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# Arista NG Firewall vs Netgate pfSense Comparison - What are their main differences?

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Arista NG FirewallNetgate pfSense[+ Add Product](#)

Pricing

**Arista NG Firewall**
Free Trial

No pricing available

**Netgate pfSense**
Free Trial

No pricing available

**Pricing Insights**
from reviews

Perceived Cost

**Arista NG Firewall**
$$$$$

**Netgate pfSense**
$$$$$

Average Discount

**Arista NG Firewall**
Not enough reviews yet

**Netgate pfSense**
7%

Uncover valuable pricing insights from real user feedback to improve your shopping experience.
See it for free

Time to Implement

**Arista NG Firewall** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

**Netgate pfSense** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

Return on Investment

**Arista NG Firewall** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

**Netgate pfSense** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

**Pros & Cons**
from reviews

**Arista NG Firewall**
Not enough data

**Netgate pfSense**

Ease of Use (4)

Customizability (3)

Difficult Learning Curve (3)

Complex Configuration (2)

Integrations

**Arista NG Firewall**
Not enough data

**Netgate pfSense**
[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_b3390b4cc3d92e87d570895f7358c003/aws-lambda.jpg "Product Avatar Image")

AWS Lambda

](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-lambda/reviews)[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_dae0031c2ae3821616be108bd707a35f/sophos-firewall.png "Product Avatar Image")

Sophos Firewall

](https://www.g2.com/products/sophos-firewall/reviews)[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_ec16874dda71514576a24845df4c8236/tailscale.png "Product Avatar Image")

Tailscale

](https://www.g2.com/products/tailscale/reviews)[
View all
](https://www.g2.com/products/netgate-pfsense/integrations)

Screenshots

**Arista NG Firewall**
 ![Arista NG Firewall screenshot](https://images.g2crowd.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=600,height=600,fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,/https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/attachment/file/1256178/ng-firewall-laptop.jpg)

**Netgate pfSense**
No screenshot available

**Ratings**
from reviews

Meets Requirements

**Arista NG Firewall**

**9.6** /10

Based on 13 responses

**Netgate pfSense**

**9.4** /10

Based on 262 responses

Ease of Use

**Arista NG Firewall**

**9.4** /10

Based on 13 responses

**Netgate pfSense**

**8.5** /10

Based on 269 responses

Ease of Setup

**Arista NG Firewall**

**9.6** /10

Based on 12 responses

**Netgate pfSense**

**8.7** /10

Based on 248 responses

Ease of Admin

**Arista NG Firewall**

**9.4** /10

Based on 12 responses

**Netgate pfSense**

**8.8** /10

Based on 244 responses

Quality of Support

**Arista NG Firewall**

**9.8** /10

Based on 11 responses

**Netgate pfSense**

**9.1** /10

Based on 210 responses

Has the product been a good partner in doing business?

**Arista NG Firewall**

**9.8** /10

Based on 11 responses

**Netgate pfSense**

**9.1** /10

Based on 198 responses

Product Direction (% positive)

**Arista NG Firewall**

**8.1** /10

Based on 12 responses

**Netgate pfSense**

**8.6** /10

Based on 263 responses

**Features**
ratings from reviews

Firewall Software

**8.9** /10

Based on 7 responses

**8.3** /10

Based on 245 responses

Network Security Policy Management (NSPM)

**9.4** /10

Based on 6 responses

Not enough data

Business VPN

Not enough data

**8.8** /10

Based on 182 responses

User Insights

**Reviewers' Company Size**

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
61.1%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
38.9%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
0%

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
61.1%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
38.9%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
0%

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
68.6%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
25.2%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
6.3%

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
68.6%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
25.2%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
6.3%

**Reviewers' Industry**

[![Arista NG Firewall](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/0a2a6c349119bd4198e72c2973d7b2cd/arista-ng-firewall.svg "Arista NG Firewall")](https://www.g2.com/products/arista-ng-firewall/reviews)
Arista NG Firewall

Education Management
16.7%

Wholesale
11.1%

Hospital & Health Care
11.1%

Primary/Secondary Education
5.6%

Plastics
5.6%

Other
50.0%

[![Netgate pfSense](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/f4469990cc8ea128d45e4ab41bf45ef3/netgate-pfsense.svg "Netgate pfSense")](https://www.g2.com/products/netgate-pfsense/reviews)
Netgate pfSense

Information Technology and Services
20.1%

Computer & Network Security
11.0%

Computer Software
6.6%

Telecommunications
4.1%

Computer Networking
3.8%

Other
54.5%

Alternatives

**Arista NG Firewall Alternatives**

 ![Sophos Firewall](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/c3eafd206cf051259b58dcd9712f2d46/sophos-firewall.svg "Sophos Firewall")

