How customer voice
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MikroTik and pfSense both offer firewall solutions that leverage software to allow devices to function as network firewalls.  MikroTik primarily provides routers and switches, but their RouterOS software acts as a software based firewall solution.  pfSense is an open source firewall solution that businesses are able to access for free.  Most likely due to pricing, pfSense is most popular with small businesses. Features MikroTik and pfSense can both be used to protect business networks through firewalls, but they also have a few standout features that set them apart from each other. MikroTik’s RouterOS software is very low demand and flexible enough to fit on most devices or virtual machines without taking up much space.  MikroTik RouterOS can also be installed on all sorts of drives, from USB to SATA.  This makes MikroTik a good choice for organizations looking for software that can function on low performance machines. pfSense firewall is an open source tool, making it highly customizable for a skilled team that can take advantage of access to the source code. Additionally, pfSense includes advanced features such as SSL encryption and customizable content filtering.  pfSense is an ideal choice for businesses looking for a highly customizable, high performance firewall […]

Apache Kafka and IBM MQ are both messaging queue tools built to help IT systems communicate with each other in an asynchronous manner. Apache Kafka is designed to enable the streaming of real time data feeds and is an open source tool that users can access for free.  IBM MQ is a traditional message queue system that allows multiple subscribers to pull messages from the end of the queue.  Both tools are most popular with mid-sized businesses and large enterprises that are more likely to have complex IT infrastructures that need to communicate with each other. Features Both Apache Kafka and IBM MQ allow systems to send messages to each other asynchronously, but they also have a few standout features that set them apart from each other. Apache Kafka utilized pull based communication, meaning that the receiving system requests a message from the producing system.  This method of communication makes Apache Kafka faster than most traditional message queue systems. As businesses add more nodes to Apache Kafka, they will also find that it scales well, and notice few performance dips. Lastly, messages in Apache Kafka are not deleted upon the receiving system reading them, so it is easier to log […]

Postman and Swaggerhub are both API management tools designed to enable business applications to communicate with each other as efficiently as possible. Swaggerhub is a .yaml based open source technology, which makes it a popular choice for businesses with skilled development teams.  In contrast, Postman is a web-based tool that can be accessed for free by small businesses.  These accessibility features make Postman popular among small and independent businesses. Features Postman and Swaggerhub can both be used to develop and manage APIs, but they also have a few standout features that are important to consider. Postman is a web-based tool, so users will be able to access and work with API’s anywhere they can get an internet connection. For new users, Postman also provides thorough documentation and web tutorials that make it easy to learn to use the tool. Additionally, Postman provides sharing features that make it simple to share HTTP calls with other members of an organization. Swaggerhub is an open source tool, meaning that it is free for businesses of all sizes, provided they have the skill to use it.  Additionally, Swaggerhub automates the creation of documentation for HTTP calls, so it can potentially save businesses a lot […]

Fortinet FortiGate and Sophos Unified Threat Management (UTM) are both Next Generation Firewall products. Beyond core firewall capabilities, they each offered extended features like VPN support and web filtering.  FortiGate is known for delivering a very cost-effective next generation firewall. Unique configurability and licensing flexibility makes FortiGate well suited for growing or scaling companies with changing security needs. Sophos is more focused on the midsized company to small enterprise range with additional UTM security features. Features Fortinet FortiGate and Sophos UTM both have some unique features or structures to serve their respective audiences.  FortiGate stands out for its cost effectiveness among leading NGFW products. Users can tailor which capabilities and features they purchase at a very granular level, which helps companies only pay for exactly what security features they’re using. This allows companies to select from Fortigate’s advanced NGFW features, like intrusion prevention and VPN enablement.  Sophos excels at making extended capabilities more accessible and easy to use. For instance, Sophos UTM offers sandboxing and email protection, among other more specialized security features. Sophos also provides excellent VPN tunnel capabilities for encrypted site-to-site connections. Reviewers claim these features are relatively easy to deploy and implement as well.  Limitations There are […]

