Netgate pfSense Reviews

Name: Netgate pfSense
Brand: Netgate
Rating: 4.3 (206 reviews)

Vendor: Netgate

4.3 out of 5

206 reviews
94% willing to recommend

12K followers

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What is Netgate pfSense?

Netgate pfSense is widely leveraged by organizations for its comprehensive capabilities in firewalls, VPN servers, and bandwidth management. It suits LAN, WAN, and DMZ networks, offering secure, scalable, and efficient networking solutions.

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Netgate pfSense is the #1 ranked solution in best firewalls. PeerSpot users give Netgate pfSense an average rating of 8.6 out of 10. Based on the analysis of the 206 most recent Netgate pfSense reviews, the overall sentiment is positive, with a sentiment score of 6.9. Netgate pfSense is most commonly compared to Fortinet FortiGate: Netgate pfSense vs Fortinet FortiGate. Netgate pfSense is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 45% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 15% of all views.

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Featured reviews

Vincent Hamm

CIO and President at Aim High! Inc.

PfSense gives our customers high security, and it's easy to implement. Most customers are looking for a VPN, so we set up a static IP that makes the VPN easy. The benefits of pfSense are immediate. It has a few features that prevent data loss, such as backups and creating rules. It does packet inspection to ensure large known malware does not get through to the end users. It offers features that help us prevent downtime, but that doesn't apply to our customers. It has failover, so if an internet line were to go bad, you could failover to another line. That doesn't apply to our customers because they can't afford a second internet line.

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Peter Heinicke

Owner at Precision Computer Methods Inc.

The dashboard is pretty good. It lets you control different things. It also has widgets, and you're able to control which sockets are open or not, and you're able to have some open software that allows you to do geofencing. You can restrict the ability to access certain countries. It's been flexible enough for everything that we've needed to do with it. I have a small operation, so we don't have some of the requirements that a larger one would have. Since it's open software, there are typically open modules that you can add. The firewall software also has a menu option that allows you to download different new features. For instance, there's a piece of software called Notes that allows you to make some notes, so you can go into your firewall and look up configuration notes that were written there in the past. There's backup software, so there's another piece of software that allows you to back up the configuration to a file or a PC connected to the firewall. If you have a sufficiently bad power outage, you can lose your configuration. However, it has some features that allow you to track suspicious access to a device. You get a record of intrusion. You still need to interpret it yourself. However, you are alerted to potential hacks. We began to see the value immediately. It made a big made a big difference not to have to pay that annual fee. There was some learning curve involved. I like to learn new things.

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Eloi Chayer

Regional Aftersales Manager at a manufacturing company with 10,001+ employees

Its ability to put some plug-ins into the system is helpful. There are a couple of packages that I'm using. Since I'm using it mainly as a firewall and sometimes as a VPN endpoint, it's really great. The flexibility is good. The fact that you can add packages makes the device quite flexible. Also, it's quite overpowered for my needs right now, so that's a good thing. Price-wise, the quality to price is pretty much up there, especially when you consider that you don't have to tinker with anything. With hardware, you don't know where you know, how long it's going to last or anything like that. However, with pfSense, you have guaranteed support with NetGate, and this is great. It's quite easy to configure. It's very intuitive. Maybe that's because I know the interface. There's also tons of of information available online. They have a very good user manual for the software as well. It's very detailed, and it's it's easy to work with. There's a forum where you can ask questions, and people are very friendly. Within a couple of hours, sometimes days, somebody has had the issue that you're having before. So, forum responses are quite quick. It's really easy to work with. There's peace of mind and no downtime. In terms of preventing data loss, any solution is only as good as its weakest point. And since this is at the very edge of my network, of the outside network, I feel I'm pretty prepared and protected from data breaches. That said, at the end of the day, I'm not opening myself up to many things in the outside world. It's blocking pretty well, and I don't feel threatened. If there's data loss, it's going to be from my end users, not from the device itself. It provides us with a single pane of glass management for my household. There's only one device that I use. The main advantage to me right now is that I'm using their reboot environment. It's really easy for me to update, and if some things don't go well, I can go to the previous version and be back up in no time. pfSense is just plug-and-play. Performance-wise, once you install the system, it works even when there's been a couple of software updates. It's probably overpowered for what I need. Performance is very good.

