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

20th

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 August 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 3.7%, up from 3.3% 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."

"The initial setup is pretty easy."

"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."

"My company opted for this solution because it can individually perform. Basically, we don't require load balancers and all those additional feature sets or additional devices that might be required. The solution can handle the certificate, DNS queries, and all that stuff individually."

"I found nothing of value in this solution."

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

"It allows us to work remotely."

"The initial setup is pretty straightforward."

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."

"The product does not work well."

"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."

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

"Sometimes you can get bounced around through the departments until you find the right one. Sometimes if you don't have the most current support contract or your license is out of date, they won't even talk to you."

"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."

"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."

"The solution takes up a lot of bandwidth."

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."

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

"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 is cheap itself, not too costly."

"The solution has a pretty good price."

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

"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."

"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."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

15%

Comms Service Provider

Hospitality Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Computer Software Company

14%

Educational Organization

Comms Service Provider

Outsourcing Company

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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Product Reports

Enterprise Infrastructure VPN

Download SonicWall Connect Tunnel product report

SonicWall Netextender

Download SonicWall Netextender product report

Overview

SonicWall Connect Tunnel enhances secure remote access with high-level encryption to protect sensitive data and ensure a seamless connection experience for enterprises.

SonicWall Connect Tunnel offers a robust platform for enterprises looking to secure remote networks. It provides dynamic solutions focusing on protecting against sophisticated cyber threats. This service reduces downtime through reliable connections and addresses security concerns with its advanced encryption techniques. Ideal for IT administrators and security experts, SonicWall Connect Tunnel improves operational efficiency and keeps networks secure.

What are the key features of SonicWall Connect Tunnel?

Advanced Authentication: Offers multi-factor authentication for enhanced security.
High Encryption Standards: Utilizes strong encryption to secure data over networks.
Seamless Integration: Easily integrates with existing security infrastructure.
Scalability: Supports a growing number of users without compromising performance.

What are the key benefits or ROI of SonicWall Connect Tunnel?

Improved Security: Protects data against unauthorized access.
Cost Efficiency: Reduces the need for additional security hardware.
Increased Productivity: Ensures user productivity through stable connections.
Scalable Deployment: Offers flexibility to adapt to business growth.

SonicWall Connect Tunnel is widely implemented in industries such as finance, healthcare, and education. In finance, it ensures secure remote transactions; in healthcare, it protects patient data; and in education, it facilitates remote learning by providing secure access to educational resources, proving its versatility and reliability.

SonicWall

SonicWall Netextender provides secure remote access, supporting remote work with valuable features like two-factor authentication, low latency, and integration with Microsoft identity management.

SonicWall Netextender facilitates secure client-to-site VPN connections for remote staff, integrating seamlessly with Microsoft identity management and using existing credentials like Active Directory. Its cost-effectiveness and detailed documentation attract enterprises in sectors such as insurance, healthcare, and education. Despite excellent control over routing, the intuitive setup could be improved, with users experiencing performance and licensing flexibility issues, especially with multi-factor authentication. While integration with SAML ensures seamless authentication, high bandwidth consumption and the outdated interface are mentioned for enhancement. Overall, SonicWall Netextender supports remote file transfers and access to Microsoft 365 portals, although additional features like automatic connection on startup and AI integration would address current user demands.

What features does SonicWall Netextender offer?

Remote Work Support: Facilitates secure connections for remote staff
Integration with Microsoft Identity Management: Connects effortlessly using existing credentials
Two-Factor Authentication: Enhances security during remote access
Low Latency and High Stability: Ensures uninterrupted remote connections
Cost-effectiveness: Attracts organizations with budget-friendly options

What benefits should users look for in reviews?

Secure Access: Reliable protection for remote file transfers
Ease of Setup: Quick deployment with minimal IT disruption
Flexible Integration: Utilizes existing credentials for seamless user experience
Documentation: Comprehensive guides for efficient setup and use

Enterprises from insurance, healthcare, and education sectors benefit from SonicWall Netextender by enabling secure remote or hybrid work. Companies facilitate efficient management of remote work, providing access to corporate resources from any location. Challenges include the authentication setup, but its support for remote access to Microsoft 365 and secure file transfers offer substantial utility for these industries.

SonicWall

SonicWall Connect Tunnel vs. SonicWall Netextender