IXON vs. Etic Telecom
Modern cloud platform vs. traditional networking hardware:
a side-by-side comparison for machine builders.
IXON: Remote Access Cloud & edge gateways
IXON brings a modern approach to machine management. Instead of configuring separate VPN servers or installing software clients on every laptop, you manage remote access, team permissions and machine data directly in your web browser, without extra software tools.
Etic Telecom: gateways & VPN infrastructure
Etic Telecom provides industrial routers (RAS and IPL series) using a traditional VPN setup. Remote access requires installing desktop software (M2Me_Secure) on each laptop and connecting through (self)hosted servers (M2Me/SIG) via individual device certificates.
| Category | IXON | Etic Telecom |
|---|---|---|
|
Platform architecture |
Unified cloud-native platform: |
Distributed infrastructure: |
|
Remote access methods |
Web-native & mobile: DirectVPN, EasyControl (VNC/HTTP), StationAccess (RDP/SSH) and LiveView (RTSP) in any web browser or mobile app. |
Desktop client: |
|
Gateway range |
Unrestricted expansion: Ethernet, cellular (SIM/eSIM), WiFi, combi edge gateways and IXagent software. All models support unlimited IP endpoints and local Docker. |
Physical routers only: Ethernet, cellular, WiFi and combi models across RAS and IPL lines. Hardware caps on simultaneous VPN tunnels (up to 10) and users. |
|
Security & compliance |
Accredited third-party proof: |
Self-stated claims: |
|
Governance |
Central identity control: |
Machine certificates: |
|
Fleet management |
Central cloud control: |
Tiered fleet software: Managed via Etic Fleet Manager (paid Premium/Advanced tiers required for fleet-wide controls). |
|
Expandability |
Open IIoT ecosystem: |
Closed add-ons: |
|
Collaboration |
Dedicated service portal: |
No service portal: |
|
Support |
Direct expert support: |
Distributor network: |
|
Pricing |
Predictable pricing: |
Modular charges: |
IXON vs Etic Telecom: remote access features
Software
Both vendors establish secure outbound VPN tunnels without requiring open inbound firewall ports. The primary difference is daily usability. IXON provides a modern, web-first interface. Engineers access machine HMIs, PLCs, and camera streams directly in any web browser or native mobile app, without forcing users to install desktop client software. Etic Telecom requires installing and running M2Me_Secure (a Windows desktop software package) on every engineer's computer before establishing a VPN session. Browser-based HMI sessions are not supported without a full client connection.
Hardware
IXON offers a complete range of industrial edge gateways, available in Ethernet, cellular (SIM/eSIM), WiFi, combi models and software-only agents. Every IXON gateway supports unlimited IP endpoints behind the router, while the SecureEdge Pro supports local Docker containers for running custom edge logic directly at the machine. Etic Telecom requires physical router hardware for every machine installation. Hardware models carry strict operational limits, capping simultaneous VPN tunnels (up to 10) and connected remote users (up to 100). Etic offers no software-only agent or local containerization capabilities.
IXON vs Etic Telecom: ease of use and workflow
Fleet management
IXON manages your entire machine fleet from one central cloud portal. Firewall rules, machine templates and remote firmware updates are executed centrally across all gateways at no extra cost. Etic Telecom's fleet management is handled through Etic Fleet Manager, where advanced management controls and larger fleet automation require a paid Premium or Advanced subscription.
User management
IXON uses modern cloud identity management. Admins manage user access centrally with Single Sign-On (SSO), SCIM provisioning (via Microsoft Entra ID), Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and time-bound approval flows for unlimited user accounts. Etic Telecom relies on traditional machine certificates. Rather than managing cloud user roles, admins must manually generate and install individual certificate files on every engineer's laptop.
Expandability
IXON is built as an open platform supporting REST APIs, MQTT data streaming, App Engine tooling and local Docker containers on the SecureEdge Pro. Etic Telecom handles data logging and alerts through separate paid add-on modules (Collect & Alert / Store4Me), with no support for custom edge apps or containerization.
IXON vs Etic Telecom: cybersecurity
Security & certification
When factory IT and OT security teams review remote access solutions, third-party accredited proof is the gold standard. IXON holds official, accredited third-party process and product certifications audited by Bureau Veritas: IEC 62443-4-1 (Maturity Level 2 for secure development) and IEC 62443-4-2 (Security Level 2 for hardware features), alongside ISO 27001, ISO 27017, and ISO 27701. Etic Telecom publishes self-stated adherence to IEC 62443 guidelines. While Etic references internal security efforts, it lacks published, accredited third-party certificates for product security levels (IEC 62443-4-2).
Why process certification matters
IEC 62443-4-2 certifies product capabilities (authentication, encryption). IEC 62443-4-1 certifies the development process, ensuring that threat modelling, tested code and vulnerability responses are structurally integrated.
IXON vs Ewon: pricing models
IXON operates an unmetered, flat-rate pricing model per cloud portal: Free tier / Remote Access Cloud Plus (€300/month): Includes unlimited user accounts, unlimited connected machines, unlimited concurrent VPN tunnels and unmetered data traffic without hidden fees.
Etic Telecom’s costs vary depending on infrastructure choices:
- Self-hosted: Free remote access software if machine builders maintain their own private VPN server infrastructure.
- Hosted M2Me servers: Recurring subscription fees apply when using Etic’s hosted VPN servers.
- Etic Fleet Manager: Tiered subscriptions (Standard, Premium, Advanced) required to unlock fleet controls.
- Data logging: Billed through separate paid add-on modules (Collect & Alert / Store4Me).
Disclaimer: This comparison is based on publicly available information and documentation as of September 2026. IXON is not affiliated with Etic Telecom. RAS, IPL, M2Me, and Etic Fleet Manager are trademarks of Etic Telecom.
What is the main difference in IEC 62443 security compliance between IXON and Etic Telecom?
The main difference is independent third-party accreditation versus self-stated compliance. IXON holds official, accredited IEC 62443-4-1 (process) and IEC 62443-4-2 (product) certificates audited and issued by Bureau Veritas.
In contrast, Etic Telecom relies on self-declared compliance or alignment statements without published, accredited third-party product certificates. For factory IT/OT departments, IXON's accredited certificates provide verifiable proof that speeds up security sign-off under NIS2 without requiring lengthy manual security audits.
How does user onboarding differ between the two platforms?
IXON uses central cloud identity management: admins invite engineers via email, Single Sign-On (SSO) or automated SCIM provisioning. Etic Telecom relies on certificate-based authentication, which requires generating and manually installing individual machine certificate files on every engineer's laptop.
Does IXON limit simultaneous VPN connections or connected IP devices?
No. IXON includes unlimited users, unlimited simultaneous VPN tunnels and unlimited IP endpoints per gateway as standard on all cloud portals. Etic Telecom hardware models cap simultaneous VPN tunnels (typically up to 10) and connected remote users (up to 100).
Do I still need an M2Me server if I use Etic Fleet Manager?
Yes. Etic Fleet Manager handles device monitoring and firmware updates, but it does not replace the underlying VPN infrastructure. Establishing remote connections still requires connecting through an M2Me server (hosted or self-managed) using the M2Me_Secure desktop client.
How do I switch from Etic Telecom to IXON?
Transitioning is simple and requires no downtime. Machine builders typically start by equipping new machine builds with IXON gateways using the free Remote Access Cloud plan, then replace existing Etic units step by step. Contact IXON Sales to schedule a technical migration call.
Thinking about switching from Etic Telecom to IXON?
Compare IXON with your current setup in your own environment. Request an evaluation kit
and discover how easy remote access can be, or schedule a personalized 1-on-1 demo.