# Netgate pfSense, SoftEther VPN vs SonicWall Next Generation Firewall Comparison

| | Netgate pfSense | SoftEther VPN | SonicWall Next Generation Firewall | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.7 out of 5 | 4.2 out of 5 | 4.1 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 325 | 17 | 153 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Small-Business (68.7% of reviews) | Small-Business (41.2% of reviews) | Mid-Market (60.1% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | No pricing available | No pricing available | No pricing available | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### Netgate pfSense

Pros:
- Ease of Use (3 reviews)
- Customizability (2 reviews)

Cons:
- Complex Configuration (2 reviews)
- Difficult Learning Curve (2 reviews)

### SoftEther VPN

**Not enough data**

### SonicWall Next Generation Firewall

Pros:
- Ease of Use (3 reviews)
- Performance Speed (2 reviews)

Cons:
- System Instability (2 reviews)
- Upgrade Issues (2 reviews)

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | Netgate pfSense | SoftEther VPN | SonicWall Next Generation Firewall | 
|---|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 9.4 (260 reviews) | 8.7 (17 reviews) | 8.8 (127 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 8.5 (267 reviews) | 9.0 (17 reviews) | 8.3 (128 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 8.7 (246 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.0 (88 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 8.8 (243 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.1 (88 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 9.1 (208 reviews) | 7.8 (15 reviews) | 8.0 (121 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 9.2 (197 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.1 (85 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 8.6 (261 reviews) | 7.9 (17 reviews) | 7.2 (124 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### Netgate pfSense

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

Yes

### SoftEther VPN

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

### SonicWall Next Generation Firewall

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### Unified Threat Management (UTM)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Netgate pfSense** | N/A | N/A |
| **SoftEther VPN** | N/A | N/A |
| **SonicWall Next Generation Firewall** | 8.7/10 | 51 |

#### Security - Unified Threat Management

| Feature | Netgate pfSense | SoftEther VPN | SonicWall Next Generation Firewall | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Antivirus** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.7 (43 reviews) | 
| **Whitelists** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.8 (43 reviews) | 
| **Antispam Filtering** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.4 (39 reviews) | 
| **Content Filtering** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.7 (43 reviews) | 
| **Web Filtering** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 9.0 (43 reviews) | 
| **Firewall** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 9.3 (43 reviews) | 

#### Administration

| Feature | Netgate pfSense | SoftEther VPN | SonicWall Next Generation Firewall | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Reports & Analytics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 7.9 (43 reviews) | 
| **Dashboard** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.6 (43 reviews) | 

### Firewall Software

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Netgate pfSense** | 8.3/10 | 243 |
| **SoftEther VPN** | N/A | N/A |
| **SonicWall Next Generation Firewall** | 8.5/10 | 56 |

#### Administration

| Feature | Netgate pfSense | SoftEther VPN | SonicWall Next Generation Firewall | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Policy Management** | 8.8 (188 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.5 (48 reviews) | 
| **Logging and Reporting** | 8.3 (209 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.1 (46 reviews) | 
| **Application Gateway** | 8.4 (179 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.5 (42 reviews) | 
| **Concurrent Sessions** | 9.0 (200 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.6 (45 reviews) | 

#### Agentic AI - Firewall Software

| Feature | Netgate pfSense | SoftEther VPN | SonicWall Next Generation Firewall | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Autonomous Task Execution** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Adaptive Learning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Functionality

| Feature | Netgate pfSense | SoftEther VPN | SonicWall Next Generation Firewall | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Virtual Private Network (VPN)** | 9.1 (217 reviews) | Not enough data | 9.0 (47 reviews) | 
| **Antivirus** | 6.6 (136 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.0 (47 reviews) | 
| **URL Filtering** | 7.9 (167 reviews) | Not enough data | 9.0 (47 reviews) | 
| **Availability** | 9.3 (200 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.7 (48 reviews) | 

#### Monitoring

| Feature | Netgate pfSense | SoftEther VPN | SonicWall Next Generation Firewall | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Load Balancing** | 8.5 (163 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.3 (43 reviews) | 
| **Continuous Analysis** | 8.2 (168 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.4 (45 reviews) | 
| **Intrusion Prevention** | 8.7 (188 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.6 (46 reviews) | 
| **Intrusion Detection** | 8.4 (181 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.4 (45 reviews) | 

#### Generative AI

| Feature | Netgate pfSense | SoftEther VPN | SonicWall Next Generation Firewall | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **AI Text Summarization** | 6.7 (73 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.6 (15 reviews) | 

