OPNsense Reviews

Name: OPNsense
Brand: OPNsense
Rating: 4.1 (38 reviews)

Vendor: OPNsense

4.1 out of 5

38 reviews
97% willing to recommend

1,629 followers

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What is OPNsense?

OPNsense is widely used for firewall functionalities, intrusion detection, VPN and IPSec, content filtering, securing network traffic, and remote access. It protects internal networks and manages servers securely, suitable for small to medium-sized businesses.

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OPNsense is the #3 ranked solution in best firewalls. PeerSpot users give OPNsense an average rating of 8.2 out of 10. Based on the analysis of the 38 most recent OPNsense reviews, the overall sentiment is positive, with a sentiment score of 7.5. OPNsense is most commonly compared to Fortinet FortiGate: OPNsense vs Fortinet FortiGate. OPNsense 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 16% of all views.

Helped 816,636 peers since 2012

Featured reviews

Akram Zaki Hussein

System and Network Administrator at El Sadat City Language School

The interface is user-friendly, but there's room for improvement in terms of intuitiveness. The bundle management aspect requires additional attention to make it more intuitive, especially for inspecting high-level traffic. This is crucial, especially for larger companies where the existing features might not be the most optimal choice, given limitations like printer constraints. For high availability, it's crucial to have a method in place where a designated component oversees the entire process. Given that OPNsense plays a pivotal role as a firewall, safeguarding against various threats, having a reliable backup ensures uninterrupted protection even if unforeseen events impact the primary virtual machine. It would be beneficial if OPNsense supported additional virtualization platforms like Hyper-V from Microsoft and VMware, similar to how Kaspersky has integrated them.

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Eddy Ramirez

IT Security Director at a financial services firm with 1,001-5,000 employees

The security has improved as we can isolate the network. We can do attrition prevention via a tool that comes with the solution. We can have a VPN solution in place for those that work from home, outside the network, in a secure manner. We also like that it offers good authentication. It offers radius-based authentication, which has been useful for the company. The main platform is under the Open VPN firewall. The solution has high availability. When we have different ISPs, we can actually load balance those links or actually put some priority or even classify the traffic that might go into one ISP or another.

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Elisee TAMBA

Founder/IT Consultant at Open IT World

I moved to OPNsense because it's more secure and more reliable. I use it to secure access to the servers. I have a core backing server, an e-banking server, the main server, and other features with the solution. I make the multi-DMZ packs, so each service is in one DMZ bay, and I use it as a…

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OPNsense mindshare

As of November 2024, the mindshare of OPNsense in the Firewalls category stands at 15.6%, down from 18.1% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Firewalls

Key learnings from peers

Last updated Nov 21, 2024

Valuable Features

Users find OPNsense's ease of use and user-friendly interface highly valuable. The dashboard, reporting, and visibility features are frequently praised. Its firewall, VPN capabilities, and content filtering are notable highlights. Many appreciate the open-source nature, frequent updates, scalability, and extensive documentation. Features such as WireGuard, ClamAV, IDS/IPS, Dual WAN, and network intrusion detection are also valued. The insights, security options, and seamless integration enhance its appeal.

"I mostly rely on the solution's network intrusion detection and prevention system, along with other systems, CMs, and log management."
"The tool's integration is more like a button press."
"What I like the most about OPNsense is that it offers an easy-to-use dashboard for device management and control."

Room for Improvement

OPNsense users noted the interface needs simplification, improved VPN selection, and better SD-WAN performance. Enhanced technical documentation and more frequent hardware updates are needed. Connectivity, alerting, and SSL inspection require improvements. Users also desire better threat intelligence tools, enhanced SD-WAN capabilities, and increased intuitive features in the user interface. Reporting and traffic monitoring facilities, as well as the integration with Azure, need enhancements. Reliable high availability features and improved scalability are also critical to many users.

"SD-WAN (software-defined wide area network) is integrated into some restricted service providers for OPNSense."
"pfSense has better performance and quicker updates."
"In terms of improvement, the performance could be enhanced."

ROI

Users highlighted that OPNsense significantly reduced their operational costs while providing robust security features. They appreciated its ease of use and flexibility in deploying tailored network solutions. The minimal licensing fees contributed to their quick return on investment, and its reliable performance enhanced their network efficiency. OPNsense's active community support also ensured rapid troubleshooting, which minimized downtime and helped protect critical assets.

Pricing

OPNsense is predominantly free and open-source, resulting in no software costs for most users. Enterprises mainly incur expenses for hardware, infrastructure, and optional support services. Compared to alternatives like FortiGate and Azure Firewall, OPNsense is considered affordable. Companies appreciate its cost-effectiveness, especially for on-premise deployments. Licensing costs are minimal, with optional paid versions offering additional features. Overall, OPNsense stands out as a budget-friendly firewall solution for enterprise needs.

"I've used the free version. My computer with two network cards at home allows me to try as many different software options as I want. I did pay for the license, but it was for the Zenarmor license, which is the packet inspection tool. They use AI for packet inspection, which integrates with OPNsense and pfSense."
"It is free."
"I would rate the pricing a nine out of ten, especially considering the availability of a free community edition."