PfSense and Untangle NG are competing firewall solutions with options for SMBs, remote workers and home offices, as well as larger campuses, designed to help users manage and protect their networks against attacks (e.g. phishing, malware). PfSense software is available through an open source Community Edition, or the pfSense Plus licensed edition. These can be bundled with relatively low priced Netgate pfSense security gateway appliances, priced and oriented around the needs of small to medium sized businesses and branch offices. Untangle, also catering to small businesses, offers a collection of NG Firewall Apps to give users custom, a la carte protection, that provides the user just what his small businesses needs, without undue cost and bloat. Untangle also offers their z series appliances that come pre-loaded with NG Firewall, packaged and ready for small businesses. There is also a higher tier edition for corporate campuses and data centers. Features PfSense and Untangle NG Firewall support core network security features such as spam or GeoIP blocking, VPN functionality, WAN balancing, etc. but users describe a few standout features that distinguish them from each other, though bear in mind these are similar entry level network security options, equally well regarded. PfSense has […]

LogMeIn Pro and TeamViewer are both remote desktop tools. However, LogMeIn Pro is more tailored to SMB and self-service users, while TeamViewer is more focused on midsize or large companies to enterprises.  LogMeIn Pro offers remote access to less specialized users in order to remotely access their own devices with little to no IT support. In contrast, TeamViewer is applicable across a wider range of use cases.  Features LogMeIn Pro and TeamViewer are focused on serving distinct user bases, and have unique capabilities for each audience.  LogMeIn Pro emphasizes its accessibility for end-users to access their own devices. Many of its features are tailored to this group, including robust file transfer and management, as well as LastPass integration for password management. It’s also easy to users to install and use even without extensive IT experience or prior knowledge.  TeamViewer is more applicable for organizations that can use TeamViewer across a border range of use cases, from patch management to IoT control to traditional remote support. These use cases make TeamViewer more attractive for IT administrators. It’s also more useable across different device types and operating systems.  Limitations LogMeIn Pro and TeamViewer also have some limitations or drawbacks worth keeping in […]

Canvas and Moodle are both academic learning management systems most commonly used in higher education. They are focused primarily on facilitating course management and administration, rather than content creation.  Canvas is a rapidly growing cloud-based LMS that has challenged many of the legacy academic learning management systems. In doing so, it’s become widely used across midsized and large institutions. In contrast, Moodle differentiates itself as an open-source LMS that can save institutions long-term subscription costs if organizations have in-house IT personnel that can manage the platform.  Features Canvas and Moodle take distinct approaches to serve academic institutions, with unique features and advantages accordingly.  Canvas stands out for its scalable support for educators to manage higher education courses. Specifically, Canvas excels at document management, including assignment creation and grading. Core gradebook features that educators spend much of their administrative time using are also very easy to use, which can make teachers’ daily activities easier.  Moodle offers unique advantages due to its open-source architecture. The platform is more customizable and can be tailored to each institution, educator, or even course. It also doesn’t entail any subscription costs. Moodle also offers robust discussion forums and chat methods to facilitate online communication and discussion.  […]

Adobe Captivate and Articulate 360 are both Corporate Learning Management Systems with a focus on eLearning content authoring. They are both most commonly used by large businesses and enterprises but have some users across company sizes.  Adobe Captivate focuses on providing more advanced eLearning authoring tools, including support for VR, improved accessibility, and interactive content. Its goal is to facilitate highly engaging and interactive content for creators with the proper experience. In contrast, Articulate 360 provides sub-applications designed to support all levels of creator experience and expertise. This can make Articulate ideal for larger groups with creators across the skill spectrum.  Features Adobe Captivate and Articulate 360 differentiate by their ideal skill level, with features tailored to each target audience.  Adobe Captivate excels at providing knowledgeable creators with the widest range of content creation capabilities. In particular, Captivate prioritizes supporting interactive content, including branching content paths within courses. This focus allows creators to make highly engaging content for end-learners. It also offers strong reporting capabilities within courses.  Articulate 360 differentiates by making content creation more accessible to a wider range of creators and users. Its sup-applications, such as Storyline and Rise, provide options to serve creators at various skill levels. […]

