Cradlepoint SD-WAN vs flexiWAN
Cradlepoint SD-WAN
cradlepoint.com
flexiWAN
flexiwan.comSide by side
| Figure | Cradlepoint SD-WAN | flexiWAN |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | $1.42/mo |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 10 |
| Spec score · SD-WAN Software | 7.2 (#12) | 8.0 (#4) |
| Support | NetCloud Essentials packages include phone support around the clock on weekdays with emergency weekend response, 24/7 web support, and 24/5 chat support. | During the 30-day trial, flexiWAN says support is provided and it will assist with installation and configuration as required. |
Plans
flexiWAN
- Enterprise SaaS — 1–5 flexiEdge InstancesFree
- Enterprise SaaS — 1,001–5,000 flexiEdge Instances, Paid Monthly$12 a month
- Enterprise SaaS — 501–1,000 flexiEdge Instances, Paid Yearly$17 a year
- Enterprise SaaS — 501–1,000 flexiEdge Instances, Paid Monthly$20 a month
- Enterprise SaaS — 101–500 flexiEdge Instances, Paid Yearly$21 a year
- Enterprise SaaS — 101–500 flexiEdge Instances, Paid Monthly$25 a month
- Enterprise SaaS — 11–100 flexiEdge Instances, Paid Yearly$25 a year
- Enterprise SaaS — 11–100 flexiEdge Instances, Paid Monthly$30 a month
- Enterprise SaaS — 1–10 flexiEdge Instances, Paid Yearly$33 a year
- Enterprise SaaS — 1–10 flexiEdge Instances, Paid Monthly$40 a month
In their own words
Cradlepoint SD-WAN
Cradlepoint SD-WAN provides cellular-optimized traffic management on Cradlepoint branch routers and through NetCloud Exchange. It can use LTE, 5G standalone and nonstandalone networks, wired links, and Wi-Fi as WAN. Administrators steer application traffic to selected cellular providers, WAN interfaces, or interface groups with application-based policies. NetCloud Exchange recognizes and classifies more than 3,500 applications, while edge routers classify more than 1,000. Routers assess link health and can fail over automatically when links are down or degraded under configured policies. Administrators can view cellular usage by provider, account, router, or modem and steer traffic away from links nearing thresholds. NetCloud Exchange can align modem WAN interfaces with 5G standalone network slices. Its SD-WAN uses a zero-trust foundation and requires Secure Connect. Service Gateway deployment supports Azure, AWS, KVM, and VMware. Requirements include Secure Connect, router licenses, and NetCloud OS 7.22.110 or newer. Pricing is on request, with a 90-day trial listed.
flexiWAN
flexiWAN is an open-source SD-WAN and SASE platform for managing network routing and security. Its components divide the work among flexiManage for centralized management, flexiEdge for local routing and security, and flexiAgent for synchronization and monitoring. Network options include IPSec over VxLAN tunnels, mesh and hub-and-spoke layouts, application-based path selection, internet breakout, DHCP, and static routes. Automation includes zero-touch provisioning, multi-WAN failover, tunnel load balancing, and AI-based network healing. Firewall controls include application identification, port forwarding, and 1:1 NAT; 2FA login is supported. The modular App Store accommodates third-party applications for security, optimization, voice and video, and DPI. flexiWAN runs through Linux, web, API, and self-hosted deployments, with cloud and virtual appliance options. A free plan for 1–5 instances and a trial are available. The pricing note lists plans from $33/mo (annual); the pricing page says minimum fees apply after the trial period.