client)	✅ (complimentary use)	✅ (complimentary use)
Cloud Management via SecureX or XDR	✅	✅
Network Visibility Module (NVM)	❌	✅
ISE Posture Assessment Module	❌	✅ (with ISE license)
Secure Firewall Posture (HostScan)	❌	✅
SAML Authentication	✅	✅
Management VPN Tunnel	❌	✅
Suite B / Next-Gen Encryption (IKEv2)	❌	✅
Zero Trust Access Module	❌	✅

If you need help with the Cisco Secure Client, contact us for personalized advice.

Core Modules & Capabilities

Module	Description
VPN	SSL/TLS, DTLS, and IPsec IKEv2 tunneling; always-on, auto reconnect
Per-App VPN	Enables selective tunneling of specific mobile or desktop apps
Umbrella Roaming Module	DNS-layer security when VPN is inactive; blocks malware and phishing
Secure Endpoint Module	Built-in AMP module for endpoint protection and telemetry
Network Visibility Module (NVM)	Sends flow-based telemetry to XDR or Secure Analytics
Network Access Manager (NAM)	Controls Layer 2 access (Windows only); supports WPA2/WPA3, 802.1X
ISE Posture Module	Validates OS patches, antivirus, firewall, registry keys via Cisco ISE
Secure Firewall Posture	Checks endpoint health before VPN connection (HostScan successor)
Zero Trust Access Module	Restricts access until identity and device posture are verified
ThousandEyes Endpoint Agent	Monitors app/network performance on user devices (licensed separately)

Zero Trust Access (ZTA) Module

Cisco’s Zero Trust Access Module, introduced in Secure Client 5.1.3.62+, enables continuous identity and posture verification before granting access. Key benefits include:

Enforces access decisions per user, per device
Hides internal applications unless explicitly allowed
Requires TPM-enabled devices (Win/macOS)
Integrated with Cisco Secure Access
Supported on iOS/iPadOS 17.2+, Android 14+ (Samsung Knox 3.10+)

Deployment Options

Pre-deploy (MSI, SCCM, MDM, etc.)
Web deploy via Secure Firewall ASA or ISE
Cisco XDR Cloud Management (bootstrap or full installer)
Standalone Cloud Management Portal
Custom profile editor (via ASDM or web)

Monitoring & Diagnostics

Remote script triggers on connect/disconnect
Logs available on device or via email
Local CPU, memory, and battery stats
Client-side notifications for posture or update issues
ThousandEyes telemetry integration for application health insight

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cisco Secure Client?

Cisco Secure Client is a comprehensive security solution that includes AnyConnect VPN capabilities, providing secure access to corporate resources and private applications. It offers advanced endpoint security, unified cloud management, and integration with other Cisco security solutions.

What are the main differences between the Advantage and Premier Licenses?

The Advantage License offers essential VPN and security features, suitable for most business needs, while the Premier License includes additional capabilities such as network visibility, unified endpoint compliance, and advanced encryption standards for organizations with more complex security requirements.

Can I use Cisco Secure Client with third-party VPN clients?

Yes, both the Advantage and Premier Licenses support third-party IPsec IKEv2 remote access VPN clients, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of devices and systems.

How does Cisco Secure Client enhance endpoint security?

Cisco Secure Client provides advanced endpoint protection through features like the Cisco Secure Endpoint module and the Network Visibility Module, which monitor application usage and user behavior to identify potential security threats.

What is the role of Cisco Umbrella Roaming in Cisco Secure Client?

Cisco Umbrella Roaming offers cloud-delivered security that protects users even when they are off the VPN, providing consistent protection against threats such as phishing and malware attacks.

Customers should now use the Umbrella Roaming Security module integrated within Cisco Secure Client. This ensures:

Ongoing DNS-layer protection when VPN is inactive.
Unified deployment and updates through Secure Client.
No reliance on the retired standalone client.

This transition highlights Cisco’s direction to consolidate endpoint security into a single, modular Secure Client platform.