OpenVPN Access Server vs SonicWall SMA comparison

Why PeerSpot?

OpenVPN and SonicWall are both solutions in the Enterprise Infrastructure VPN category. OpenVPN is ranked #1 with an average rating of 8.1, while SonicWall is ranked #16 with an average rating of 9.0. OpenVPN holds a 10.9% mindshare in EIV, compared to SonicWall’s 2.6% mindshare. Additionally, 96% of OpenVPN users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 91% of SonicWall users who would recommend it.

OpenVPN Access Server

Read 71 OpenVPN Access Server reviews

12,579 Views
12,076 Comparison Views

96% willing to recommend

SonicWall SMA

Read 15 SonicWall SMA reviews

2,987 Views
2,539 Comparison Views

91% willing to recommend

OpenVPN Access Server

SonicWall SMA

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Mar 15, 2026

SonicWall SMA and OpenVPN Access Server compete in the secure remote access market. SonicWall SMA has an advantage in ease of deployment, while OpenVPN is superior in terms of cost-effectiveness and feature set.

Features: SonicWall SMA offers robust security features, scalability, and comprehensive threat protection, making it suitable for enterprises. OpenVPN Access Server provides open-source flexibility, cross-platform compatibility, and integration capabilities, appealing to organizations looking for value-driven solutions.

Room for Improvement: SonicWall SMA could enhance its pricing structure and reduce complexity in deployment for smaller teams. Improving the user interface could also make it more accessible. OpenVPN Access Server might benefit from enhanced customer support options, additional documentation for setup, and more streamlined updates to reduce potential technical hurdles.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: SonicWall SMA is known for its streamlined deployment process and robust support network, making it ideal for businesses needing quick setup. OpenVPN Access Server offers easy deployment for those familiar with the platform and provides cost efficiency, though it may require more technical expertise during setup.

Pricing and ROI: SonicWall SMA often involves a higher initial investment, providing significant returns through enhanced security features and support, catering to larger enterprises. OpenVPN Access Server offers a lower setup cost and excellent ROI for smaller organizations or those with budget constraints, maximizing functionality at a reduced price.

To learn more, read our detailed OpenVPN Access Server vs. SonicWall SMA Report (Updated: September 2026).

Buyer's Guide

OpenVPN Access Server vs. SonicWall SMA

September 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

OpenVPN Access Server

Ranking in Enterprise Infrastructure VPN

1st

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

6.8

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

ZTNA (9th)

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 September 2026, in the Enterprise Infrastructure VPN category, the mindshare of OpenVPN Access Server is 10.9%, down from 15.3% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of SonicWall SMA is 2.6%, up from 1.3% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Enterprise Infrastructure VPN Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
OpenVPN Access Server	10.9%
SonicWall SMA	2.6%
Other	86.5%

Enterprise Infrastructure VPN

Featured Reviews

AithaShashikanth

Network operation center engineer at a computer software company with 10,001+ employees

Secure remote access has protected critical data and now simplifies role-based user management

An area for improvement is the pricing model. The concurrent user licenses get expensive pretty quickly as your organization grows, so more flexible pricing options would be a huge plus. Another area is configurational disconnect. While the admin web UI handles about 90% of what you need, the moment you have to do deep, advanced routing customization, you still have to drop back to the command line interface to make those changes. It would be great to see those deeper configurations completely integrated into the web portal. Lastly, it would be awesome to see native support for newer, lighter protocols through WireGuard built straight into the platform alongside standard OpenVPN for better performance efficiency.

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

"The features I have found to be most valuable are the levels of encryption I can enact and the compression I can apply to improve throughput."

"OpenVPN Access Server has positively impacted my organization mainly through improved security for myself."

"For those looking into OpenVPN Access Server, I recommend it for its strong security, user-friendly access management, and operational scale."

"OpenVPN Access Server has positively impacted my organization by helping us design a reliable infrastructure and even providing definite SLA metrics to our clients."

"The compatibility with almost any Linux operating system, and how easy it is to write scripts and generate keys for people to use and log in. I found it easy to deploy quickly."

"It is easy to use."

"Its most valuable feature is that it is open source."

"The most valuable feature of OpenVPN is that it is open source. I can do anything with the solution, such as change, build, and collect. Additionally, it is safe to use the solution and there are frequent updates."

More OpenVPN Access Server pros

"Secure remote access is now available from home offices."

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

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

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

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

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

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

"The performance is good."

More SonicWall SMA pros

Cons

"The stability of the OpenVPN Access Server has room for improvement."

"They may have this already, but it would be nice to be able to get more notifications if a site drops unexpectedly."

"The product is fully customized through configuration files, which is all achieved through manual data entry."

"The solution should provide a faster connection, and its security could be improved."

"I think OpenVPN Access Server's setup can be just one click; currently, it takes multiple steps, and when you forget the admin password, you are locked in."

"If there was a Graphical User Interface to help streamline the configuration, I believe OpenVPN would probably venture more into the non-geek realm as it were."

"There sometimes is an incompatibility between some VPNs."

"The connections could be faster and more stable."

More OpenVPN Access Server cons

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

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

"The pricing for the solution could be a lot less."