[
Sophos Firewall
](/products/sophos-firewall/reviews)

 ![FortiGate-VM NGFW](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/fa3376b61f91a50021359e71d1976187/fortigate-vm-ngfw.jpg "FortiGate-VM NGFW")

[
FortiGate-VM NGFW
](/products/fortigate-vm-ngfw/reviews)

 ![WatchGuard Network Security](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/95497ce130aa56e5fb27b011c9bcaebc/watchguard-network-security.svg "WatchGuard Network Security")

[
WatchGuard Network Security
](/products/watchguard-network-security/reviews)

 ![SonicWall Next Generation Firewall](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_a91c790d4dcb23f5394f7d7ba650ea65/sonicwall-next-generation-firewall.png "SonicWall Next Generation Firewall")

[
SonicWall Next Generation...
](/products/sonicwall-next-generation-firewall/reviews)

**Netgate pfSense Alternatives**

 ![Sophos Firewall](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/c3eafd206cf051259b58dcd9712f2d46/sophos-firewall.svg "Sophos Firewall")

[
Sophos Firewall
](/products/sophos-firewall/reviews)

 ![Check Point Next Generation Firewalls (NGFWs)](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/64ff8da1b6e6ffabf4336ae2510e8e3e/check-point-next-generation-firewalls-ngfws.svg "Check Point Next Generation Firewalls (NGFWs)")

[
Check Point Next Generation...
](/products/check-point-next-generation-firewalls-ngfws/reviews)

 ![FortiGate-VM NGFW](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/fa3376b61f91a50021359e71d1976187/fortigate-vm-ngfw.jpg "FortiGate-VM NGFW")

[
FortiGate-VM NGFW
](/products/fortigate-vm-ngfw/reviews)

 ![WatchGuard Network Security](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/95497ce130aa56e5fb27b011c9bcaebc/watchguard-network-security.svg "WatchGuard Network Security")

[
WatchGuard Network Security
](/products/watchguard-network-security/reviews)

## Arista NG Firewall vs Netgate pfSense FAQs

Generated using AI

Last updated: August 14, 2026

### What is the difference between Arista NG Firewall vs Netgate pfSense?

Arista NG Firewall and Netgate pfSense both achieve a 4.7/5 G2 rating, but Arista NG Firewall leads on Ease of Setup and Quality of Support, while Netgate pfSense is more widely reviewed and praised for customizability.

| | [Arista NG Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/arista-ng-firewall/reviews) | [Netgate pfSense](https://www.g2.com/products/netgate-pfsense/reviews) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| G2 Rating (reviews) | 4.7/5 (17 reviews) | 4.7/5 (326 reviews) |
| Ease of Setup score | 9.5 | 8.7 |
| Quality of Support score | 9.8 | 9.1 |
| Top Reviewer-Cited Strength | Ease of use and remote management portal | Customizability and ease of use (3 all-time mentions) |

### How do the pricing models of Arista NG Firewall and Netgate pfSense compare?

Arista NG Firewall and Netgate pfSense are rated at parity for value, with both products achieving high satisfaction on price and cost-related dimensions.

- **Arista NG Firewall:** In recent reviews, buyers mention the pay-per-device model can be costly for environments with many mobile devices, but appreciate the flexibility and feature set.
- **Netgate pfSense:** Reviewers consistently highlight the product's strong value, noting its open-source nature and cost-effectiveness for both basic and advanced firewall needs.

### What are the best alternatives to Arista NG Firewall and Netgate pfSense?

The top 3 alternatives to Arista NG Firewall and Netgate pfSense are Sophos Firewall, Check Point Next Generation Firewalls (NGFWs), and FortiGate-VM NGFW.

| Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Arista NG Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/arista-ng-firewall/reviews) | 4.7/5 (17 reviews) | — | Pay-per-device model can be costly for high device counts | Ease of use and remote management portal |
| [Netgate pfSense](https://www.g2.com/products/netgate-pfsense/reviews) | 4.7/5 (326 reviews) | — | Open-source, strong value for advanced features | Customizability and ease of use |
| [Sophos Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/sophos-firewall/reviews) | 4.7/5 (869 reviews) | Mid-Market | — | — |
| [Check Point Next Generation Firewalls (NGFWs)](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-next-generation-firewalls-ngfws/reviews) | 4.5/5 (595 reviews) | Mid-Market | — | — |
| [FortiGate-VM NGFW](https://www.g2.com/products/fortigate-vm-ngfw/reviews) | 4.6/5 (252 reviews) | Mid-Market | — | — |

### Which Network Security Policy Management (NSPM) features should I prioritize when comparing Arista NG Firewall and Netgate pfSense?

