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Frqncis Massolin - PeerSpot reviewer
Cloud Projects Director at a government with 51-200 employees
Real User
Sep 11, 2023
An easy-to-use and open source solution that helps secure our network
Pros and Cons
  • "OPNsense is easy to use and open source."
  • "The user interface could be improved, and the DNS section should be more intuitive."

What is our primary use case?

We use the solution to secure our network and kid’s Internet usage. Since COVID-19, remote work has become relatively standard.

What is most valuable?

OPNsense is easy to use and open source. When the setup is complete, you can forget about the software itself. You can check the logs occasionally and set up some automatic reporting. 

What needs improvement?

The user interface could be improved, and the DNS section should be more intuitive.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using OPNsense for a few days. We use the updated version of the solution.

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What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I rate the solution’s stability a ten out of ten.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I rate the solution’s scalability a nine out of ten.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I’ve used pfSense and openWRT before.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is straightforward. Being an engineer myself, I have no issues with systems on networks. The installation took around two hours to complete. When you download a system, it takes time. I’ve also installed one package named Zenarmor.

What other advice do I have?

Overall, I rate the solution a nine out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Anwar Sleem - PeerSpot reviewer
Regional Director at a tech services company with 51-200 employees
Real User
Jul 5, 2023
A simple and free solution requiring no maintenance while providing stability to its users
Pros and Cons
  • "I feel that its valuable features are that it is simple and free."
  • "The interface of the solution is an area with shortcomings."

What is our primary use case?

We use OPNsense in our company to secure our servers.

What is most valuable?

To be honest with you, I feel that its valuable features are that it is simple and free.

What needs improvement?

The interface of the solution is an area with shortcomings. The interface of the solution could be made better.

The user experience when we create policies can be made easier. Also, maybe some features should be added to the cloud.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using OPNsense for around six years. Also, I don't remember the version of the solution I am using.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Stability-wise, I rate the solution a ten out of ten.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

We have 25 users who are all technical people using OPNsense in my organization.

Scalability-wise, I rate the solution a seven out of ten.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

As technical people, we have used many solutions previously for our company and customers. For customers, we have used Fortinet, Palo Alto, and others.

I didn't switch from Palo Alto to OPNsense. I use OPNsense because Palo Alto is used for enterprises. For me, I prefer open-source products. It's more flexible for us.

How was the initial setup?

I believe the setup phase was a fusion of straightforwardness and complexity. It's not complicated, so it's fine.

It's deployed on-premises because we put it on our server, and it is hosted in Germany.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

It's a free solution.

What other advice do I have?

The solution requires no maintenance.

I would recommend OPNsense to others.

Overall, I rate the solution between seven to eight out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
OPNsense
December 2025
Learn what your peers think about OPNsense. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: December 2025.
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Elisee TAMBA - PeerSpot reviewer
Founder/IT Consultant at a hospitality company with 1-10 employees
Reseller
Nov 22, 2022
A secure, stable and reliable solution
Pros and Cons
  • "It's more secure and more reliable."
  • "The IPS solution could be more reliable."

What is our primary use case?

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 virtual chain.

What is most valuable?

The firewall solution is okay because it is like pfSsense.

What needs improvement?

The IPS solution could be more reliable. The IPS functioning and internal prevention system functioning could be added to the system. I didn't have it in pfSense, which is why I'm moving to OPNsense, but it is still not working well. They could also have the LZN ones.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using this solution for about four years, and I am using the latest version, OPNsense 21.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It is very stable, and I rate the stability a ten out of ten.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It is a scalable solution, but I didn't try to scale it because I just used one instance.

How are customer service and support?

I don't use technical support. Instead, I use community resources because they give me all the necessary solutions.

How was the initial setup?

It is easy to set up, and the deployment took about six months.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The price is good and is better than other computer solutions. The licensing cost is zero because you only have to buy the support. I believe that costs between $900 to $1000 a year.

What other advice do I have?

I rate this solution a nine out of ten. Regarding advice, if they want to use this solution, they have to know how they want to organize the actual networking. When it is well organized, you can easily deploy OPNsense inside it.

Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Technical support engineer at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
Reseller
Top 10
Feb 19, 2024
Easy to manage, free and good for small offices
Pros and Cons
  • "It is a very good solution. I like the dashboard. I can see what is going on and manage it as I like it."

    What is our primary use case?

    I use it for network traffic and routing for management. It improves the overall management and the traffic.

    How has it helped my organization?

    It helps to improve network security. It does its job. 

    What is most valuable?

    It is easy to maintain. It is free. So, it is for small offices. It is a very good solution.

    I like the dashboard. I can see what is going on and manage it as I like it. 

    What needs improvement?

    If I require many site-to-site connections or prioritize advanced features, I might look at the other products.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    I have been using it for half a year. 

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    There was no need for scaling in our case. 

    Our customers are mostly small-sized businesses. 

    How are customer service and support?

    I found everything I needed online.

    Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

    I have experience with Check Point and other products like Fortinet. They're different types of tools for different purposes. 

    My experience is that OPNsense is great for installing and setting up, and then I almost forget about it. It is a good tool for everyday use.

    If I require many site-to-site connections or prioritize advanced features, I might look at the other products.

    What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

    It is free. 

    What other advice do I have?

