SonicWall Connect Tunnel vs SonicWall Netextender comparison

SonicWall Connect Tunnel vs. SonicWall Netextender

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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

SonicWall Connect Tunnel

Ranking in Enterprise Infrastructure VPN

19th

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

7.4

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

SonicWall Netextender

Ranking in Enterprise Infrastructure VPN

15th

Average Rating

6.6

Reviews Sentiment

7.0

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of July 2025, in the Enterprise Infrastructure VPN category, the mindshare of SonicWall Connect Tunnel is 1.3%, up from 1.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of SonicWall Netextender is 3.8%, up from 3.2% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Enterprise Infrastructure VPN

Featured Reviews

Raghuram K M

Chief Technology Officer at Prognosys Medical Systems

Offers advanced security features and is easy to install

The product's feature to secure remote access needs is an area that is looked after by the IT team in our company. I work in a healthcare organization where we need to protect certain private information. My organization does not focus on network or database protection. I know about the VPN encryption in the tool. My company has not faced any problems with the product's performance, speed, and connectivity. Performance-wise, my company is satisfied with the product. I will tell those who plan to purchase the product that they need to look at the level of security or encryption they expect for their environment. If there is a requirement for the different networks in the domain of those who planned to purchase the product to be isolated, then it should be done. I rate the overall tool a nine out of ten.

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JayPrajapati

Senior Network Security Engineer at ITCG SOlutions Pvt Ltd

Allows using a custom port for the VPN connection and provides very satisfactory customer support

In the past, customers wanted an application that could run directly upon starting the PC, automatically connecting to the firewall. We were not able to do it in NetExtender. This was something customers wanted, but we couldn't provide due to NetExtender's limitations. I feel NetExtender might have rolled out this feature. In future releases, introductions of AI features would be really helpful. For example, we faced a situation where a customer wanted to allow Office 365 access without any kind of internet, just through the local internet. Office 365 has multiple dynamic IPs and URLs that can be updated daily, making it difficult to allow. If there were an AI-based solution that could bring those URLs and new IP addresses to the firewall and add them to the rule, that would be very helpful. That is just one scenario; there are multiple things AI could help with.

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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 best features are security and ease of use."

"The most valuable features of the solution stem from the advanced security features it offers."

"The most valuable feature for the Netextender is the ease with which we can integrate it with SAML."

"One of the most valuable features of SonicWall Netextender is the integration of VPN accounts with Microsoft Identity Management, which enables us to enforce secure access through Microsoft Intune and conditional access policies. This helps ensure that only authorized individuals are able to access the VPN, rather than anyone with knowledge of a password."

"I found nothing of value in this solution."

"The solution provides high availability."

"The product has two-factor authentication."

"The initial setup is pretty easy."

"The best features of the SonicWall Netextender were its ease of use."

"It can support multifactor authentication. Also, it is a very basic application."

More SonicWall Netextender pros

Cons

"The product's configuration, administration, and user interface are areas of concern."

"An improvement would be to update the look and feel of the interface, which is very traditional and doesn't fit the current market trend."

"SonicWall can be difficult for some people, but I don't find it difficult. Some companies provide a VPN client for free, but you have to pay for NetExtender."

"The UI could be a little better."

"In future releases, introductions of AI features would be really helpful."

"The only concern I do have is with the zero trust, and the solution is not coping with the newer technologies as much as it needs to do on that particular factor."

"The Netextender application itself doesn't really look pretty, however, we can still use it. We don't care what it looks like. That said, if they did a cosmetic update, that would be fine."

"The initial setup of SonicWall Netextender is straightforward. The only issue we encountered was with relocating the VPN appliance. If we needed to move it from an on-premise to an on-cloud architecture, we had to start over and redeploy it from scratch. Unfortunately, it is not portable and any changes to its physical location often result in the need for a fresh deployment to ensure everything functions properly."

"Right now, you have to load each license on to an appliance. You can't pool across multiple appliances. So, you end up having to do a lot of administrative work to recover if an internet provider goes down, and you cannot leverage it as easily into a DR solution."

"The product does not work well."

More SonicWall Netextender cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The product is expensive. Two or three years ago, when the solution was purchased for our company, I remember that it was not the cheapest compared to the tools offered by competitors."

"Connect Tunnel is expensive."

"The price of SonicWall Netextender is reasonable. Whether it's a small shop with only five users or a larger operation with 130 users, we have received no complaints or objections regarding cost from any of the clients we are looking to deploy it with."

"You have to pay for its license. There are some other companies that provide a VPN client for free. When you buy NetExtender, its license is available for one, three, or five years."

"Cost wise, it would be a few hundred dollars for the base appliance with the first five clients. Then from there, your cost per seat depends on how many you're getting. It's a one-time cost, and then you have a few hundred dollars a year for the maintenance contract once you get the one-time seat costs out of the way."

"The solution has a pretty good price."

"After a certain number of users, you require extra licensing."

"Compared to others, it is cheaper. When we compare it with Palo Alto, Check Point, or Fortinet, it is a little cheaper."