Microsoft Power BI and Qlik Sense are both Business Intelligence platforms. They are both prominent names in the BI space, although Microsoft is more well known. However, both Power BI and Sense are newer developments from Microsoft and Qlik, respectively.  Microsoft Power BI is the giant’s newest BI offering, which focuses on making BI more accessible to smaller organizations in the SMB space as well as enterprises. Qlik Sense, on the other hand, is more focused on delivering data analytics to enterprises. It also has users across company sizes, but is more common in larger organizations.  Features Microsoft Power BI and Qlik Sense have different focuses on feature areas that differentiate their ideal use cases. Power BI is designed to be more accessible and lighter weight for smaller organizations. It also maximizes on benefits from integrating smoothly with other Microsoft products, streamlining data importing and management for companies that already live in the Microsoft ecosystem. This also makes management and training easier for companies that are Microsoft-first. It is also more price-competitive than Qlik Sense.  However, Qlik Sense brings more enterprise-scale firepower along with the higher price tag. It provides more in-depth enterprise dashboarding and advanced visualizations. These dashboards and […]

Salesforce Service Cloud is a digital customer service platform in the help desk software category on TrustRadius. It allows users to respond to internal and external service requests across a variety of digital channels and provides automated and self-service help for customers.  In contrast, ServiceNow is an IT management service (ITSM) tool that allows organizations to centralize and align the delivery of information technology services and processes. This helps provide a better end-user experience. It can also be used as a technical support/ticketing system for internal or external purposes.  Features These platforms can both be used as support platforms. However, Salesforce Service Cloud is primarily used as a customer service platform while ServiceNow focuses more on supporting organizations’ internal technical needs—including providing technical support.  Salesforce Service Cloud provides users with a comprehensive view of customer communications and serves as a single source of truth for tracking customer interaction histories for the entire organization. It also provides access to self-service portals to articles, knowledge-bases, account information, and the organization’s customer community. Using the Service Cloud, users can provide one-on-one or automated support across digital channels like chat, SMS, WhatsApp, Facebook messenger, etc.  ServiceNow provides organizations with features related to IT service […]

Blackboard Learn and Canvas are both learning management systems (LMS) designed primarily for colleges, universities, and other higher education institutions. Blackboard is the classic academic LMS for higher education, with a broad range of features designed to meet the requirements of many different institutions. Canvas is a cloud-based LMS that excels at providing core LMS features efficiently and effectively. Since both platforms are aimed at meeting the needs of sizable learning institutions, medium-to-large organizations make up the majority of the user base for each. Features Blackboard Learn and Canvas offer very similar feature sets, but they each stand out in different areas.  Blackboard Learn offers a wide array of features designed to fit many different needs. For instance, it offers multiple communication paths for both students and educators, including an email portal, built-in live chat, and discussion forums. These tools help students collaborate without leaving the platform, which can be particularly valuable for fully-online classes. Recent additions to Blackboard Learn include read-only messaging options for one-way communication and improvements to the integrated content editor. Canvas excels at delivering LMS fundamentals. Users find its document and assignment management features to be robust, and they also appreciate its numerous  content creation tools, […]

AutoCAD and Fusion 360 are both Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software built to help businesses create 3d designs.  AutoCAD is most popular with mid-sized businesses, likely due to its wide variety of features. In contrast, Fusion 360 is more popular with smaller businesses due to its affordability. Features AutoCAD and Fusion 360 both aid businesses in creating functional designs, but they also have some unique features that set them apart from each other. AutoCAD is a flexible tool that allows users to create both 2d and 3d designs.  Businesses can also use AutoCAD to edit local files.  An added benefit to AutoCAD being based on local and network based files is that it is highly reliable.  AutoCAD is as stable as the user’s hardware and network.  For businesses that want to integrate other tools with their CAD software, AutoCAD also provides many integrations with popular business applications.  Fusion 360 is a cloud based CAD tool, making it easy to access files and collaborate on designs from any location. For newer users, Fusion 360 offers a simple to use interface that can be picked up without a need for much training. As users need more advanced techniques, Fusion 360 provides online materials […]