    If you're new to firewalls, I might recommend using this solution. It's very user-friendly, especially for the first-time users.

    Overall, I would rate the solution a nine out of ten.

    Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. reseller
    PeerSpot user
    Gregor Godler - PeerSpot reviewer
    DevOps at a tech services company with 51-200 employees
    Real User
    May 11, 2023
    Useful GUI, frequent updates, and free to use
    Pros and Cons
    • "The most valuable features of OPNsense are the GUI and frequent updates."
    • "When using the solution at the beginning was difficult. There was a steep learning curve."

    What is our primary use case?

    OPNsense is a firewall.

    How has it helped my organization?

    The solution has helped our organization because we are able to easily set up IPSec and VPN tunnels.

    What is most valuable?

    The most valuable features of OPNsense are the GUI and frequent updates.

    What needs improvement?

    When using the solution at the beginning was difficult. There was a steep learning curve.

    In a feature release, it would be helpful to have some features that the new generation firewalls have, such as IPS.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    I used OPNsense within the last 12 months.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    I rate the stability of OPNsense a ten out of ten.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    We have approximately two large customers using this solution.

    I rate the scalability of OPNsense a seven out of ten.

    How are customer service and support?

    I needed to use the support twice. They could improve the support.

    I rate the support of OPNsense a seven out of ten.

    How would you rate customer service and support?

    Neutral

    Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

    I use Fortinet before in another company.

    How was the initial setup?

    The deployment took approximately two hours.

    I rate the initial setup of OPNsense a seven out of ten.

    What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

    We are using the free open-source version of the solution. There is a paid version that has additional features.

    I rate the price of OPNsense a five out of ten.

    What other advice do I have?

    I would recommend using this solution.

    I rate OPNsense a nine out of ten.

    Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

    Public Cloud

    If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?

    Microsoft Azure
    Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
    PeerSpot user
    it_user1140060 - PeerSpot reviewer
    Machine designer at a logistics company with 10,001+ employees
    Real User
    Sep 4, 2022
    An open-source firewall that works very well and gets updated every month
    Pros and Cons
    • "It has an open license. It works very well, and there is an update every month."
    • "Its interface should be a little bit better."

    What is our primary use case?

    I use it for firewall purposes and OpenVPN. Another use is to protect the servers inside my company. 

    I am using its latest version. It is deployed on my own server.

    What is most valuable?

    It has an open license. It works very well, and there is an update every month.

    What needs improvement?

    Its interface should be a little bit better.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    I have been using this solution for three years.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    It is stable. A month ago, I had an issue for two weeks, but other than that, it has been stable.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    I don't need scalability. It is a small company. It is a small network. I just need a small firewall at the entrance of the network. I don't need to expand it. 

    In terms of its users, it is the firewall to protect the company, and I am the only one to touch this product.

    How are customer service and support?

    I have never contacted their support.

    Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

    I used another one a long time ago. I don't remember the name. I went for this because it has an open license and a lot of people use it. I don't remember why, but I prefer this one over pfSense.

    How was the initial setup?

    It is not so difficult to set up. You need to know the minimum things. I do it myself, and I am not an IT person. It is not my job.

    What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

    It is open source and free.

    What other advice do I have?

    I can recommend this product but only to people who are able to use it. It is not for everybody. You need to know how to manage it.

    I would rate it a 10 out of 10.

    Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

    On-premises
    Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
    PeerSpot user
    ENOCH AMARH ANNOR ATTOH - PeerSpot reviewer
    Cyber Defense Incident Responder at a comms service provider with 11-50 employees
    Real User
    Oct 31, 2023
    A monitoring solution that is user friendly and easy to configure
    Pros and Cons
    • "The solution is user-friendly and easy to configure."
    • "You will need additional training before you can actually start to use it."

    What is our primary use case?

    The solution is being used for monitoring and as a firewall. 

    What is most valuable?

    The solution is user-friendly and easy to configure. 

    What needs improvement?

    You will need additional training before you can actually start to use it. You will need to gain some extensive knowledge. 

    For how long have I used the solution?

    I have been using OPNsense for one year. 

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    It is a scalable solution. Approximately fifty people are using the solution. 

    Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

    I have used FortiGate. For security reasons, we moved to OPNsense.

    How was the initial setup?

    The initial setup is straightforward. The deployment took a couple of minutes. 

    What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

    We are using the paid version. 

    What other advice do I have?

    I rate the overall solution an eight out of ten. 

    Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

    On-premises
    Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
    PeerSpot user
    Key Client Manager at a manufacturing company with 11-50 employees
    Real User
    Jul 15, 2023
    Rock-solid stability and open source tool
    Pros and Cons
    • "It's open source."
    • "There are a few weaknesses. For example, there is a lack of some features that I have in certain commercial products."

    What is most valuable?

    It's open source.

    What needs improvement?

    There are a few weaknesses. For example, there is a lack of some features that I have in certain commercial products.

    Some of the features include classified traffic and better blocking of newly registered DNS domains.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    I have been working with OPNsense for about three years. I use it both in my company and at home.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    OPNsense is very stable, rock-solid.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    It is a scalable solution. We haven't encountered any performance issues.

    How was the initial setup?

    The initial setup was easy. 

    What other advice do I have?

    Overall, I would rate OPNsense an eight out of ten. There is still some room for improvement.

    Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
    PeerSpot user
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