Buyers should prioritize Ease of Setup, Quality of Support, Ease of Use, Reporting, and Customizability when comparing Arista NG Firewall and Netgate pfSense.

- **Ease of Setup:** Arista NG Firewall scores 9.5, Netgate pfSense scores 8.7.
- **Quality of Support:** Arista NG Firewall scores 9.8, Netgate pfSense scores 9.1.
- **Ease of Use:** Arista NG Firewall scores 9.3, Netgate pfSense scores 8.5; Netgate pfSense has 3 all-time reviewer mentions for ease of use.
- **Reporting:** Both products are frequently cited for strong reporting capabilities in recent reviews.
- **Customizability:** Netgate pfSense is specifically praised for customizability (2 all-time mentions).

### What are the pros and cons of Arista NG Firewall vs Netgate pfSense?

Arista NG Firewall's headline strength is ease of setup and support, while Netgate pfSense stands out for customizability and open-source value.

- **Arista NG Firewall strengths:** Reviewers highlight ease of use, remote management, and a single-pane dashboard for managing multiple appliances.
- **Arista NG Firewall trade-offs:** Some reviewers mention the pay-per-device licensing model can be costly for environments with many mobile devices, and note a dated interface.
- **Netgate pfSense strengths:** Customizability (2 all-time mentions), ease of use (3 all-time mentions), strong value as an open-source solution, and robust feature set for advanced networking needs.
- **Netgate pfSense trade-offs:** Reviewers note a steep learning curve (2 all-time mentions), complex configuration, and that some advanced features require technical expertise.

### Is Arista NG Firewall or Netgate pfSense better for small businesses?

Netgate pfSense is the better fit for small businesses, with extensive reviewer sentiment supporting its value and flexibility for this segment.

- **Arista NG Firewall:** Reviewers from small organizations appreciate its all-in-one appliance approach and ease of use, but mention licensing costs as a consideration for environments with many devices.
- **Netgate pfSense:** Small-business reviewers consistently cite its open-source value, flexibility to run on custom or low-cost hardware, and robust feature set as key advantages.

### Which Network Security Policy Management (NSPM) platform has better integrations?

Netgate pfSense is favored for integrations, with reviewers citing specific third-party tool compatibility.

- **Arista NG Firewall:** No recent reviewer-cited integrations.
- **Netgate pfSense:** Tailscale is mentioned in recent reviews for integration, with 3 all-time mentions.

### How do Arista NG Firewall and Netgate pfSense compare on customer support?

Arista NG Firewall leads on Quality of Support by 0.7 points, a material difference over Netgate pfSense.

- **Arista NG Firewall:** Reviewers consistently praise helpful and insightful support, with a Quality of Support score of 9.8.
- **Netgate pfSense:** Reviewers describe support as generally strong, especially for paid tiers, but note some experiences with slower or less comprehensive responses; Quality of Support score is 9.1.

### Which is easier to implement, Arista NG Firewall or Netgate pfSense?

Arista NG Firewall is easier to implement, leading Netgate pfSense by 0.8 points on Ease of Setup.

- **Arista NG Firewall:** Reviewers highlight straightforward setup, intuitive GUI, and minimal maintenance post-deployment.
- **Netgate pfSense:** Reviewers note a steeper learning curve and more complex configuration, but also mention strong documentation and community support for implementation.

### Which product has better Reporting?

Both Arista NG Firewall and Netgate pfSense are highly rated for Reporting, with reviewers citing robust reporting features.

- **Arista NG Firewall:** Reviewers praise the dashboard and reporting capabilities, with an Ease of Use score of 9.3 and Meets Requirements score of 9.6.
- **Netgate pfSense:** Reviewers highlight comprehensive logging and reporting, with an Ease of Use score of 8.5 and Meets Requirements score of 9.4.

## Arista NG Firewall vs Netgate pfSense

When assessing the two solutions, reviewers found Arista NG Firewall easier to use, set up, and administer. Reviewers also preferred doing business with Arista NG Firewall overall.

- Reviewers felt that Arista NG Firewall meets the needs of their business better than Netgate pfSense.
- When comparing quality of ongoing product support, reviewers felt that Arista NG Firewall is the preferred option.
- For feature updates and roadmaps, our reviewers preferred the direction of Netgate pfSense over Arista NG Firewall.