SonicWall Netextender vs Tailscale comparison

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SonicWall Netextender

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Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between SonicWall Netextender and Tailscale based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out in this report how the two Enterprise Infrastructure VPN solutions compare in terms of features, pricing, service and support, easy of deployment, and ROI.

To learn more, read our detailed SonicWall Netextender vs. Tailscale Report (Updated: September 2026).

SonicWall Netextender vs. Tailscale

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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 Netextender

Ranking in Enterprise Infrastructure VPN

12th

Average Rating

7.0

Reviews Sentiment

6.3

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Tailscale

Ranking in Enterprise Infrastructure VPN

2nd

Average Rating

8.8

Reviews Sentiment

6.3

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

ZTNA (2nd)

Mindshare comparison

As of October 2026, in the Enterprise Infrastructure VPN category, the mindshare of SonicWall Netextender is 2.2%, down from 3.5% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Tailscale is 5.8%, down from 6.1% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Enterprise Infrastructure VPN Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Tailscale	5.8%
SonicWall Netextender	2.2%
Other	92.0%

Enterprise Infrastructure VPN

Featured Reviews

Rich Darress

Chief Operating Officer at Darress Tech

Has provided secure remote access to multiple client networks with consistent performance

When buying the appliance itself, there is one downside that isn't exclusive to SonicWall. When you apply all the security settings, many people have one gig connections for internet ISP. If you're bringing in a one gig connection, you have to have a more robust SonicWall to handle that throughput with all your security settings turned on. It gets pretty pricey upfront if you're bringing in a one gig connection. If the customer starts with a two, three, four, or 500 meg connection and has a small unit, they have to replace the whole box when upgrading to a gig, so scalability there is atrocious. However, this issue exists with pretty much any appliance.

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Adeniyi Stephen

DevOps Engineer at CloudKite.io

Secure access has simplified hybrid connectivity and has unified multi-cluster workflows

I would say that in terms of Tailscale, if I have so many tailnets I need to connect to, there are some issues in the login process that need a little bit of attention from the Tailscale team. Sometimes, you would probably need to restart your entire system for it to connect. As a DevOps as a Service engineer, I have so many clients that are using Tailscale, and I would need to connect to maybe five different tailnets because they are different clients. Client A might have a Tailscale, Client B, Client C, and so on. When changing between tailnets, sometimes it hangs. Sometimes you might need to restart your entire system. This is a bit of a headache in that aspect. However, I believe if you are just using a particular tailnet, just one, then it is quite easy and there won't be any headache. For me, I think it can be improved in the aspect of having multiple tailnets to connect to. A good refresh on the Tailscale side and the backend side to refresh the connection anytime there is a new connection to be made would be helpful. Instead of needing to restart the system, it should be able to refresh itself. The connection side and connecting to multiple Tailscale instances can be problematic, and sometimes you have to restart your system when switching between them. The ACL sometimes is like another language on its own entirely. It is fine, but they need to make it in a YAML format instead of the current format because it is quite new and something you have to go and study. If they can make it like a YAML format, that would be better. Aside from the switching which I mentioned and the fact that you have to relearn their ACL, if the ACL could be in a YAML format instead of JSON format, that would be beneficial. I don't think there is much they can do about the switching of tailnets, but if they can have a YAML format of the ACL, that would be good. Every other thing is a ten out of ten. The connection-wise is easy to set up and easy to install. It is good to have things connected all together from on-premises, from so many environments, and even exit nodes as well. It is good overall. The pricing, I think Tailscale can be a little bit on the higher side. It is not for teams with just small users. If you want to set it up for small users and a small startup, I don't think you can afford it and might need to go to other open-source alternatives. It is good for teams that have maybe fifty plus users or one hundred users. In terms of pricing, I would say it is on the higher side, but it is worth it. The price is worth the functionality. As a user, I would say it is more on the higher side, but based on its functionality, it is worth the price.

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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 initial setup is pretty straightforward."

"The product is very cost-effective; for the price-sensitive market, this is a very good product for an SSL VPN solution."

"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."

"Productivity for my remote workers went up dramatically once we switched providers."

"The most valuable feature for the Netextender is the ease with which we can integrate it with SAML."

"The product has two-factor authentication."

"NetExtender works very well; I have never had an issue with it, and it has been working well for me."

"It allows us to work remotely."

More SonicWall Netextender pros

"I chose ten out of ten because the ease of installation, access to documentation, friendly UI, ease of tracking and debugging, and the facility I have to add new devices to the network all stand out."

"Tailscale has been helping my organization a lot, primarily for security, as I do not have to open up any port in my router, which is really helpful."

"This quick setup with Tailscale has saved me probably days of work that I would have spent learning how to configure traditional VPN solutions, more traditional solutions like WireGuard, where I would have had to learn their entire configuration process and it would have taken days just to set that up."

"Since implementing Tailscale, we have seen improved remote access reliability, reduced VPN maintenance overhead, faster onboarding for new users, and stronger security through identity-based access controls, all while significantly lowering the administrative workload."

"With Tailscale, I set it up and forget it because it just works, allowing me to avoid worrying about the whole VPN aspect of my home network architecture."

"The security is valuable, as there are many providers available, but Tailscale fulfills the requirements that we had, allowing us to access and expose internal apps without exposing them to the general internet."

"With Tailscale, it is honestly super easy."

"Tailscale is a great solution that is fast, easy, and cheap."

More Tailscale pros

Cons

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

"Right now, you have to load each license on to an appliance. You can't pool across multiple appliances."

"There must be a multi-factor authentication enabled or integrated by default with it in order to be integrated with NetExtender."

"The product does not work well."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"The UI could be a little better."

More SonicWall Netextender cons

"The only improvement I see for Tailscale is that I would love to check out Headscale to fully host it on my own infrastructure."

