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Head-to-head · SD-WAN Software

Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN vs HPE Aruba Networking EdgeConnect SD-WAN

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN #4 in SD-WAN Software 9.1/10 Pricing on request ✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Cisco
HPE Aruba Networking EdgeConnect SD-WAN #6 in SD-WAN Software 8.9/10 Pricing on request · 90-day trial Free trial✓ 4 of 4 features Visit HPE Aruba

Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN leads on 0 checks, HPE Aruba Networking EdgeConnect SD-WAN on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreCisco Catalyst SD-WAN · 9.1/10
  • Free trialonly HPE Aruba Networking EdgeConnect SD-WAN

Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN scores higher on our rubric for sd-wan software: 9.1 against 8.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #6.

Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN is the better fit for large Cisco environments needing full SD-WAN. HPE Aruba Networking EdgeConnect SD-WAN is the better fit for enterprises wanting a mature branch-to-cloud platform.

  • Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN fits best

    Large Cisco environments needing full SD-WAN

  • HPE Aruba Networking EdgeConnect SD-WAN fits best

    Enterprises wanting a mature branch-to-cloud platform

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN 9.1/10 Visit ↗ HPE Aruba Networking EdgeConnect SD-WAN 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.9
Ranking #4 in SD-WAN Software #6 in SD-WAN Software
Best for Large Cisco environments needing full SD-WAN Enterprises wanting a mature branch-to-cloud platform
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price Pricing on request Pricing on request · 90-day trial
Free plan — —
Free trial — 90 days
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Web Web
Integrations 12 integrations 10 integrations
Features Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN 4/4 · HPE Aruba Networking EdgeConnect SD-WAN 4/4
Application-aware routing ✓ ✓
Zero-touch provisioning ✓ ✓
Integrated security ✓ ✓
Cloud on-ramps ✓ ✓
Specs
Deployment model Hybrid Hybrid
Site limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Application-aware routing measures loss, latency, and jitter.
  • Cloud OnRamp connects AWS, Google Cloud, Azure, and SaaS applications.
  • Integrated security includes firewall, IPS, URL filtering, and malware protection.
  • Application-aware routing, traffic steering, and path conditioning
  • Integrated firewall, role-based segmentation, and WAN optimization
  • Broad connectivity across major clouds and network providers
Cons
  • Pricing requires a contact-sales process rather than public plan prices.
  • There is no free plan.
  • Cloud-hosted, on-premises, and customer-managed options require deployment evaluation.
  • Pricing is handled through contact sales
  • No free plan; the evaluation period is limited to 90 days
  • Its breadth may exceed the needs of simpler WAN deployments
Our verdict

Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN connects branch offices, campuses, data centers, and cloud environments through centralized management and policy-based routing. It is aimed at enterprise network teams that need to provision, monitor, troubleshoot,…

Read the review →

HPE Aruba Networking EdgeConnect SD-WAN connects branch offices, data centers, and cloud environments through centralized orchestration and software-defined WAN controls. It is aimed at enterprises operating hybrid WANs, branch networks,…

Read the review →
  1. Cisco Catalyst SD-WANSD-WAN Software 9.1Pricing on request
  2. HPE Aruba Networking EdgeConnect SD-WANSD-WAN Software 8.9Pricing on request · 90-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN — where it wins

    • Application-aware routing measures loss, latency, and jitter.
    • Cloud OnRamp connects AWS, Google Cloud, Azure, and SaaS applications.
    • Integrated security includes firewall, IPS, URL filtering, and malware protection.

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires a contact-sales process rather than public plan prices.
    • There is no free plan.
    • Cloud-hosted, on-premises, and customer-managed options require deployment evaluation.

  • HPE Aruba Networking EdgeConnect SD-WAN — where it wins

    • Application-aware routing, traffic steering, and path conditioning
    • Integrated firewall, role-based segmentation, and WAN optimization
    • Broad connectivity across major clouds and network providers

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing is handled through contact sales
    • No free plan; the evaluation period is limited to 90 days
    • Its breadth may exceed the needs of simpler WAN deployments
  • Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN9.1/10 · Pricing on request

    A broad Cisco SD-WAN platform for large, security-conscious network environments.

    Visit CiscoFull verdict →
  • HPE Aruba Networking EdgeConnect SD-WAN8.9/10 · Pricing on request · 90-day trial

    A broad branch-to-cloud SD-WAN platform with centralized control, security, and multicloud connectivity.

    Visit HPE ArubaFull verdict →

More comparisons

All SD-WAN software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update