In today’s cloud-first world, organizations need reliable, secure, and high-speed connectivity between their on-premises infrastructure and the Azure Cloud. Two key services from Microsoft Azure address this need: ExpressRoute and Virtual WAN.
But what are they exactly? How are they different? Which one should you use for your business?
This article explains conceptually and practically how Azure ExpressRoute and Virtual WAN work — and when to use each.
What is Azure ExpressRoute?
Azure ExpressRoute is a private, dedicated connection between your on-premises network and Azure data centers.
Instead of sending your traffic over the public internet, ExpressRoute establishes a direct line through a connectivity provider, offering:
-
Lower latency
-
Higher reliability
-
Better security
Think of ExpressRoute as a private highway between your office/data center and Azure, bypassing congested public roads (the internet).
Key Features of Azure ExpressRoute
Secure Private Connectivity to Azure
Azure ExpressRoute provides a private and secure connection from your on-premises network directly into Azure, completely bypassing the public internet. This ensures that your sensitive data travels through a controlled, high-trust pathway, reducing the risk of exposure and enhancing compliance with regulatory requirements.
Enhanced Reliability and High-Speed Data Transfers
ExpressRoute is built for mission-critical workloads, offering higher reliability and faster data transfer speeds compared to traditional internet connections. Whether you’re replicating databases, running enterprise applications, or backing up critical files, ExpressRoute ensures minimal disruptions and optimized throughput.
Consistent, Predictable Latency
One of the standout advantages of using ExpressRoute is its ability to deliver stable and consistent latency. This ensures that applications perform predictably, providing a smoother and more reliable user experience — crucial for real-time operations like video conferencing, VoIP, and financial transactions.
High-Speed Direct Connection Options
For businesses that require exceptional performance, ExpressRoute offers direct connection options with dedicated 10 Gbps or 100 Gbps ports. These high-capacity connections allow you to bypass service provider infrastructure, giving you greater control, lower latency, and improved overall network performance.
Physical Link Encryption for Maximum Security
With MACsec encryption available for point-to-point connections via ExpressRoute Direct, organizations can safeguard their data at the physical layer. This hardware-based encryption ensures that data remains protected as it travels across the dedicated connection, further securing access to the Microsoft global network.
Global Reach: Bridge Multiple On-Premises Networks
ExpressRoute’s Global Reach feature enables you to connect multiple on-premises networks across different regions through Microsoft’s secure and resilient backbone. Instead of setting up complex VPNs, you can use ExpressRoute to interconnect offices and datacenters globally with enhanced simplicity and security.
Support for Dual-Stack IPv4 and IPv6 Workloads
As businesses adopt modern applications that require IPv6 support, ExpressRoute is ready to handle them. ExpressRoute facilitates seamless connectivity for workloads configured with both IPv4 and IPv6, ensuring future-proof networking and compatibility with next-generation internet protocols.
What is Azure Virtual WAN?
Azure Virtual WAN (VWAN) is a cloud-based networking architecture that simplifies large-scale branch connectivity to Azure.
It acts as a global hub to connect multiple locations (offices, branches, datacenters, remote users) into Azure in a centralized, managed, and optimized manner.
In simple terms, think of Virtual WAN as Azure’s SD-WAN solution natively integrated with the cloud.
Key Features of Virtual WAN:
-
Unified Hub-and-Spoke Model: Connect branches, VPNs, and ExpressRoute into a central hub.
-
Automated Management: Azure automates route propagation and link monitoring.
-
Any-to-Any Connectivity: Connect branches to branches, branches to Azure, and users to sites.
-
Third-Party Integration: Works with SD-WAN devices from Cisco, Fortinet, Palo Alto, etc.
