Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) vs SonicWall SMA comparison

Cisco and SonicWall are both solutions in the SSL VPN category. Cisco is ranked #3 with an average rating of 7.9, while SonicWall is ranked #6 with an average rating of 9.5. Cisco holds a 13.3% mindshare in SV, compared to SonicWall’s 7.0% mindshare. Additionally, 92% of Cisco users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 91% of SonicWall users who would recommend it.

Cisco Secure Client (includ...

Read 77 Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) reviews

5,486 Views
823 Comparison Views

92% willing to recommend

SonicWall SMA

Read 15 SonicWall SMA reviews

1,196 Views
419 Comparison Views

91% willing to recommend

Cisco Secure Client (includ...

SonicWall SMA

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on May 21, 2025

SonicWall SMA and Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) compete in the network security space, providing secure remote access solutions. Cisco Secure Client appears to have the upper hand due to its robust features and comprehensive support, which justifies its cost.

Features: SonicWall SMA is prized for its ease of customization, seamless integration with various enterprise applications, and competitive pricing. Cisco Secure Client delivers a seamless multi-platform experience, advanced security features, and greater adaptability and compatibility.

Room for Improvement: SonicWall SMA could improve its scalability and offer more advanced security features. Additionally, enhancing its documentation would be beneficial. Cisco Secure Client could simplify its deployment process, reduce its overall costs, and improve its user interface for easier navigation.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: SonicWall SMA is praised for straightforward deployment and responsive support, advantageous for businesses with limited IT resources. Cisco Secure Client, while more complex to deploy, benefits from extensive documentation and a vast support network, offering superior long-term scalability and troubleshooting services.

Pricing and ROI: SonicWall SMA offers attractive initial pricing and delivers quick ROI due to lower setup costs. Cisco Secure Client, despite higher initial expenses, is seen to deliver significant ROI over time due to its comprehensive feature set and robust security capabilities.

To learn more, read our detailed Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) vs. SonicWall SMA Report (Updated: December 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) vs. SonicWall SMA

December 2025

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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

Cisco Secure Client (includ...

Ranking in SSL VPN

3rd

Ranking in Enterprise Infrastructure VPN

6th

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

6.6

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

ZTNA as a Service (9th), Cisco Security Portfolio (5th)

SonicWall SMA

Ranking in SSL VPN

6th

Ranking in Enterprise Infrastructure VPN

15th

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

5.6

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Universal Access Gateways (2nd)

Mindshare comparison

As of January 2026, in the SSL VPN category, the mindshare of Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) is 13.3%, down from 15.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of SonicWall SMA is 7.0%, up from 4.4% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

SSL VPN Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect)	13.3%
SonicWall SMA	7.0%
Other	79.7%

SSL VPN

Featured Reviews

AJAY SARPAL

Manager - Projects at airtel

Offers work-from-anywhere flexibility but navigates occasional proxy confusion

The analytics I downloaded from your site as a free download did not carry the information that was actually required. I was looking at the market segmentation and market share, along with some USPs which differentiated them from each other. The free download had two issues: many things were repetitive, and it was designed to not release any relevant information. Only headers were present, so I was not able to determine whether the final report would be worthwhile. I have not worked with enterprise tools that I could share feedback on for website publication. I see benefits from using Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect). However, I would not recommend it because future adoptions will be towards Zscaler, as SSC is a better model than VPN. On a scale of 1-10, I rate this solution a 7.

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 most valuable feature of the Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client is its ease of use and simple interface. It's always available as long as I have a good network connection."

"Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client's most valuable feature is the ability to connect to our enterprise applications, on-premise applications, and cloud any place in the world"

"The installation process is not difficult."

"I like the ability to share the connections or simply to be able to pass the credentials for a connection to other colleagues without bothering too much about the connection being tracked or about security, because each and every user will require a secret password, so I don't really care about sending the details. It's very secure."

"The solution is quite stable."

"Configuration policy, posture assessment, and other things can be done in great detail."

"This is a stable solution."

"The most valuable feature of Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client is the one-click VPN connection. Additionally, the performance is good."

More Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) pros

"The performance is good."

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

"I think they ask for a fair price."

"What I like best about SonicWall SMA is the relationship between its features and its price, because the solution is both affordable and functional."

"Secure Mobile Access (SMA) is easy to configure and the deployment is straightforward. However, this is mostly because of the AWS setup."

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

"SonicWall SMA has the most valuable feature of proprietary security technologies like Capture ATP."

"The advanced threat protection and the endpoint control features of SonicWall SMA have helped improve security measures tremendously."

More SonicWall SMA pros

Cons

"The solution could offer tighter integration with endpoint protection to make it easier to use when routing security applications from other vendors."

"They can redesign the reset password, reset function, and user interface."

"I think that the addition of single sign-on functionality would be helpful."

"Frequency of updates could be reduced."

"If user authentication has already been done on a device, maybe there could be connectivity directly without needing to log in each time I access the service."

