F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) vs SonicWall SMA comparison

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F5 Logo
920 views|760 comparisons
85% willing to recommend
SonicWall Logo
332 views|235 comparisons
90% willing to recommend
Comparison Buyer's Guide
Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) and SonicWall SMA based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out in this report how the two SSL VPN solutions compare in terms of features, pricing, service and support, easy of deployment, and ROI.
To learn more, read our detailed F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) vs. SonicWall SMA Report (Updated: March 2024).
768,415 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Featured Review
Quotes From Members
We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use.
Here are some excerpts of what they said:
Pros
"The tool is reliable and easy to configure.""F5 BIG-IP APM is relatively easy to use.""This is a product that is easy to install and integrate, and it is simple to use.""The solution is stable and reliable.""The most valuable feature is the virtual IP creation. It's our most frequently used feature.""In my opinion, the GUI is perfect with the configuration options provided. F5 BIG-IP has given customization options and policy configuration tools in the GUI. It's good and good enough to work.""The product allows us to create customized portals for your users.""We have seen a return on investment from F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager. It provided access at a time when we didn't have it."

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"It is faster than other security options when using remote connections.""The management and the dashboard are the solution's most valuable features.""The most valuable feature of this solution is they have IT consultants that know SonicWall.""I am very satisfied with the technical support.""The solution is reliable and has good overall performance.""I like the load balancing capability.""What I like best about SonicWall SMA is the relationship between its features and its price, because the solution is both affordable and functional.""I think they ask for a fair price."

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Cons
"The operational deployment is not great.""The price of this product can be improved.""The solution’s GUI looks very old.""F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager has room for improvement in integration with other products.""Integrating identity providers and single sign-on solutions can simplify user authentication and access control.""I'd suggest improved documentation integration directly within the GUI. Right now, finding comprehensive documentation often requires going to external websites like the community portal.""The technical support’s response time must be improved.""We do not have knowledgeable support teams locally."

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"User interface could be improved.""The solution could integrate better with other platforms.""Enhancing live tracking capabilities could improve the product, particularly in monitoring user activity and request statuses in real-time on the web interface.""The product itself is very good, but Dell needs to work on product visibility in their advertising.""The timed synchronization between the network appliance needs improvement.""The product's technical support services could be improved.""The problem is that when combined with what the client already has, there are two different logins and two different management systems, and these should be consolidated into a single interface.""This is an expensive solution and I think that the price could be improved."

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Pricing and Cost Advice
  • "Recently, they have simplified the licensing"
  • "The product is very expensive."
  • "The tool is a little bit expensive."
  • More F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) Pricing and Cost Advice →

  • "The cost of the licensing is based on the maximum number of concurrent users, and it costs a lot to add them."
  • "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."
  • "Our licenses are stackable and can be anywhere from five users to a million users."
  • "This solution is priced well and we currently have the maximum number of licenses allowed."
  • "All the costs are included in a bundled license."
  • "The platform has medium pricing."
  • More SonicWall SMA Pricing and Cost Advice →

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    Questions from the Community
    Top Answer:The most valuable feature is the virtual IP creation. It's our most frequently used feature.
    Top Answer:The tool is a little bit expensive. I rate the pricing a six out of ten.
    Top Answer:In my opinion, the GUI side needs some improvement based on my usage. Sometimes, it doesn't work as efficiently as the CLI side. Feature-wise, sometimes when I log in to the GUI and want to see the… more »
    Top Answer:Blocklisting and allowlisting are the most beneficial features for network security.
    Top Answer:Enhancing live tracking capabilities could improve the product, particularly in monitoring user activity and request statuses in real-time on the web interface.
    Ranking
    4th
    out of 14 in SSL VPN
    Views
    920
    Comparisons
    760
    Reviews
    9
    Average Words per Review
    348
    Rating
    8.1
    5th
    out of 14 in SSL VPN
    Views
    332
    Comparisons
    235
    Reviews
    3
    Average Words per Review
    289
    Rating
    8.0
    Comparisons
    Also Known As
    F5 Access Policy Manager
    SonicWall Aventail, SonicWall SMA SSL-VPN, SonicWall Secure Mobile Access
    Learn More
    Overview

    F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) is an access management proxy solution for managing global access to the enterprise networks, cloud providers, applications, and application programming interfaces (APIs). Through a single management interface, BIG-IP APM consolidates remote, mobile, network, virtual, and web access. 

