Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway vs SonicWall SMA comparison

Microsoft and SonicWall are both solutions in the Enterprise Infrastructure VPN category. Microsoft is ranked #4 with an average rating of 8.7, while SonicWall is ranked #16 with an average rating of 9.5. Microsoft holds a 4.8% mindshare in EIV, compared to SonicWall’s 2.4% mindshare. Additionally, 89% of Microsoft users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 91% of SonicWall users who would recommend it.

Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway

Read 27 Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway reviews

3,040 Views
3,010 Comparison Views

89% willing to recommend

SonicWall SMA

Read 15 SonicWall SMA reviews

1,373 Views
1,153 Comparison Views

91% willing to recommend

Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway

SonicWall SMA

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Aug 6, 2024

The comparison between SonicWall SMA and Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway highlights their strengths and weaknesses based on user reviews. SonicWall SMA leads in pricing and support, while Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway stands out for its advanced features, justifying the higher cost.

Features: SonicWall SMA impresses with robust security features, customizable policies, and reliability. Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway is praised for seamless integration with other Azure services, scalability, and performance. Users find Azure's feature set more comprehensive, providing enhanced capability for hybrid cloud environments.

Room for Improvement: SonicWall SMA users suggest enhancements in reporting tools and a more intuitive configuration process. Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway users express concerns about occasional complexities in setup and a need for better documentation. SonicWall SMA could improve its ease of use, while Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway should focus on simplifying setup.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: SonicWall SMA offers a straightforward deployment process with strong customer support. Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway's deployment is more intricate due to advanced features, yet it benefits from Microsoft's extensive support resources. Users value the simplicity and support of SonicWall but appreciate the expansive support network and resources from Microsoft Azure.

Pricing and ROI: SonicWall SMA is noted for its competitive pricing and favorable ROI. Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway, while more costly, delivers strong ROI through its extensive capabilities, especially for enterprises leveraging the broader Azure ecosystem. Users find SonicWall more affordable, but the investment in Azure VPN Gateway is often justified by its powerful features.

To learn more, read our detailed Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway vs. SonicWall SMA Report (Updated: December 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway vs. SonicWall SMA

December 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

Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway

Ranking in Enterprise Infrastructure VPN

4th

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

6.0

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

SonicWall SMA

Ranking in Enterprise Infrastructure VPN

16th

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 February 2026, in the Enterprise Infrastructure VPN category, the mindshare of Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway is 4.8%, down from 6.9% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of SonicWall SMA is 2.4%, up from 1.0% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Enterprise Infrastructure VPN Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway	4.8%
SonicWall SMA	2.4%
Other	92.8%

Enterprise Infrastructure VPN

Featured Reviews

Mano Senaratne

Head of Digital Engineering, Management Consultant at Stax Inc.

Achieve seamless integration and fortified security while benefiting from a comprehensive suite of features

In Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway, there aren't too many areas for improvement, but the configuration part might be a little tricky. It took some time to get things to work, but once figured out, it becomes much easier. The documentation could use some improvement, particularly regarding point-to-site system setup with on-premise systems. Other than that, it's seamless, and you can connect things across regions. Regarding integration with Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway, we use Function Apps to create the integrations and Data Factory. All our data pipelines are written in Python, hosted within an Azure Data Factory or a Function App. This makes configuration easier and allows pipeline monitoring and creating integrations between different systems. We've created multiple integrations between SharePoint and our data warehouse, HubSpot and our data warehouse, and several other tools.

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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.

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 feature is the networking. I didn't have a good experience with the networking that Sophos has."

"I like the stability, HA, and performance of the product."

"The VPN Gateway is valued for its ease of use and redundancy."

"The best feature is the ability to connect from anywhere."

"Security is the first feature in Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway because we don't have to go through the public internet to access things."

"What I like best about Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway is that it's a managed VPN, so it's one of the most powerful VPNs I've ever found. It also provides point-to-site VPNs configurable within a few minutes."

"One of the most valuable features is its support for various protocols, including BGP, which helps in making more secure connections."

"The product has valuable virtual machines, viability options, and enhanced VPN services, enabling the option to use it in different zones."

More Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway pros

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

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

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

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

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

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

"I think they ask for a fair price."

"The performance is good."

More SonicWall SMA pros

Cons

"More configuration options could be included in Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway."

"Their technical support could be better. If you don't have a support contract, it takes longer."

"The connectivity should be faster."

"The monitoring part needs to be improved."

"Considering my past interactions with Microsoft's support team, it is difficult to get the right support unless you find the right person to speak with from the customer support team."

"Microsoft could work on having micro VPNs to integrate with mobile devices."

"The marketing material in the portal is not very user-friendly."

"Microsoft's support is rated at four due to issues such as speed of response and coordination difficulties."

More Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway cons

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

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

"The product's technical support services 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."

"User interface 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 timed synchronization between the network appliance needs improvement."

"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 software has good pricing compared to other vendors."

"I pay the licensing charges associated with the tool on an hourly basis. The tool is affordable."

"It's saved us money compared to getting a third-party appliance."

"Payment for licensing the solution is part of the operating model. So, one needs to keep on paying while consuming the solution. In short, the payment is based on the solution's capacity."

"The cost could be lower."

"Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway is the cheapest way for us to connect to our cloud infrastructure. Other solutions, such as ExpressRoute are very expensive."

"Its price is reasonable for new technology."

"The product costs us $140 to $180 per month."

More Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway pricing and cost advice

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

"The platform has medium pricing."

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

"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."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

12%

Manufacturing Company

Government

Comms Service Provider

Manufacturing Company

12%

Computer Software Company

11%

Comms Service Provider

10%

Retailer

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	13
Midsize Enterprise	2
Large Enterprise	14

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

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway?

The solution is user-friendly.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway?

Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway can be improved in security points with stronger encryption. I do not have additional feedback about needed improvements regarding configuration, support, or documentation.

See all answers

What advice do you have for others considering Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway?

My advice to others looking into using Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway is that if you have a specific use case such as site-to-site VPN, then this is a perfect option for you. I rate Microsoft Azure VP...

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?

See all answers

Comparisons

OpenVPN Access Server vs Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway

Compared 21% of the time

Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) vs Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway

Compared 14% of the time

Fortinet FortiClient vs Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway

Compared 10% of the time

Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks vs Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway

Compared 9% of the time

Citrix Gateway vs Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway

Compared 2% of the time

More Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway 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

Cisco IOS SSL VPN vs SonicWall SMA

Compared 4% of the time

More SonicWall SMA Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway

January 2026

Download Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway product report

Buyer's Guide

SonicWall SMA

January 2026

Download SonicWall SMA product report

Also Known As

MS Azure VPN Gateway

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

Overview

A VPN gateway is a specific type of virtual network gateway that is used to send encrypted traffic between an Azure virtual network and an on-premises location over the public Internet. You can also use a VPN gateway to send encrypted traffic between Azure virtual networks over the Microsoft network. Each virtual network can have only one VPN gateway. However, you can create multiple connections to the same VPN gateway. When you create multiple connections to the same VPN gateway, all VPN tunnels share the available gateway bandwidth.

Microsoft

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

Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway vs. SonicWall SMA

December 2025

Free Report: Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway vs. SonicWall SMA

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