Cisco IOS SSL VPN vs SonicWall Global VPN Client comparison

Cisco and SonicWall are both solutions in the SSL VPN category. Cisco is ranked #2 with an average rating of 9.0, while SonicWall is ranked #7 with an average rating of 10.0. Cisco holds a 9.6% mindshare in SV, compared to SonicWall’s 2.6% mindshare. Additionally, 100% of Cisco users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of SonicWall users who would recommend it.

Cisco IOS SSL VPN

Read 50 Cisco IOS SSL VPN reviews

1,295 Views
686 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

SonicWall Global VPN Client

Read 3 SonicWall Global VPN Client reviews

227 Views
227 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Cisco IOS SSL VPN

SonicWall Global VPN Client

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on May 21, 2025

Cisco IOS SSL VPN and SonicWall Global VPN Client compete in the VPN market. Cisco IOS SSL VPN is favored for enterprises focusing on security, while SonicWall Global VPN Client stands out for cost-effectiveness and essential features.

Features: Cisco IOS SSL VPN offers granular security controls, comprehensive policy enforcement capabilities, and supports various authentication methods. It integrates seamlessly with Cisco's networking products. SonicWall Global VPN Client is designed for user-friendly setup, offering efficient management and varied deployment options, which are ideal for small to mid-sized organizations.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: SonicWall Global VPN Client provides a straightforward deployment process with accessible customer service for setup and troubleshooting assistance. Cisco IOS SSL VPN might require more technical expertise due to extensive customization options, offering a comprehensive deployment strategy.

Pricing and ROI: Cisco IOS SSL VPN typically has higher initial setup costs due to its feature-rich and security-focused offerings, suitable for enterprises with specific security needs aiming for long-term ROI. SonicWall Global VPN Client presents an attractive pricing model, appealing to smaller organizations seeking effective VPN solutions with a lower initial investment, offering competitive pricing and strong ROI.

To learn more, read our detailed Cisco IOS SSL VPN vs. SonicWall Global VPN Client Report (Updated: December 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Cisco IOS SSL VPN vs. SonicWall Global VPN Client

December 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

Cisco IOS SSL VPN

Ranking in SSL VPN

2nd

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

7.2

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Enterprise Infrastructure VPN (8th)

SonicWall Global VPN Client

Ranking in SSL VPN

7th

Average Rating

10.0

Reviews Sentiment

4.8

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of January 2026, in the SSL VPN category, the mindshare of Cisco IOS SSL VPN is 9.6%, up from 8.0% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of SonicWall Global VPN Client is 2.6%, up from 0.9% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

SSL VPN Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
Cisco IOS SSL VPN	9.6%
SonicWall Global VPN Client	2.6%
Other	87.8%

SSL VPN

Featured Reviews

Viktor Masnyy

student at a university with 1,001-5,000 employees

Cost efficiency and ease of setup define network management while potential improvements in complexity handling are noted

Optimizing and configuring for network segmentation is the biggest thing for helping with segmenting traffic management. Configuring QoS on Linksys is pretty easy, especially compared to Cisco QoS, which I am certified in, as it helps ensure that the bandwidth for voice or other applications doesn't bleed over into the data links. In the past, Linksys has been pretty good at network protection, segmenting off that protection for unauthorized access or cyber threats. Cost savings and ease of use are the benefits I've seen from Linksys. It's a little bit less complex to set up and configure compared to Cisco switching. I utilized the VLAN support feature in the Linksys switches. A lot of the networks I have were broken up by VLAN, and I definitely configured them for different VLANs. The best feature of Linksys in my opinion is cost, as they tend to be more cost-effective compared to larger switches or Cisco switches.

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Winsley De Oliveira

Owner at ANOC

Reliable and efficient remote access boosts our network management capabilities

The SonicWall Global VPN Client is a very good product. Once I was connected for four days in a row with no faults or interruptions. It's fast, stable, and works. It's simple and effective. We use robust encryption protocols with the SonicWall Global VPN Client. These protocols help with maintaining confidentiality and security of the network data across our organization. Today it's a fact that you have to cryptograph your servers, hard disks, desktops, everything. The VPN is just part of that. The experience with the setup process and user interface of the SonicWall Global VPN Client is very easy. With the SonicWall Global VPN Client, you create a connection to the firewall, set up the cryptographic settings, keys, and passwords. Then download, create a download file, import in the client, enter username and password, and it's done. It is absolutely very simple.

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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 most valuable features of the solution are its ease of use, management, and support."

"It is a stable solution. In my company, we haven't faced any issues related to the product's stability. I rate the product's stability a ten out of ten."

"The solution is very stable."

"The platform provides value and benefits to our organization through efficient and effective communication."

"IOS is user-friendly and simple. You connect to a particular VPN, and that's it. You become seamless after that."

"The best feature of Linksys in my opinion is cost, as they tend to be more cost-effective compared to larger switches or Cisco switches."

"The most valuable features are that it's reliable, convenient, and easy. It always works if configured well."

"The solution is very easy to work with. This is its most valuable feature. They also did a good job surrounding how you configure the devices."

More Cisco IOS SSL VPN pros

"This VPN has a secure tunnel created between the end user and the standard machine. This secure connection facilitates the transfer of data without compromising on security or speed."

"It simplifies connecting remote clients to secure networks without extensive configuration."