#### Artificial Intelligence - Firewall

| Feature | Netgate pfSense | SoftEther VPN | SonicWall Next Generation Firewall | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **AI Firewall** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### AWS Marketplace

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Netgate pfSense** | N/A | N/A |
| **SoftEther VPN** | N/A | N/A |
| **SonicWall Next Generation Firewall** | N/A | N/A |

#### Agentic AI - AWS Marketplace

| Feature | Netgate pfSense | SoftEther VPN | SonicWall Next Generation Firewall | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Autonomous Task Execution** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Multi-step Planning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Cross-system Integration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Business VPN

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Netgate pfSense** | 8.8/10 | 181 |
| **SoftEther VPN** | 8.6/10 | 15 |
| **SonicWall Next Generation Firewall** | N/A | N/A |

#### Usage

| Feature | Netgate pfSense | SoftEther VPN | SonicWall Next Generation Firewall | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Multi-Device Usage** | 9.2 (146 reviews) | 9.1 (13 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Multiple Concurrent Connections** | 9.5 (162 reviews) | 9.3 (12 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Protocol Choices** | 9.3 (165 reviews) | 8.2 (13 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Unlimited Bandwidth** | 9.4 (156 reviews) | 9.0 (15 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **No Log Storage** | 7.9 (110 reviews) | 7.5 (14 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Varied Server Locations** | 8.5 (113 reviews) | 9.4 (13 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Unlimited Server Switches** | 8.5 (108 reviews) | 8.8 (13 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Miscellaneous

| Feature | Netgate pfSense | SoftEther VPN | SonicWall Next Generation Firewall | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Live Customer Support** | 8.1 (109 reviews) | 7.4 (9 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Open Source Code** | 9.3 (147 reviews) | 9.3 (14 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Multiple Payment Methods** | 8.2 (97 reviews) | 8.1 (6 reviews) | Not enough data | 

---
## Categories

**Unique to Netgate pfSense (2):** [Firewall Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/firewall-software), [Business VPN Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/business-vpn)

**Unique to SoftEther VPN (2):** [Business VPN Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/business-vpn), [AWS Marketplace Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/aws-marketplace)

**Unique to SonicWall Next Generation Firewall (2):** [Firewall Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/firewall-software), [Unified Threat Management Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/unified-threat-management-utm)


---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | Netgate pfSense | SoftEther VPN | SonicWall Next Generation Firewall | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 68.7% | 41.2% | 27.3% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 25.0% | 29.4% | 60.1% | 
| **Enterprise** | 6.3% | 29.4% | 12.6% | 

### By Industry

#### Netgate pfSense

- **Information Technology and Services:** 20.2%
- **Computer & Network Security:** 11.0%
- **Computer Software:** 6.3%
- **Telecommunications:** 4.1%
- **Computer Networking:** 3.8%
- **Non-Profit Organization Management:** 3.5%
- **Education Management:** 3.2%
- **Government Administration:** 3.2%
- **Higher Education:** 2.8%
- **Health, Wellness and Fitness:** 1.9%
- **Other:** 40.1%

#### SoftEther VPN

- **Information Technology and Services:** 17.6%
- **Computer Software:** 17.6%
- **Computer & Network Security:** 11.8%
- **Telecommunications:** 5.9%
- **Supermarkets:** 5.9%
- **Real Estate:** 5.9%
- **Online Media:** 5.9%
- **Mining & Metals:** 5.9%
- **Health, Wellness and Fitness:** 5.9%
- **Entertainment:** 5.9%
- **Other:** 11.8%

#### SonicWall Next Generation Firewall

- **Information Technology and Services:** 22.4%
- **Computer & Network Security:** 7.0%
- **Internet:** 4.2%
- **Marketing and Advertising:** 3.5%
- **Construction:** 3.5%
- **Hospital & Health Care:** 3.5%
- **Pharmaceuticals:** 3.5%
- **Legal Services:** 2.8%
- **Higher Education:** 2.8%
- **Computer Software:** 2.8%
- **Other:** 44.1%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to Netgate pfSense

- [Sophos Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/sophos-firewall/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (621 reviews)
- [Check Point Next Generation Firewalls (NGFWs)](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-next-generation-firewalls-ngfws/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (583 reviews)
- [WatchGuard Network Security](https://www.g2.com/products/watchguard-network-security/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (267 reviews)
- [FortiGate-VM NGFW](https://www.g2.com/products/fortigate-vm-ngfw/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (230 reviews)
- [Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls](https://www.g2.com/products/palo-alto-networks-next-generation-firewalls/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (167 reviews)
- [Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv)](https://www.g2.com/products/cisco-secure-firewall-threat-defense-virtual-formerly-ngfwv/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (93 reviews)
- [CrowdSec](https://www.g2.com/products/crowdsec/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (87 reviews)
- [GlassWire Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/glasswire-firewall/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (50 reviews)
- [Comodo Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/comodo-firewall/reviews) — 4.0/5 stars (38 reviews)
- [Arista NG Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/arista-ng-firewall/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (17 reviews)

