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# Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS) vs Snort Comparison - What are their main differences?

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Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS)Snort[+ Add Product](#)

Reviews

**Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS)**[

4.1/5(17)

](https://www.g2.com/products/cisco-secure-ips-ngips/reviews#reviews)

**Snort** [

4/5(18)

](https://www.g2.com/products/snort/reviews#reviews)

Pricing

**Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS)**
No pricing available

**Snort**
No pricing available

**Pricing Insights**
from reviews

Time to Implement

**Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS)**
Not enough reviews yet

**Snort**
Not enough reviews yet

Return on Investment

**Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS)**
Not enough reviews yet

**Snort**
Not enough reviews yet

Perceived Cost

**Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS)**
Not enough reviews yet

**Snort**
$$$$$

Average Discount

**Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS)**
Not enough reviews yet

**Snort**
Not enough reviews yet

Pros & Cons

**Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS)**
Not enough data

**Snort**
Not enough data

Ratings

Meets Requirements

**Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS)**

8.3

8.37

**Snort**

6.5

6.518

Ease of Use

**Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS)**

7.9

7.97

**Snort**

8.8

8.818

Ease of Setup

**Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS)**

8.0

8.05

**Snort**
Not enough data

Ease of Admin

**Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS)**

8.0

8.05

**Snort**
Not enough data

Quality of Support

**Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS)**

7.1

7.17

**Snort**

8.1

8.118

Has the product been a good partner in doing business?

**Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS)**

8.0

8.05

**Snort**
Not enough data

Product Direction (% positive)

**Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS)**

8.3

8.37

**Snort**

7.3

7.317

Features

Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS)[Hide 14 FeaturesShow 14 Features](javascript:void(0);)

8.2

9

Not enough data

Prevention

Intrusion Prevention

8.1(won by default)

7

Not enough data

Firewall

8.6(won by default)

6

Not enough data

Encryption

9.2(won by default)

6

Not enough data

Security hardening

7.9(won by default)

7

Not enough data

Cloud Data Protection

8.7(won by default)

5

Not enough data

Detection

Intrusion Detection

8.1(won by default)

7

Not enough data

Security Monitoring

7.4(won by default)

7

Not enough data

Anti-Malware / Malware Detection

8.1(won by default)

7

Not enough data

Administration

Compliance

7.6(won by default)

7

Not enough data

Administration Console -

8.3(won by default)

7

Not enough data

API / integrations

8.1(won by default)

6

Not enough data

Generative AI

AI Text Summarization

Not enough data

Not enough data

Agentic AI - Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS)

Autonomous Task Execution

Not enough data

Not enough data

Proactive Assistance

Not enough data

Not enough data

Show 1 feature category with incomplete data

Network Security[Hide 40 FeaturesShow 40 Features](javascript:void(0);)

Not enough data

Not enough data

Additional Functionality

Penetration Testing

Not enough data

Not enough data

Alerts/Notifications

Not enough data

Not enough data

Audit Trail

Not enough data

Not enough data

Anti Virus

Not enough data

Not enough data

Vulnerability Scanning

Not enough data

Not enough data

Remote Monitoring & Management

Not enough data

Not enough data

VPN

Not enough data

Not enough data

Behavior Analytics

Not enough data

Not enough data

Reporting/Analytics

Not enough data

Not enough data

Real-Time Notifications

Not enough data

Not enough data

Access Controls/Permissions

Not enough data

Not enough data

SSL Security

Not enough data

Not enough data

Patch Management

Not enough data

Not enough data

Event Logs

Not enough data

Not enough data

Anomaly/Malware Detection

Not enough data

Not enough data

DNS Leak Protection

Not enough data

Not enough data

Third-Party Integrations

Not enough data

Not enough data

Server Monitoring

Not enough data

Not enough data

Real-Time Monitoring

Not enough data

Not enough data

Compliance Management

Not enough data

Not enough data

Network Provisioning

Not enough data

Not enough data

API

Not enough data

Not enough data

Email Alerts

Not enough data

Not enough data

Security Auditing

Not enough data

Not enough data

Intrusion Detection System

Not enough data

Not enough data

Data Visualization

Not enough data

Not enough data

Two-Factor Authentication

Not enough data

Not enough data

Generative AI

Not enough data

Not enough data

Firewalls

Not enough data

Not enough data

AI Copilot

Not enough data

Not enough data

Anti Spam

Not enough data

Not enough data

Threat Response

Not enough data

Not enough data

Activity Monitoring

Not enough data

Not enough data

Risk Alerts

Not enough data

Not enough data

Data Loss Prevention

Not enough data

Not enough data

Single Sign On

Not enough data

Not enough data

Intrusion Prevention System

Not enough data

Not enough data

Secure Login

Not enough data

Not enough data

Policy Management

Not enough data

Not enough data

Activity Dashboard

Not enough data

Not enough data

User Insights

Reviewers' Company Size

[![Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS)](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_35ec39f3ca778d87d9549cb5d70c7d63/cisco-secure-ips-ngips.jpg "Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS)")](https://www.g2.com/products/cisco-secure-ips-ngips/reviews)

Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS)

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)

15.4%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)

23.1%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)

61.5%

[![Snort](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_e849ecb123c065581b07cd2323b90243/snort.jpeg "Snort")](https://www.g2.com/products/snort/reviews)

Snort

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)

22.2%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)

72.2%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)

5.6%

Small-Business

(50 or fewer emp.)

15.4%

22.2%

Mid-Market

(51-1000 emp.)

23.1%

72.2%

Enterprise

(\> 1000 emp.)

61.5%

5.6%

Reviewers' Industry

[![Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS)](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_35ec39f3ca778d87d9549cb5d70c7d63/cisco-secure-ips-ngips.jpg "Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS)")](https://www.g2.com/products/cisco-secure-ips-ngips/reviews)
Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS)

Information Technology and Services

23.1%

Telecommunications

7.7%

Medical Devices

7.7%

Hospital & Health Care

7.7%

Government Relations

7.7%

Other

46.2%

[![Snort](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_e849ecb123c065581b07cd2323b90243/snort.jpeg "Snort")](https://www.g2.com/products/snort/reviews)
Snort

Computer Software

83.3%

Information Technology and Services

11.1%

Computer & Network Security

5.6%

‐

‐

Other

0.0%

FAQs

## Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS) vs Snort FAQs

Generated using AI

Last updated: August 16, 2026

### What is the difference between Snort vs Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS)?

Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS) stands out for higher reviewer satisfaction on meeting requirements and support for large environments, while Snort is favored for its open-source flexibility and active community.

| | [Snort](https://www.g2.com/products/snort/reviews) | [Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS)](https://www.g2.com/products/cisco-secure-ips-ngips/reviews) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| G2 Rating (reviews) | 4.0/5 (18 reviews) | 4.1/5 (17 reviews) |
| Ease of Setup score | — | 8.0 |
| Quality of Support score | 8.1 | 7.1 |
| Top Reviewer-Cited Strength | Customizable rules, open-source flexibility, active community | Comprehensive dashboards, DOD compliance, high throughput, integration with Cisco ISE and Splunk |

### How do the pricing models of Snort and Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS) compare?

Snort is perceived as the stronger value due to its open-source nature and flexibility, while Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS) is also considered cost-effective for large environments.

- **Snort:** Reviewers highlight that Snort is open source, free to download and use, and offers significant flexibility for customization, making it a strong value choice for organizations with technical expertise.
- **Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS):** Recent reviews describe Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS) as cost-effective for large environments and meeting DOD requirements, but note that proprietary aspects may limit compatibility in some environments.

### What are the best alternatives to Snort and Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS)?

The top three alternatives to Snort and Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS) are Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls, Ossec, and LevelBlue USM Anywhere.

| Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Snort](https://www.g2.com/products/snort/reviews) | 4.0/5 (18 reviews) | — | Open source, free to use | Customizable rules, active community |
| [Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS)](https://www.g2.com/products/cisco-secure-ips-ngips/reviews) | 4.1/5 (17 reviews) | — | Cost-effective for large environments | Comprehensive dashboards, DOD compliance |
| [Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls](https://www.g2.com/products/palo-alto-networks-next-generation-firewalls/reviews) | 4.5/5 (170 reviews) | Mid-Market | — | Advanced threat protection, robust firewall capabilities |
| [Ossec](https://www.g2.com/products/ossec/reviews) | 4.6/5 (10 reviews) | — | — | Open-source host-based intrusion detection |
| [LevelBlue USM Anywhere](https://www.g2.com/products/levelblue-usm-anywhere/reviews) | 4.4/5 (114 reviews) | Mid-Market | — | Unified security management, ease of deployment |

### Which Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS) features should I prioritize when comparing Snort and Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS)?

Buyers comparing Snort and Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS) should prioritize detection accuracy, ease of setup, quality of support, integration capabilities, and scalability.

- **Detection accuracy:** Snort is praised for customizable rules and broad network visibility, while Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS) is recognized for high throughput and comprehensive dashboards.
- **Ease of setup:** Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS) scores 8.0 on Ease of Setup; Snort requires significant configuration and domain knowledge.
- **Quality of support:** Snort scores 8.1, Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS) scores 7.1 on Quality of Support.
- **Integration capabilities:** Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS) is noted for integration with Cisco ISE and Splunk in recent reviews; Snort benefits from an active open-source community for resources and collaboration.
- **Scalability:** Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS) is highlighted as supporting large environments and meeting DOD requirements.

