Citrix SD-WAN [EOL] vs SteelConnect EX Enterprise SD-WAN comparison

Citrix and Riverbed are both solutions in the Software Defined WAN (SD-WAN) Solutions category. Additionally, 90% of Citrix users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 50% of Riverbed users who would recommend it.

Citrix SD-WAN [EOL]

Read 22 Citrix SD-WAN [EOL] reviews

90% willing to recommend

SteelConnect EX Enterprise ...

Read 1 SteelConnect EX Enterprise SD-WAN review

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703 Comparison Views

50% willing to recommend

Citrix SD-WAN [EOL]

SteelConnect EX Enterprise ...

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Oct 12, 2025

Citrix SD-WAN [EOL] and SteelConnect EX Enterprise SD-WAN compete in the SD-WAN space. SteelConnect EX has a compelling edge due to robust features.

Features: Citrix SD-WAN [EOL] offers simplified management, reliability in traffic management, and network acceleration. SteelConnect EX Enterprise SD-WAN provides comprehensive analytics, application optimization, and enhanced security features, standing out with integrated application intelligence for superior performance.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: SteelConnect EX Enterprise SD-WAN has a streamlined deployment model with quick integration and responsive service. Citrix SD-WAN [EOL] has a more complex deployment process that can require detailed setup and support.

Pricing and ROI: Citrix SD-WAN [EOL] is favored for cost-effectiveness, attractive pricing, and satisfactory ROI. SteelConnect EX Enterprise SD-WAN requires a higher initial investment but offers better ROI through enhanced capabilities and network efficiencies, providing long-term value.

To learn more, read our detailed Software Defined WAN (SD-WAN) Solutions Report (Updated: May 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Software Defined WAN (SD-WAN) Solutions

May 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

Citrix SD-WAN [EOL]

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

7.4

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

SteelConnect EX Enterprise ...

Average Rating

7.0

Reviews Sentiment

5.7

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Software Defined WAN (SD-WAN) Solutions (24th), WAN Edge (21st)

Featured Reviews

Rohit Ghorpade

Cloud Network Engineer at a insurance company with 5,001-10,000 employees

A scalable solution for MCN controller but lacks technical supports, upgrades

There are a few things that can be improved, are domain-based routing and the slowness of virtual parts, and it may be due to the wrong configuration, which we have been unable to find out. Previously, we faced some issues with the slowness part. Apart from that, feature like end gateway level antivirus. We are currently using a NetFlow proxy to establish a virtual position for the NetFlow. Our current environment has many use cases, but we are not using them on the Citrix SD-WAN. When I navigate the NCL part, it involves configuration. I want to highlight this disadvantage. Sometimes, when we push the configuration, it tries to push it to all branch locations. This process takes a lot of time, nearly 30 minutes, to push a single change from the NCL. Overall, I don't think Citrix meets our use cases what we have. This is based on my feedback after using it for the past year and working on this Citrix SD-WAN. However, from my experience, it is the worst solution I have seen. There's no domain-based routing, which is horrible. That's why we are moving to other products. We have checked our use case requirements with Fortinet, Palo Alto, and they meet them. I will consider the PoC or another OEM. There are many things in the area you need to be prompt, like the automation part. If any link or device goes down, alerting notification, etc. We need to perform and highlight so many things to your management. This should be improved.

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Jason Best

Data center network architect at Cloudwire

Analytics feature is very granular and comprehensive, although complicated to use

It's like an SD-WAN project basically. You really need to make sure that the product matches the needs of what the customer's trying to achieve and their overall strategy to meet their core business requirements. I think a certain customer made a mistake in choosing this solution because a large part of their network was Cisco and they had firewalls that were from Fortinet. I think they would have been better off and it would have been better from a CAPEX, OPEX point of view. It would've been more advantageous for them to have maybe chosen a Cisco or Fortinet solution based on their existing environment. Make sure you understand your network correctly before you try to implement any SD-WAN solution. That was one of the good lessons I learned about SD-WANs with this specific product. I wouldn't say it was a fault of the product. I would say it's more a fault of the CTO who tries to do things quickly without taking into account the existing environment or give the internal faculties the time to provide real low-level design implementation. It was more of a management mistake than from their technical team. In the next release, I would like to see things like integrated security but with local internet breakout instead of using third party solutions like NetScaler or Palo Alto. I would also like to see the integration of things like a VPN so that if you have remote sites where you might have remote workers that need to access the site from home or something, there's a VPN solution. Those are two key features and hotspots in the sort of global crisis. I would rate Riverbed a seven out of ten. I could never give any solution a 10 cause they all have good and bad points. To get any solution to a ten is pretty much impossible. If I was to rate it against others like Fortinet, I would probably give Fortinet an eight or nine. Again, I think you have to be careful because it's very subjective. I think it really depends on the type of environment, the type of customer you're deploying the SD-WAN solution for, and from which perspective you're looking at like if you an operator, if you're a large enterprise, if you're looking for a plug and play type solution. If you're looking for more of a security solution, I would go for Fortinet. It's kind of tough to say. I'd probably put the clouds a little bit ahead of the game because it does what it's supposed to do and easily. It's a little more of a plug and play type solution. Fortinet, for example, is more complex. I put it in a close second place, it's better from a security perspective. It has integration with FortiGuard. After that, I would put Riverbed in third place.

