Barracuda SSL VPN vs SonicWall SMA comparison

Barracuda Networks and SonicWall are both solutions in the SSL VPN category. Barracuda Networks is ranked #9 with an average rating of 9.0, while SonicWall is ranked #7 with an average rating of 9.7. Barracuda Networks holds a 2.2% mindshare in SV, compared to SonicWall’s 4.5% mindshare. Additionally, 100% of Barracuda Networks users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 91% of SonicWall users who would recommend it.

Barracuda SSL VPN

Read 4 Barracuda SSL VPN reviews

620 Views
167 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

SonicWall SMA

Read 15 SonicWall SMA reviews

966 Views
270 Comparison Views

91% willing to recommend

Barracuda SSL VPN

SonicWall SMA

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on May 21, 2025

SonicWall SMA and Barracuda SSL VPN are competing products in the secure remote access category. SonicWall SMA is favored for its pricing and support, while Barracuda SSL VPN gains preference for its advanced features and value.

Features: SonicWall SMA is appreciated for its comprehensive access control, streamlined interface, and user management capabilities. Barracuda SSL VPN stands out with extensive security capabilities, robust integration options, and user session narrowing.

Room for Improvement: SonicWall SMA could improve by enhancing customization options, expanding integration capabilities, and offering richer reporting tools. Barracuda SSL VPN might benefit from reducing complexity, improving user interface design, and optimizing cost-effectiveness for smaller enterprises.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: SonicWall SMA offers a straightforward deployment process with solid customer support, benefiting from quicker setup. Barracuda SSL VPN provides a flexible deployment model and prioritizes customization through advanced customer service.

Pricing and ROI: SonicWall SMA is highlighted for its lower setup cost and quicker ROI, appealing to cost-conscious buyers. Barracuda SSL VPN, although potentially having a higher initial expense, justifies the cost with advanced features and long-term strategic value.

To learn more, read our detailed Barracuda SSL VPN vs. SonicWall SMA Report (Updated: August 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Barracuda SSL VPN vs. SonicWall SMA

August 2025

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Helped 865,295 peers since 2012

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

Barracuda SSL VPN

Ranking in SSL VPN

9th

Ranking in Enterprise Infrastructure VPN

23rd

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

7.5

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

SonicWall SMA

Ranking in SSL VPN

7th

Ranking in Enterprise Infrastructure VPN

18th

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

5.6

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Universal Access Gateways (2nd)

Mindshare comparison

As of August 2025, in the SSL VPN category, the mindshare of Barracuda SSL VPN is 2.2%, down from 3.0% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of SonicWall SMA is 4.5%, up from 3.7% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

SSL VPN

Featured Reviews

Ikh-Erdene Namsrai

Senior System Administrator at Mongolian Mining Corporation

Provides good scalability and has a simple setup process

We use Barracuda SSL VPN for network connection The product is easy to connect. There could be more security features included in the product. We are the latest version of Barracuda SSL VPN. I rate Barracuda SSL VPN's stability an eight or nine out of ten. We have 30-40 Barracuda SSL VPN…

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Maheshbabu T

Project Manager at CGG

It allows us to provide CML-based access to any user, but the reporting could be better

I rate SonicWall SMA seven out of 10. If you're planning to implement this solution, I suggest checking the version to ensure it's compatible with your other technology. I say go for it if it's suitable for your use case. Multifactor authentication technologies are built into the product, whereas some products lack multifactor authentication. We need only one or two. They provide authentication, gateway integration, OTP integration, etc.

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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

"The product is easy to connect."

"The setup is straightforward and hassle-free."

"It's a stand alone system that functions well."

"The most valuable feature would be that you can actually narrow down your session to one application on one server, which is really nice."

"Secure Mobile Access (SMA) is easy to configure and the deployment is straightforward. However, this is mostly because of the AWS setup."

"The most valuable feature of this solution is they have IT consultants that know SonicWall."

"SonicWall SMA has the most valuable feature of proprietary security technologies like Capture ATP."

"This solution has many options for remote desktop and access."

"It is faster than other security options when using remote connections."

"SonicWall SMA allows us to provide CML-based access to any user."

"I think they ask for a fair price."

"Blocklisting and allowlisting are the most beneficial features for network security."

More SonicWall SMA pros

Cons

"There could be more security features included in the product."

