Barracuda SSL VPN[EOL] vs SonicWall SMA comparison

Barracuda Networks and SonicWall are both solutions in the SSL VPN category. Additionally, 100% of Barracuda Networks users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 91% of SonicWall users who would recommend it.

Barracuda SSL VPN[EOL]

Read 4 Barracuda SSL VPN[EOL] reviews

100% willing to recommend

SonicWall SMA

Read 15 SonicWall SMA reviews

1,373 Views
535 Comparison Views

91% willing to recommend

Barracuda SSL VPN[EOL]

SonicWall SMA

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Jan 19, 2026

SonicWall SMA and Barracuda SSL VPN[EOL] compete in the secure remote access solutions market. SonicWall SMA is more favorable in terms of pricing and customer support, whereas Barracuda SSL VPN[EOL] leads with its advanced features and perceived value.

Features: SonicWall SMA is noted for its robust security mechanisms, scalability, and advanced threat protection. It provides cost-effective and highly available services that can expand across multiple devices. Barracuda SSL VPN[EOL] is recognized for seamless integration capabilities, comprehensive access controls, and flexibility in deployment options.

Room for Improvement: SonicWall SMA could enhance its user interface for improved navigation and reduce false positives in threat detection. There is also room for improvement in integrating with more third-party applications. Barracuda SSL VPN[EOL] could simplify its configuration process and enhance its documentation for clarity. Additionally, its user interface could benefit from a more intuitive design.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: SonicWall SMA is praised for its straightforward deployment and effective customer support which positively impacts the user experience. Barracuda SSL VPN[EOL] has a slightly more complex setup but benefits from comprehensive documentation and reliable support.

Pricing and ROI: SonicWall SMA offers competitive setup costs, resulting in a strong ROI due to its pricing model. Barracuda SSL VPN[EOL] is considered pricier, but its feature set is viewed as justifying its long-term value. SonicWall's approach is budget-friendly, while Barracuda invests in premium functionalities offering higher perceived value for investment.

To learn more, read our detailed SSL VPN Report (Updated: January 2026).

Buyer's Guide

SSL VPN

January 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

Barracuda SSL VPN[EOL]

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

7.5

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

SonicWall SMA

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

5.6

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Universal Access Gateways (2nd), SSL VPN (6th), Enterprise Infrastructure VPN (16th)

Featured Reviews

Ikh-Erdene Namsrai

Senior System Administrator at Mongolian Mining Corporation

Provides good scalability and has a simple setup process

We use Barracuda SSL VPN for network connection The product is easy to connect. There could be more security features included in the product. We are the latest version of Barracuda SSL VPN. I rate Barracuda SSL VPN's stability an eight or nine out of ten. We have 30-40 Barracuda SSL VPN…

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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

"The product is easy to connect."

"It's a stand alone system that functions well."

"The setup is straightforward and hassle-free."

"The most valuable feature would be that you can actually narrow down your session to one application on one server, which is really nice."

"SonicWall SMA has the most valuable feature of proprietary security technologies like Capture ATP."

"I like the load balancing capability."

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

"The performance is good."

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

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

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

"It is faster than other security options when using remote connections."

More SonicWall SMA pros

Cons

"Barracuda should find other ways to stir up interest about this product."

"There could be more security features included in the product."

"Since it's not going to be getting any more software updates as per the end of this year, we have to move off to a different product.."

"Reporting could be improved."

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

"The solution has 2FA, it will generate a token and send it to an email, but multifactor authentication is not available. I would suggest that there should be MFA integration and provided with the appliance."

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

"The solution could integrate better with other platforms."

"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."

"SonicWall SMA is difficult to use and it does not provide easy access to different parts of the network."

More SonicWall SMA cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The product is affordable and reasonably priced so it would make a lot of sense for people to use it long-term."

"Barracuda SSL VPN is inexpensive."

"The platform has medium pricing."

"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."

"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."

"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

Computer Software Company

20%

Comms Service Provider

11%

Educational Organization

10%

Performing Arts

10%

Manufacturing Company

12%

Computer Software Company

11%

Comms Service Provider

10%

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

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What do you like most about SonicWall SMA?

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

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

The pricing for the solution could be a lot less.

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What needs improvement with SonicWall SMA?

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Comparisons

OpenVPN Access Server vs Barracuda SSL VPN[EOL]

Compared 29% of the time

Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) vs Barracuda SSL VPN[EOL]

Compared 18% of the time

Ivanti Connect Secure vs Barracuda SSL VPN[EOL]

Compared 12% of the time

Fortinet FortiClient vs Barracuda SSL VPN[EOL]

Compared 12% of the time

Check Point Remote Access VPN vs Barracuda SSL VPN[EOL]

Compared 6% of the time

More Barracuda SSL VPN[EOL] Competitors

Citrix Gateway vs SonicWall SMA

Compared 13% of the time

Ivanti Connect Secure vs SonicWall SMA

Compared 11% of the time

SonicWall Netextender vs SonicWall SMA

Compared 11% of the time

Sangfor SSL VPN vs SonicWall SMA

Compared 11% of the time

OpenVPN Access Server vs SonicWall SMA

Compared 11% of the time

More SonicWall SMA Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

SSL VPN

January 2026

Download Barracuda SSL VPN[EOL] product report

Buyer's Guide

SonicWall SMA

January 2026

Download SonicWall SMA product report

Also Known As

No data available

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

Overview

Barracuda SSL VPN[EOL] is known for its standalone configuration and stable performance, setting it apart from competitors like Cisco. It offers easy setup and a user-friendly connection process, making it a favored choice for organizations seeking cost-effective long-term solutions.

The primary function of Barracuda SSL VPN[EOL] is to facilitate remote access to network resources. It stands out due to its ability to limit sessions to a single application on a server, with additional usage as a Web Application Firewall. Users highlight its ease of use, reasonable pricing, and long-term cost savings. The system allows IT staff secure access to address front-end issues and maintain systems efficiently. However, reporting capabilities need improvement, and a lack of updates signals the need to transition to alternatives. Enhancing security features and supporting local distributors for better user education in competitive markets are also noted areas for growth.

What are the key features of Barracuda SSL VPN[EOL]?

Standalone Configuration: Operates independently for ease of use and stable performance.
Single Application Sessions: Ability to narrow connections to individual applications on a server.
Remote Access: Facilitates secure access to network resources for users.
Web Application Firewall: Provides protection for web applications, maintaining network security.

What benefits and ROI should users look for?

Cost-Effectiveness: Provides long-term savings due to reasonable pricing and maintenance costs.
User Satisfaction: Clients report a straightforward connection process leading to contented usage.
Ease of Setup: Simplified installation process reduces initial deployment time and effort.

Barracuda SSL VPN[EOL] is implemented across industries to manage remote access needs and secure network connections. Companies use it to establish security protocols, limiting access and enhancing resilience against unauthorized activity. In competitive markets, focus on distributor education supports better user adoption and satisfaction.

Barracuda Networks

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

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