A10 Networks Lightning ADC vs NetScaler comparison

A10 Networks and NetScaler are both solutions in the Application Delivery Controllers (ADC) category. A10 Networks is ranked #17, while NetScaler is ranked #1 with an average rating of 8.3. A10 Networks holds a 0.5% mindshare in ADC, compared to NetScaler’s 14.5% mindshare. Additionally, 100% of A10 Networks users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 91% of NetScaler users who would recommend it.

A10 Networks Lightning ADC

Read 3 A10 Networks Lightning ADC reviews

180 Views
114 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

NetScaler

Read 107 NetScaler reviews

6,844 Views
5,023 Comparison Views

91% willing to recommend

A10 Networks Lightning ADC

NetScaler

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Dec 17, 2024

NetScaler and A10 Networks Lightning ADC are competing in the application delivery controller market. A10 Networks Lightning ADC holds an advantage with its cloud-native architecture, offering superior scalability and integration.

Features: NetScaler provides application performance optimization, load balancing, and security which are beneficial for complex IT environments. A10 Networks Lightning ADC is notable for its cloud-native design, integrated security functions, and high scalability. The focus on cloud integration distinguishes A10 Networks, especially for cloud-driven businesses.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: NetScaler's deployment is direct, supported by solid customer support aiding initial setups. A10 Networks Lightning ADC offers an intuitive cloud-native deployment model, shortening onboarding times. While both have reliable customer service, NetScaler's is slightly more recognized for responsiveness.

Pricing and ROI: NetScaler's pricing model offers long-term value, making it cost-effective across different deployment sizes. A10 Networks Lightning ADC, though possibly costlier initially, provides value for cloud-native environments with enhanced scalability and performance, ensuring higher ROI for cloud-focused organizations.

To learn more, read our detailed A10 Networks Lightning ADC vs. NetScaler Report (Updated: June 2025).

Buyer's Guide

A10 Networks Lightning ADC vs. NetScaler

June 2025

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

A10 Networks Lightning ADC

Ranking in Application Delivery Controllers (ADC)

17th

Average Rating

7.0

Reviews Sentiment

6.3

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

NetScaler

Ranking in Application Delivery Controllers (ADC)

1st

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

7.0

Number of Reviews

107

Ranking in other categories

Network Management Applications (5th), Web Application Firewall (WAF) (14th)

Mindshare comparison

As of June 2025, in the Application Delivery Controllers (ADC) category, the mindshare of A10 Networks Lightning ADC is 0.5%, up from 0.3% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of NetScaler is 14.5%, down from 16.3% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Application Delivery Controllers (ADC)

Featured Reviews

RONALDO DE MELO

Sales Account Executive at l8

Efficient application security while optimizing connections

The initial setup is simple; it is not complex. The configuration itself is simple and can be done in a couple of hours. However, the migration of the system to A10 Networks takes longer due to critical applications. Clients prefer to move them one by one, which is why it takes a significant amount of time. The configuration itself is simple, especially for this application.

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DEMİRHAN ÇAVUŞOĞLU

Cloud Consultant at Migros Ticaret A.Ş.

A tool for centralized management including inventory and sales tracking

Citrix ADM has the ability to implement policies to tighten security. For instance, you can restrict access to your network from outsiders or lack necessary security measures such as antivirus programs. Additionally, there's the Delivery Controller, which allows for comprehensive monitoring and management tasks such as remote restarts, maintenance, and registration. Another essential component is the Director, which provides detailed insights into sessions, including identifying session failures, connection issues, user lockouts, etc. It presents a list of problems to address, enabling you to click on them and resolve them efficiently.

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"Our clients appreciate that this is a security enabled solution."

"It allows you to secure the application while balancing the connections for many other customers, reducing CPU usage and server load."

"What I like about Lightning ADC, is that instead of having a big appliance sitting in front of the Kubernetes cluster, Lightning can pretty much go inside of Kubernetes."

"Citrix NetScaler offers robust security features, including SmartAccess and customizable policies, making it a reliable choice for safeguarding user data."

"The most valuable feature is the content switching."

"The most valuable features of Citrix ADC are load balancing and application firewall."

"Its flexibility, agility, and robustness are the most valuable. Its management and implementation are also quite easy."

"I like app flows and custom flows. They integrate with multiple flows."