### What are the pros and cons of Snort vs Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS)?

Snort's headline strength is its open-source flexibility and active community, while Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS) excels in comprehensive dashboards and integration for large environments.

- **Snort strengths:** Open-source, customizable rules, active community support, broad network visibility, and deeper analysis.
- **Snort trade-offs:** Requires significant configuration and domain knowledge, ongoing maintenance to manage false positives, lacks a user interface, and may not support modern programming languages well.
- **Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS) strengths:** Comprehensive dashboards, DOD compliance, high throughput, integration with Cisco ISE and Splunk, and effective for large environments.
- **Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS) trade-offs:** Some proprietary aspects may limit compatibility, initial complexity, potential for performance impact, and occasional issues with upgrades and support.

### Is Snort or Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS) better for small businesses?

Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS) is better suited for small businesses based on recent reviewer sentiment and its support for organizations of any size.

- **Snort:** No largest segment data available; reviewers note it is more suitable for users with strong technical expertise and larger systems.
- **Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS):** Recent reviews state it is a great choice for companies of any size, including small businesses, and highlight ease of use and training for admins.

### Which Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS) platform has better integrations?

Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS) is favored for integrations, with recent reviews highlighting its compatibility with Cisco ISE and Splunk.

- **Snort:** No recent reviewer-cited integrations mentioned.
- **Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS):** Recent reviews mention integration with Cisco ISE and Splunk as key features.

### How do Snort and Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS) compare on customer support?

Snort and Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS) are within 1 point on Quality of Support, with Snort scoring higher at 8.1 versus Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS) at 7.1.

- **Snort:** Reviewers consistently praise the active community and available documentation, with support scores frequently at 6.0 or 7.0 out of 7.0.
- **Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS):** Support experiences are mixed, with some reviewers describing technical support as good and responsive, while others report issues with upgrades and support responsiveness.

### Which is easier to implement, Snort or Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS)?

Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS) is easier to implement, with an Ease of Setup score of 8.0 and multiple reviewers citing straightforward deployment and training.

- **Snort:** Reviewers note that Snort requires significant configuration, domain knowledge, and lacks a user interface, making initial setup time-consuming.
- **Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS):** Reviewers highlight ease of setup, with scores up to 7.0 out of 7.0, and describe the process as easy to use and train admins.

Alternatives

**Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS) Alternatives**

 ![Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/f6a3d45d41e697437b84a2340cfee124/palo-alto-networks-next-generation-firewalls.svg "Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls")

[
Palo Alto Networks...
](/products/palo-alto-networks-next-generation-firewalls/reviews)

 ![LevelBlue USM Anywhere](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/dafcd5faaef898c5bee18cd5d63cef91/levelblue-usm-anywhere%282%29.svg "LevelBlue USM Anywhere")

[
LevelBlue USM Anywhere
](/products/levelblue-usm-anywhere/reviews)

 ![Check Point Quantum Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/64ff8da1b6e6ffabf4336ae2510e8e3e/check-point-quantum-intrusion-prevention-system-ips.svg "Check Point Quantum Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)")

[
Check Point Quantum...
](/products/check-point-quantum-intrusion-prevention-system-ips/reviews)

 ![TrendAI Vision One - Cloud Security](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_cdd671625f5e27185587365aeeda296a/trendai-vision-one-cloud-security.jpg "TrendAI Vision One - Cloud Security")

[
TrendAI Vision One - Cloud Security
](/products/trendai-vision-one-cloud-security/reviews)

**Snort Alternatives**

 ![Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/f6a3d45d41e697437b84a2340cfee124/palo-alto-networks-next-generation-firewalls.svg "Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls")

[
Palo Alto Networks...
](/products/palo-alto-networks-next-generation-firewalls/reviews)

 ![Ossec](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_68fe4f9ef12f3b7f5ebe2d1849424924/ossec.png "Ossec")

[
Ossec
](/products/ossec/reviews)

 ![CrowdSec](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/d7dbc2a714938747ea449ae2a51151f7/crowdsec.svg "CrowdSec")

[
CrowdSec
](/products/crowdsec/reviews)

 ![FortiGate IPS](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_4b3d2bf7a2d1666c4c258b5faf9b3c45/fortigate-ips.jpg "FortiGate IPS")

[
FortiGate IPS
](/products/fortigate-ips/reviews)

## Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS) vs Snort

- Reviewers felt that Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS) meets the needs of their business better than Snort.
- When comparing quality of ongoing product support, reviewers felt that Snort is the preferred option.
- For feature updates and roadmaps, our reviewers preferred the direction of Cisco Secure IPS (NGIPS) over Snort.