Cisco ASx500 [EOL] vs SonicWall SMA comparison

Why PeerSpot?

Cisco and SonicWall are both solutions in the Universal Access Gateways category. Additionally, 100% of Cisco users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 91% of SonicWall users who would recommend it.

Cisco ASx500 [EOL]

Read 2 Cisco ASx500 [EOL] reviews

100% willing to recommend

SonicWall SMA

Read 15 SonicWall SMA reviews

3,394 Views
339 Comparison Views

91% willing to recommend

Cisco ASx500 [EOL]

SonicWall SMA

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between Cisco ASx500 [EOL] and SonicWall SMA based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out what your peers are saying about Citrix, SonicWall and others in Universal Access Gateways.

To learn more, read our detailed Universal Access Gateways Report (Updated: October 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Universal Access Gateways

October 2026

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Helped 920,223 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

Cisco ASx500 [EOL]

Average Rating

8.0

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

SonicWall SMA

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

5.6

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Universal Access Gateways (2nd), SSL VPN (6th), Enterprise Infrastructure VPN (15th)

Featured Reviews

YuQing Ding

Principle Network and Database Engr at Parsons Corporation

Secure, scalable, and straightforward installation

The technical support from Cisco is not very good. In a recent experience, they asked us for 20 minutes about our project and then redirected around to other people. I need to report to this agent, I need to register to this database, there is too much involved in getting a solution. This has always been the case, they are asking us too many questions, and then when it comes down to a solution, it is at a bare minimum. This is something they can improve on, but they do not seem eager to improve. However, we do have an assigned project representative that is helpful.

Read full review

Barry Arendt

Owner at ThinkEzIT

Security enhances through autonomous protection and strong support while multi-factor authentication secures access

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, as I haven't been looking at what they're releasing. We're a small shop, so we drop stuff in and manage it and do what we need to do to maintain it. If we run into an issue, we contact support. There's a learning curve, but it comes down to getting support to train you on the product, and then once you have the training you need, you're able to make the changes and updates that you need to.

Read full review

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"Overall, it does exactly what we want it to do, considering the specific features that we want."

"It works well for any environment that wants to use a VPN."

"One of the most valuable features is keeping our data secure."

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

"The advanced threat protection and the endpoint control features of SonicWall SMA have helped improve security measures tremendously."

"The management and the dashboard are the solution's most valuable features."

"The product is extremely flexible, the program is easy to use, the performance is good, and the solution is very stable."

"The solution is reliable and has good overall performance."

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

"I think they ask for a fair price."

"I like the load balancing capability, it is very fast and it has a simple interface."

More SonicWall SMA pros

Cons

"The technical support from Cisco is not very good."

"There is no security, such as an antivirus and URL filtering mechanism, which is something that should be improved."

"The only thing that they could try to improve is the support for enterprise customers."

"Enhancing live tracking capabilities could improve the product, particularly in monitoring user activity and request statuses in real-time on the web interface."

"The user interface could be improved."

"This is an expensive solution and I think that the price could be improved."

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

"There are some features that are available on Palo Alto or Cisco that don't exist. The solution could integrate better with other platforms."

"This solution is very slow, and the competitors have much higher speeds."

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

More SonicWall SMA cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"This product is not too expensive and there are no costs apart from the standard licensing fee."

"We pay approximately $15,000 a month but that includes everything together, such as hardware."

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

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

"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."

"The platform has medium pricing."

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

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

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

No data available

Manufacturing Company

14%

Financial Services Firm

11%

Construction Company

Outsourcing Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	12
Midsize Enterprise	2
Large Enterprise	2

Questions from the Community

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

The pricing for the solution could be a lot less.

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What needs improvement with SonicWall SMA?

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What is your primary use case for SonicWall SMA?

I have experience with the SonicWall SMA; we have rolled it back into our stack. We use SonicWall SMA for all of our clients that need VPNs, including doctor's offices and lawyer offices. Our clien...

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Comparisons

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Compared 10% of the time

Ivanti Connect Secure vs SonicWall SMA

Compared 10% of the time

Sangfor SSL VPN vs SonicWall SMA

Compared 10% of the time

Tailscale vs SonicWall SMA

Compared 5% of the time

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Universal Access Gateways

October 2026

Download Cisco ASx500 [EOL] product report

Buyer's Guide

SonicWall SMA

October 2026

Download SonicWall SMA product report

Also Known As

ASx500

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

Overview

Information not available

Cisco

SonicWall SMA provides fast and secure remote access, serving remote desktop needs with flexibility and ease of management. Its proprietary technologies assure reliable performance and integration capabilities, ideal for scalable and diverse environments.

Renowned for its efficient remote desktop options and robust security features, SonicWall SMA is designed to streamline secure connections to internal networks. It supports home offices, mobile integrations, and multisite connectivity. Its management tools and setup ease ensure seamless operations, bolstered by advanced threat protection and endpoint control. Compatibility with federal markets adds to its scalability. Suggestions for improvement include refining menu structures, pricing competitiveness, and enhanced security like multifactor authentication, improved network handling, and better support services.

What are key features of SonicWall SMA?

Efficient Remote Desktop: Provides seamless remote desktop access with minimal delay.
File Sharing: Simplifies secure file transfer and collaboration.
Integration Capabilities: Easily integrates with existing systems for streamlined operations.
Advanced Threat Protection: Protects against modern threats with proprietary technologies.
Scalability: Supports growing businesses with flexible and scalable solutions.
Federal Market Compatibility: Adheres to standards required for federal use.

What benefits should users consider?

Ease of Use: User-friendly interface for simplified management and operations.
Performance: Reliable network performance with efficient load balancing.
Flexibility: Supports diverse environments and connectivity needs.
Affordability: Offers cost-effective remote access solutions.
Improved Security: Enhances data protection through advanced technologies.

SonicWall SMA's secure VPN connections are crucial for industries needing robust data protection. Cooperative banks leverage it for safe access to core banking systems. Service providers rely on it to secure web and desktop applications for clients.

SonicWall

Sample Customers

Aegean Motorway, Anilana Hotels and Resorts, BC Hydro, Beachbody, City of Biel, Department of Education Western Australia, Dundee Precious Metals, Fontys University, John Eagle Auto Group, Katy Independent School District, National Airport of Romania, North West Redwater, The Department of Education in Western Australia

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

Buyer's Guide

Universal Access Gateways

October 2026

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