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Netgate pfSense pros and cons

Vendor: Netgate
4.3 out of 5
Badge Leader

Pros & Cons summary

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Prominent pros & cons

PROS

Netgate pfSense is praised for its ease of deployment and use, making it accessible even to users without advanced network management experience.
The platform is known for its stability, allowing for reliable and uninterrupted service with minimal maintenance requirements.
The open-source nature and affordability of Netgate pfSense offer great flexibility and a cost-effective solution for network management without compromising functionality.
The VPN features, including OpenVPN and IPsec, are highly valued for enabling secure remote access and connectivity between sites.
Netgate pfSense's extensibility through add-ons and plugins adds significant value, allowing users to enhance functionality as needed.

CONS

Netgate pfSense documentation lacks clarity and comprehensiveness, making it difficult for users to find essential information.
Integration with LDAP, Active Directory, and other systems is inadequate, limiting its ability to show traces and connections of IPs or users effectively.
The platform requires significant administration, and users must possess a high level of Linux troubleshooting expertise for seamless use.
There are limitations in the configuration and functionality of the VPN features, especially in optimizing OpenVPN setups and integrating WireGuard.
Netgate pfSense lacks advanced features like next-generation firewall capabilities and robust real-time threat protection.
 

Netgate pfSense Pros review quotes

it_user79791 - PeerSpot reviewer
Network Admin at a tech consulting company with 51-200 employees
Jan 20, 2014
After switching from Cisco, Juniper, Astaro and Microsoft network response improved and more control of packet (for me, pfpacket technology is better than packet filter.)
it_user221874 - PeerSpot reviewer
Manager IT at a energy/utilities company with 501-1,000 employees
Mar 31, 2015
I was using another product, but it didn't have a bandwidth controller and monitoring tool like this product does, so I switched because I can find everything in one window.
it_user222798 - PeerSpot reviewer
IT Support Specialist at Tech Solutions
Apr 14, 2015
It has provided us with a low cost security solution using a quality router at a fraction of the cost of our previous solution.
Learn what your peers think about Netgate pfSense. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: March 2026.
884,873 professionals have used our research since 2012.
it_user224304 - PeerSpot reviewer
Corporate Trainer / Systems Administrator at a computer software company with 51-200 employees
Apr 15, 2015
If you want reliable, highly-customizable, and rock solid firewall, do not hesitate for one second to install/purchase this product.
it_user223011 - PeerSpot reviewer
Systems Engineer II at a tech services company with 51-200 employees
Apr 16, 2015
It has enhanced our organization because of its versatility, it doesn't need expensive hardware to build a robust firewall, therefore providing a saving on cost, and its reliability is quite remarkable which allows IT to focus on other tasks, and how efficiently it manages our WAN traffic.
it_user219480 - PeerSpot reviewer
IT Administrator at Sharif Medical City
Apr 16, 2015
I would recommend that you use and implement this product, because it is open source, has a low hardware cost, its fabulous web interface, the backup and restore feature, the pass through MAC, and many other features.
it_user224253 - PeerSpot reviewer
Network Engineer at TLCWEB S.R.L.
Apr 16, 2015
First of all scalability of this solution; it's an all-in-one solution useful for every kind of company, very easy to set up rules and NAT, and it has several modules like transparent proxy, VPN, and traffic shaping which are the daily modules for me.
it_user224256 - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior Technology Consultant Cosmocall/Microsoft at a tech services company
Apr 16, 2015
I think that having this kind of complex configuration and tuning with a robust open solution is a good value.
it_user224265 - PeerSpot reviewer
Responsable IT & RMQ at a comms service provider with 51-200 employees
Apr 19, 2015
It's very straightforward, even for beginners, as there is documentation and different tutorials and videos available in different languages.
it_user219210 - PeerSpot reviewer
System Administrator at a tech services company with 51-200 employees
Apr 20, 2015
PfSense is very valuable as previously I had to use Microsoft's TMG solution, and after some research I noticed that pfSense, as a firewall, uses less resources and has shown me how I can benefit from open source software.
 

Netgate pfSense Cons review quotes

it_user79791 - PeerSpot reviewer
Network Admin at a tech consulting company with 51-200 employees
Jan 20, 2014
The initial approach is very complex because of the multiple functions, but after a short learning curve it is able to handle the standard functions.
it_user221874 - PeerSpot reviewer
Manager IT at a energy/utilities company with 501-1,000 employees
Mar 31, 2015
Proxy filters are not supported for the blocking of HTTPS sites.
it_user222798 - PeerSpot reviewer
IT Support Specialist at Tech Solutions
Apr 14, 2015
Sometimes there are issues with package deployment and one must refer to the forums for support.
Learn what your peers think about Netgate pfSense. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: March 2026.
884,873 professionals have used our research since 2012.
it_user224304 - PeerSpot reviewer
Corporate Trainer / Systems Administrator at a computer software company with 51-200 employees
Apr 15, 2015
Some of the available plug-ins that work very well on older versions, actually break the newer versions.
it_user223011 - PeerSpot reviewer
Systems Engineer II at a tech services company with 51-200 employees
Apr 16, 2015
I think the dashboard/interface could be improved and the ability to manage it from a mobile platform.
it_user219480 - PeerSpot reviewer
IT Administrator at Sharif Medical City
Apr 16, 2015
VPN ability needs to be improved.
it_user224253 - PeerSpot reviewer
Network Engineer at TLCWEB S.R.L.
Apr 16, 2015
Compatibility with virtualization system (like VMWare, Proxmox and so on and so forth); in some cases, it can create conflicts with virtualized hardware, and configuration export (sometimes the XML file creates a conflict with the hardware network MAC address).
it_user224256 - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior Technology Consultant Cosmocall/Microsoft at a tech services company
Apr 16, 2015
Yes, sometimes there are issues if there are some complex configurations.
it_user224265 - PeerSpot reviewer
Responsable IT & RMQ at a comms service provider with 51-200 employees
Apr 19, 2015
I always need to open different graphs on different windows of the web browser to have an overview, therefore, it would be good, if it is possible, to have a customizable, large dashboard.
it_user219210 - PeerSpot reviewer
System Administrator at a tech services company with 51-200 employees
Apr 20, 2015
When I started to test it in a real environment, it was on a physical machine and I was faced with problems.