We use it for its firewall features and VPN.
An affordable and recommendable solution for stopping attacks and providing VPN facility
Pros and Cons
- "It is a very good solution for enterprises that need a VPN for their employees. It is the best way to provide a remote work facility to employees at a very low cost. Other solutions that I have had in the past were very expensive. Enterprises don't always have that kind of money to invest."
- "Other solutions provide more scope for growth. For instance, we can have only 10 to 20 employees on VPN, but other solutions can support more users. We also have more capabilities to increase the performance of the solution."
What is our primary use case?
How has it helped my organization?
I provide it to my customers, and I also use it in my office. It is a very good solution for enterprises that need a VPN for their employees. It is the best way to provide a remote work facility to employees at a very low cost. Other solutions that I have had in the past were very expensive. Enterprises don't always have that kind of money to invest.
What is most valuable?
Its firewall ability is very good. It is very good and smooth at stopping attacks. It is better than others because we have to perform quite a bit of programming.
It is a very good and affordable solution for enterprises.
What needs improvement?
Other solutions provide more scope for growth. For instance, we can have only 10 to 20 employees on VPN, but other solutions can support more users. We also have more capabilities to increase the performance of the solution.
Buyer's Guide
Netgate pfSense
September 2023

Learn what your peers think about Netgate pfSense. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: September 2023.
734,963 professionals have used our research since 2012.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using this solution for four years. I am using it now, and I have also used it in the past.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It is very stable. Both pfSense and Netgate appliances are very stable. I have had some of these solutions working non-stop for about a year and a half.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
It is very scalable. It is being used in an enterprise with 70 employees and about 30 terabytes of communication per month. I also have other small enterprises with 10 to 20 employees. In my office, I have four users.
How are customer service and support?
I usually use community forums for any tech support. I get very good information there.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I have also worked with Netgate appliances in the past. Both Netgate and pfSense are very stable.
How was the initial setup?
It is not very easy, but it is straightforward. We have an agreement with the clients to have the equipment and install the appliance in three or four days.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
It is very suitable in terms of the price. If a client cannot acquire a Netgate appliance, I provide a custom-made appliance, and I install the Community edition of pfSense. It is a very good and affordable solution for enterprises. Some of the clients pay monthly but usually, it is annually.
The maintenance cost varies depending on the kind of solution we have implemented. It could be €100 per month or around €800 per year.
What other advice do I have?
I would absolutely recommend this solution. I would rate it a nine out of 10.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner

Information Technology at a transportation company with 51-200 employees
Reasonably priced and easy to understand with a straightforward setup
Pros and Cons
- "Some of the terminologies were more familiar to me than it was when I first encountered Cisco."
- "It's just not listed as FIPS compliant for where we're at now in government, which is an issue."
What is our primary use case?
I primarily install and test the solution. I'm not an expert in the solution; I mainly put them in place.
What is most valuable?
The pricing is good.
I have a good understanding of the underlying firewall which I find to be easy to use and comprehend. Some of the terminologies were more familiar to me than they were when I first encountered Cisco.
The initial setup is pretty easy.
The solution has been stable.
From what I can tell, the solution can scale.
What needs improvement?
I can't speak to if there are missing features. I'm not that familiar with it.
The critical issue there for us was the lack of FIPs compliance, however, I don't know if that's something that they would consider adjusting for.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The product is stable. There are no issues with bugs and glitches. It doesn't crash or freeze. It's reliable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
While it's my understanding that scaling wouldn't be a problem, I myself have never actually tried to do so. Therefore, I can't speak from personal experience.
How are customer service and support?
I've never dealt with technical support before. I can't speak to how helpful or responsive they are in terms of answering support-related queries.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I also have an understanding Cisco, which is a bit harder to understand. This product is more straightforward.
How was the initial setup?
In terms of the initial setup, pfSense seems pretty easy. I'd say it's been a few years since we played with it and I don't really remember too much about it other than using it and thinking it was okay. It's just not listed as FIPS compliant for where we're at now in government, which is an issue.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The solution doesn't come at a high cost. That makes it a very attractive option.
What other advice do I have?
I'd rate the solution at an eight out of ten. I've been pretty satisfied with the product overall.
We are a customer and an end-user. We don't have any business relationship with the solution.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Buyer's Guide
Netgate pfSense
September 2023

Learn what your peers think about Netgate pfSense. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: September 2023.
734,963 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Head of IT Department at OLIVESTRONIX NIGERIA LTD
You can deploy it with limited hardware resources
Pros and Cons
- "The firewall sensor is highly effective, and it's easy to deploy. You can deploy pfSense with limited hardware resources. It's not necessary to have an appliance with much RAM to make it work. It's cost-effective and performs well."
