Barracuda SSL VPN vs SonicWall SMA comparison

Barracuda Networks and SonicWall are both solutions in the SSL VPN category. Barracuda Networks is ranked #9 with an average rating of 9.0, while SonicWall is ranked #7 with an average rating of 10.0. Barracuda Networks holds a 2.3% mindshare in SV, compared to SonicWall’s 4.8% mindshare. Additionally, 100% of Barracuda Networks users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 90% of SonicWall users who would recommend it.

Barracuda SSL VPN

Read 4 Barracuda SSL VPN reviews

633 Views
171 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

SonicWall SMA

Read 14 SonicWall SMA reviews

1,001 Views
270 Comparison Views

90% willing to recommend

Barracuda SSL VPN

SonicWall SMA

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on May 21, 2025

SonicWall SMA and Barracuda SSL VPN are competing products in the secure remote access category. SonicWall SMA is favored for its pricing and support, while Barracuda SSL VPN gains preference for its advanced features and value.

Features: SonicWall SMA is appreciated for its comprehensive access control, streamlined interface, and user management capabilities. Barracuda SSL VPN stands out with extensive security capabilities, robust integration options, and user session narrowing.

Room for Improvement: SonicWall SMA could improve by enhancing customization options, expanding integration capabilities, and offering richer reporting tools. Barracuda SSL VPN might benefit from reducing complexity, improving user interface design, and optimizing cost-effectiveness for smaller enterprises.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: SonicWall SMA offers a straightforward deployment process with solid customer support, benefiting from quicker setup. Barracuda SSL VPN provides a flexible deployment model and prioritizes customization through advanced customer service.

Pricing and ROI: SonicWall SMA is highlighted for its lower setup cost and quicker ROI, appealing to cost-conscious buyers. Barracuda SSL VPN, although potentially having a higher initial expense, justifies the cost with advanced features and long-term strategic value.

To learn more, read our detailed Barracuda SSL VPN vs. SonicWall SMA Report (Updated: July 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Barracuda SSL VPN vs. SonicWall SMA

July 2025

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Helped 861,524 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

Barracuda SSL VPN

Ranking in SSL VPN

9th

Ranking in Enterprise Infrastructure VPN

22nd

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

7.5

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

SonicWall SMA

Ranking in SSL VPN

7th

Ranking in Enterprise Infrastructure VPN

18th

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

7.7

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Universal Access Gateways (2nd)

Mindshare comparison

As of July 2025, in the SSL VPN category, the mindshare of Barracuda SSL VPN is 2.3%, down from 3.5% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of SonicWall SMA is 4.8%, up from 3.6% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

SSL VPN

Featured Reviews

Ikh-Erdene Namsrai

Senior System Administrator at Mongolian Mining Corporation

Provides good scalability and has a simple setup process

We use Barracuda SSL VPN for network connection The product is easy to connect. There could be more security features included in the product. We are the latest version of Barracuda SSL VPN. I rate Barracuda SSL VPN's stability an eight or nine out of ten. We have 30-40 Barracuda SSL VPN…

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Maheshbabu T

Project Manager at CGG

It allows us to provide CML-based access to any user, but the reporting could be better

I rate SonicWall SMA seven out of 10. If you're planning to implement this solution, I suggest checking the version to ensure it's compatible with your other technology. I say go for it if it's suitable for your use case. Multifactor authentication technologies are built into the product, whereas some products lack multifactor authentication. We need only one or two. They provide authentication, gateway integration, OTP integration, etc.

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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 product is easy to connect."

"The most valuable feature would be that you can actually narrow down your session to one application on one server, which is really nice."

"The setup is straightforward and hassle-free."

"It's a stand alone system that functions well."

"The management and the dashboard are the solution's most valuable features."

"The solution is reliable and has good overall performance."

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

"The performance is good."

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

"I am very satisfied with the technical support."

"I think they ask for a fair price."

More SonicWall SMA pros

Cons

"Since it's not going to be getting any more software updates as per the end of this year, we have to move off to a different product.."

"Reporting could be improved."

"Barracuda should find other ways to stir up interest about this product."

"There could be more security features included in the product."

"User interface could be improved."

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

"Enhancing live tracking capabilities could improve the product, particularly in monitoring user activity and request statuses in real-time on the web interface."

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

"The problem is that when combined with what the client already has, there are two different logins and two different management systems, and these should be consolidated into a single interface."

"SonicWall's reporting isn't good. Reports should be part of a data plan. The login mechanism should be improved. It would be helpful if the client could use an agent to log in. An agent-server model would improve the performance of the RDB, which consumes a lot of bandwidth."

"The solution could integrate better with other platforms."

More SonicWall SMA cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The product is affordable and reasonably priced so it would make a lot of sense for people to use it long-term."

"Barracuda SSL VPN is inexpensive."

"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."

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

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861,524 professionals have used our research since 2012.

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

19%

Comms Service Provider

14%

Healthcare Company

Educational Organization

Computer Software Company

18%

Construction Company

Retailer

Comms Service Provider

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Barracuda SSL VPN?

The product is easy to connect.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Barracuda SSL VPN?

Barracuda SSL VPN is inexpensive. We purchase its yearly license.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Barracuda SSL VPN?

There could be more security features included in the product.

See all answers

What do you like most about SonicWall SMA?

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

See all answers

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

The platform has medium pricing.

See all answers

What needs improvement with SonicWall SMA?

Enhancing live tracking capabilities could improve the product, particularly in monitoring user activity and request statuses in real-time on the web interface.

See all answers

Comparisons

OpenVPN Access Server vs Barracuda SSL VPN

Compared 58% of the time

Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) vs Barracuda SSL VPN

Compared 24% of the time

Fortinet FortiClient vs Barracuda SSL VPN

Compared 18% of the time

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Peplink SpeedFusion vs SonicWall SMA

Compared 20% of the time

SonicWall Netextender vs SonicWall SMA

Compared 17% of the time

Ivanti Connect Secure vs SonicWall SMA

Compared 16% of the time

Citrix Gateway vs SonicWall SMA

Compared 15% of the time

Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN vs SonicWall SMA

Compared 12% of the time

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

SSL VPN

June 2025

Download Barracuda SSL VPN product report

Buyer's Guide

SonicWall SMA

June 2025

Download SonicWall SMA product report

Also Known As

No data available

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

Overview

Your army of road warriors and remote workers require a quick, flexible, reliable and completely secure way to connect to your internal enterprise applications, information and network resources. They want to do this from anywhere in the world, at any time and from any suitable device. The Barracuda SSL VPN provides the security and connectivity to deliver this access, via a web browser or virtually any mobile device.

Barracuda Networks

SonicWall SMA is a unified secure access gateway that enables organizations to provide anytime, anywhere and any device access to mission critical corporate resources. SMA's granular access control policy engine, context aware device authorization, application level VPN and advanced authentication with single sign-on empowers organizations to embrace BYOD and mobility in a hybrid IT environment.

SonicWall

Sample Customers

Information Not Available

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

Buyer's Guide

Barracuda SSL VPN vs. SonicWall SMA

July 2025

Free Report: Barracuda SSL VPN vs. SonicWall SMA

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