Netgate pfSense Reviews

Name: Netgate pfSense
Brand: Netgate
Rating: 4.3 (216 reviews)

Vendor: Netgate

4.3 out of 5

216 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. 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 44% 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 Netgate pfSense reviews

Vincent Hamm

CIO and President at Aim High! Inc.

We do a lot of managed services and are currently trying to get people off of L2TP VPN. Apparently, we can download a mobile config file from a configured NetGate device, and we're primarily Apple. We've experimented with it on a device that's not a production device, and we can't seem to get the phase one IPSec set correctly so that the Apple config will accept it. We've tried looking at the documentation but haven't found anything. While it's not the highest priority, it is rather frustrating. We'd like to do this, and the feature is right there, but we can't get it configured. We certainly don't want to try it on a production machine because it will break the current VPN. I would like to download the Apple mobile config so that I can tell it to configure my VPN connection to do that. We have some cross-platform things. So there's also a Windows VPN. You can download a script or a PowerShell, put it on a Windows machine, and it can connect to the VPN. It would be nice if I could say I want Mac only, Windows only, or both. I wish it could configure the IPSec phase one and phase two, or at least give me solid instructions on how to configure that. It doesn't supply out-of-the-box visibility to drive decisions. You get 75 log lines, so if you're trying to troubleshoot something, you have to look at one log and then another. It integrates with SysLog systems, but our customers are not at the level where they want to pay for some third-party SysLog system. Usually, we can get things taken care of fairly quickly. I would like to have the ability to control all my devices from one place. With Ubiquiti, you can get a controller that allows you to control all of your Wi-Fi devices, switches, and routers. From one area, you can switch to that customer and see what's happening in their environment. That's not part of pfSense. I understand why it's not because pfSense is open source and community supported. That's something that someone in the community needs to pick up and run with. It's not something the pfSense can easily implement. If they could, that'd be great.

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Jean-Pierre DAREYS

Director, Latin America at Bradmark Technologies, Inc.

I'm not knowledgeable enough to suggest new features. The use has been very straightforward. Whatever questions I've had, I've found videos to help me on YouTube, or I've been able to ask the forums. I've also reached out to technical support and I've received help although there could be more videos or tutorials from Netgate, in addition to third parties who have already implemented it, which is great. I have suffered a lot of problems over time but I don't think the problems are related to the hardware or the software. I am convinced that the problems have been related to hacking during configuration. During the setup process, while experimenting, the device would stop working or the password would suddenly not allow access, requiring re-installation and re-configuration, it was very slow going until I moved to the cloud. The dashboard is a little bit slow and the reporting isn't always current or immediate but acceptable. I'm not sure I can make data-driven decisions due to insufficient volume. I would need enhanced reporting, statistics, playback. I haven't looked at the reports a lot since because you have to access the log files, time is an issue, I use it in a home office environment.

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Jacob Sylvia

Cybersecurity Engineer at a consultancy

I would like to see a better plugin for data analytics. They have some things that you can do, but it's not purpose-built to get data out super easily. That's kind of an advanced feature, and you do have to do some configurations that are a little more advanced than some people might be comfortable with. I would also like some type of fleet management, like a dashboard where I can see multiple pfSense and their statuses. I'd also like that to be self-hosted. I don't necessarily want a cloud version of it. I'd like to host that at a parent site and have the satellite offices push their status there. I have to manage each of the devices individually. There is no interface where I can manage multiple devices. I wouldn't call it single pane of glass management. It does give me a single pane of glass for everything related to the boundary, including VPN intrusion detection, DNS, DHCP, VPN, and firewall rules. But it doesn't have that fleet management piece. I would love to see something like that. The last thing that I would like is not a feature. It's Netgate as an organization. I would like more transparency from them when they make some decisions that sometimes appear to be made in a vacuum. Most recently, the change in licensing and some of those things did not go over well in the community in general. I think some transparency from their organization would be valuable to the community at large.

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Netgate pfSense mindshare

As of April 2025, the mindshare of Netgate pfSense in the Firewalls category stands at 14.4%, down from 22.1% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Firewalls

PeerAnalyst reports based on Netgate pfSense reviews

Type	Title	Date
Category	Firewalls	Apr 19, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Apr 19, 2025	Download
Comparison	Netgate pfSense vs Fortinet FortiGate	Apr 19, 2025	Download
Comparison	Netgate pfSense vs OPNsense	Apr 19, 2025	Download
Comparison	Netgate pfSense vs Sophos XG	Apr 19, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Fortinet FortiGate	4.2	21.1%	90%	327 interviews Add to research
OPNsense	4.1	12.3%	97%	39 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

The most valuable features of Netgate pfSense include its flexibility, scalability, and open-source nature. Users praise its high availability, ease of integration, and the ability to configure extensive firewall rules. The platform supports multiple VPN options, robust community support, and a user-friendly interface. It offers load balancing, traffic shaping, and comprehensive monitoring. Netgate pfSense's affordability and performance on diverse hardware are also highlighted, making it a preferred choice for secure network management.