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

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

"There are some features that are available on Palo Alto or Cisco that don't exist. The solution could integrate better with other platforms."

"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."

"I'd like to see the product maybe polish keyboards in Bookmark."

More SonicWall SMA cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"I would say the product's pricing is a good value. I would recommend to other companies to implement it. I've seen other software, in tandem with the service, to be very expensive."

"OpenVPN Access Server was free for students. I don't know if you have to pay for an advanced version."

"With regard to setup cost, pricing and/or licensing, the simple answer is that you'll need to set aside some time to learn it and experiment with it."

"The Pro Edition has a reasonable price per user."

"At one point I had to purchase addition connection licenses. I was very pleased with the pricing and licensing; so much easier than navigating the confusing jungle of Microsoft and Cisco licensing and pricing. That alone made the product a delight to manage."

"I don't need to pay for its license since it is an open-source tool."

"The product's pricing is good value, definitely. It is one of the best features, I would say. Evaluate the product before seeing which type of licensing is good for you. I think there is a good evaluation method available for OpenVPN, so you can just evaluate if it meets your needs. Then go forward with the right licensing policy."

"The solution is free of cost."

More OpenVPN Access Server pricing and cost advice

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

"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."

"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."

"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."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Comms Service Provider

12%

Outsourcing Company

11%

Computer Software Company

11%

Financial Services Firm

Manufacturing Company

13%

Financial Services Firm

10%

Construction Company

10%

Outsourcing Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	45
Midsize Enterprise	14
Large Enterprise	25

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

Questions from the Community

How does Fortinet FortiClient compare with Open VPN Access Server?

Fortinet FortiClient is a feature-rich solution that is easy to use and deploy without sacrificing safety and security. It has a very fast connection rate and has a built-in VPN. With this solution...

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for OpenVPN Access Server?

The pricing and setup costs for OpenVPN Access Server are on the high side since licenses are not user-dependent but based on the number of connections established. With two free simultaneous conne...

See all answers

What needs improvement with OpenVPN Access Server?

There are definitely areas for improvement. A broader network level access faces challenges, and the clustering configuration seems insufficient, posing a single point of failure. Moreover, patch m...

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

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

Fortinet FortiClient vs OpenVPN Access Server

Compared 10% of the time

Tailscale vs OpenVPN Access Server

Compared 6% of the time

Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) vs OpenVPN Access Server

Compared 6% of the time

Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks vs OpenVPN Access Server

Compared 6% of the time

Check Point Harmony SASE (formerly Perimeter 81) vs OpenVPN Access Server

Compared 5% of the time

More OpenVPN Access Server Competitors

Citrix Gateway vs SonicWall SMA

Compared 13% of the time

Ivanti Connect Secure vs SonicWall SMA

Compared 10% of the time

Sangfor SSL VPN vs SonicWall SMA

Compared 10% of the time

SonicWall Netextender vs SonicWall SMA

Compared 6% of the time

Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) vs SonicWall SMA

Compared 5% of the time

More SonicWall SMA Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

OpenVPN Access Server

September 2026

Download OpenVPN Access Server product report

Buyer's Guide

SonicWall SMA

August 2026

Download SonicWall SMA product report

Also Known As

OpenVPN

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

Overview

OpenVPN Access Server Enterprise provides secure, scalable remote access with strong encryption and cross-platform compatibility, leveraging open-source flexibility for cost-effectiveness. It's ideal for connecting remote workers, maintaining privacy, and securing network communications.

OpenVPN Access Server Enterprise is renowned for its ease of setup and adaptability, supporting Linux and different operating systems, which ensures robust security and seamless integration across network scenarios. With features like two-factor authentication and customizable installers, it emphasizes privacy and remote connectivity. While it offers robust documentation and community support, there are challenges with user management due to the lack of a simple GUI. Users note stability issues under heavy traffic, and improvements in security features and configuration automation are desired. Despite these areas for enhancement, it remains a reliable choice for secure remote access.

What are the key features?

Easy Setup: Hassle-free installation process facilitates quick deployment
Cross-Platform Compatibility: Supports Linux and different operating systems for widespread utility
Strong Encryption: Secures data with advanced encryption technologies
Two-Factor Authentication: Enhances security through additional authentication layer
Customizable Installers: Allows personalized installation process to suit organizational preferences

What benefits and ROI should users seek?

Cost-Effectiveness: Open-source nature reduces licensing costs
User-Friendliness: Comprehensive documentation and community support ease the implementation
Scalability: Adapts to growing connectivity and bandwidth needs
Enhanced Security: Provides secure access to network resources and data

In industries such as finance and healthcare, OpenVPN Access Server Enterprise secures sensitive data while enabling remote access across LANs and VPCs. It's utilized for encrypted traffic protection, facilitating site-to-site VPNs, and connecting mobile workers securely, thus maintaining data integrity in interoffice communications and IoT platforms.

OpenVPN

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

Verizon, Amazon, Disney, HP, Microsoft, IBM, Samsung

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

Buyer's Guide

OpenVPN Access Server vs. SonicWall SMA

September 2026

Free Report: OpenVPN Access Server vs. SonicWall SMA

Find out what your peers are saying about OpenVPN Access Server vs. SonicWall SMA and other solutions. Updated: September 2026.

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