Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) vs SonicWall Netextender comparison

Why PeerSpot?

Cisco and SonicWall are both solutions in the Enterprise Infrastructure VPN category. Cisco is ranked #6 with an average rating of 8.1, while SonicWall is ranked #12 with an average rating of 9.5. Cisco holds a 5.0% mindshare in EIV, compared to SonicWall’s 2.2% mindshare. Additionally, 92% of Cisco users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 70% of SonicWall users who would recommend it.

Cisco Secure Client (includ...

Read 79 Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) reviews

9,757 Views
5,854 Comparison Views

92% willing to recommend

SonicWall Netextender

Read 14 SonicWall Netextender reviews

3,078 Views
3,047 Comparison Views

70% willing to recommend

Cisco Secure Client (includ...

SonicWall Netextender

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 8, 2026

SonicWall Netextender and Cisco Secure Client compete in the remote access solutions market. Cisco Secure Client often takes the lead due to its robust feature set, despite SonicWall Netextender's more attractive pricing and support offerings.

Features: SonicWall Netextender is known for its secure remote access, strong network integration, and stability. Cisco Secure Client, including AnyConnect, provides advanced features like extensive network security, seamless VPN access, and integration with multi-factor authentication, giving it a clear edge in security.

Room for Improvement: SonicWall Netextender could enhance its feature array and reduce the frequency of known issues in user forums. It would benefit from more scalability options. Cisco Secure Client can improve by simplifying its setup process, reducing complexity for end users, and offering better integration with third-party tools.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: SonicWall Netextender is appreciated for its simple installation and responsive customer support, making it ideal for small to medium-sized businesses. Cisco Secure Client offers extensive deployment options more suited for large-scale enterprises but requires a more complex setup process. Both provide excellent customer support, but SonicWall's user-friendly approach makes deployment easier.

Pricing and ROI: SonicWall Netextender offers a competitive pricing model that delivers high ROI for budget-conscious smaller businesses. Cisco Secure Client operates at a higher pricing tier, justified by its extensive features and scalability. It provides significant value for larger deployments seeking advanced functionalities, translating into strong ROI when advanced security is a priority.

To learn more, read our detailed Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) vs. SonicWall Netextender Report (Updated: September 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) vs. SonicWall Netextender

September 2026

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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 Secure Client (includ...

Ranking in Enterprise Infrastructure VPN

6th

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

6.6

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

SSL VPN (4th), ZTNA as a Service (12th), Cisco Security Portfolio (5th)

SonicWall Netextender

Ranking in Enterprise Infrastructure VPN

12th

Average Rating

7.0

Reviews Sentiment

6.3

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of November 2026, in the Enterprise Infrastructure VPN category, the mindshare of Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) is 5.0%, down from 6.8% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of SonicWall Netextender is 2.2%, down from 3.5% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Enterprise Infrastructure VPN Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect)	5.0%
SonicWall Netextender	2.2%
Other	92.8%

Enterprise Infrastructure VPN

Featured Reviews

AJAY SARPAL

Manager - Projects at airtel

Offers work-from-anywhere flexibility but navigates occasional proxy confusion

The analytics I downloaded from your site as a free download did not carry the information that was actually required. I was looking at the market segmentation and market share, along with some USPs which differentiated them from each other. The free download had two issues: many things were repetitive, and it was designed to not release any relevant information. Only headers were present, so I was not able to determine whether the final report would be worthwhile. I have not worked with enterprise tools that I could share feedback on for website publication. I see benefits from using Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect). However, I would not recommend it because future adoptions will be towards Zscaler, as SSC is a better model than VPN. On a scale of 1-10, I rate this solution a 7.

Read full review

Rich Darress

Chief Operating Officer at Darress Tech

Has provided secure remote access to multiple client networks with consistent performance

When buying the appliance itself, there is one downside that isn't exclusive to SonicWall. When you apply all the security settings, many people have one gig connections for internet ISP. If you're bringing in a one gig connection, you have to have a more robust SonicWall to handle that throughput with all your security settings turned on. It gets pretty pricey upfront if you're bringing in a one gig connection. If the customer starts with a two, three, four, or 500 meg connection and has a small unit, they have to replace the whole box when upgrading to a gig, so scalability there is atrocious. However, this issue exists with pretty much any appliance.

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

"This is absolutely a product that I can recommend."

"The most valuable feature of the Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client is its ease of use and simple interface, and it's always available as long as I have a good network connection."

"The solution provides secure and easy access to corporate network resources."

"For that task, it works well; it is stable, and we haven't had issues so far."

"You don't have to think about it very much. It just works."

"The solution is very good and easy to configure, but the price could be reduced."

"It is flexible and easy to use; you just need to enter the VPN details, and you can connect immediately and access what you need."

"The installation process is not difficult."

More Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) pros

"The product has two-factor authentication."