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Netgate pfSense mindshare

As of November 2024, the mindshare of Netgate pfSense in the Firewalls category stands at 19.5%, down from 23.6% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

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Key learnings from peers

Last updated Nov 21, 2024

Valuable Features

Users find Netgate pfSense valuable for its performance, cost-effectiveness, scalability, and customization. Key features include robust firewall capabilities, VPN support, extensive plugin options, and high flexibility. Its user-friendly interface, strong community support, and open-source foundation enhance its appeal. Its ability to integrate multiple functionalities like load balancing, traffic shaping, and VLAN management along with low resource requirements and ease of use across various hardware make it highly preferred in diverse environments.

"pfSense is a straightforward, feature-rich firewall."
"The most valuable aspects of pfSense are the stability, hardware compatibility, and low cost."
"The customer support is very good. Setting up the VPN is pretty straightforward and easy."

Room for Improvement

Netgate pfSense requires enhancements in user interface design and clarity of configuration steps to improve usability. VPN functionality needs upgrades, and mobile management features are lacking. Users desire better integration with other software and centralized management for multiple deploys. Reporting capabilities and real-time monitoring need attention, alongside a robust framework for plug-in compatibility across versions. Clarity in communication and documentation is crucial for assisting users with configurations and updates.

"One area where Netgate could improve is communication with its user base."
"I want pfSense to add some next-generation firewall features."
"Their UI could have hidden some of the complexity better so that it was easy to understand or more general. They could have given some more clarification on the markings on the outside of the machine."

ROI

Netgate pfSense offers high ROI, allowing use of old hardware for cost savings. It's cost-effective, replacing expensive systems like Cisco. Users report significant savings on licensing fees and hardware costs, achieving 100% ROI from day one. The investment is low, with expenses mainly for hardware. High uptime and reduced downtime contribute to efficiency. Users appreciate its features and reliability, noting its total cost of ownership is favorable compared to alternatives.

Pricing

Enterprise users find Netgate pfSense cost-effective due to its open-source nature, with no licensing fees unless opting for additional enterprise support. Hardware setup varies, with costs between $50 and $1500 depending on requirements. Many leverage existing hardware to minimize expenses. While support incurs additional costs, users agree the total cost of ownership is low, benefiting from a combination of firewall, VPN, and router functionalities. Competitive pricing is highlighted against other commercial solutions.

"The pricing is reasonable."
"pfSense Plus is cost-effective for what we're getting."
"Its price is fair. I buy the Netgate hardware so that I can support pfSense and Netgate and I have somebody designing the next layer of software for me in the future. I like their model. It is a high-value piece of equipment with a great team behind it."

Popular Use Cases

Organizations primarily use Netgate pfSense for firewalling, VPN services, and network security. Many deploy it for bandwidth limiting, load balancing, and as a stateful packet inspection firewall. It's favored for intrusion detection and prevention alongside VPN connectivity. Tool serves diverse needs from enterprise-level to home use, managing traffic, secure connections, and routing. Implementations include open-source packages for DNS blocking and traffic shaping, making it a cost-effective choice for various environments.

Service and Support

Netgate pfSense customer service is rarely utilized due to community support and comprehensive online resources. Technical support receives high marks, often praised for quick responsiveness and effective resolutions. Those with paid packages report exceptional service, while some note limited access for complex issues without premium support. Overall, most rely on forums for assistance. Several rate technical support as excellent, highlighting quick responses and knowledgeable staff. Satisfaction with support greatly varies based on the type of inquiry and tier of service.

Deployment

Many users found Netgate pfSense's initial setup straightforward, especially those with IT or networking experience. A wizard and ample documentation simplify the process. Some mentioned complexities requiring technical adjustments, but these are manageable with support and resources. Several reported a brief learning curve, with setup times varying from minutes to a few hours. Configuration flexibility is a strength but may demand more time and expertise for advanced features. Despite initial challenges, maintenance is typically minimal and intuitive.

