Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) vs SonicWall SMA comparison

Why PeerSpot?

Cisco and SonicWall are both solutions in the SSL VPN category. Cisco is ranked #3 with an average rating of 8.1, while SonicWall is ranked #6 with an average rating of 9.0. Cisco holds a 8.3% mindshare in SV, compared to SonicWall’s 6.9% 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 79 Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) reviews

9,270 Views
1,669 Comparison Views

92% willing to recommend

SonicWall SMA

Read 15 SonicWall SMA reviews

3,175 Views
1,365 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: September 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) vs. SonicWall SMA

September 2026

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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 (13th), Cisco Security Portfolio (5th)

SonicWall SMA

Ranking in SSL VPN

6th

Ranking in Enterprise Infrastructure VPN

15th

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

5.6

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Universal Access Gateways (2nd)

Mindshare comparison

As of October 2026, in the SSL VPN category, the mindshare of Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) is 8.3%, down from 16.6% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of SonicWall SMA is 6.9%, up from 5.9% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

SSL VPN Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect)	8.3%
SonicWall SMA	6.9%
Other	84.8%

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 solution is secure and has a lot of benefits."

"It is easy to scale."

"Cisco Secure Network Analytics has impacted our organization by securing each endpoint device properly through VPN usage, enabling us to understand what end users are using and what they are trying to access, and filling the gap between the monitoring and management side by allowing us to check end user activity clearly from the Cisco Secure Network Analytics console."

"The solution has good performance."

"The solution is very easy to use and set up."

"The solution is quite stable."

"The solution provides secure and easy access to corporate network resources."

"The solution is a super product that works as designed."

More Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) pros

"We are in Thailand and I'm very happy with the technical support."

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

"The SonicWall SSL-VPN solution offers the best protection with the least effect on services."

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

"It is faster than other security options when using remote connections."

"These are very nice appliances and they give us all that we need for our work in the hospital."

"I think they ask for a fair price."

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

More SonicWall SMA pros

Cons

"We don't have the correct visibility to see the quantity of licenses we are consuming or not consuming."

"Even when your internet speed is good, once you connect to the VPN the speed gets automatically reduced, which is worrisome."

"There are situations where the connection drops, and you may not even be aware of it until you try to do something critical."

"Improvements could be made in terms of pricing and ease of setup."

"We have faced some connectivity issues."

"The security of the product has certain shortcomings, making it an area where improvements are required."

"There are times the WiFi connectivity has disruptions and you have disconnections. It doesn't work with two connections. I have two switches back and forth sometimes. It doesn't have a failback scenario feature. However, on the gateway side, it does, but on the user device, it doesn't have that kind of option. It would be nice to have this feature."

"The solution should not rely on tokens from the mobile application for logins."

More Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) cons

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

"The pricing for the solution could be a lot less."

"The solution has 2FA, it will generate a token and send it to an email, but multifactor authentication is not available. I would suggest that there should be MFA integration and provided with the appliance."

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

"The user interface could be improved."

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

"There are some features that are available on Palo Alto or Cisco that don't exist. The solution could integrate better with other platforms."

"SonicWall's reporting isn't good. Reports should be part of a data plan."

More SonicWall SMA cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

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

"Sometimes there is a problem with the number of licenses for the end-user. The number of concurrent users is limited due to a valid license."

"The pricing depends on the requirement, so proper planning and an RF analysis help to properly size the solution and get the best pricing."

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

"The price is okay."

"We pay for an annual subscription. Additionally to the subscription, we thought in order to connect this solution to the Active Directory we had to purchase a Cisco ACS, Access Control System. It turns out we did not actually need it."

"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."

"It costs around 80,000 Indian rupees for a hundred licenses, so approximately $1,020 USD."

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

"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."

"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."

"This solution is priced well and we currently have the maximum number of licenses allowed."

"The platform has medium pricing."

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

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

13%

Manufacturing Company

Outsourcing Company

Government

Manufacturing Company

14%

Financial Services Firm

11%

Construction Company

10%

Outsourcing Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	28
Midsize Enterprise	10
Large Enterprise	49

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	12
Midsize Enterprise	2
Large Enterprise	2

Questions from the Community

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?

There are no features that I wish Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) had that it does not currently provide. If I could change one thing about it, I would have no changes to suggest.

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client?

I primarily use Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) for VPN connections and network-related activities. We have Cisco APIs and Cisco VPN that serve as the foundation for our operations. As a...

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

What is your primary use case for SonicWall SMA?

I have experience with the SonicWall SMA; we have rolled it back into our stack. We use SonicWall SMA for all of our clients that need VPNs, including doctor's offices and lawyer offices. Our clien...

See all answers

Comparisons

OpenVPN Access Server vs Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect)

Compared 6% of the time

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

Compared 4% of the time

Tailscale vs Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect)

Compared 4% of the time

Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks vs Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect)

Compared 4% of the time

Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) vs Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect)

Compared 4% of the time

More Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) Competitors

Citrix Gateway vs SonicWall SMA

Compared 12% of the time

OpenVPN Access Server vs SonicWall SMA

Compared 11% of the time

Ivanti Connect Secure vs SonicWall SMA

Compared 10% of the time

Sangfor SSL VPN vs SonicWall SMA

Compared 10% of the time

Ivanti Secure Access Client (ISAC) [EOL] vs SonicWall SMA

Compared 4% of the time

More SonicWall SMA Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect)

October 2026

Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) report

Download Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) product report

Buyer's Guide

SonicWall SMA

September 2026

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 provides fast and secure remote access, serving remote desktop needs with flexibility and ease of management. Its proprietary technologies assure reliable performance and integration capabilities, ideal for scalable and diverse environments.

Renowned for its efficient remote desktop options and robust security features, SonicWall SMA is designed to streamline secure connections to internal networks. It supports home offices, mobile integrations, and multisite connectivity. Its management tools and setup ease ensure seamless operations, bolstered by advanced threat protection and endpoint control. Compatibility with federal markets adds to its scalability. Suggestions for improvement include refining menu structures, pricing competitiveness, and enhanced security like multifactor authentication, improved network handling, and better support services.

What are key features of SonicWall SMA?

Efficient Remote Desktop: Provides seamless remote desktop access with minimal delay.
File Sharing: Simplifies secure file transfer and collaboration.
Integration Capabilities: Easily integrates with existing systems for streamlined operations.
Advanced Threat Protection: Protects against modern threats with proprietary technologies.
Scalability: Supports growing businesses with flexible and scalable solutions.
Federal Market Compatibility: Adheres to standards required for federal use.

What benefits should users consider?

Ease of Use: User-friendly interface for simplified management and operations.
Performance: Reliable network performance with efficient load balancing.
Flexibility: Supports diverse environments and connectivity needs.
Affordability: Offers cost-effective remote access solutions.
Improved Security: Enhances data protection through advanced technologies.

SonicWall SMA's secure VPN connections are crucial for industries needing robust data protection. Cooperative banks leverage it for safe access to core banking systems. Service providers rely on it to secure web and desktop applications for clients.

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

September 2026

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: September 2026.

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