Popular Use Cases

OPNsense is used primarily as a firewall, network security platform, and for VPN functionalities. It is deployed for intrusion detection, prevention, content filtering, and protecting against malware and viruses. Companies utilize it for managing security, controlling traffic, remote access, and securing servers. OPNsense is applied both on-premises and in the cloud, with integration capabilities for SD-WAN, Azure, and OpenVPN.

Service and Support

Most users rely on online forums, community support, and web resources for resolving queries. Some report good experiences when contacting technical support directly, while others find the support service less accessible. Many users have never needed to contact support due to the abundance of available online documentation and community help. Some feel support could be improved and others prefer resolving issues themselves. A few users find the support cost high compared to local options.

Deployment

OPNsense's initial setup is generally easy and straightforward, often taking between 15 minutes to a few hours. Users with firewall or networking experience find it particularly simple, although some encountered issues with VPN setup and documentation. Deployment times vary, ranging from as little as 30 minutes to up to two weeks, depending on network complexity and user familiarity. Basic to moderate IT knowledge is beneficial for smooth installation and configuration.

Scalability

OPNsense is praised for its scalability, well-suited for both small and large setups. Users find it adaptable for numerous connections and user counts, deployable on multiple VMs, and recommend it for various business sizes. Regular updates and good documentation enhance its usability. While popular in niche markets, some recommend other firewalls for very large enterprise installations. Users rate its scalability highly, highlighting its flexibility, stability, and ease of scaling.

Stability

The stability of OPNsense is highly regarded by many, with numerous users rating it ten out of ten. It is described as stable, very stable, and rock-solid. Some did encounter minor challenges or resource-dependent issues. Stability ratings from these responses range from six to ten out of ten, reflecting high satisfaction with its performance. A few noted reliability improvements with updated hardware, but VPN availability issues were mentioned.

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

Download our OPNsense 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

16%

Comms Service Provider

10%

Government

Educational Organization

University

Manufacturing Company

Media Company

Financial Services Firm

Retailer

Healthcare Company

Hospitality Company

Energy/Utilities Company

Non Profit

Construction Company

Insurance Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Outsourcing Company

Wholesaler/Distributor

Legal Firm

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Transportation Company

Performing Arts

Pharma/Biotech Company

Consumer Goods Company

Aerospace/Defense Firm

Compare OPNsense with alternative products

Learn more about OPNsense

OPNsense is a comprehensive firewall solution leveraging open-source technology. It integrates with third-party modules like WireGuard and CrowdSec, enhancing its security capabilities. Offering on-premises and cloud deployment, it features an intuitive graphical interface, advanced reporting, VPN functionality, IDS/IPS features, and high scalability. Users find it ideal for small businesses and home networks due to its stability and ease of use. Frequent updates and an active community support its continuous improvement. However, it needs advancements in VPN selection, scalability, and technical documentation. Enhanced high availability, threat intelligence, and integration with virtualization platforms are required. User feedback suggests improvements in connectivity, alerting, traffic monitoring, and antivirus protection.

What are the key features of OPNsense?

Strong Firewall: Robust firewall capabilities for securing network traffic.
Intrusion Detection and Prevention: Effective IDS/IPS for threat mitigation.
VPN Functionality: Comprehensive VPN support including WireGuard.
Content Filtering: DNS-level filtering for enhanced security.
Advanced Reporting: In-depth traffic analysis and reporting features.
High Scalability: Supports growing network demands.
Integration Capabilities: Works with third-party modules like CrowdSec.
Intuitive GUI: User-friendly graphical interface enhances usability.

What benefits should users look for in OPNsense reviews?

Security: High level of protection for internal networks.
Manageability: Easy management of servers and network traffic.
Cost-Effective: Open-source nature reduces costs.
Reliability: Stable performance suitable for small and medium-sized businesses.
Community Support: Active community and frequent updates.

OPNsense is implemented across various industries to secure network infrastructure and ensure reliable connectivity. In fintech, it safeguards sensitive financial data while maintaining compliance. Educational institutions deploy it to protect student information and enable secure remote learning environments. Healthcare organizations use it to secure patient data and comply with HIPAA regulations. By integrating with tools like WireGuard and CrowdSec, businesses enhance their cybersecurity posture and streamline network management, making OPNsense a versatile choice for diverse operational needs.

OPNsense customers

1. Deciso B.V.

2. iXsystems, Inc.

3. EuroBSDCon

4. Netgate

5. Claranet

6. Voleatech

7. Open Systems AG

8. Securebit AG

9. Proxmox Server Solutions GmbH

10. AVM Computersysteme Vertriebs GmbH

Additional customers include: T-Systems International GmbH, Deutsche Telekom AG, Vodafone GmbH, 1&1 IONOS SE, OVHcloud, Hetzner Online GmbH, Strato AG, PlusServer GmbH, Host Europe GmbH, United Internet AG, 1&1 Versatel Deutschland GmbH, QSC AG, Bechtle AG, Cancom SE, Computacenter AG & Co. oHG, T-Systems Multimedia Solutions GmbH, Atos SE, Capgemini SE, Accenture plc, IBM Corporation, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company, Cisco Systems, Inc.