Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway vs SonicWall SMA comparison

Microsoft and SonicWall are both solutions in the Enterprise Infrastructure VPN category. Microsoft is ranked #8 with an average rating of 8.7, while SonicWall is ranked #16 with an average rating of 9.0. Microsoft holds a 3.8% mindshare in EIV, compared to SonicWall’s 2.7% mindshare. Additionally, 90% of Microsoft users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 91% of SonicWall users who would recommend it.

Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway

Read 28 Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway reviews

3,480 Views
3,445 Comparison Views

90% willing to recommend

SonicWall SMA

Read 15 SonicWall SMA reviews

2,341 Views
2,013 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: June 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway vs. SonicWall SMA

June 2026

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Helped 900,747 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

Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway

Ranking in Enterprise Infrastructure VPN

8th

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

6.4

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

SonicWall SMA

Ranking in Enterprise Infrastructure VPN

16th

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

5.6

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

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

Mindshare comparison

As of June 2026, in the Enterprise Infrastructure VPN category, the mindshare of Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway is 3.8%, down from 6.6% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of SonicWall SMA is 2.7%, up from 1.2% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Enterprise Infrastructure VPN Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway	3.8%
SonicWall SMA	2.7%
Other	93.5%

Enterprise Infrastructure VPN

Featured Reviews

Srinivas A

Director- Head of DevOps, security, and Complaince at Rightdata

Secure data links from on-premise sources have enabled private access to client databases

The best feature of Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway is its sophisticated security mechanism for transmitting data between on-premise to Azure or Azure to Azure. The process of building the VPN gateway is user-friendly, making it easy to configure. Additionally, it supports various options to establish connections between on-premise to Azure or other sources to targets. Using pfSense as a firewall and VPN at our on-premise allows us to establish connections between Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway and our on-premise pfSense VPN easily. This streamlined connection process occurs within a few steps. Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway has positively impacted our organization because it is core to our system and crucial for establishing private connections to our customer's data sources. Their databases lie in a private network with no communication with the outside world. Our customers trust Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway, and by extension, trust us because of this efficient networking establishment process.

Read full review

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

"I rate the product ten out of ten."

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

"The performance is good."

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

"The solution is user-friendly."

"All of our offices are using Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway. The solution is scalable."

"It works perfectly for me. It is very user-friendly in terms of the configuration and the setup process."

"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."

More Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway pros

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

"I think they ask for a fair price."

"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 SonicWall SSL-VPN solution offers the best protection with the least effect on services."

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

"These are very nice appliances and they give us all that we need for our work in the hospital."

"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."

More SonicWall SMA pros

Cons

"The stability could be improved."

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

"In the next release, Microsoft should add an option to schedule upgrades."

"Regarding pricing for Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway, it could be more cost-effective."

"My advice is to only use it if absolutely necessary. If you have the option, don't."

"I would like to see improvements in the deployment process as I faced challenges."

"The instructions should have been more accessible and less time-consuming to find the best solution tailored for the customer."

"The price of the solution should be more affordable"

More Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway cons

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

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

"The 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."

"This solution is very slow, and the competitors have much higher speeds."

"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 timed synchronization between the network appliance needs improvement."

"The product's technical support services could be improved."

More SonicWall SMA cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The costs are quite high."

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

"The software has good pricing compared to other vendors."

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

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

"The solution is subscription-based and very cheap."

"Its price is reasonable for new technology."

"The cost could be lower."

More Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway pricing and cost advice

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

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

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

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

"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

Comms Service Provider

10%

Computer Software Company

Construction Company

Manufacturing Company

15%

Financial Services Firm

10%

Comms Service Provider

10%

Computer Software Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

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

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	12
Midsize Enterprise	2
Large Enterprise	2

Questions from the Community

What needs improvement with Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway?

The logging mechanism could use improvement. More detailed logging would help in troubleshooting any failures during connection establishment or monitoring Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway. Otherwise, e...

See all answers

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

For those considering using Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway, read the documentation thoroughly. Create an Excel sheet outlining tasks for both the source and target sides, especially when establishing ...

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway?

Our main use case for Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway is to connect to the data sources of our clients. We establish the VPN gateway between our SaaS platform and their on-premise environment to connec...

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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.