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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

"We are using it widely for the local record for SaaS-based applications. Another valuable feature is a local breakout."

"The functionality of Citrix SD-WAN is awesome and I fell in love with it on this deployment because it's so easy to use."

"The reliability of connectivity is most valuable."

"The most valuable feature is security, as it gives me the port bindings that cannot be accomplished using other solutions."

"The solution is brilliant, the way it calculates its paths and trails is great."

"This is a good product and I recommend it."

"The most valuable feature of Citrix SD-WAN is customization. You are able to customize the solution to your needs."

"It allows us to use additional VPNs, offering more options compared to other VPN solutions."

More Citrix SD-WAN [EOL] pros

"The analytics is the most valuable feature because it was very granular and very comprehensive, although a little complicated to use."

"The analytics is the most valuable feature because it was very granular and very comprehensive, although a little complicated to use. If you're really interested in knowing what's happening on your network, it's a very good solution. That was the .NET Profiler part of the solution."

Cons

"Given that Citrix SD-WAN solved all our problems by providing us with everything we needed to unify communications with our branches and data centers, I cannot suggest anything further in terms of improvements."

"I would like to see support for additional reporting."

"I would like to either see the price reduced or have it packaged with other products to give better value for the money."

"The only improvement for Citrix SD-WAN would be to lower its cost."

"The reports need to be improved. We need to have them customized but they don't have that right now."

"Overall, network security and next-generation firewall features are areas that they can improve on."

"Citrix should continue to offer a perpetual licensing model because it is very important to us."

"The solution's licensing model could be improved."

More Citrix SD-WAN [EOL] cons

"The routing scalability needs improvement. We have run into a lot of limitations and also primarily from a routing perspective, things like RSPs line support."

"The routing scalability needs improvement. We have run into a lot of limitations and also primarily from a routine perspective, things like RSPs line support. It was supportive but not really supportive."

Pricing and Cost Advice

"It depends on the scale. In our case, it would have been better if we had known about the life cycling steps, but otherwise, it is worth the money."

"I'm not quite sure of the price ranges. Roughly, the hidden devices can scale up to $20K for one appliance. However, the branch CPs are USD $1,000 to $2,500."

"The license was a one-time purchase. It's expensive."

"It is a bit expensive. A cheaper product would be good, but everybody likes things to be cheaper. We bought the devices up front, and then we pay for the annual support."

"I believe that Citrix SD-WAN is a good investment, but I do not have the information to be more specific."

"The price is relatively expensive."

"It would be helpful to have a demo license available for customers who want to prove the concept and conduct a proof of concept (POC) before committing to the solution. This is particularly important for customers in Egypt who often require a demonstration of the solution's features and compatibility with their needs before making any investment or incurring costs. Providing a demo license would allow customers to assess whether the solution would meet their needs or not."

"Citrix SD-WAN is quite an affordable product."

More Citrix SD-WAN [EOL] pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Construction Company

12%

Manufacturing Company

Computer Software Company

Marketing Services Firm

No data available

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	7
Midsize Enterprise	5
Large Enterprise	10

No data available

Questions from the Community

What needs improvement with Citrix SD-WAN?

The solution's licensing model could be improved. Citrix SD-WAN is a good product from a technical point of view. However, when you compare its licensing with the prices of competitors, you will se...

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What advice do you have for others considering Citrix SD-WAN?

If a customer already has Citrix NetScaler and is not looking to change anything in their existing environment, we proceed with Citrix SD-WAN. However, if a customer is looking for a change because...

