A10 Networks Lightning ADC vs NetScaler comparison

A10 Networks Lightning ADC

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Dec 17, 2024

NetScaler and A10 Networks Lightning ADC are competing in the application delivery controller market. A10 Networks Lightning ADC holds an advantage with its cloud-native architecture, offering superior scalability and integration.

Features: NetScaler provides application performance optimization, load balancing, and security which are beneficial for complex IT environments. A10 Networks Lightning ADC is notable for its cloud-native design, integrated security functions, and high scalability. The focus on cloud integration distinguishes A10 Networks, especially for cloud-driven businesses.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: NetScaler's deployment is direct, supported by solid customer support aiding initial setups. A10 Networks Lightning ADC offers an intuitive cloud-native deployment model, shortening onboarding times. While both have reliable customer service, NetScaler's is slightly more recognized for responsiveness.

Pricing and ROI: NetScaler's pricing model offers long-term value, making it cost-effective across different deployment sizes. A10 Networks Lightning ADC, though possibly costlier initially, provides value for cloud-native environments with enhanced scalability and performance, ensuring higher ROI for cloud-focused organizations.

To learn more, read our detailed A10 Networks Lightning ADC vs. NetScaler Report (Updated: March 2025).

A10 Networks Lightning ADC vs. NetScaler

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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

A10 Networks Lightning ADC

Ranking in Application Delivery Controllers (ADC)

17th

Average Rating

7.0

Reviews Sentiment

6.3

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

NetScaler

Ranking in Application Delivery Controllers (ADC)

1st

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

7.0

Number of Reviews

107

Ranking in other categories

Network Management Applications (3rd), Web Application Firewall (WAF) (12th)

Mindshare comparison

As of April 2025, in the Application Delivery Controllers (ADC) category, the mindshare of A10 Networks Lightning ADC is 0.3%, up from 0.3% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of NetScaler is 14.8%, down from 15.6% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Application Delivery Controllers (ADC)

Featured Reviews

RONALDO DE MELO

Sales Account Executive at l8

Efficient application security while optimizing connections

The initial setup is simple; it is not complex. The configuration itself is simple and can be done in a couple of hours. However, the migration of the system to A10 Networks takes longer due to critical applications. Clients prefer to move them one by one, which is why it takes a significant amount of time. The configuration itself is simple, especially for this application.

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DEMİRHAN ÇAVUŞOĞLU

Cloud Consultant at Migros Ticaret A.Ş.

A tool for centralized management including inventory and sales tracking

Citrix ADM has the ability to implement policies to tighten security. For instance, you can restrict access to your network from outsiders or lack necessary security measures such as antivirus programs. Additionally, there's the Delivery Controller, which allows for comprehensive monitoring and management tasks such as remote restarts, maintenance, and registration. Another essential component is the Director, which provides detailed insights into sessions, including identifying session failures, connection issues, user lockouts, etc. It presents a list of problems to address, enabling you to click on them and resolve them efficiently.

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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

"Our clients appreciate that this is a security enabled solution."

"What I like about Lightning ADC, is that instead of having a big appliance sitting in front of the Kubernetes cluster, Lightning can pretty much go inside of Kubernetes."

"It allows you to secure the application while balancing the connections for many other customers, reducing CPU usage and server load."

"The program is easy to install and to set up."

"Content filtering, security layer, and application customization features are the most valuable."

"The load balancing is one of the most valuable features."

"It is a complete solution for those looking for an all-in-one."

"The GSLB feature allows us to move services between data centers. We can do this in either a planned or unplanned manner. We have experienced service provider outages at our primary data center and GSLB will kick in to automatically modify DNS records to point to a secondary data center (active/passive). We also make use of GeoIP information to point clients to the closest data center for accessing applications."

"It has helped us to increase the resiliency of the application and the performance."

"An essential component is the Director, which provides detailed insights into sessions, including identifying session failures, connection issues, user lockouts, etc. It presents a list of problems to address, enabling you to click on them and resolve them efficiently."

"We appreciate that this solution facilitates our access to Citrix internet."

More NetScaler pros

Cons

"The support from A10 should be improved."

"A10 documentation is not as open and accessible as AWS and Azure documentation is."