ExpressRoute vs. Virtual WAN: Key Differences
| Feature | ExpressRoute | Virtual WAN |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Private, high-speed dedicated connection to Azure | Global networking platform for branches, sites, remote users |
| Network Type | Point-to-Point or any-to-any (via provider MPLS) | Hub-and-Spoke model within Azure |
| Connectivity | Connect on-premises data centers to Azure | Connect branches, users, VPNs, and ExpressRoute circuits |
| Management | Customer managed or Partner managed | Azure managed (simplified provisioning) |
| Best Use Case | Large enterprises needing high-throughput, dedicated circuits | Organizations with many branch offices needing easy, optimized connectivity |
When to Use ExpressRoute?
Choose ExpressRoute if:
-
You need guaranteed performance with low jitter and low latency.
-
You’re handling sensitive data (banks, healthcare) and must avoid the public Internet.
-
Your on-premises workloads require high-bandwidth connections (large datasets, backups).
Example:
A financial institution replicates large databases from its data center to Azure SQL Databases over a 10 Gbps ExpressRoute circuit to meet compliance and performance standards.
When to Use Virtual WAN?
Choose Azure Virtual WAN if:
-
You have multiple branch locations globally.
-
You want to simplify the management of site-to-site VPNs, point-to-site VPNs, and ExpressRoute circuits.
-
You want integrated security and routing policies at the cloud level.
-
You’re looking for a SD-WAN architecture integrated natively into Azure.
Example:
A retail chain connects 250 store locations globally to Azure using Virtual WAN, integrating SD-WAN appliances for application acceleration and centralized management.
Can ExpressRoute and Virtual WAN be used Together?
Yes!
You can integrate your ExpressRoute circuits into a Virtual WAN hub.
This gives you the best of both worlds:
-
Dedicated, private high-speed links (ExpressRoute)
-
Simplified, global routing (Virtual WAN)
Microsoft even offers ExpressRoute Gateway in Virtual WAN hubs for easy integration.
Benefits of Combining ExpressRoute with Virtual WAN
-
Centralized monitoring for all connections
-
Dynamic routing without manual configurations
-
High-availability design with minimal complexity
-
Secure user-to-branch, branch-to-branch, and branch-to-Azure connectivity
-
Integration with Azure Firewall Manager for centralized security policies
Real-World Application Scenario
A multinational company with:
-
Headquarters in London (needs high-speed Azure access)
-
50 regional offices worldwide
-
Remote employees
Solution:
-
ExpressRoute connects HQ to Azure for mission-critical apps.
-
Virtual WAN connects branches and users globally with automated routing and security.
-
Integration between ExpressRoute and Virtual WAN ensures seamless, secure, low-latency access across the organization.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is Azure ExpressRoute used for?
Azure ExpressRoute provides a private, dedicated network connection from your on-premises datacenter to Azure, bypassing the public internet to deliver lower latency, higher security, and better reliability.
2. What is Azure Virtual WAN used for?
Azure Virtual WAN is used to simplify branch office, user, and remote site connectivity to Azure by providing a centralized networking architecture with automatic route management and built-in security.
3. Can I use ExpressRoute with Virtual WAN?
Yes, you can connect your ExpressRoute circuit into a Virtual WAN hub using ExpressRoute Gateway. This allows you to combine dedicated bandwidth with global routing automation.
4. Is Virtual WAN replacing ExpressRoute?
No. Virtual WAN complements ExpressRoute. ExpressRoute provides the physical private link, while Virtual WAN manages global networking, including VPNs, branches, and ExpressRoute circuits together.
5. Which is cheaper: Azure VPN Gateway or ExpressRoute?
Typically, VPN Gateway is cheaper because it uses the public Internet with encryption. ExpressRoute is more expensive due to private, guaranteed high-speed circuits, but necessary for enterprises needing better performance and security.
Conclusion
Both Azure ExpressRoute and Virtual WAN offer powerful solutions for extending your on-premises network into Azure.
-
Use ExpressRoute when you need dedicated private connectivity.
-
Use Virtual WAN to simplify and optimize branch-to-Azure and branch-to-branch networking.
-
Integrate both for a highly resilient and globally connected hybrid cloud infrastructure.
Choosing the right combination ensures better performance, higher security, and easier management of your cloud connectivity architecture.