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Comparisons

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Compared 17% of the time

Prisma SD-WAN vs Citrix SD-WAN [EOL]

Compared 16% of the time

Forcepoint Next Generation Firewall vs Citrix SD-WAN [EOL]

Compared 10% of the time

Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN vs Citrix SD-WAN [EOL]

Compared 7% of the time

Fortinet FortiGate vs Citrix SD-WAN [EOL]

Compared 7% of the time

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VMware VeloCloud SD-WAN vs SteelConnect EX Enterprise SD-WAN

Compared 25% of the time

Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN vs SteelConnect EX Enterprise SD-WAN

Compared 25% of the time

Teldat SD-WAN vs SteelConnect EX Enterprise SD-WAN

Compared 14% of the time

Steelhead vs SteelConnect EX Enterprise SD-WAN

Compared 11% of the time

Barracuda CloudGen Firewall vs SteelConnect EX Enterprise SD-WAN

Compared 7% of the time

More SteelConnect EX Enterprise SD-WAN Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Citrix SD-WAN [EOL]

May 2026

Download Citrix SD-WAN [EOL] product report

Buyer's Guide

Software Defined WAN (SD-WAN) Solutions

May 2026

SteelConnect EX Enterprise SD-WAN report

Download SteelConnect EX Enterprise SD-WAN product report

Also Known As

Citrix CloudBridge, WOC, NetScaler SD-WAN

SteelConnect, Riverbed SteelConnect

Overview

Citrix SD-WAN [EOL] enhances connectivity and performance by optimizing bandwidth utilization, ensuring reliable communication across branch offices and headquarter data centers. It offers centralized management, efficient deployment options, and improved network reliability.

Citrix SD-WAN [EOL] is designed for businesses seeking enhanced connectivity solutions that boost application performance while reducing costs. With HDX WAN Optimization and reliable Active-Active connectivity, it assures improved bandwidth management. Tailored for both cloud and on-premise deployments, it supports fast communication and seamless integration, making it user-friendly even for those with limited technical expertise. Security features and zero-touch deployments further enhance its appeal. However, users highlight areas needing improvement, such as configuration intuitiveness, pricing alignment for specific markets, and stability. Enhanced reporting, networking features, and technical support are desired. Integration with Windows, security elements like firewalls, and licensing clarity require attention to meet user expectations.

What are the key features of Citrix SD-WAN [EOL]?

HDX WAN Optimization: Enhances application performance and traffic.
Load Balancing: Ensures efficient traffic distribution across networks.
Reliable Connectivity: Provides seamless failover and reduced costs through MPLS replacement.
Cloud Management: Simplifies deployment and management via the cloud.
Zero-Touch Deployment: Facilitates easy setup and provisioning.
Active-Active Lines: Optimizes bandwidth utilization and performance.
Backup Capabilities: Centralizes data management for security.

What benefits should users look for in Citrix SD-WAN [EOL]?

Enhanced Connectivity: Improves stability and reduces downtime.
Cost Reduction: Efficiently decreases expenses by replacing MPLS.
Network Optimization: Offers better bandwidth for diverse communication types.
Secure Interconnectivity: Ensures secure and reliable network connections.
Management Flexibility: Supports cloud or on-premise deployment options.

Industries benefit from Citrix SD-WAN [EOL] by leveraging its features to ensure stable, redundant connectivity between branches and data centers. Organizations experiencing frequent line failures or high reliance on bandwidth-heavy applications find it particularly useful. It caters to sectors needing reliable data management and enhanced networking.

Citrix

SteelConnect EX Enterprise SD-WAN provides advanced network management, ensuring seamless connectivity and enhanced performance for businesses seeking a reliable SD-WAN solution.

SteelConnect EX Enterprise SD-WAN is tailored for enterprises looking to streamline their network architecture. Designed to deliver robust connectivity, it offers optimized traffic management and comprehensive security features. Businesses appreciate its scalable architecture that accommodates dynamic workloads while maintaining network integrity, making it a valuable asset for boosting efficiency and reducing latency.

What are the essential features of SteelConnect EX Enterprise SD-WAN?

Intelligent Path Control: Ensures optimal routing paths for critical applications.
Advanced Security Protocols: Protects data across all network layers.
Scalable Deployment Options: Supports diverse network sizes and requirements.
Integrated Management Dashboard: Facilitates easy monitoring and configuration.

What benefits and ROI should users expect?

Operational Efficiency: Streamlines IT operations, reducing manual tasks.
Cost Savings: Decreases expenses by optimizing bandwidth usage.
Enhanced Performance: Improves application response times and user experience.
Robust Security: Minimizes network vulnerabilities and threats.

In sectors such as healthcare, finance, and retail, SteelConnect EX Enterprise SD-WAN is implemented to meet complex networking needs. Healthcare networks utilize its robust security features to protect sensitive data, while financial institutions benefit from improved latency and reliability. Retail industries leverage its scalability to ensure consistent connectivity across numerous locations.

Riverbed

Sample Customers

AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Cornerstone Home Lending Inc., Dallara, ecVision, Essar, Eurofred, Groupe Promutuel, HMSHost Corporation, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines Ltd, Royal Caribbean International

Roxtec, Software Solutions Company, Rignet

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May 2026

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