"NetExtender works very well; I have never had an issue with it, and it has been working well for me."

"My company opted for this solution because it can individually perform. Basically, we don't require load balancers and all those additional feature sets or additional devices that might be required. The solution can handle the certificate, DNS queries, and all that stuff individually."

"The solution provides high availability."

"The best features of the SonicWall Netextender were its ease of use."

"Overall, it's a really good product."

"When we started to change from IPsec-type clients that were predominantly built right into the firewalls to this approach or deployment style for SSL VPN, the amount of time that our techs spent helping people with VPN issues was probably cut by more than half."

"The initial setup is pretty straightforward."

More SonicWall Netextender pros

Cons

"There are some issues with connectivity and latency that should be improved."

"I haven't found there are any shortcomings in the product. For how I use it, it works well."

"Setting up Cisco Secure Client, especially when using certificates, is quite a job and complicated."

"We don't have the correct visibility to see the quantity of licenses we are consuming or not consuming."

"Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client could improve by adding faster connectivity."

"If there's any cloud version available, instead of on-premise, that would be ideal."

"We'd like the product to be cheaper."

"It would be good to have some improvements to the quality of service."

More Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) cons

"From my experience with using it, we do have problems sometimes with the credentialing-saving parts of it."

"If the customer starts with a two, three, four, or 500 meg connection and has a small unit, they have to replace the whole box when upgrading to a gig, so scalability there is atrocious."

"NetExtender did nothing to improve my organization - in fact, it was quite the opposite. Users constantly complained of lag and unbearable sluggishness (with a max speed of 10-30kbps) through the VPN, even though we have relatively high bandwidth for a small office (400mbps)."

"Right now, you have to load each license on to an appliance. You can't pool across multiple appliances."

"The solution takes more bandwidth these days and it would be helpful if that was reduced."

"Sometimes you can get bounced around through the departments until you find the right one. Sometimes if you don't have the most current support contract or your license is out of date, they won't even talk to you."

"I am rolling out the new Netextender because I am having some issues with the older version."

"The Netextender application itself doesn't really look pretty, however, we can still use it. We don't care what it looks like. That said, if they did a cosmetic update, that would be fine."

More SonicWall Netextender cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"It costs around 80,000 Indian rupees for a hundred licenses, so approximately $1,020 USD."

"We have yearly licensing and it's very affordable."

"We are in the North African region, and Cisco products are expensive for us. On a scale from one to ten with one being very affordable and ten being expensive, I'd rate the price at eight."

"The pricing depends on the requirement, so proper planning and an RF analysis help to properly size the solution and get the best pricing."

"I am using a paid version of Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client."

"It is not a free solution and the user needs to buy license."

"My company has a three-year or a four-year license. In scenarios attached to a solution where the product may be reaching an end-of-support or end-of-life phase, Cisco provides OS support in such environments."

"One thing I've noticed is the price in comparison to other VPNs."

More Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) pricing and cost advice

"The solution has a pretty good price."

"The price of SonicWall Netextender is reasonable. Whether it's a small shop with only five users or a larger operation with 130 users, we have received no complaints or objections regarding cost from any of the clients we are looking to deploy it with."

"Cost wise, it would be a few hundred dollars for the base appliance with the first five clients. Then from there, your cost per seat depends on how many you're getting. It's a one-time cost, and then you have a few hundred dollars a year for the maintenance contract once you get the one-time seat costs out of the way."

"After a certain number of users, you require extra licensing."

"Compared to others, it is cheaper. When we compare it with Palo Alto, Check Point, or Fortinet, it is a little cheaper."

"The solution is cheap itself, not too costly."

"You have to pay for its license. There are some other companies that provide a VPN client for free. When you buy NetExtender, its license is available for one, three, or five years."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

13%

Manufacturing Company

10%

Outsourcing Company

Comms Service Provider

Manufacturing Company

10%

Outsourcing Company

Comms Service Provider

Construction Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	28
Midsize Enterprise	10
Large Enterprise	49

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	11
Midsize Enterprise	1
Large Enterprise	2

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client?

Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) is somewhat expensive compared to others such as Fortinet or Palo Alto, which provide free VPN when the firewall is purchased. Palo Alto and Fortinet prov...

See all answers

What needs improvement with Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client?

There are no features that I wish Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) had that it does not currently provide. If I could change one thing about it, I would have no changes to suggest.

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client?

I primarily use Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) for VPN connections and network-related activities. We have Cisco APIs and Cisco VPN that serve as the foundation for our operations. As a...

See all answers

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

The pricing for my experience with the setup cost and licensing of SonicWall Netextender is fair. The Netextender itself has no cost. It's the SSL licensing that is attached to the SonicWall. I...

See all answers

What needs improvement with SonicWall Netextender?

SonicWall Netextender has not helped with compliance, as it is not applicable for what I'm doing. I've put several feature requests in over the years and they've implemented them all, s...