Google App Engine and Google Compute Engine are both services businesses can use for deploying applications once they’ve been coded.  Google App Engine is a platform-as-a-service solution designed to make app deployment as easy possible.  In contrast, Google Compute Engine is an infrastructure-as-a-service tool that provides a highly configurable and flexible platform for application deployment. Both options are most popular with small businesses, but Google App Engine is more popular with larger businesses, likely due to its automation features. Features Google App Engine and Google Compute Engine both provide a platform for application deployment, but they also have some standout features that are important to consider. Google App Engine provides a host of automation features that make it easy for businesses to focus on app development, instead of configuring the deployment.  As applications deployed on Google App Engine see more or less use, the platform will automatically adjust the number of instances without input from a developer.  Google App Engine also provides a software development kit to help users optimize applications for the platform. Google Compute Engine allows for a high level of customization so users can set up their deployment however they want.  Businesses with a skilled development team […]

PyCharm and Visual Studio IDE are both development tools designed to make it easier for users to write code.  PyCharm is specialized in Python programming, while Visual Studio IDE is a development tool specialized for .net development.  Both tools are popular with mid-sized businesses and large enterprises depending on their use case. Features PyCharm and Visual Studio IDE both offer basic features such as code completion and linkers, but they also have a few standout features that set them apart from each other. PyCharm provides built in support for virtual environments, as well as specialized Python features out of the box.  Users will be able to write Python code in PyCharm out of the box with many additional features, whereas other IDEs may require users to find and install extensions first to create a good development environment.  Visual Studio IDE supports coding in many languages, and allows users to add additional features using extensions.  A Python developer can download whatever extensions they want to create an ideal programming environment.  As a result, Visual Studio IDE is lightweight out of the box, and users are able to add only the extensions they need.  For developers looking for a lean, quick loading […]

Android Studio and IntelliJ IDEA are both development tools designed to help development teams create applications with ease. Android Studio is actually based on IntelliJ IDEA, but specializes in developing for the Android platform.  In contrast, IntelliJ IDEA is a more generalist IDE that helps developers create code for any platform.  Both are popular with businesses of all sizes, depending on the use case of the organization. Features Both Android Studio and IntelliJ IDEA can be used to develop new applications, but they have a few standout features that set them apart from each other. Android Studio is a specialized mobile app development tool for the Android platform.  In addition to offering basic IDE features, Android Studio provides features that make it easier to interact with mobile functions such as push notifications, or integrations with cameras.  Businesses using Android Studio are able to easily create and publish Android applications. IntelliJ IDEA is a generalist IDE with plugins for specific platforms.  For example, a user creating an Android application may use the Android plugin for IntelliJ IDEA.  The generalist approach of IntelliJ IDEA allows businesses to use it to develop for multiple platforms, using plugins to select what specialized features they […]

Oracle VM VirtualBox and Parallels Desktop are both used to run multiple operating systems, whether they be the same as the host operating system, or different.  Oracle VM VirtualBox is a highly customizable tool designed to run a variety of guest operating systems on most host operating systems.  In contrast, Parallels is a more specialized tool, used most often to run Windows as a guest operating system on MacOS devices.  Both tools are popular with businesses of all sizes, depending on what their virtualization needs are. Features Oracle VM VirtualBox and Parallels Desktop both allow for virtualization, but they also have some standout features that set them apart from each other. Oracle VM VirtualBox offers a high level of customization, allowing users to dictate exactly what hardware resources are devoted to the virtualized machine.  Additionally, Oracle VM VirtualBox provides support for a wide variety of operating systems including several Linux distributions out of the box. Parallels desktop is a simple to use software, including a setup wizard that walks users through the implementation process as well as setting up their first virtual machine.  Users with very little technical experience should have no problem setting up a virtual machine using Parallels […]

