Cisco Catalyst Center vs CrowdSec
Cisco Catalyst Center
cisco.com
CrowdSec
crowdsec.netSide by side
| Figure | Cisco Catalyst Center | CrowdSec |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | $49/mo |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 8 |
| Spec score · Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software | 7.7 (#12) | 9.3 (#1) |
| Spec score · Firewall Software | 7.1 (#73) | 9.2 (#3) |
| Deployment | Cisco describes hardware and virtual appliance deployments, including current guides for VMware ESXi and Ubuntu KVM. | Official documentation describes single-host, multi-machine, centralized-log, Kubernetes, container and WAF-only deployments. |
| Founded | 1984 | 2020 |
| Headquarters | San Jose, California, United States | Montrouge, France |
| Purpose | Cisco Catalyst Center is a centralized network controller and management dashboard for enterprise network operations. | The open source CrowdSec Security Stack detects and blocks malicious IPs to safeguard infrastructure and application security. |
| Support | Cisco says Catalyst and Cisco DNA software subscriptions include embedded software support and downloads; opening a support case requires a Cisco Service Contract. | CrowdSec Console Premium lists optional premium service and support for $1K/month. |
Plans
Cisco Catalyst Center
- Cisco DNA AdvantagePriced on request
- Cisco DNA EssentialsPriced on request
CrowdSec
- IP Reputation API$49 a month
- Platinum Blocklists$1,900 a month
- Live Exploit Tracker$2,000 a month
- CommunityFree
- Community Security EngineFree
- IP Reputation API access$49 a month
- Local CTI replication$9,000 a month
- CrowdSec Console PremiumPriced on request
In their own words
Cisco Catalyst Center
Cisco Catalyst Center has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.
CrowdSec
CrowdSec is an open-source security stack designed to detect and block malicious IP addresses to protect infrastructure and applications. Its Security Engine analyzes logs and requests for harmful behavior, while the Remediation Component blocks IPs identified by that engine across supported platforms. CrowdSec says analysis takes place locally and logs do not leave the user's infrastructure. Its AppSec Component can provide web application firewall protection. The free Community offering includes real-time decision management, audit support, AWS CloudTrail scenarios, CAPI allow lists, and Kubernetes audit acquisition. IP Reputation data includes contextual criteria, activity timelines, autonomous system and IP range reputation, MITRE technique classification, and hourly updates. Listed integrations include Microsoft Sentinel, AWS log sources, WordPress, Cloudflare, Docker, and Kubernetes. The Community Security Engine is free. The IP Reputation API is listed at $49 a month for 5,000 queries; other listed services include blocklists and threat-intelligence options. CrowdSec lists Linux, macOS, and Windows among its platforms, with API, extension, self-hosted, and web options.