    BIG-IP APM can also serve as a bridge between modern and classic authentication and authorization protocols and methods. For applications which are unable to support modern authentication and authorization protocols, like SAML and OAuth with OIDC, but which do support classic authentication methods, BIG-IP APM converts user credentials to the appropriate authentication standard supported by the application.

    BIG-IP APM Benefits:

    • Ease of use
    • Flexibility
    • Ability to integrate with other systems
    • Security features
    • Granular access control
    • Responsive and helpful support team

    BIG-IP APM Features:

    • Support for Identity Aware Proxy (IAP) enabling Zero Trust application access
    • Context-based authorization with dynamic L4/L7 ACLs
    • Integration with third-party MFA solutions
    • DTLS 2.0 mode for delivering and securing applications
    • SAML 2.0 identity federation support
    • Support for OAuth 2.0 authorization protocol
    • SSO support for classic authentication (Kerberos, header- based, etc.), credential caching, OAuth 2.0, SAML 2.0, and FIDO2 (U2F)
    • AAA server authentication and high-availability
    • Integration with leading IAM vendor products (Microsoft, Okta, Ping Identity)
    • BIG IP Edge Client and F5 Access integrate with VMware Horizon ONE (AirWatch), Microsoft Intune and IBM MaaS360
    • Risk-based access leveraging third-party UEBA and risk engines (HTTP Connector)

    Reviews from Real Users

    Below are some reviews and helpful feedback written by BIG-IP APM users.

    Mahmmoud Rabie, Senior Site Reliability Engineer, writes that BIG-IP APM is "A highly stable solution for load balancing, but the initial setup is complex."

    Clyde LivingstonSenior Process Specialist at Telstra, says that BIG-IP APM is "Easy to use, useful access remotely, but lacking stability."

    Chris LamSenior Solution Consultant at Macroview Telecom Limited, states that BIG-IP APM is "Useful for remote access VPN and VPI integration with VMware.

    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.
    Sample Customers
    City Bank, Ricacorp Properties, Miele, American Systems, Bangladesh Post Office
    UnitedStack, Newport City Homes, Faith Lutheran College Redlands, PRIME aerostructures GmbH, Celtic Manor Resort
    Top Industries
    REVIEWERS
    Comms Service Provider27%
    Media Company18%
    Computer Software Company18%
    Financial Services Firm18%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Financial Services Firm12%
    Computer Software Company12%
    Government11%
    Manufacturing Company8%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company19%
    Construction Company10%
    Comms Service Provider8%
    Government6%
    Company Size
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business46%
    Large Enterprise54%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business17%
    Midsize Enterprise14%
    Large Enterprise69%
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business73%
    Midsize Enterprise13%
    Large Enterprise13%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business43%
    Midsize Enterprise12%
    Large Enterprise45%
    Buyer's Guide
    F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) vs. SonicWall SMA
    March 2024
    Find out what your peers are saying about F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) vs. SonicWall SMA and other solutions. Updated: March 2024.
    768,415 professionals have used our research since 2012.

    F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) is ranked 4th in SSL VPN with 13 reviews while SonicWall SMA is ranked 5th in SSL VPN with 14 reviews. F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) is rated 8.2, while SonicWall SMA is rated 8.2. The top reviewer of F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) writes " Facilitates packet inspection, modification, and offloading and offers visibility and troubleshooting capabilities, allowing for pre-production server testing". On the other hand, the top reviewer of SonicWall SMA writes "It allows us to provide CML-based access to any user, but the reporting could be better". F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) is most compared with Citrix Gateway, CyberArk Privileged Access Manager, Cisco ISE (Identity Services Engine), Microsoft Remote Desktop Services and Ivanti Connect Secure, whereas SonicWall SMA is most compared with Fortinet FortiClient, Cisco SD-WAN, SonicWall Netextender, Peplink SpeedFusion and Check Point Remote Access VPN. See our F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) vs. SonicWall SMA report.

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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.