SonicWall Global VPN Client vs SonicWall SMA comparison

SonicWall Global VPN Client and SonicWall SMA are both solutions in the SSL VPN category. SonicWall Global VPN Client is ranked #7 with an average rating of 10.0, while SonicWall SMA is ranked #6 with an average rating of 9.5. SonicWall Global VPN Client holds a 2.6% mindshare in SV, compared to SonicWall SMA’s 7.0% mindshare. Additionally, 100% of SonicWall Global VPN Client users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 91% of SonicWall SMA users who would recommend it.

SonicWall Global VPN Client

Read 3 SonicWall Global VPN Client reviews

227 Views
227 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

SonicWall SMA

Read 15 SonicWall SMA reviews

1,196 Views
419 Comparison Views

91% willing to recommend

SonicWall Global VPN Client

SonicWall SMA

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on May 21, 2025

SonicWall SMA and SonicWall Global VPN Client compete in secure remote access solutions. SonicWall Global VPN Client seems to have the upper hand with its robust features, while SonicWall SMA excels in pricing and support.

Features: SonicWall SMA offers strong access control, management tools, and a unified client-less option. SonicWall Global VPN Client provides comprehensive network security, reliable encryption, and flexibility for remote connections.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: SonicWall SMA simplifies deployment with user-friendly architecture and efficient customer service. SonicWall Global VPN Client allows seamless setup across various platforms, supported by a resource-rich customer service team.

Pricing and ROI: SonicWall SMA offers cost-effective initial setup, providing savings in operational expenses over time. SonicWall Global VPN Client involves a moderate initial investment, offering a higher ROI due to advanced security features.

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

Buyer's Guide

SonicWall Global VPN Client vs. SonicWall SMA

December 2025

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Helped 880,481 peers since 2012

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

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

SonicWall SMA

Ranking in SSL VPN

6th

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

5.6

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Universal Access Gateways (2nd), Enterprise Infrastructure VPN (15th)

Mindshare comparison

As of January 2026, in the SSL VPN category, the mindshare of SonicWall Global VPN Client is 2.6%, up from 0.9% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of SonicWall SMA is 7.0%, up from 4.4% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

SSL VPN Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
SonicWall SMA	7.0%
SonicWall Global VPN Client	2.6%
Other	90.4%

SSL VPN

Featured Reviews

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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Barry Arendt

Owner at ThinkEzIT

Security enhances through autonomous protection and strong support while multi-factor authentication secures access

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, as I haven't been looking at what they're releasing. We're a small shop, so we drop stuff in and manage it and do what we need to do to maintain it. If we run into an issue, we contact support. There's a learning curve, but it comes down to getting support to train you on the product, and then once you have the training you need, you're able to make the changes and updates that you need to.

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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

"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."

"I think they ask for a fair price."

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

"Secure Mobile Access (SMA) is easy to configure and the deployment is straightforward. However, this is mostly because of the AWS setup."

"I am very satisfied with the technical support."

"The solution is reliable and has good overall performance."

"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 advanced threat protection and the endpoint control features of SonicWall SMA have helped improve security measures tremendously."

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

More SonicWall SMA pros

Cons

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

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

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

"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."

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

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

"User interface could be improved."

"The product itself is very good, but Dell needs to work on product visibility in their advertising."

More SonicWall SMA cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"It is a cost-effective product."

"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."

"This solution is priced well and we currently have the maximum number of licenses allowed."

"The platform has medium pricing."

"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."

"Our licenses are stackable and can be anywhere from five users to a million users."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

No data available

Manufacturing Company

12%

Computer Software Company

11%

Comms Service Provider

Retailer

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

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

Questions from the Community

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 ...

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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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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?

See all answers

Comparisons

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Compared 100% of the time

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Ivanti Connect Secure vs SonicWall SMA

Compared 9% of the time

Sangfor SSL VPN vs SonicWall SMA

Compared 9% of the time

OpenVPN Access Server vs SonicWall SMA

Compared 9% of the time

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

SSL VPN

January 2026

Download SonicWall Global VPN Client product report

Buyer's Guide

SonicWall SMA

December 2025

Download SonicWall SMA product report

Also Known As

No data available

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

Overview

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

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

Information Not Available

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

Buyer's Guide

SonicWall Global VPN Client vs. SonicWall SMA

December 2025

Free Report: SonicWall Global VPN Client vs. SonicWall SMA

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