# Agilicus vs FactoryTalk Remote Access

- Link: https://www.agilicus.com/compare/factorytalk-remote-access/
- Published: 2026-03-22T18:50:17+00:00
- Author: Don Bowman

# **Identity-Aware Access**⏎ **vs. Network Extension**

FactoryTalk Remote Access creates an industrial VPN. Agilicus AnyX replaces the 
need for one.

Discover why Layer 7 precision beats Layer 3 connectivity for modern security.

[TRY NOW](https://www.agilicus.com/l/no-cost-trial/)

[BOOK A MEETING](https://www.agilicus.com/book-calendar-meeting/)

## The Fundamental Difference

The choice between Agilicus and FactoryTalk Remote Access is a choice between Universal
Application Access and Hardware-Bound VPN Connectivity.

![icon-authentication](https://www.agilicus.com/www/d82985c0-authentication.svg)

### Agilicus AnyX (Layer 7)

Understands Application layer like HTTP, VNC, SSH. Can block password stuffing, 
restrict specific URLs, and protect individual files. Users never touch the network.

![icon-server](https://www.agilicus.com/www/fc8d0a94-icon-server.svg.svg)

### FactoryTalk Remote Access (VPN Tunnel)

Creates a Layer 3 VPN tunnel to industrial equipment. Requires dedicated Stratix
routers or runtime software, and requires a heavy client on the user’s PC.

#### Security Model Comparison

**Agilicus User**

HTTPS Only

→

App
Only

**FactoryTalk User**

Full Network Pipe

→

Network
Adjacency

*With FactoryTalk Remote Access, if a remote engineer’s device is compromised, malware
can bridge into the OT network via the VPN tunnel. With Agilicus, they see nothing
but the specific web app authorised.

## Why Modern Teams Choose Agilicus

Compare capabilities side-by-side.

Feature

**Agilicus AnyX**

**FactoryTalk Remote Access**

#### **Granular Authorisation**

How specific can access rules be?

Per URL & File

Layer 7 Precision

Per Device

No application-layer inspection (e.g. no read-only VNC)

#### **Client Requirement**

What does the user need to install?

![Green Check](https://www.agilicus.com/www/2cd3dab3-green_check.svg)

**None (Browser Only)**

![download-agilicus-blue](https://www.agilicus.com/www/32a940fb-download-agilicus-
blue.svg)

Heavy Client & Local Gateway Required

#### **Identity Providers**

Can you use Google, Microsoft, Okta etc simultaneously?

**Multiple Concurrent**

Mix Okta, Google, Microsoft, etc

FactoryTalk Hub Identity

#### **Layer 3 Adjacency**

Can users ping devices on the network?

**No (Zero Trust)**

Prevent lateral movement

Yes (Layer 3 Tunnel)

Bridges engineer’s PC to the OT network

#### **Threat Protection**

Does it inspect traffic content?

**Identity-Aware Web Application Firewall**

Handle cross-site scripting, content vulnerabilities

Encrypted Tunnel

Opaque to industrial protocol content

#### **Overlapping IPs**

Handle duplicate subnets on local and remote site(s)?

**Native Support**

No conflict, operates at layer 7

Handled via 1:1 NAT mapping

Requires NAT+port-forward, or, re-subnetting

#### **Vendor Agnostic**

Does it work with all vendors?

Yes. Work with any PLC, HMI, Historian.

Any resource from any vendor.

Handled via 1:1 NAT mapping

Rockwell Automation proprietary

![icon-world](https://www.agilicus.com/www/9b679333-icon-world.svg.svg)

#### **Clientless Universal Access**

Stop managing VPN clients. Agilicus AnyX works on any device with a browser—desktop,
tablet, or phone.

 * Ideal for contractors & BYOD
 * No MDM required
 * Zero friction onboarding

![icon-padlock](https://www.agilicus.com/www/c1324345-icon-padlock.svg.svg)

#### **Granular Authorisation**

Don’t just grant network access. Control exactly _what_ users can do inside the 
application.

 * Restrict specific URLs
 * Control file share access
 * Stop password stuffing attacks

![icon-global-network](https://www.agilicus.com/www/965b276e-icon-global-network.
svg.svg)

#### **Network Simplification**

Solve the hardest networking problems without re-architecting your infrastructure.

 * Outbound-only (Starlink/CGNAT)
 * Overlapping IP support
 * Multi-IdP Single Sign-On

## **Ready to move beyond the VPN?**

Experience the security of an Identity-Aware Proxy, Zero Trust, Zero Compromises.
No Clients to manage, no lateral movement to fear.

[CONTACT ME](https://www.agilicus.com/contact-us/)

[BOOK A MEETING](https://www.agilicus.com/book-calendar-meeting/)