"All Cisco equipment tends to be expensive compared to newer options from other vendors."

"I think, in general, most of the applications are slow, but this is everyday stuff. I think this is more related to the link speed — the links, the lossage, etc."

"The setup could be simplified for solutions engineers with a wizard."

More Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) cons

"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."

"User interface 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."

"The timed synchronization between the network appliance needs improvement."

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

"The overall menu is not very user-friendly and it could be easier."

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

More SonicWall SMA cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The price is okay."

"My company has a three-year or a four-year license. In scenarios attached to a solution where the product may be reaching an end-of-support or end-of-life phase, Cisco provides OS support in such environments."

"I am using a paid version of Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client."

"I would rate the pricing for the license of Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client around four to five out of ten. It's not the cheapest option, but it's also not overly expensive."

"The solution is based on an annual licensing model and is expensive."

"There is a license needed to use this solution. There are different licensing models available, such as a three-year license."

"We have yearly licensing and it's very affordable."

"The initial cost is the ASA and other items, but after that, it is relatively inexpensive."

More Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) pricing and cost advice

"The platform has medium pricing."

"The cost of the licensing is based on the maximum number of concurrent users, and it costs a lot to add them."

"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."

"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

Computer Software Company

10%

Financial Services Firm

10%

Manufacturing Company

10%

Government

Manufacturing Company

12%

Computer Software Company

11%

Comms Service Provider

Retailer

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	27
Midsize Enterprise	10
Large Enterprise	45

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	11
Midsize Enterprise	3
Large Enterprise	2

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client?

The tool is user-friendly, robust and easy to use in any environment.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client?

Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) is somewhat expensive compared to others such as Fortinet or Palo Alto, which provide free VPN when the firewall is purchased. Palo Alto and Fortinet prov...

See all answers

What needs improvement with Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client?

At times there is confusion regarding when to keep the proxy on or off, a problem faced by some users.

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 pricing for the solution could be a lot less.

See all answers

What needs improvement with SonicWall SMA?

See all answers

Comparisons

OpenVPN Access Server vs Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect)

Compared 8% of the time

Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway vs Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect)

Compared 7% of the time

Ivanti Connect Secure vs Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect)

Compared 6% of the time

Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange Platform vs Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect)

Compared 6% of the time

Check Point Remote Access VPN vs Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect)

Compared 5% of the time

More Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) Competitors

SonicWall Netextender vs SonicWall SMA

Compared 12% of the time

Citrix Gateway vs SonicWall SMA

Compared 11% of the time

Ivanti Connect Secure vs SonicWall SMA

Compared 9% of the time

Sangfor SSL VPN vs SonicWall SMA

Compared 9% of the time

Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks vs SonicWall SMA

Compared 4% of the time

More SonicWall SMA Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect)

January 2026

Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) report

Download Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) product report

Buyer's Guide

SonicWall SMA

December 2025

Download SonicWall SMA product report

Also Known As

Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client

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

Overview

Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) delivers reliable, stable connectivity and seamless integration with Active Directory, ensuring secure remote access through a one-click VPN capability. It's lightweight, user-friendly, and supports major operating systems, enhancing remote work flexibility.

Cisco Secure Client, including AnyConnect, is designed for secure remote connectivity, offering multi-factor authentication, advanced malware protection, and automatic error diagnostics. Compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux, it provides an intuitive setup and a clean interface. While it excels in ease of use, issues such as the outdated Linux build and the need for modern UI enhancements persist. Users also face connectivity challenges with frequent updates and high prices, alongside the need for better endpoint security and system integration. Popular for remote work, it facilitates secure access to corporate networks, allowing seamless interactions with resources like emails, documents, and applications.

What key features does Cisco Secure Client offer?

Reliable Connectivity: Provides stable, dependable VPN access with a one-click connection.
Multi-Factor Authentication: Enhances security through additional user verification steps.
Advanced Malware Protection: Safeguards against threats with proactive protection measures.
Automatic Error Diagnostics: Identifies and fixes errors promptly.
Cross-Platform Support: Compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux for broad accessibility.

What benefits or ROI can users expect?

Increased Remote Work Efficiency: Facilitates secure, fast access to necessary resources.
Improved Network Security: Provides robust protection against external threats.
Ease of Use: Features simple setup and user-friendly interface for quick deployment.
Enhanced Data Protection: Keeps sensitive information secure through encryption and authentication.
Cost-Effectiveness: Offers a good balance of features against pricing, though further improvements could enhance value.

Cisco Secure Client is widely implemented across industries for secure remote connectivity, especially in sectors requiring constant access to servers, data centers, and research labs. It supports remote work by enabling employees in diverse fields to access internal resources efficiently, maintaining productivity and security.

Cisco

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

MST, Molina Healthcare, Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, Arup, New South Wales Rural FireService

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

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) vs. SonicWall SMA

December 2025

Free Report: Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) vs. SonicWall SMA

Find out what your peers are saying about Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) vs. SonicWall SMA and other solutions. Updated: December 2025.

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