Side by side
NethSecurity vs pfSense
Both stand on network firewall software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan Open source APILinuxSelf-hosted+1
NethSecurity combines several network security and traffic management functions, with an optional remote management controller. Check the hardware requirements and subscription limits, especially for backups and controller registration.
Visit NethSecurity Free plan LinuxSelf-hostedWeb
pfSense offers firewall, routing, and VPN capabilities across hardware, virtual, and cloud deployments. Before using the USB installer, note that it overwrites the entire drive and cannot dual boot with another operating system.
Visit pfSenseThe facts
| NethSecurity | pfSense | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | Not published |
| Runs on | API, Linux, Self-hosted, Web | Linux, Self-hosted, Web |
| Lowest paid plan | Personal: €150 a year | pfSense Plus on third-party hardware: $129 a year |
| Plans published | 5 | 5 |
| Maker | NethSecurity | pfSense |
| Website | nethsecurity.org | pfsense.org |
| On network firewall software | #2 of 37 | #6 of 37 |
NethSecurity: what it does well
- Includes firewall and intrusion prevention
- Supports IPsec, OpenVPN, and WireGuard
- Threat Shield blocks known malicious IP addresses
- Open-source project
- Optional Controller manages multiple installations remotely
What to know first
- Available only for x86-64
- Cloud backup requires a subscription
- Trial does not allow commercial support requests
- Minimum hardware includes two Ethernet cards
pfSense: what it does well
- Free, open-source Community Edition.
- Supports policy-based routing and static routes.
- Supports IPv4 and IPv6 concurrently.
- Includes IPsec, OpenVPN, and WireGuard.
- Can run on hardware, virtual machines, and cloud instances.
What to know first
- USB installer overwrites the entire hard drive.
- USB installer does not support dual booting.
- Third-party hardware option starts at $129 a year.
- Netgate appliance option starts at $189, paid once.
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