See all answers

What needs improvement with SonicWall SMA?

See all answers

What is your primary use case for SonicWall SMA?

I have experience with the SonicWall SMA; we have rolled it back into our stack. We use SonicWall SMA for all of our clients that need VPNs, including doctor's offices and lawyer offices. Our clien...

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 10% of the time

Fortinet FortiClient vs Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway

Compared 7% of the time

Tailscale vs Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway

Compared 7% of the time

SonicWall Netextender vs Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway

Compared 3% of the time

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OpenVPN Access Server vs SonicWall SMA

Compared 14% of the time

Citrix Gateway vs SonicWall SMA

Compared 13% of the time

Ivanti Connect Secure vs SonicWall SMA

Compared 11% of the time

Sangfor SSL VPN vs SonicWall SMA

Compared 11% of the time

Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks vs SonicWall SMA

Compared 3% of the time

More SonicWall SMA Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway

June 2026

Download Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway product report

Buyer's Guide

SonicWall SMA

May 2026

Download SonicWall SMA product report

Also Known As

MS Azure VPN Gateway

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

Overview

Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway enables secure cloud connectivity through scalable and reliable VPN solutions. It provides seamless integration with Microsoft's tools, ensuring high performance, availability, and security for businesses needing secure hybrid networking.

Leveraging Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway, businesses benefit from secure site-to-site connections between on-premise networks and Azure cloud environments. It supports high availability and robust encryption for secure data management. Azure's advanced security measures, including IPSec, ensure safe data transmission. The service is designed for scalability, user-friendliness, and effective workload management across SKUs, enhancing its value for enterprises seeking efficient cloud networking.

What are the key features of Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway?

Cloud Accessibility: Ensures seamless connectivity to Azure environments.
High Availability: Provides reliable network performance.
Security and Encryption: Uses IPSec for secure connections.
BGP Protocol Support: Facilitates dynamic routing.
Integration: Compatible with Microsoft's monitoring and management tools.
Redundancy: Offers backup for uninterrupted service.
Flexibility: Manages workloads across SKUs and locations effectively.

What benefits and ROI should users consider?

Cost-Effectiveness: Reduces the need for physical hardware.
Network Security: Protects data with innovative security features.
Scalability: Adapts to growing business needs.
Ease of Use: Streamlines management and monitoring processes.
Seamless Integration: Works well with existing Microsoft infrastructure.

Organizations across industries implement Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway to create secure connections for CRM, ERP databases, and financial systems. It is vital for hybrid networking, linking data centers to cloud resources, and enabling remote user VPN profiles for secure management of virtual network infrastructures.

Microsoft

SonicWall SMA provides fast and secure remote access, serving remote desktop needs with flexibility and ease of management. Its proprietary technologies assure reliable performance and integration capabilities, ideal for scalable and diverse environments.

Renowned for its efficient remote desktop options and robust security features, SonicWall SMA is designed to streamline secure connections to internal networks. It supports home offices, mobile integrations, and multisite connectivity. Its management tools and setup ease ensure seamless operations, bolstered by advanced threat protection and endpoint control. Compatibility with federal markets adds to its scalability. Suggestions for improvement include refining menu structures, pricing competitiveness, and enhanced security like multifactor authentication, improved network handling, and better support services.

What are key features of SonicWall SMA?

Efficient Remote Desktop: Provides seamless remote desktop access with minimal delay.
File Sharing: Simplifies secure file transfer and collaboration.
Integration Capabilities: Easily integrates with existing systems for streamlined operations.
Advanced Threat Protection: Protects against modern threats with proprietary technologies.
Scalability: Supports growing businesses with flexible and scalable solutions.
Federal Market Compatibility: Adheres to standards required for federal use.

What benefits should users consider?

Ease of Use: User-friendly interface for simplified management and operations.
Performance: Reliable network performance with efficient load balancing.
Flexibility: Supports diverse environments and connectivity needs.
Affordability: Offers cost-effective remote access solutions.
Improved Security: Enhances data protection through advanced technologies.

SonicWall SMA's secure VPN connections are crucial for industries needing robust data protection. Cooperative banks leverage it for safe access to core banking systems. Service providers rely on it to secure web and desktop applications for clients.

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

June 2026

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