Netgate pfSense Reviews

Name: Netgate pfSense
Brand: Netgate
Rating: 4.3 (217 reviews)

4.3 out of 5

217 reviews
93% willing to recommend

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.

Get the Netgate pfSense Buyer's Guide and find out what your peers are saying about Netgate pfSense, Fortinet FortiGate, OPNsense and more!

Netgate pfSense is the #2 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 small business segment, accounting for 42% 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 872,869 peers since 2012

Featured Netgate pfSense reviews

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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reviewer2644617

Head of IT at a tech services company with 11-50 employees

I like the plugin systems, even though I feel like I'm playing roulette. I'm not sure if it does what I want it to do or if it will break the original capability of pfSense. Plus, having all of these dependencies may be a liability. While I appreciate their availability and wish to develop my own plugins, time constraints hinder that. Since the language used in the documentation is difficult for a non-English speaker, I find it hard to understand. It assumes they understand the words that are used and sometimes I feel I need to get out a dictionary to get handle on what they are talking about. They need to simplify the language a little bit. Using a plugin for reverse proxy allows multiple URLs to listen on port 80, rather than a single IP address for multiple servers, however, this requires changing the default port of pfSense. When I changed the default port, I experienced difficulty accessing the device. I thought my password was incorrect, when in fact, the port change was the issue. I had to connect to the physical device using a special cable. While I found this surprising, I am too paranoid to use SSH due to its perceived vulnerability. We're a security company. We provide solutions to prevent hacking. pfSense is really good at preventing outside access; however, as an attacker, there are endless opportunities to attack. There's no way for me to know who or what pfSense is blocking or preventing. pfSense doesn't tell you any information.

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Michael-Collins

Chief information security officer at Center for Information Management, Inc.

pfSense flexibility overall is pretty good. They are making some really big improvements. That said, they're a long way from enterprise. They advertise things that they don't have. I've worked for probably 30% of the Corporate 100, and they won't tolerate the high availability and it being as buggy as it is. The fact that if you configure it incorrectly without any visual indications that it's not done in the way Netscape does, then it will not only break the firewall, it will break both firewalls. The only way you can even try to recover is by getting new images from Netgate. You have to open up a tech support case, download the image for, then reimage the firewalls, and reapply your configuration. The fact that you can completely brick your firewalls just by having a configuration that they allow, and they don't even don't tell you there's a problem until they both go down. That's totally unacceptable in an enterprise. As a standalone firewall, they're excellent. As an enterprise, we're not touching it with a ten-foot pole. It’s difficult to configure and use add-on features. It's really easy to add them. On the website, they say “Oh, we do this, this, and this.” However, they do a lot through third-party add-ons. The problem is, if there's any problems at all, the very first thing they want you to do is disable those add-ons. So that's not really supporting anything. There are two ways that firewalls are viewed: talking to the firewall and talking through the firewall. If you're talking about “to the firewall,” then it's a very robust, very secure firewall. However, it doesn't have things that they claim helps with protecting data, most of it's third party. If you want to do all these things that are typically associated with enterprise-level firewalls, most of them are done by a third party. It's not actually cooked into their product. I like their OSPF. I wish it was more current. The only bugs that are in the OSPF are ones that have been known about for almost two years. Maybe they're they're victims of their own success. Their growth curve has outstripped their technical support and has outstripped their ability to develop. They're just growing so fast. They're trying to do everything. Updates from third parties can take too long. For example, if there's a problem with a package and no available update is available, you have to wait. Since it's via a third party, there's no definable schedule, as the update needs to come from a third-party open organization with no financial interest to make the process faster. Sometimes, there's more finger-pointing than resolution. In, OSPF, they give you lots of information. However, when it comes to hardcore troubleshooting of different routing zones or things like that, then you had to keep dropping down to the CLI in order to get it. And that's where your experience can change quite a bit. If you're running OSPF on Cumulus or some of the other big routing or switching solutions, then they're running much newer versions of it, which are all bug-patched and fixed. However, pfSense is running on an operating system that is not theirs. They don't necessarily have full control over it. When you get a real enterprise firewall, and when you hook up the redundancy, you expect redundancy to work and be predictable. And never ever will the redundancy crash your system. If you don't create the interfaces in the exact same order on both firewalls every single time, if so much as one interface is out of order, if the command line is different because of the way the operating system works, you will slowly corrupt your configuration to the point where it'll break.

