A10 Networks Lightning ADC vs NetScaler comparison

A10 Networks Lightning ADC

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Dec 17, 2024

NetScaler and A10 Networks Lightning ADC are competing in the application delivery controller market. A10 Networks Lightning ADC holds an advantage with its cloud-native architecture, offering superior scalability and integration.

Features: NetScaler provides application performance optimization, load balancing, and security which are beneficial for complex IT environments. A10 Networks Lightning ADC is notable for its cloud-native design, integrated security functions, and high scalability. The focus on cloud integration distinguishes A10 Networks, especially for cloud-driven businesses.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: NetScaler's deployment is direct, supported by solid customer support aiding initial setups. A10 Networks Lightning ADC offers an intuitive cloud-native deployment model, shortening onboarding times. While both have reliable customer service, NetScaler's is slightly more recognized for responsiveness.

Pricing and ROI: NetScaler's pricing model offers long-term value, making it cost-effective across different deployment sizes. A10 Networks Lightning ADC, though possibly costlier initially, provides value for cloud-native environments with enhanced scalability and performance, ensuring higher ROI for cloud-focused organizations.

To learn more, read our detailed A10 Networks Lightning ADC vs. NetScaler Report (Updated: June 2025).

A10 Networks Lightning ADC vs. NetScaler

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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

A10 Networks Lightning ADC

Ranking in Application Delivery Controllers (ADC)

17th

Average Rating

7.0

Reviews Sentiment

6.3

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

NetScaler

Ranking in Application Delivery Controllers (ADC)

1st

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

7.0

Number of Reviews

107

Ranking in other categories

Network Management Applications (5th), Web Application Firewall (WAF) (14th)

Mindshare comparison

As of July 2025, in the Application Delivery Controllers (ADC) category, the mindshare of A10 Networks Lightning ADC is 0.5%, up from 0.3% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of NetScaler is 14.6%, down from 16.3% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Application Delivery Controllers (ADC)

Featured Reviews

RONALDO DE MELO

Sales Account Executive at l8

Efficient application security while optimizing connections

The initial setup is simple; it is not complex. The configuration itself is simple and can be done in a couple of hours. However, the migration of the system to A10 Networks takes longer due to critical applications. Clients prefer to move them one by one, which is why it takes a significant amount of time. The configuration itself is simple, especially for this application.

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DEMİRHAN ÇAVUŞOĞLU

Cloud Consultant at Migros Ticaret A.Ş.

A tool for centralized management including inventory and sales tracking

Citrix ADM has the ability to implement policies to tighten security. For instance, you can restrict access to your network from outsiders or lack necessary security measures such as antivirus programs. Additionally, there's the Delivery Controller, which allows for comprehensive monitoring and management tasks such as remote restarts, maintenance, and registration. Another essential component is the Director, which provides detailed insights into sessions, including identifying session failures, connection issues, user lockouts, etc. It presents a list of problems to address, enabling you to click on them and resolve them efficiently.

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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

"Our clients appreciate that this is a security enabled solution."

"What I like about Lightning ADC, is that instead of having a big appliance sitting in front of the Kubernetes cluster, Lightning can pretty much go inside of Kubernetes."

"It allows you to secure the application while balancing the connections for many other customers, reducing CPU usage and server load."

"The solution is very stable. We don't have any downtime or issues of that nature."

"It has helped us to increase the resiliency of the application and the performance."

"The feature that I have found most valuable is its load balancing."

"I like app flows and custom flows. They integrate with multiple flows."

"Compared to other solutions, Citrix ADC is much more robust in terms of the native integration to cloud platforms. It is far more robust from an operational point of view as well."

"The program is easy to install and to set up."

"The solution improves security performance."

"The web application firewalling component is a powerful feature."

More NetScaler pros

Cons

"The support from A10 should be improved."

"A10 documentation is not as open and accessible as AWS and Azure documentation is."

"We would like to see some improvement in the rapidity with which we can customize security facts within the solution."

"Currently, it is not easy to use the configuration capabilities of the product."

"Citrix should improve the documentation. It is not really clear how to set up many features to our advantage. When we setup Citrix NetScaler ADC, we have to figure it out by ourselves without a lot of documentation."

"Should offer more flexible cost-effective licensing for small to medium sized organizations."

"The solution should be able to scale more effectively than it does."

"Their upgrades are not very backward compatible, and sometimes they mess up."

"The setup for Citrix NetScaler has room for improvement. It could be easier."

"Reducing the overhead required for AppFlow data collection, specifically for HDX Insight, would be a huge improvement."

"The technical support could be better. Whenever I contacted support, I rarely got the solution that we needed. And most of the time, I finished fixing the problem by looking on the internet or by finding documents about the problem on Google."

More NetScaler cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

Information not available

"I do not have any experience with the pricing of the product."

"This product is more expensive than some of the competitors."

"The licensing costs for this solution vary depending on which model is being used."

"The pricing for Citrix Web App and API Protection is unreasonable. I don't know the exact price, but I heard it's tens of thousands and it's a bit too much for the small country I live in."

"Ninety day free trial makes it easy to try out this solution."

"The license for Citrix NetScaler is on an annual basis and it is reasonably priced."

"It all depends on the features that will be used and the number of accesses."

"For partners, NetScaler is not as expensive price-wise versus F5."

More NetScaler pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

No data available

Computer Software Company

15%

Financial Services Firm

11%

Government

Manufacturing Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

Questions from the Community

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What do you like most about Citrix ADC?

The most valuable feature for us is the application firewalling in Citrix NetScaler, ensuring only valid traffic enters our environment.

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Citrix ADC?

After deployment, Citrix Netscaler shifted to a subscription-based license scheme for support, which is slightly more expensive.

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What needs improvement with Citrix ADC?

Citrix NetScaler is a robust product, but mastering it requires significant learning and training due to its complexity. While it could be easier to manage, it is like transitioning from driving a ...

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Product Reports

Application Delivery Controllers (ADC)

Download A10 Networks Lightning ADC product report

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Also Known As

Lightning ADS

Citrix ADC, Citrix NetScaler VPX, NetScaler Console, NetScaler Web Application Firewall

Overview

A cloud-native, software-defined solution that provides integrated advanced load-balancing, performance optimization, application security and per-application analytics to increase operational agility and application performance.

A10 Networks

One platform for a consistent application delivery and security experience because nobody has time to learn multiple systems to manage ADC deployments. NetScaler is built with a single code base using a software-based architecture, so no matter which ADC form factor you choose — hardware, virtual machine, bare metal, or container — the behavior will be the same.

Sample Customers

Handle Financial

ABB Schweiz, Aer Lingus, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Amnet Technology Solutions, Aramex International, Ascenty, Atos, Autodesk

A10 Networks Lightning ADC vs. NetScaler