NetExtender vs. GlobalVPN

VPN
1

I’ve been supporting Sonicwalls for a little over 8 years now, and have always recommended NetExtender for VPN. When I first started, I remember thinking something along the lines of "NetExtender is the newer (and therefore better) solution, Global VPN is being phased out.

Obviously, this was not the case, as they still offer Global VPN 8 years later with no signs of putting it out to pasture anytime soon. So my question is, Why would I choose one client over the other? I have seen vague references that GlobalVPN is faster, but how much faster? Is the licensing less expensive?

I know NetExtender only works on Windows, but mostly, so do I and so do my clients. If someone has a mac, we use the mobile connect app. Am I missing something by ignoring GlobalVPN?

2

Both different protocols. GlobalVPN is ipsec over UDP so faster and more stable in theory. Netextender is SSL/tls vpn over tcp so more overhead (slower) and prone to connection loss.

SSLvpn has the advantage of saml with an idp and web portal association.

GlobalVPN is likely to be phased out by wireguard eventually, see the SMA solution incorporating it.