### Alternatives to SoftEther VPN

- [OpenVPN CloudConnexa](https://www.g2.com/products/openvpn-cloudconnexa/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (125 reviews)
- [WireGuard](https://www.g2.com/products/wireguard/reviews) — 4.8/5 stars (14 reviews)
- [Pritunl](https://www.g2.com/products/pritunl/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (18 reviews)
- [Azure VPN Gateway](https://www.g2.com/products/azure-vpn-gateway/reviews) — 3.9/5 stars (15 reviews)
- [LetsVPN](https://www.g2.com/products/letsvpn/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (24 reviews)
- [OpenVPN Access Server](https://www.g2.com/products/openvpn-access-server/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (341 reviews)
- [Cisco Secure Client](https://www.g2.com/products/cisco-secure-client/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (345 reviews)
- [Absolute Secure Access](https://www.g2.com/products/absolute-secure-access/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (225 reviews)
- [Check Point SASE](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-sase/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (218 reviews)
- [Tailscale](https://www.g2.com/products/tailscale/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (31 reviews)

### Alternatives to SonicWall Next Generation Firewall

- [Check Point Next Generation Firewalls (NGFWs)](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-next-generation-firewalls-ngfws/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (583 reviews)
- [WatchGuard Network Security](https://www.g2.com/products/watchguard-network-security/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (267 reviews)
- [FortiGate-VM NGFW](https://www.g2.com/products/fortigate-vm-ngfw/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (230 reviews)
- [Barracuda CloudGen Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/barracuda-cloudgen-firewall/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (51 reviews)
- [Juniper Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/juniper-firewall/reviews) — 3.9/5 stars (31 reviews)
- [Sophos Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/sophos-firewall/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (621 reviews)
- [Cisco Meraki](https://www.g2.com/products/cisco-meraki/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (217 reviews)
- [Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewalls](https://www.g2.com/products/palo-alto-networks-next-generation-firewalls/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (167 reviews)
- [Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense Virtual (formerly NGFWv)](https://www.g2.com/products/cisco-secure-firewall-threat-defense-virtual-formerly-ngfwv/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (93 reviews)
- [Sophos United Threat Management](https://www.g2.com/products/sophos-united-threat-management/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (89 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### Netgate pfSense

- Title: [Can pfSense be used as a router?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/can-pfsense-be-used-as-a-router) — 11 comments
  > **Top comment:** "pfSense is an open-source firewall and router software distribution based on FreeBSD. It supports NAT and different types of interfaces (WAN, LAN, DMZ). It..."
- Title: [What is pfSense used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-pfsense-used-for) — 7 comments
  > **Top comment:** "router, firewall, vpn server"
- Title: [Is pfSense still free?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-pfsense-still-free) — 5 comments
  > **Top comment:** "yes its available in both free and paid version "
- Title: [What is pfSense software?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-pfsense-software) — 4 comments
  > **Top comment:** "It's a firewall/firewall."
- Title: [Is pfSense any good?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-pfsense-any-good) — 3 comments
  > **Top comment:** "Yes, it's excellent "

### SoftEther VPN

No discussions available for this product.

### SonicWall Next Generation Firewall

- Title: [What is SonicWall used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/sonicwall-what-is-sonicwall-used-for) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "Sonicwall has a wide range of products like Network firewalls, switches, and access points.
But Mostly SonicWALL is well known for its Firewall..."
- Title: [How good is SonicWall?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-good-is-sonicwall) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "Sonicwall is the best security product in the world it will help us to protect and help us to manage our infrastructure"
- Title: [What is SonicWall used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-sonicwall-used-for) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "With the help of SonicWall firewalls, you can see and manage and monitor every program running on your network. this extra control improves compliance and..."
- Title: [What is the part number of a license that includes anti-ransomware](https://www.g2.com/discussions/12459-what-is-the-part-number-of-a-license-that-includes-anti-ransomware) — 1 comment, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Hello Patricia- There is no part number. When you are going to get the Sonicwall Appliance you need to add a license for GAV . Usually it comes with 1, 2 and..."

---
**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/netgate-pfsense-vs-softether-vpn-vs-sonicwall-next-generation-firewall)