OpenVPN Access Server vs SonicWall SMA comparison

OpenVPN and SonicWall are both solutions in the Enterprise Infrastructure VPN category. OpenVPN is ranked #2 with an average rating of 8.8, while SonicWall is ranked #17 with an average rating of 9.5. OpenVPN holds a 15.4% mindshare in EIV, compared to SonicWall’s 1.4% mindshare. Additionally, 98% of OpenVPN users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 91% of SonicWall users who would recommend it.

OpenVPN Access Server

Read 52 OpenVPN Access Server reviews

7,174 Views
6,815 Comparison Views

98% willing to recommend

SonicWall SMA

Read 15 SonicWall SMA reviews

988 Views
820 Comparison Views

91% willing to recommend

OpenVPN Access Server

SonicWall SMA

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Jul 31, 2025

SonicWall SMA and OpenVPN Access Server Enterprise are competing in the secure remote access category. SonicWall SMA is favored for support and pricing satisfaction, while OpenVPN Access Server Enterprise is preferred for its comprehensive features and cost justification.

Features: SonicWall SMA provides robust security, advanced threat protection, and granular access controls. It enhances security with proprietary technologies like Capture ATP and is cost-effective and scalable. OpenVPN Access Server Enterprise offers scalability, high customization, and is open-source flexible. It supports easy setup and administration across platforms, with features like two-factor authentication and compatibility with Linux.

Room for Improvement: SonicWall SMA could improve by lowering its initial setup costs, enhancing the user interface, and providing more detailed documentation. OpenVPN Access Server Enterprise might focus on improving customer support for enterprise-level users, increasing default security measures, and providing more straightforward integration for complex environments.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: OpenVPN Access Server Enterprise offers a straightforward deployment process with extensive documentation and community support. SonicWall SMA integrates seamlessly into complex network systems, backed by dedicated support services. However, OpenVPN's ease of setup provides a competitive advantage in simpler deployments.

Pricing and ROI: SonicWall SMA involves a higher initial setup cost but delivers a robust ROI through enhanced security and professional support. OpenVPN Access Server Enterprise offers lower upfront costs, appealing to budget-sensitive organizations, with satisfactory ROI through its versatile functionality. SonicWall focuses on long-term value, while OpenVPN's pricing and features present a cost-effective choice.

To learn more, read our detailed OpenVPN Access Server vs. SonicWall SMA Report (Updated: September 2025).

Buyer's Guide

OpenVPN Access Server vs. SonicWall SMA

September 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

OpenVPN Access Server

Ranking in Enterprise Infrastructure VPN

2nd

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

6.1

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

SonicWall SMA

Ranking in Enterprise Infrastructure VPN

17th

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

5.6

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

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

Mindshare comparison

As of October 2025, in the Enterprise Infrastructure VPN category, the mindshare of OpenVPN Access Server is 15.4%, up from 15.0% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of SonicWall SMA is 1.4%, up from 0.9% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Enterprise Infrastructure VPN Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
OpenVPN Access Server	15.4%
SonicWall SMA	1.4%
Other	83.2%

Enterprise Infrastructure VPN

Featured Reviews

Girraj Godia

Devops Engineer at Emergent

Has improved internal app access by allowing secure user onboarding and simplified network whitelisting

The plan for OpenVPN Access Server could be improved. When adding new people, better plans for startups would be beneficial. I'm working in a startup and sometimes people think we should take the enterprise plan or not. If there was a dedicated plan for startups, it would be really helpful. For instance, providing store credit for OpenVPN Access Server through a startup program, similar to YC's program which gives credit to new startups. UI-wise, OpenVPN Access Server is easy to manage, but the overall overview dashboard in the admin portal could be improved. Currently, you have to go through dropdowns to find where to add users or whitelist IPs. Creating an onboarding dashboard where an admin person can find these things easily would be beneficial.

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Mayur_Patel

Chief Commercial Officer at InnovAge Home Care

Easy-to-manage product with efficient features for network security

SonicWall SMA facilitates and protects remote workforce access to corporate resources from any location Enhancing live tracking capabilities could improve the product, particularly in monitoring user activity and request statuses in real-time on the web interface. We have been using SonicWall…

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

"The most valuable thing about OpenVPN Access Server is its ease of use."

"It is open-source and free to use."

"OpenVPN Access Server met that need well."

"It can securely do remote product updates... just as if it was on our LAN."

"The most valuable feature of OpenVPN is that it is open source. I can do anything with the solution, such as change, build, and collect. Additionally, it is safe to use the solution and there are frequent updates."

"The most valuable features of OpenVPN are its ease of use, client familiarity, end-user familiarity, operating system integration, and price points."

"I like that it's easy to use, easy to download, and not hard to manage."

"It is open source and therefore affordable for small projects."

More OpenVPN Access Server pros

"I like the load balancing capability."

"The performance is good."

"I am very satisfied with the technical support."

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

"What I like best about SonicWall SMA is the relationship between its features and its price, because the solution is both affordable and functional."

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

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

"This solution has many options for remote desktop and access."

More SonicWall SMA pros

Cons

"I think right now the GUI part of it is locked out behind the pay wall. It could use something that gives it a very basic, minimal, graphic interface for logging in, for the community version. That would probably be a good step forward."

"I'd like to have more control over the users when they are accessing the network."

"It is not scalable."

"They should make the solution more secure by adding some firewall functionalities."

"You do need expertise in implementation if you do the initial setup yourself."

"The stability of the OpenVPN Access Server has room for improvement."

"The connections could be faster and more stable."

"There could be an easier way to set up the solution. However, if you use the provided information that comes with the solution there should not be a problem."