- "The solution could be more user-friendly, and the graphical interface needs some work so that someone without an IT background can use the application. I would like the ability to manage the on-premise appliance from the cloud. When I'm not in the office, it would be great to connect to the pfSense server and administer the network remotely."
What is our primary use case?
We're using pfSense as a firewall and for web filtering.
What is most valuable?
The firewall sensor is highly effective, and it's easy to deploy. You can deploy pfSense with limited hardware resources. It's not necessary to have an appliance with much RAM to make it work. It's cost-effective and performs well.
What needs improvement?
The solution could be more user-friendly, and the graphical interface needs some work so that someone without an IT background can use the application. I would like the ability to manage the on-premise appliance from the cloud. When I'm not in the office, it would be great to connect to the pfSense server and administer the network remotely.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've used pfSense for two and a half years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
pfSense is stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
You can scale up pfSense with multiple clusters for higher availability. It has that capability. It gives you that flexibility to set up a hybrid with part of the deployment in the cloud and a mural copy or to grow your network.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
At my previous company, we used a Cisco firewall and a router, but they kept having issues with the firewall and the device. When I joined this company, we introduced pfSense and haven't had any issues since.
How was the initial setup?
Setting up pfSense is easy, but it depends on your experience level. The average person with an IT background who is grounded in ICT can do install and configure pfSense in 15 to 30 minutes.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
PfSense is an open-source product, but you need to buy a license to get some features.
What other advice do I have?
I rate pfSense eight out of 10. It's an open-source solution that you can deploy on data warehouses with various resources. You're not tied to specific hardware. It's easier to manage and use.
Before deploying, you should find out the details about the environment where you will install pfSense. I would recommend pfSense for an enterprise environment with around 1,000 to 2,500 users.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
CEO at netison
Reliable, easy to use, and allows us to deploy OpenVPN clients
Pros and Cons
- "My technicians find the pfSense's web interface very useful. It is very easy to use. pfSense is very reliable and stable. We like the OpenVPN clients that can be deployed using pfSense very much."
- "I'd like to find something in pfSense that is more specific to URL filtering. We have customers who would like to filter their web traffic. They would like to be able to say to their employees, "You can surf the web, but you cannot get access to Facebook or other social media," or "You can surf the web, but you're not allowed to gamble or watch porn on the web." My technicians say that doing this kind of stuff with pfSense nowadays is not easy. They can implement some filters using IP addresses but not by using the names of the domains and categories. So, we are not able to exclude some categories from the allowed traffic, such as porn, gambling, etc. To do that, we have to use another product and another web filter that uses DNS. I know that there are some third-party products that could work with pfSense, but I'd like the native pfSense solution to do that."
What is our primary use case?
We are an MSP. We have some customers who have on-prem networks, and they want to have their networks protected by a firewall. They are quite small customers with 10 to 50 users. We use pfSense in order to protect our customers' network, to make some network automation, and especially to make VPNs to some remote branches to enable remote users to get access to the enterprise network.
It is deployed on a private cloud and on-prem.
What is most valuable?
My technicians find the pfSense's web interface very useful. It is very easy to use.
pfSense is very reliable and stable. We like the OpenVPN clients that can be deployed using pfSense very much.
What needs improvement?
I'd like to find something in pfSense that is more specific to URL filtering. We have customers who would like to filter their web traffic. They would like to be able to say to their employees, "You can surf the web, but you cannot get access to Facebook or other social media," or "You can surf the web, but you're not allowed to gamble or watch porn on the web." My technicians say that doing this kind of stuff with pfSense nowadays is not easy. They can implement some filters using IP addresses but not by using the names of the domains and categories. So, we are not able to exclude some categories from the allowed traffic, such as porn, gambling, etc. To do that, we have to use another product and another web filter that uses DNS. I know that there are some third-party products that could work with pfSense, but I'd like the native pfSense solution to do that.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using this solution for five years.
What other advice do I have?
I would rate pfSense a nine out of 10. It is a very good product.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Owner at The Computer Guy
High level protection, fast installation, and good support
Pros and Cons
- "pfSense is a nice product, and I find that there's a lot of information out there. There are some good tutorials on YouTube and other websites with helpful information."
- "pfSense could improve by having a sandboxing feature that I have seen in SonicWall. However, maybe it is available I am not aware of it."
What is most valuable?
pfSense is a nice product, and I find that there's a lot of information out there. There are some good tutorials on YouTube and other websites with helpful information.