Azure Cosmos DB and MongoDB Atlas are both NoSQL databases, designed to store data in a scalable, non-tabular manner.  Azure Cosmos DB is most popular with mid-sized businesses and larger enterprises, perhaps due to its high level of scalability.  MongoDB Atlas is more popular with smaller businesses, likely due to the availability of a free version. Features Azure Cosmos DB and MongoDB Atlas both allow businesses to store data in a non-tabular fashion, but they also have some unique features that set them apart from each other.  Many Database options can imitate MongoDB features, but for businesses looking for specific MongoDB features, such as the most recent integrations, only MongoDB Atlas includes the most recent version of the software. Additionally, while many cloud database options can be hosted by only a single cloud provider, Almost all cloud providers can support MongoDB.  Lastly, MongoDB can provide storage for larger documents, up to 16MB in size. Azure Cosmos DB provides easy, automatic scaling.  This means that businesses that plan to vary their database use can use more or less and Azure Cosmos DB will scale accordingly without any manual input.  For businesses that use primarily Windows technology, Azure Cosmos DB is also […]

PyCharm and Anaconda are both tools used to aid Python developers.  Though they are independent tools, PyCharm and AnaConda can be used together for projects that can benefit from both tools.  PyCharm is an IDE built to make it easier to write Python code, by providing a text editor and debugging, among other features.  Anaconda is a Python distribution focused on data driven projects. Both tools popular with businesses of all sizes that use Python. Features and Limitations PyCharm and Anaconda both provide specialized features for Python development, but provide different base functionalities. PyCharm is an IDE, meaning it is interfaced with directly by developers writing Python code.  PyCharm provides a text editor including coding assistance features such as code navigation through search, and color coding.  Additionally, PyCharm provides support for multiple platforms, as well as complementary front end coding languages such as HTML and JavaScript.  In essence, PyCharm is designed to make it as easy as possible to code in Python, though it does not include any packages by default.  PyCharm also includes built-in support for Anaconda. Anaconda includes a basic text editor, but its primary role is that of a Python distribution.  Projects using Anaconda can access data […]

Proxmox VE and VMWare Exsi are both server virtualization tools designed to help businesses create and manage virtual machines. Proxmox VE is an open source virtualization tool designed to work with popular Linux distributions.  In contrast VMWare Exsi is a type 1 hypervisor, meaning it creates virtual machines by running directly off the hardware, instead of being an application running on the host operating system.  Both are most popular with mid-sized businesses and enterprises, though Proxmox VE is more popular with Linux users. Features Proxmox VE and VMWare Exsi both provide server virtualization features, but they also have some standout features that set them apart from each other. Proxmox VE is optimized for software development and can virtualize a machine with nearly any guest operating system.  Additionally, Proxmox VE supports a variety of images, from standard ISOs to QEDs and VDIs.  The open source nature of Proxmox VE also makes it highly customizable for a skilled development team. Proxmox VE is a strong choice for businesses that value flexibility and reliability. VMWare Exsi provides strong support for businesses that need it.  This can make implementation simpler for businesses that lack the IT resources to implement server virtualization technology on their […]

Hyper-V and Oracle VM VirtualBox are both server virtualization products designed to run virtual machines.  Hyper-V is a type 1 hypervisor that manages operating systems by running directly on a computer’s hardware. In contrast, Oracle VM VirtualBox is a type 2 hypervisor, which runs on the host operating system.  Both server virtualization tools are most popular with mid-sized businesses. Features Hyper-V and Oracle VM VirtualBox can both be used to handle a businesses server virtualization needs, but they also have a few features that set them apart from each other. Hyper-V offers high performance virtual machines, and can output a lot of power depending on the hardware that it is running on.  Additionally, since Hyper-V is a type 1 hypervisor, virtual machines are always running as long as the hardware is.  Hyper-V also integrates well with Windows infrastructures, and is simple to use once it has been implemented. Oracle VM VirtualBox can run on several operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and MacOS.  In addition to running on multiple host operating systems, Oracle VM VirutalBox can also create VirtualMachines using multiple guest operating systems, rather than just Windows. Lastly, implementation of Oracle VM VirtualBox is simple, most businesses will be able […]