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Netgate pfSense mindshare

As of November 2025, the mindshare of Netgate pfSense in the Firewalls category stands at 10.5%, down from 17.4% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Firewalls Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
Netgate pfSense	10.5%
Fortinet FortiGate	19.9%
OPNsense	11.3%
Other	58.3%

Firewalls

PeerResearch reports based on Netgate pfSense reviews

Type	Title	Date
Category	Firewalls	Nov 3, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Nov 3, 2025	Download
Comparison	Netgate pfSense vs Fortinet FortiGate	Nov 3, 2025	Download
Comparison	Netgate pfSense vs OPNsense	Nov 3, 2025	Download
Comparison	Netgate pfSense vs Sophos XG	Nov 3, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Fortinet FortiGate	4.2	19.9%	92%	574 interviews Add to research
OPNsense	4.1	11.3%	95%	44 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

Netgate pfSense offers outstanding flexibility and customization, with open-source support that attracts both advanced users and those new to networking. Its key features include a robust firewall, VPN capabilities, load balancing, and extensive plugin options. Users value its high availability, resource efficiency, ease of implementation, detailed logging, and cost-effectiveness. The community support enhances troubleshooting, allowing for quick adaptation to differing needs, making it ideal for small to large-scale environments.

"Netgate pfSense has positively impacted my organization because when we look at other firewalls or alternatives, they are costly."
"From my perspective, the best feature of Netgate pfSense is the load balancer, as I usually take multiple internet connections. I can use both internet providers' bandwidth as a single network bandwidth, which helps in a very smooth network traffic flow."
"I would rate Netgate pfSense a 10 out of 10."

Room for Improvement

Netgate pfSense users mention that the interface and dashboard could be more user-friendly and intuitive. Improvements are also needed in VPN capabilities and compatibility with virtualization systems. Users express the desire for better integration with third-party solutions, enhanced centralized management, and more frequent updates. Advanced threat protection, comprehensive reporting, and better support for plugins and packages are other areas identified for improvement. Centralized management and easier configuration processes are frequently highlighted.

"If pfSense could change its framework from FreeBSD and PHP to a different language and Linux OS, that could enhance security."
"AI would always be a plus point, and if pfSense could change its framework from FreeBSD and PHP to a different language and Linux OS, that could enhance security."
"We appreciate the flexibility of the Netgate pfSense solution, but we have waited approximately two years for new updates to the Community Edition. We are now moving to OPNsense."

ROI

Netgate pfSense delivers excellent ROI as it allows using existing hardware, reducing costs compared to competitors like Cisco and Juniper. Users experience immediate returns and appreciate the lack of license fees. Cost-effectiveness and stability contribute significantly to financial savings. Companies report a significant reduction in downtime and maintenance, leading to increased productivity. Affordability and robust features make it a preferred choice for various network requirements while maintaining exceptional performance and reliability.

Pricing

Netgate pfSense offers a cost-effective solution for enterprises, providing open-source software that can be installed on existing hardware, minimizing upfront costs. Pricing largely depends on hardware choice and the need for optional support services, which are competitive compared to alternatives like Fortinet or SonicWall. While some users opt for Netgate's appliances for a more integrated experience, the software remains free, reducing overall expenses. Enterprise-level support and VPN functionalities enhance its value, making it highly attractive for budget-conscious buyers.

"The cost of other firewalls goes to thousands and lakhs of rupees compared to pfSense, which costs zero. If we opt for Fortinet, it costs about one lakh thirty thousand Indian rupees for the firewall, and then it costs up to almost fifteen to twenty thousand annually for the user subscription. With Netgate pfSense, all those things get covered at zero cost."
"Because the Community edition is free, we only charge for our services to the customers. In Turkey, we cannot demand normal pricing; if we were in Europe or the United States, we might collect more money from customers."
"I am using the free version."

Popular Use Cases

Organizations primarily use Netgate pfSense for bandwidth management, firewall protection, and VPN connections. It is employed as an edge router, enhances network security, and supports load balancing across multiple locations. Used extensively by small businesses, educational institutions, government agencies, and MSPs, pfSense handles intrusion detection/prevention, content filtering, and geoblocking. Known for its flexibility and cost-effectiveness, it replaces more expensive appliances while managing both virtualized environments and physical installations.

Service and Support

Netgate pfSense customer service is frequently perceived as underutilized, with many opting for robust community forums, which are praised for their knowledgeable participants. Technical support receives mixed feedback; some find it responsive and effective, while others experience delays. Paid support is often highlighted as superior, offering prompt and efficient service. Forums and online resources remain the primary support channels due to their vast user base and detailed documentation, enabling users to find solutions without contacting official support.