"We would like to see some improvement in the rapidity with which we can customize security facts within the solution."

"Citrix should offer a demo or free-trial version of NetScaler. Several other vendors do, but Citrix does not. Pricing should also be more readily available."

"Reducing the overhead required for AppFlow data collection, specifically for HDX Insight, would be a huge improvement."

"Currently, the support team's responsiveness is lacking, and the technical personnel on calls often seem unfamiliar with the issues or inadequately trained."

"Getting to use some of the advanced tools, even with the assistance of Citrix support, can be challenging."

"I feel that Citrix NetScaler's customer support needs to improve."

"I think the documentation should be improved."

"There are some features which are missing."

"Citrix should improve the documentation. It is not really clear how to set up many features to our advantage. When we setup Citrix NetScaler ADC, we have to figure it out by ourselves without a lot of documentation."

More NetScaler cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

Information not available

"F5 BIG-IP is much more expensive than Citrix ADC. For example, If we choose two platforms, Citrix ADC, 3000 version, and we choose F5, F4200 version. F5 BIG-IP has connections, timers, and throughput similar to Citrix ADC, but the price is very expensive."

"You can do CapEx and then a yearly monthly fee, or you can do a subscription model, whether that's one month, month-to-month, or three-year subscription model."

"The solution is undoubtedly very good, but it is expensive."

"Citrix NetScaler VPX is not the cheapest solution out there, but you get what you pay for."

"It is true that it is a bit pricey compared to newer technologies coming to the market. For example, A10 is a load balancer that does everything that Citrix can and it does a lot more than what NetScaler does when it comes to the security space, and their prices are so cheap. Every box comes with its own license and support built into it. When you compare that with NetScaler, you have to buy licenses separately, you have to buy a support agreement that is going to be separate. A small NetScaler, even if it is a VPX which is a virtual server, could cost you close to $150,000 to $200,000 dollars. So the pricing is really high."

"The solution's pricing is very high compared to its competitors."

"We have all the features and functions of Citrix because we have a premium license."

"Citrix NetScaler's pricing is slightly above average but not overly expensive. I would consider F5 BIG IP to be the most expensive, Citrix NetScaler to be the second most expensive, and then Kemp Load Balancer to be the third."

More NetScaler pricing and cost advice

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Use our free recommendation engine to learn which Application Delivery Controllers (ADC) solutions are best for your needs.

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

No data available

Educational Organization

15%

Computer Software Company

15%

Financial Services Firm

11%

Government

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about A10 Networks Lightning ADC?

It allows you to secure the application while balancing the connections for many other customers, reducing CPU usage and server load.

What needs improvement with A10 Networks Lightning ADC?

There is room for improvement in the customer service and support team. The support from A10 should be improved.

What is your primary use case for A10 Networks Lightning ADC?

We sell a couple of boxes to Comodo Federal and Bank of Brazil, which are the biggest banks here in Brazil. They also have a F5 tool.

What do you like most about Citrix ADC?

The most valuable feature for us is the application firewalling in Citrix NetScaler, ensuring only valid traffic enters our environment.

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Citrix ADC?

After deployment, Citrix Netscaler shifted to a subscription-based license scheme for support, which is slightly more expensive.

What needs improvement with Citrix ADC?

Citrix NetScaler is a robust product, but mastering it requires significant learning and training due to its complexity. While it could be easier to manage, it is like transitioning from driving a ...

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Product Reports

Application Delivery Controllers (ADC)

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Also Known As

Lightning ADS

Citrix ADC, Citrix NetScaler VPX, NetScaler Console, NetScaler Web Application Firewall

Overview

A cloud-native, software-defined solution that provides integrated advanced load-balancing, performance optimization, application security and per-application analytics to increase operational agility and application performance.

A10 Networks

One platform for a consistent application delivery and security experience because nobody has time to learn multiple systems to manage ADC deployments. NetScaler is built with a single code base using a software-based architecture, so no matter which ADC form factor you choose — hardware, virtual machine, bare metal, or container — the behavior will be the same.

Sample Customers

Handle Financial

ABB Schweiz, Aer Lingus, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Amnet Technology Solutions, Aramex International, Ascenty, Atos, Autodesk

A10 Networks Lightning ADC vs. NetScaler