"The web application firewalling component is a powerful feature."

"NetScaler Gateway: Why? Availability/Security: We delivered more than 200 applications thru Xenapp. This feature give us the possibility to deliver the applications anywhere. Currently, 30% of access is made through our NetScaler Gateway (Internet connections)."

"The best feature of Citrix is its track record of stability in its features."

More NetScaler pros

Cons

"A10 documentation is not as open and accessible as AWS and Azure documentation is."

"The support from A10 should be improved."

"We would like to see some improvement in the rapidity with which we can customize security facts within the solution."

"I would like to see support for scripting, like "iRule", which gives you the option to implement any configuration which is not available out of the box."

"The setup was not simple."

"The technical support has room for improvement."

"Reducing the overhead required for AppFlow data collection, specifically for HDX Insight, would be a huge improvement."

"We would like the licensing model for this product to be improved, as it isn't currently very transparent. There isn't a standard package available, and each extra feature creates an additional cost."

"Its GUI should be improved. Its CLI is powerful, but GUI needs more features."

"If one device or switch fails, the failover to another device is not seamless which is painful."

"I think the documentation should be improved."

More NetScaler cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

Information not available

"For partners, NetScaler is not as expensive price-wise versus F5."

"Licensing is adequate. I wanted to have a more prominent license, but until I do they don't give enough support. The additional cost would be too much."

"Citrix NetScaler VPX is not the cheapest solution out there, but you get what you pay for."

"The license for Citrix NetScaler is on an annual basis and it is reasonably priced."

"It is very pricey, but we get it. If you need the best, money shouldn't be a problem."

"In Turkey, everything is good, but it seems expensive for us due to the currency exchange. I don't have a specific rating scale, but if I had to rate the price, I would say it's around a six out of ten."

"We are quite happy with price. It's not too high."

"It is true that it is a bit pricey compared to newer technologies coming to the market. For example, A10 is a load balancer that does everything that Citrix can and it does a lot more than what NetScaler does when it comes to the security space, and their prices are so cheap. Every box comes with its own license and support built into it. When you compare that with NetScaler, you have to buy licenses separately, you have to buy a support agreement that is going to be separate. A small NetScaler, even if it is a VPX which is a virtual server, could cost you close to $150,000 to $200,000 dollars. So the pricing is really high."

More NetScaler pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

No data available

Computer Software Company

15%

Financial Services Firm

11%

Government

Educational Organization

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

Questions from the Community

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What do you like most about Citrix ADC?

The most valuable feature for us is the application firewalling in Citrix NetScaler, ensuring only valid traffic enters our environment.

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Citrix ADC?

After deployment, Citrix Netscaler shifted to a subscription-based license scheme for support, which is slightly more expensive.

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What needs improvement with Citrix ADC?

Citrix NetScaler is a robust product, but mastering it requires significant learning and training due to its complexity. While it could be easier to manage, it is like transitioning from driving a ...

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Comparisons

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Fortinet FortiADC vs NetScaler

Compared 9% of the time

F5 BIG-IP Local Traffic Manager (LTM) vs NetScaler

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Application Delivery Controllers (ADC)

June 2025

Download A10 Networks Lightning ADC product report

Buyer's Guide

NetScaler

May 2025

Download NetScaler product report

Also Known As

Lightning ADS

Citrix ADC, Citrix NetScaler VPX, NetScaler Console, NetScaler Web Application Firewall

Overview

A cloud-native, software-defined solution that provides integrated advanced load-balancing, performance optimization, application security and per-application analytics to increase operational agility and application performance.

A10 Networks

One platform for a consistent application delivery and security experience because nobody has time to learn multiple systems to manage ADC deployments. NetScaler is built with a single code base using a software-based architecture, so no matter which ADC form factor you choose — hardware, virtual machine, bare metal, or container — the behavior will be the same.

NetScaler

Sample Customers

Handle Financial

ABB Schweiz, Aer Lingus, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Amnet Technology Solutions, Aramex International, Ascenty, Atos, Autodesk

Buyer's Guide

A10 Networks Lightning ADC vs. NetScaler

June 2025

Free Report: A10 Networks Lightning ADC vs. NetScaler

Find out what your peers are saying about A10 Networks Lightning ADC vs. NetScaler and other solutions. Updated: June 2025.

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