"Reporting could be improved."

"Barracuda should find other ways to stir up interest about this product."

"Since it's not going to be getting any more software updates as per the end of this year, we have to move off to a different product.."

"The product's technical support services could be improved."

"The product itself is very good, but Dell needs to work on product visibility in their advertising."

"User interface could be improved."

"The only thing that they could try to improve is the support for enterprise customers. Normally enterprises and SMBs can create a ticket, but for enterprises, SonicWall SMA needs to provide a global view, and this is what's currently missing. It's not even a question of timing. It's a question of the global vision because currently, it's lacking. They concentrate on the topic, but not on the means and not on the global picture. In most cases, there's something wrong with the integration of SonicWall SMA with other products, so that could also be improved."

"The timed synchronization between the network appliance needs improvement."

"SonicWall's reporting isn't good. Reports should be part of a data plan. The login mechanism should be improved. It would be helpful if the client could use an agent to log in. An agent-server model would improve the performance of the RDB, which consumes a lot of bandwidth."

"SonicWall SMA is difficult to use and it does not provide easy access to different parts of the network."

"The overall menu is not very user-friendly and it could be easier."

More SonicWall SMA cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Barracuda SSL VPN is inexpensive."

"The product is affordable and reasonably priced so it would make a lot of sense for people to use it long-term."

"This solution is priced well and we currently have the maximum number of licenses allowed."

"Our licenses are stackable and can be anywhere from five users to a million users."

"The cost of the licensing is based on the maximum number of concurrent users, and it costs a lot to add them."

"All the costs are included in a bundled license."

"The platform has medium pricing."

"I don't know about the pricing of the SSL-VPN box. I know the SSL-VPN software is free. Global VPN client, by comparison, is licensed for around $150 or something like that. But the SSL-VPN software is free. It is already built-in with the box."

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865,295 professionals have used our research since 2012.

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

16%

Comms Service Provider

15%

Performing Arts

Healthcare Company

Computer Software Company

16%

Construction Company

Comms Service Provider

Retailer

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Barracuda SSL VPN?

The product is easy to connect.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Barracuda SSL VPN?

Barracuda SSL VPN is inexpensive. We purchase its yearly license.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Barracuda SSL VPN?

There could be more security features included in the product.

See all answers

What do you like most about SonicWall SMA?

Blocklisting and allowlisting are the most beneficial features for network security.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for SonicWall SMA?

The pricing for the solution could be a lot less.

See all answers

What needs improvement with SonicWall SMA?

I haven't utilized the high availability and scalability features of SonicWall SMA yet because I've never had a need to. I don't know where they can focus their energy on continuous improvements, a...

See all answers

Comparisons

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Compared 70% of the time

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Compared 17% of the time

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Compared 13% of the time

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Compared 17% of the time

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Compared 17% of the time

Ivanti Connect Secure vs SonicWall SMA

Compared 15% of the time

Citrix Gateway vs SonicWall SMA

Compared 14% of the time

Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN vs SonicWall SMA

Compared 10% of the time

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

SSL VPN

July 2025

Download Barracuda SSL VPN product report

Buyer's Guide

SonicWall SMA

July 2025

Download SonicWall SMA product report

Also Known As

No data available

SonicWall Aventail, SonicWall SMA SSL-VPN, SonicWall Secure Mobile Access

Overview

Your army of road warriors and remote workers require a quick, flexible, reliable and completely secure way to connect to your internal enterprise applications, information and network resources. They want to do this from anywhere in the world, at any time and from any suitable device. The Barracuda SSL VPN provides the security and connectivity to deliver this access, via a web browser or virtually any mobile device.

Barracuda Networks

SonicWall SMA is a unified secure access gateway that enables organizations to provide anytime, anywhere and any device access to mission critical corporate resources. SMA's granular access control policy engine, context aware device authorization, application level VPN and advanced authentication with single sign-on empowers organizations to embrace BYOD and mobility in a hybrid IT environment.

SonicWall

Sample Customers

Information Not Available

UnitedStack, Newport City Homes, Faith Lutheran College Redlands, PRIME aerostructures GmbH, Celtic Manor Resort

Buyer's Guide

Barracuda SSL VPN vs. SonicWall SMA

August 2025

Free Report: Barracuda SSL VPN vs. SonicWall SMA

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We monitor all SSL VPN reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.