Cons

"The solution's graphical user interface is not very user-friendly."

"They could provide the cloud-based as-a-service model with monthly rental payments."

"Cisco IOS SSL VPN should add a sensor that can authenticate with a fingerprint instead of having to type the username and password every time."

"The configuration is critical and complex."

"Compatibility can sometimes be a challenge. There have been issues with operating systems where newer updates cause problems with backward compatibility."

"In terms of what needs improvement, it should have better integration. Although, it might have already been taken care of."

"The product's RPA tools need enhancement for simplified business process automation."

"The high price of the product is an area of concern where improvements are required."

More Cisco IOS SSL VPN cons

"The product's integration process need improvement with certain regional network configurations, especially in locations where ISP practices can affect performance."

"There is always a delay in response when I try to work on the VPN."

Pricing and Cost Advice

"It is an expensive product."

"I would say it is a bit expensive, but I think it is worth the price."

"Cisco IOS SSL VPN comes with a cost-effective subscription."

"Cisco IOS SSL VPN is more expensive than the Aruba VPN, but it is worth the money."

"My company makes payments on a quarterly basis to the vendor to cover the licensing costs attached to the product. Cisco IOS SSL VPN is an expensive product. There are no additional costs apart from the licensing costs attached to the product."

"The licensing cost of the solution is on a yearly basis, and it is expensive compared to other solutions in the market."

"Users have to pay a yearly licensing fee for Cisco IOS SSL VPN."

"The platform is expensive."

More Cisco IOS SSL VPN pricing and cost advice

"It is a cost-effective product."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

19%

Healthcare Company

Financial Services Firm

Educational Organization

No data available

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	24
Midsize Enterprise	4
Large Enterprise	24

No data available

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Cisco IOS SSL VPN?

The solution is pretty fast.

See all answers

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

I am not sure about the pricing of Cisco IOS SSL VPN.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Cisco IOS SSL VPN?

I have not found any areas that could be improved so far. I am not sure how Cisco IOS SSL VPN can continue their improvements for the future, but I think it is a great product. To stay on top, they...

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for SonicWall Global VPN Client?

In terms of pricing, normally a firewall box or appliance comes with some licenses. When we develop a solution for a company with a hundred users, normally 10% of that has remote access. So 10 VPN ...

See all answers

What needs improvement with SonicWall Global VPN Client?

The only thing that we don't really appreciate about SonicWall, not specifically SonicWall but in general, is the SSL VPNs. We're still using GVC, the SonicWall Global VPN Client. The SonicWall Glo...

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What is your primary use case for SonicWall Global VPN Client?

I have been using the SonicWall Global VPN Client for thirty years. We have a company here in Brazil that has extensive access to our customers' networks, all through site-to-site VPNs for managing...

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Comparisons

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Compared 27% of the time

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Compared 11% of the time

Citrix Gateway vs Cisco IOS SSL VPN

Compared 9% of the time

Sangfor SSL VPN vs Cisco IOS SSL VPN

Compared 7% of the time

Array AG Series vs Cisco IOS SSL VPN

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Ivanti Connect Secure vs SonicWall Global VPN Client

Compared 100% of the time

More SonicWall Global VPN Client Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Cisco IOS SSL VPN

January 2026

Download Cisco IOS SSL VPN product report

Buyer's Guide

SSL VPN

January 2026

Download SonicWall Global VPN Client product report

Also Known As

Cisco SSL VPN

No data available

Overview

Cisco SSL VPN solutions help you easily and securely extend the network to users who have access to the Internet and a web browser. You can customize access and extend the reach of your corporate network to individuals based on their roles, including teleworker contractors and business partners.

Cisco

SonicWall Global VPN Client provides a secure and scalable VPN solution suited for businesses seeking robust remote access with easy deployment and centralized management.

This VPN client offers a comprehensive range of features for secure remote connectivity, making it appropriate for businesses of all sizes. It supports centralized management, allowing IT teams to configure and monitor connections with ease. With a focus on security, it uses advanced encryption technologies to protect data transmissions. It integrates seamlessly with SonicWall's hardware and software, ensuring optimal performance and reliability. This flexibility makes it a favored choice for businesses aiming to maintain secure operations with employees working remotely.

What are the valuable features of SonicWall Global VPN Client?

Easy Deployment: Facilitates quick setup and configuration.
Centralized Management: Offers comprehensive control over multiple users.
Advanced Encryption: Ensures secure data transmission across networks.
Seamless Integration: Works well with SonicWall products for enhanced performance.

What benefits and ROI should users look for?

Cost Efficiency: Reduces overhead related to secure remote access infrastructure.
Scalability: Supports growing businesses without sacrificing performance.
Enhanced Security: Protects sensitive corporate data from cyber threats.
Improved Productivity: Enables uninterrupted workflow for remote employees.

SonicWall Global VPN Client is widely implemented in sectors like healthcare, finance, and education, where data security is crucial. Its advanced security features and seamless remote access integration support industries with stringent compliance and remote collaboration requirements.

SonicWall

Sample Customers

MST Systems

Information Not Available

Buyer's Guide

Cisco IOS SSL VPN vs. SonicWall Global VPN Client

December 2025

Free Report: Cisco IOS SSL VPN vs. SonicWall Global VPN Client

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