Scalability

Users find Netgate pfSense highly scalable with performance dependent on hardware. While some experience issues past certain thresholds, many appreciate its adaptability for varied environments, from small businesses to organizations with thousands. It can manage multiple appliances, nodes, and services easily. Reports highlight its open-source flexibility, with functionality extending through hardware enhancements. Scalability ratings vary, with limitations noted for larger enterprises needing specific management options. Overall, performance remains stable with increased demands.

Stability

Netgate pfSense is praised for its stability. While some mention minor issues, most find it highly reliable, with downtime typically linked to hardware or power issues. Many users report no crashes or performance problems, highlighting its rock-solid performance, especially when paired with suitable hardware. Users often rate its stability between eight and ten out of ten, emphasizing how Netgate pfSense remains dependable even under heavy load, making it a favored choice for their networking needs.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

Download our Netgate pfSense Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

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Top industries

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Computer Software Company

15%

Comms Service Provider

Government

Educational Organization

Manufacturing Company

University

Financial Services Firm

Media Company

Retailer

Hospitality Company

Healthcare Company

Construction Company

Insurance Company

Energy/Utilities Company

Non Profit

Real Estate/Law Firm

Wholesaler/Distributor

Outsourcing Company

Legal Firm

Performing Arts

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Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Consumer Goods Company

Pharma/Biotech Company

Compare Netgate pfSense with alternative products

Learn more about Netgate pfSense

Netgate pfSense stands out in diverse environments with its enterprise-grade features and cost-effective operations compared to competitors like Cisco. Deployed as an edge device, it optimizes routing, ad-blocking, content filtering, and traffic shaping. Users benefit from its versatile configurations, robust firewall protection, VPN functionality, and ISP load balancing. The open-source nature allows for extensive customization, integrating plugins like Snort and pfBlockerNG, and compatibility with third-party tools enhances its utility. The intuitive GUI combined with detailed logging and centralized management fortifies network security.

What features define Netgate pfSense?

Firewall: Provides robust network security through advanced filtering and stateful packet inspections.
VPN: Ensures secure remote access with high-performing VPN capabilities.
Load Balancing: Efficiently distributes traffic across multiple ISPs, ensuring uptime and performance.
Customization: Supports various plugins for enhanced functionality, tailor-made to specific needs.
Scalability: Adapts easily to varying network demands, providing high availability and flexibility.

What benefits should be considered for ROI?

Cost-Effectiveness: Delivers premium features at a fraction of the cost of traditional network appliances.
Flexibility: Offers a customizable solution that integrates well with existing infrastructure.
Community Support: Backed by a strong user community offering insights and troubleshooting resources.
Security: Supports VLAN segmentation, enhancing protection and management of network traffic.

Organizations in industries such as finance, healthcare, and education find Netgate pfSense integral due to its advanced security features and cost benefits. Its scalable architecture and strong VPN support are crucial for industries requiring stringent data protection and reliable remote access. The adaptability of pfSense makes it suitable for dynamic environments seeking comprehensive, secure networking solutions.

Netgate pfSense customers

Nerds On Site Inc., RKC Development Inc., Expertech, Fisher's Technology, Ncisive, Consulting, CPURX, Vaughn's Computer House Calls, Imeretech LLC, Digital Crisis, Carolina Digital Phone, Technigogo Technology Services, The Simple Solution, SwiftecITInc, Rocky Mountain Tech Team, Free Range Geeks, Alaska Computer Geeks, Lark Information Technology, Renaissance Systems Inc., Cutting Edge Computers, Caretech LLC, GoVanguard, Network Touch Ltd, P.C. Solutions.Net, Vision Voice and Data Systems LLC, Montgomery Technologies, Techforce, Concero Networks, ASONInc, CPS Electronics and Consulting, Darkwire.net LLC, IT Specialists, MBS-Net Inc., VOICE1 LLC, Advantage Networking Inc., Powerhouse Systems, Doxa Multimedia Inc., Pro Computer Service, Virtual IT Services, A&J Computers Inc., Envision IT LLC, CommunicaONE Inc., Bone Computer Inc., Amax Engineering Corporation, QPG Ltd. Co., IT 101 Inc., Perfect Cloud Solutions, Applied Technology Group Inc., The Digital Sun Group LLC, Firespring