"The solution is cheap itself, not too costly."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

18%

Real Estate/Law Firm

Retailer

Construction Company

Computer Software Company

16%

Educational Organization

Comms Service Provider

Financial Services Firm

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about SonicWall Connect Tunnel?

The most valuable features of the solution stem from the advanced security features it offers.

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for SonicWall Connect Tunnel?

The product is expensive. Two or three years ago, when the solution was purchased for our company, I remember that it was not the cheapest compared to the tools offered by competitors.

What needs improvement with SonicWall Connect Tunnel?

The product's configuration, administration, and user interface are areas of concern. From an improvement perspective, the configuration, administration, and user interface must be simplified. The ...

What do you like most about SonicWall Netextender?

The solution provides high availability.

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

Pricing is a simple thing. We have the key, and we need to enter it in the SonicWall official portal. That's all. Compared to others, it is cheaper. When we compare it with Palo Alto, Check Point, ...

What needs improvement with SonicWall Netextender?

I cannot think of specific areas that could be improved with the SonicWall Netextender. The main focus should be on continuous improvements to address any CVEs or vulnerabilities to ensure they're ...

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Compared 14% of the time

Fortinet FortiClient vs SonicWall Netextender

Compared 13% of the time

Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) vs SonicWall Netextender

Compared 7% of the time

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Compared 6% of the time

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Product Reports

Enterprise Infrastructure VPN

Download SonicWall Connect Tunnel product report

SonicWall Netextender

Download SonicWall Netextender product report

Overview

SonicWall Connect Tunnel provides secure remote access, ensuring encrypted communication between endpoints and corporate networks. It offers seamless connectivity, reliable VPN functionalities, and robust security protocols to safeguard data and resources.

SonicWall Connect Tunnel is designed for users who need secure remote access and efficient VPN functionalities. Its intuitive management dashboard, strong encryption standards, and seamless integration with existing infrastructure make it a reliable choice for IT professionals. The application supports multiple devices and offers efficient troubleshooting features, although some users report occasional connectivity issues and complex setup processes. Customer support response times and documentation detail are areas for improvement.

What are the key features of SonicWall Connect Tunnel?

Secure Remote Access: Ensures encrypted communication for safe data exchange.
Easy Setup: Simplifies the process of establishing remote connections.
Reliable Connection: Maintains uninterrupted access for remote users.
Intuitive Management: Streamlines administration with an easy-to-navigate dashboard.
Strong Encryption Standards: Protects data with advanced security protocols.
Seamless Integration: Fits smoothly into existing IT infrastructure.
Efficient Troubleshooting: Facilitates quick resolution of issues.
Device Compatibility: Supports a range of devices for flexible connectivity.

What benefits should users look for when evaluating SonicWall Connect Tunnel?

Enhanced Security: Safeguards sensitive data and resources.
Operational Efficiency: Boosts productivity with reliable remote access.
Cost-Effectiveness: Reduces the need for additional security solutions.
Flexibility: Adapts to different deployment environments and user needs.

SonicWall Connect Tunnel is frequently implemented across various industries due to its ability to maintain secure and reliable remote access. Its deployment is versatile, making it suitable for sectors with stringent security requirements such as finance, healthcare, and corporate enterprises. Businesses benefit from its robust security protocols and compatibility with diverse IT environments.

SonicWall

SonicWall Netextender is used for secure client-to-site VPN connections, enabling remote access to company resources and offering seamless integration with Microsoft 365 for identity management.

SonicWall Netextender facilitates secure and stable VPN connections, particularly beneficial for remote work scenarios. It integrates with Microsoft 365, supporting identity management and secure access through Microsoft Identity Management and Intune, allowing users to employ the same credentials as Active Directory. With ease of configuration and control over routing, it assists enterprises by providing a reliable VPN for remote employees, implemented by system integrators worldwide. It also supports file transfers in cloud-based environments.

What are the most valuable features of SonicWall Netextender?

Ease of remote work: Simplifies access for remote employees.
Simple configuration: Quick and straightforward setup process.
Good control over routing: Efficient routing management.
Cost-effectiveness: Affordable for businesses of all sizes.
Ease of integration with SAML: Simple SAML integration.
Excellent security: High-security standards.
Low latency: Minimal delay during use.
Stable performance: Reliable connections.
High availability: Ensures continuous uptime.
Multi-factor authentication support: Enhanced login security.

What benefits and ROI should users look for in the reviews?

Connecting to LAN from home: Secure access to local network resources.
Enforcing secure access: Uses Microsoft Identity Management and Intune for security.
Credential consistency: Same credentials as Active Directory.
Detailed documentation: Comprehensive guides and resources.

SonicWall Netextender is adopted in numerous sectors for its ability to provide secure remote access to company resources. Enterprises integrate it to ensure stable VPN connections for employees working from home, while system integrators implement it for end customers globally. It enhances secure and efficient remote work, which is vital for industries requiring robust and reliable remote access solutions.

SonicWall

SonicWall Connect Tunnel vs. SonicWall Netextender