What needs improvement?
pfSense could improve by having a sandboxing feature that I have seen in SonicWall. However, maybe it is available I am not aware of it.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using pfSense for approximately three years.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I have used the SonicWall solution.
How was the initial setup?
Sometimes firewalls can get a little complicated. I think some of the things about the setup could be a little bit clearer. Maybe something like a configuration wizard or something that would guide you on more in-depth projects.
I'm running pfSense on old hardware, it takes all of 10 minutes to install.
What about the implementation team?
I did the implementation of the solution, it is not difficult.
What other advice do I have?
I like pfSense and I have deployed a number of them. I have approximately four of them in the area that I'm using. I have replaced SonicWall with a pfSense unit. It's a more economical way of using a firewall, and the protection it provides is second to none.
Lonnie Buchmann:
I would say give it a serious look. And especially a lot of times when you're in a small business, this is a really good solution that doesn't kill you with all the technology overhead that you deal with nowadays.
I rate pfSense a ten out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
IT Manager at a consultancy with 1-10 employees
Simple installation, easy to use, and the performance is good
Pros and Cons
- "It is much simpler than other solutions such as Fortinet."
- "I expect a better interface with more log analysis because I create my own interface."
What is our primary use case?
pfSense is used as our firewall and router.
What is most valuable?
The performance is good.
It is easy to use.
I have been working with this solution for so long now that it has become easy. It is much simpler than other solutions such as Fortinet.
What needs improvement?
I expect a better interface with more log analysis because I create my own interface.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using pfSense for a long time. Since the beginning.
I have the latest version.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
pfSense is a stable product.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
pfSense is a scalable solution.
How are customer service and support?
I have not contacted technical support.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Previously, I worked with Fortinet FortiGate, Linux, and OPNsense.
I have tested all that are available on the market and pfSense is more.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is easy.
The first installation took an hour to complete, but the configuration is another part. It's about the complexity of my network because I have provided services from a firm and every company has a different setup.
What about the implementation team?
I was able to complete the installation myself.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
I am not aware of the licensing costs.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend pfSense to others who are interested in using it.
I would rate pfSense an eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Managing Director at a comms service provider with 1-10 employees
Excellent technical support of a stable and easy to use solution
Pros and Cons
- "Technical support is perfect, excellent."
- "The integration should be improved."
What is our primary use case?
We primarily use the solution to help our customers with firewall integration.
What is most valuable?
I like the solution's stability and ease of use.
What needs improvement?
There is a need to increase the technology on the area of WAF, the web application firewall. I would like to be more knowledgeable about the firewall, so I may best use it to solve customer problems.
The integration should be improved.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using pfSense for around six years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is stable.
How are customer service and support?
Technical support is perfect, excellent.
How was the initial setup?
The solution is easy to install for one who properly understands the nitty gritty of the firewall and network.
It is my engineers who are responsible for the installation, not I, so I cannot comment on its duration, although I know that it does not take them long.
What about the implementation team?
We don't buy the PS from Sophos, because we have in-house training and in-house trained engineers who always handle the implementation.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Our customers must pay for an annual license.
What other advice do I have?
The solution can be deployed both on-cloud and on-premises.
When it comes to Sophos, we have around 18 to 20 customers making use of it.
I would recommend the solution to others.
I rate pfSense as an eight out of ten. It is good.
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
Jefe de Infraestructura y Servicios de TI at Grupo ASD
Effective online management, secure, and user-friendly
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable features of pfSense are security, user-friendliness, and helpful online management."
- "It was difficult to configure our web printer through the solution. This process could be easier. Additionally, integration with SD-WAN solution."
What is our primary use case?
I am using pfSense as a firewall and VPN gateway.
How has it helped my organization?
pfSense has helped our organization because we use a data center that needed a firewall, VPN, and other features under a budget.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable features of pfSense are security, user-friendliness, and helpful online management.
What needs improvement?
It was difficult to configure our web printer through the solution. This process could be easier. Additionally, integration with SD-WAN solution.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using pfSense for approximately one year.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I rate the stability of pfSense an eight out of ten.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
We have approximately 2,000 people using the solution.
I rate the scalability of pfSense an eight out of ten.
How are customer service and support?
I have not used the support from the vendor. However, I use community support.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup of pfSense was simple. However, when we install filters or agents it can be difficult.
I rate the initial setup of pfSense an eight out of ten.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
I am using the community version of the solution which is free.
The paid version is priced reasonably.
What other advice do I have?
The solution has solved many of our use cases.
I rate pfSense an eight out of ten.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Last updated: May 19, 2023
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