More OpenVPN Access Server cons

"SonicWall's reporting isn't good. Reports should be part of a data plan. The login mechanism should be improved. It would be helpful if the client could use an agent to log in. An agent-server model would improve the performance of the RDB, which consumes a lot of bandwidth."

"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."

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

"The overall menu is not very user-friendly and it could be easier."

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

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

"The only thing that they could try to improve is the support for enterprise customers. Normally enterprises and SMBs can create a ticket, but for enterprises, SonicWall SMA needs to provide a global view, and this is what's currently missing. It's not even a question of timing. It's a question of the global vision because currently, it's lacking. They concentrate on the topic, but not on the means and not on the global picture. In most cases, there's something wrong with the integration of SonicWall SMA with other products, so that could also be improved."

"The solution could integrate better with other platforms."

More SonicWall SMA cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"OpenVPN Access Server is free and open source."

"The solution was free of charge."

"The product's pricing is good value, definitely. It is one of the best features, I would say. Evaluate the product before seeing which type of licensing is good for you. I think there is a good evaluation method available for OpenVPN, so you can just evaluate if it meets your needs. Then go forward with the right licensing policy."

"It is an open-source solution, so we don't pay for anything."

"Open VPN Access Server is open-source and free of charge."

"Begin with the community version and upgrade to paid one if the need arises."

"The solution is free of cost."

"One of the valuable features of OpenVPN is that it is free for a single user."

More OpenVPN Access Server pricing and cost advice

"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."

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

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

"The platform has medium pricing."

"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."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

17%

Comms Service Provider

11%

University

Educational Organization

Computer Software Company

12%

Comms Service Provider

10%

Manufacturing Company

Retailer

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	31
Midsize Enterprise	7
Large Enterprise	14

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	11
Midsize Enterprise	3
Large Enterprise	2

Questions from the Community

How does Fortinet FortiClient compare with Open VPN Access Server?

Fortinet FortiClient is a feature-rich solution that is easy to use and deploy without sacrificing safety and security. It has a very fast connection rate and has a built-in VPN. With this solution...

See all answers

What do you like most about OpenVPN Access Server?

OpenVPN Access Server is a simple and easy-to-use solution that I can use myself without anybody's help.

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for OpenVPN Access Server?

The setup cost was reasonable.

See all answers

What do you like most about SonicWall SMA?

Blocklisting and allowlisting are the most beneficial features for network security.

See all answers

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

The pricing for the solution could be a lot less.

See all answers

What needs improvement with SonicWall SMA?

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, a...

See all answers

Comparisons

Fortinet FortiClient vs OpenVPN Access Server

Compared 17% of the time

Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway vs OpenVPN Access Server

Compared 8% of the time

Check Point Remote Access VPN vs OpenVPN Access Server

Compared 6% of the time

SonicWall Netextender vs OpenVPN Access Server

Compared 6% of the time

Ivanti Connect Secure vs OpenVPN Access Server

Compared 6% of the time

More OpenVPN Access Server Competitors

SonicWall Netextender vs SonicWall SMA

Compared 21% of the time

Peplink SpeedFusion vs SonicWall SMA

Compared 14% of the time

Citrix Gateway vs SonicWall SMA

Compared 11% of the time

Ivanti Connect Secure vs SonicWall SMA

Compared 10% of the time

Ivanti Secure Access vs SonicWall SMA

Compared 8% of the time

More SonicWall SMA Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

OpenVPN Access Server

October 2025

Download OpenVPN Access Server product report

Buyer's Guide

SonicWall SMA

October 2025

Download SonicWall SMA product report

Also Known As

OpenVPN

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

Overview

OpenVPN Access Server Enterprise provides secure, scalable remote access with strong encryption and cross-platform compatibility, leveraging open-source flexibility for cost-effectiveness. It's ideal for connecting remote workers, maintaining privacy, and securing network communications.

OpenVPN Access Server Enterprise is renowned for its ease of setup and adaptability, supporting Linux and different operating systems, which ensures robust security and seamless integration across network scenarios. With features like two-factor authentication and customizable installers, it emphasizes privacy and remote connectivity. While it offers robust documentation and community support, there are challenges with user management due to the lack of a simple GUI. Users note stability issues under heavy traffic, and improvements in security features and configuration automation are desired. Despite these areas for enhancement, it remains a reliable choice for secure remote access.

What are the key features?

Easy Setup: Hassle-free installation process facilitates quick deployment
Cross-Platform Compatibility: Supports Linux and different operating systems for widespread utility
Strong Encryption: Secures data with advanced encryption technologies
Two-Factor Authentication: Enhances security through additional authentication layer
Customizable Installers: Allows personalized installation process to suit organizational preferences

What benefits and ROI should users seek?

Cost-Effectiveness: Open-source nature reduces licensing costs
User-Friendliness: Comprehensive documentation and community support ease the implementation
Scalability: Adapts to growing connectivity and bandwidth needs
Enhanced Security: Provides secure access to network resources and data

In industries such as finance and healthcare, OpenVPN Access Server Enterprise secures sensitive data while enabling remote access across LANs and VPCs. It's utilized for encrypted traffic protection, facilitating site-to-site VPNs, and connecting mobile workers securely, thus maintaining data integrity in interoffice communications and IoT platforms.

OpenVPN

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.

SonicWall

Sample Customers

Verizon, Amazon, Disney, HP, Microsoft, IBM, Samsung

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

Buyer's Guide

OpenVPN Access Server vs. SonicWall SMA

September 2025

Free Report: OpenVPN Access Server vs. SonicWall SMA

Find out what your peers are saying about OpenVPN Access Server vs. SonicWall SMA and other solutions. Updated: September 2025.

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