Deployment

Many users find Netgate pfSense's initial setup straightforward and user-friendly, often describing it as easy and suitable for both professionals and beginners. With guidance available from documentation and community resources, it typically takes less than an hour to complete the process. Some mention a learning curve and varying complexity depending on specific configurations, but generally, the setup is perceived as intuitive, especially for those with basic networking knowledge.

Scalability

Netgate pfSense is highly scalable, suitable for varying environments, from small setups to larger networks. Users praise its flexibility and ability to adapt to different hardware configurations, allowing for seamless expansion. Scalability effectively depends on hardware; with appropriate upgrades, it handles increased demand. Some users note scalability challenges in high-demand environments, yet for most, its open-source nature ensures virtually limitless potential. Many appreciate its cost-effectiveness and feature-rich architecture enabling tailored network setups.

Stability

Netgate pfSense exhibits strong stability, with many entities reporting minimal issues even during high load periods. Occasional problems arise, typically linked to environmental factors, hardware limitations, or updates; however, these rarely affect performance. Users consistently rate stability highly, noting the software's reliability and resilience over time. Some encountered minor troubleshooting challenges, yet most find it stable, with a robust architecture that remains reliable across diverse setups. Regular updates are essential for optimal performance.

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
Company Size	Count
Small Business	142
Midsize Enterprise	26
Large Enterprise	22

By reviewers

By visitors reading reviews
Company Size	Count
Small Business	1705
Midsize Enterprise	740
Large Enterprise	1590

By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

16%

Comms Service Provider

13%

Manufacturing Company

Educational Organization

University

Government

Financial Services Firm

Hospitality Company

Media Company

Retailer

Construction Company

Healthcare Company

Non Profit

Outsourcing Company

Insurance Company

Performing Arts

Energy/Utilities Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Transportation Company

Legal Firm

Wholesaler/Distributor

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Aerospace/Defense Firm

Pharma/Biotech Company

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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

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Netgate pfSense Reviews Summary
Author info	Rating	Review Summary
Chief information security officer at Center for Information Management, Inc.	2.5	We use Netgate pfSense for site-to-site and OpenVPN connections, appreciating its flexible firewall features and interface. However, it lacks enterprise-grade reliability, with potential issues in configuration and support, relying heavily on third-party add-ons.
Director, Latin America at Bradmark Technologies, Inc.	4.5	I find Netgate pfSense very flexible and easy to use, especially for restricting IPs by country and reducing DDoS attacks. The community support is outstanding, though I wish for more tutorials. It works well on AWS without needing hardware.
Works	4.0	I use Netgate pfSense as a home router for its ease of use and robust features, though I'm frustrated by its costly licensing model. I prefer its user-friendly interface over VyOS but desire more affordable home-use options.
Works	4.5	I use Netgate 4100 and pfSense Plus for managing my home network, offering flexibility in security and remote access. However, upgrading requires tedious package management. Past experiences with other firewalls highlight its efficiency despite some potential improvements in upgrade processes.
General manager at Step Computer	5.0	We've used Netgate pfSense for 18 years due to its stability and flexibility. However, slow updates and lack of features like AdGuard integration led us to switch to OPNsense, especially given the economic challenges and competition in Turkey's market.
Works	4.5	I use Netgate pfSense as an edge firewall because of its configuration flexibility and ease of use. However, I'd like improved visibility and analytics similar to Palo Alto Firewalls, which offer more data-driven insights for network optimization and decision-making.
IT at Hunor	4.5	I have pfSense routers at home and my company, appreciating its Tailscale integration and functionality. However, I feel there's a lack of focus on the community version. The hardware support lacked, and pfSense's interface is superior to SonicWall.
Head of IT at a tech services company with 11-50 employees	3.5	After experiencing security issues with a previous firewall, I switched to pfSense and have had no problems. It's supported well, flexible, and reliable, although plugin management and complex documentation can be challenging. Overall, I'm satisfied with its performance and protection.

Netgate pfSense Reviews

What is Netgate pfSense?

Featured Netgate pfSense reviews

Netgate pfSense mindshare

PeerResearch reports based on Netgate pfSense reviews

Valuable Features

Room for Improvement

ROI

Pricing

Popular Use Cases

Service and Support

Deployment

Scalability

Stability

Review data by company size

Top industries

Compare Netgate pfSense with alternative products

Learn more about Netgate pfSense

Netgate pfSense customers

Related questions

Product Categories

Popular Comparisons