See all answers

What is your primary use case for SonicWall Netextender?

Getting to local resources on a customer's network is my main use case with SonicWall Netextender or SonicWall SSL-VPN. As a managed service provider, all my customers have SonicWalls and I get...

See all answers

Comparisons

OpenVPN Access Server vs Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect)

Compared 6% of the time

Tailscale vs Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect)

Compared 5% of the time

Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange Platform vs Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect)

Compared 4% of the time

Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks vs Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect)

Compared 4% of the time

Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) vs Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect)

Compared 4% of the time

More Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) Competitors

OpenVPN Access Server vs SonicWall Netextender

Compared 17% of the time

SonicWall Connect Tunnel vs SonicWall Netextender

Compared 9% of the time

Fortinet FortiClient vs SonicWall Netextender

Compared 8% of the time

Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway vs SonicWall Netextender

Compared 7% of the time

Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks vs SonicWall Netextender

Compared 3% of the time

More SonicWall Netextender Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect)

November 2026

Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) report

Download Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) product report

Buyer's Guide

SonicWall Netextender

October 2026

Download SonicWall Netextender product report

Also Known As

Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client

No data available

Overview

Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) provides reliable, secure VPN connectivity for remote access, integrating seamlessly with existing enterprise infrastructure and offering quick setup and scalability.

Cisco Secure Client, featuring AnyConnect, is recognized for its robust VPN capabilities, enabling secure remote access from anywhere, thanks to strong encryption and multifactor authentication. It offers seamless integration with Active Directory and other vendors for enhanced security and protection. Users value its scalability, whether for small teams or large enterprises, along with ease of setup. However, feedback suggests improvements are needed in auto-connection to VPNs, better licensing visibility, and simplified authentication processes. Modernizing its interface and configuration along with less frequent updates are also highlighted.

What are the key features of Cisco Secure Client?

Reliable VPN Connectivity: Ensures stable and seamless remote access to corporate networks.
Scalability: Supports a wide range of deployment sizes, from small teams to large enterprises.
Integration with Active Directory: Facilitates multifactor authentication for enhanced security.
Strong Encryption: Provides end-to-end secure network access, protecting data during transmission.
Third-Party Integration: Works with other vendors to offer comprehensive security solutions.

What benefits should users look for when evaluating Cisco Secure Client?

Improved Security: Offers encrypted connections and multifactor authentication to protect sensitive data.
Ease of Use: Quick setup and intuitive configuration make it accessible for varied users in the organization.
Enhanced Connectivity: Supports consistent access to necessary corporate resources and applications.
Reduced Costs: Potential for cost savings by enabling remote work without compromising security.
Scalable Support: Easily adapts to changing organizational demands, supporting business growth.

In industries such as finance, healthcare, and technology, Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) is implemented to facilitate secure remote work environments. It ensures healthcare data confidentiality, supports financial services' compliance requirements, and maintains secure, consistent connectivity for tech companies' global operations. Organizations rely on its integration capabilities to work alongside firewalls, enhance security measures, and ensure secure access to critical resources, tools vital for productive collaboration and communication.

Cisco

SonicWall Netextender provides affordable and stable VPN connections with a focus on secure access through features like multifactor authentication and integration with Microsoft services, ensuring reliable remote connectivity.

SonicWall Netextender is a robust tool for managing VPN accounts securely while offering remote access integration with Microsoft solutions like Intune. It supports industries such as healthcare, education, and insurance, catering to remote work and hybrid arrangements. Its comprehensive documentation aids in efficient configuring and minimal latency, although it faces challenges with Mac OS support, outdated interfaces, and high bandwidth usage. Enhanced SaaS functionalities and improved support for AI features are sought after improvements.

What are SonicWall Netextender's key features?

Cost-effectiveness: Provides a budget-friendly solution for enterprise VPN connections.
Scalability: Easily adapts to growing organizational needs.
SSL-VPN Encryption: Utilizes advanced encryption for data security.
Microsoft Integration: Seamlessly connects with Microsoft Intune and Identity Management.

What benefits should users look for in reviews?

Remote Access Security: Maintains security with multifactor authentication.
Ease of Use: Detailed documentation facilitates easy setup and management.
High Availability: Supports stable connections with minimal downtime.
Efficiency: Helpful in managing VPN accounts and access control.

SonicWall Netextender is utilized in industries such as healthcare, education, and insurance to enable remote work and access to office resources. Its integration with Microsoft 365 supports file transfers and remote management of hybrid work environments, although some find it costly compared to free options.

SonicWall

Sample Customers

MST, Molina Healthcare, Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, Arup, New South Wales Rural FireService

Information Not Available

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) vs. SonicWall Netextender

September 2026

Free Report: Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) vs. SonicWall Netextender

Find out what your peers are saying about Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) vs. SonicWall Netextender and other solutions. Updated: September 2026.

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