"I would rate pfSense a nine out of ten."
"I would recommend pfSense to others."
"From my usage, controlling the bandwidth for each user is valuable."

Room for Improvement

Netgate pfSense needs improvement in various areas. Users suggest enhanced graphic report tools and better support for test prior to deployment. The interface and dashboard require a more modern design and better mobile management. VPN configuration and virtualization compatibility need enhancement. Reporting and real-time monitoring could be more robust. Users call for centralized management, improved integration with third-party services, and streamlined package management. Enhanced security features and better log analysis are also needed. Regular updates and better user documentation are desired.

"I purchased a Netgate firewall, an SG-4100, which is a $600 device, intending to make it a solid piece of my home lab and support the project. It died in one and a half years."
"Maybe they can add two-factor authentication."
"They have abandoned the Community edition. There has not been an update in a year."

ROI

Netgate pfSense offers a notable return driven by its cost-effectiveness and ability to use existing hardware, eliminating expensive licenses typical of alternatives like Cisco or Juniper. Users experience fast investment return, saving considerably over competitors. Implementing it provides valuable benefits, such as reduced downtime, minimal maintenance, and fewer security intrusions. This allows businesses to be more competitive with decreased total ownership costs. Overall resource efficiency and financial savings confirm its high investment return.

Pricing

Netgate pfSense offers an affordable and cost-effective solution for enterprises, notably due to its open-source nature. Users appreciate its lack of recurring licensing fees and the ability to use existing hardware, significantly lowering setup costs. While additional expenses arise from optional support and hardware upgrades, overall pricing is seen as favorable compared to competitors like Fortinet or SonicWall. The total cost of ownership remains low, appealing to both smaller businesses and larger organizations seeking budget-friendly, scalable network solutions.

"I am using the free version."
"The licensing model needs improvement, especially for home users. There should be more flexibility to change licenses with hardware changes. The pricing model could be more accessible for home users."
"Their pricing is quite reasonable."

Popular Use Cases

Netgate pfSense is primarily used for firewall management, VPN services, bandwidth control, and network security across small to large enterprises. Organizations leverage it for load balancing ISPs, intrusion detection, and routing, providing robust security for diverse setups like educational institutions, businesses, government networks, and home labs. It is preferred for its cost-effectiveness and flexibility, replacing systems like Cisco for a variety of networking needs.

Service and Support

Most users manage support through pfSense's community forums and online resources. Mixed feedback is given for direct support, with some users finding it responsive and helpful, while others cite delays or inconsistency. Paid support is generally praised for its efficiency and expertise, although some express dissatisfaction with complex issues not being covered or slower response times for certain cases. Generally, support varies from highly effective to less satisfactory depending on the user's engagement level and support package.

Deployment

Netgate pfSense's initial setup is generally straightforward but varies in complexity based on users' technical skill levels. Many find it easy with ample documentation and tutorials, while some require assistance for more advanced configurations. The setup process often involves a short learning curve, primarily for those familiar with networking concepts, allowing installation within minutes to a few hours. Maintenance is typically minimal, focusing on occasional updates and configuration adjustments.

Scalability

Netgate pfSense offers robust scalability, particularly suited for small and medium businesses. Many users report it handles network demands well when hardware upgrades are made. It supports various configurations and can scale efficiently within bandwidth limits. For extensive scalability, hardware capabilities like memory upgrades are essential. While some experienced no limits, others found challenges at higher traffic levels. It's widely praised for flexibility with open-source configurations, allowing easy adjustments to accommodate growth.

Stability

Users report that Netgate pfSense is highly stable, with most having no issues. Occasional challenges arise during updates, primarily due to unsupported packages or hardware limitations. Some have noted environmental factors like power issues affecting performance, not the software itself. Positive feedback highlights its reliability, with long uptimes and minimal crashes. Many rate its stability highly, praising its resilience and ability to handle configurations effectively.

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.

Review data by company size

By reviewers

By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

15%

Comms Service Provider

11%

Government

Educational Organization

University

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

Hospitality Company

Media Company

Retailer

Healthcare Company

Construction Company

Non Profit

Energy/Utilities Company

Insurance Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Outsourcing Company

Wholesaler/Distributor

Legal Firm

Performing Arts

Transportation Company

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Consumer Goods Company

Aerospace/Defense Firm

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