"One somewhat negative point that I see is that if you want to use Exit Node and that is installed on a device within the network, then you have a bit more latency because instead of the packets going from a mobile device to the router at the other home and from the router going out again to the internet, for example, now they have to enter the network, enter the device that has Tailscale, and only then go out."

"Regarding how Tailscale can be improved, I think for free users, there are some limited options."

"I am currently testing the ability to expose to the WAN certain services that we select, which is in beta. I imagine it is still in development, but from the tests we have done, the connection outward is quite slow, which is a point of curiosity, and I hope that aspect can be improved."

"Tailscale could be improved with more advanced network visibility and monitoring tools, cleaner pricing tiers for scaling teams, and enhanced built-in reporting for device posture and controls for enterprise environments."

"I think Tailscale can be improved by enhancing the free side of things."

"I feel the speed of the control servers are a bit too slow."

"However, I think improvements could be made in the support for UI clients, especially on Linux machines."

More Tailscale cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"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."

"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 has a pretty good price."

"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."

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

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

"The solution is cheap itself, not too costly."

Information not available

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Manufacturing Company

10%

Outsourcing Company

Comms Service Provider

Construction Company

Comms Service Provider

14%

Financial Services Firm

University

Outsourcing Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	11
Midsize Enterprise	1
Large Enterprise	2

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	19
Midsize Enterprise	5
Large Enterprise	4

Questions from the Community

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

The pricing for my experience with the setup cost and licensing of SonicWall Netextender is fair. The Netextender itself has no cost. It's the SSL licensing that is attached to the SonicWall. It us...

What needs improvement with SonicWall Netextender?

SonicWall Netextender has not helped with compliance, as it is not applicable for what I'm doing. I've put several feature requests in over the years and they've implemented them all, so it current...

What is your primary use case for SonicWall Netextender?

Getting to local resources on a customer's network is my main use case with SonicWall Netextender or SonicWall SSL-VPN. As a managed service provider, all my customers have SonicWalls and I get int...

What needs improvement with Tailscale?

At the moment, I don't know because it's been working very well for me, and I haven't been managing it much lately. I still use it because I connect from different phones, but everything is already...

What is your primary use case for Tailscale?

My main use case for Tailscale is for my homelab, where I have several services, including professional services. I use it to connect remotely from different places and access my services. I used t...

What advice do you have for others considering Tailscale?

There are several or many minutes of time saved, especially with WireGuard and in management, and in the mental management, it also has an impact because having to manage so many peer files with Wi...

OpenVPN Access Server vs SonicWall Netextender

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Product Reports

SonicWall Netextender

Download SonicWall Netextender product report

Download Tailscale product report

Overview

SonicWall Netextender provides affordable and stable VPN connections with a focus on secure access through features like multifactor authentication and integration with Microsoft services, ensuring reliable remote connectivity.

SonicWall Netextender is a robust tool for managing VPN accounts securely while offering remote access integration with Microsoft solutions like Intune. It supports industries such as healthcare, education, and insurance, catering to remote work and hybrid arrangements. Its comprehensive documentation aids in efficient configuring and minimal latency, although it faces challenges with Mac OS support, outdated interfaces, and high bandwidth usage. Enhanced SaaS functionalities and improved support for AI features are sought after improvements.

What are SonicWall Netextender's key features?

Cost-effectiveness: Provides a budget-friendly solution for enterprise VPN connections.
Scalability: Easily adapts to growing organizational needs.
SSL-VPN Encryption: Utilizes advanced encryption for data security.
Microsoft Integration: Seamlessly connects with Microsoft Intune and Identity Management.

What benefits should users look for in reviews?

Remote Access Security: Maintains security with multifactor authentication.
Ease of Use: Detailed documentation facilitates easy setup and management.
High Availability: Supports stable connections with minimal downtime.
Efficiency: Helpful in managing VPN accounts and access control.

SonicWall Netextender is utilized in industries such as healthcare, education, and insurance to enable remote work and access to office resources. Its integration with Microsoft 365 supports file transfers and remote management of hybrid work environments, although some find it costly compared to free options.

SonicWall

Tailscale offers secure, remote network access without complex VPN setups, using Zero Trust architecture and WireGuard. It suits enterprises and personal use by simplifying connections across platforms and improving workflows.

Tailscale enhances remote access by providing seamless integration across devices. It supports connectivity for subnet routers and exit nodes and integrates with GitHub Actions to streamline workflows. Its Zero Trust and WireGuard-based security architecture ensures safe, reliable access while reducing the complexity of traditional VPNs. Users appreciate the ability to manage resources, connect server clusters, and access internal systems with ease. Documentation is robust, aiding in the swift setup and management of network deployments.

What are Tailscale's standout features?

MagicDNS: Simplifies DNS management across devices.
Access Control Lists: Customizes permissions for secure access.
Seamless Integration: Works across multiple platforms effortlessly.
Zero Trust Architecture: Provides enhanced security for networks.
WireGuard Connectivity: Ensures high-speed and secure communication.

What benefits should users look for in reviews?

Ease of Setup: Reduces the need for complex installations.
Efficient Workflow: Streamlines processes across environments.
Robust Documentation: Facilitates quick learning and troubleshooting.

In industries requiring secure, remote network access, Tailscale is employed to connect teams and maintain resource accessibility without compromising security. It's utilized in mesh networking, server management, and granting intranet-only access, enhancing collaboration by allowing safe internal connectivity while preventing external threats.

Sample Customers

Information Not Available

Bamboo Health, Duolingo, Shiguredo, Instacart, Corelight, Machinify, Bolt, Mercari, Cobalt, Yugabyte, Jasper, VersaBank, Zego, Gini and Finter

SonicWall Netextender vs. Tailscale