# Netgate pfSense, Tailscale vs Sophos Firewall Comparison

| | Netgate pfSense | Tailscale | Sophos Firewall | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.7 out of 5 | 4.6 out of 5 | 4.7 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 326 | 31 | 728 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Small-Business (68.5% of reviews) | Small-Business (65.5% of reviews) | Mid-Market (63.7% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | No pricing available | Free 6 Monthly Active Users Per Month | 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)

### Tailscale

Pros:
- Ease of Use (8 reviews)
- Device Connectivity (5 reviews)

Cons:
- Access Issues (3 reviews)
- Expensive (2 reviews)

### Sophos Firewall

Pros:
- Ease of Use (90 reviews)
- Features (56 reviews)

Cons:
- Slow Performance (33 reviews)
- Poor Reporting (17 reviews)

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | Netgate pfSense | Tailscale | Sophos Firewall | 
|---|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 9.4 (261 reviews) | 9.0 (24 reviews) | 9.2 (605 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 8.5 (268 reviews) | 8.7 (26 reviews) | 9.2 (611 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 8.7 (247 reviews) | 9.4 (26 reviews) | 9.1 (579 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 8.8 (243 reviews) | 9.2 (13 reviews) | 9.2 (454 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 9.1 (209 reviews) | 9.2 (13 reviews) | 9.0 (593 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 9.2 (197 reviews) | 9.2 (8 reviews) | 9.2 (448 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 8.6 (262 reviews) | 10.0 (20 reviews) | 9.5 (584 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### Netgate pfSense

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

Yes

### Tailscale

#### Entry-Level Pricing

Plan: Personal

Price: Free 6 Monthly Active Users Per Month

Description: For individuals who want to securely connect devices, servers, or software. Access nearly all of Tailscale's offerings and products for free, indefinitely.

Key Features:
- Users: Up to 6
- Unlimited user devices
- Up to 3 ACL groups

[Browse all 4 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/tailscale/pricing)

#### Free Trial

Yes

### Sophos Firewall

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

Yes

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### Firewall Software

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Netgate pfSense** | 8.3/10 | 244 |
| **Tailscale** | N/A | N/A |
| **Sophos Firewall** | 9.0/10 | 622 |

#### Administration

| Feature | Netgate pfSense | Tailscale | Sophos Firewall | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Policy Management** | 8.8 (188 reviews) | Not enough data | 9.3 (563 reviews) | 
| **Logging and Reporting** | 8.3 (209 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.9 (554 reviews) | 
| **Application Gateway** | 8.4 (179 reviews) | Not enough data | 9.1 (504 reviews) | 
| **Concurrent Sessions** | 9.0 (200 reviews) | Not enough data | 9.2 (503 reviews) | 

#### Agentic AI - Firewall Software

| Feature | Netgate pfSense | Tailscale | Sophos Firewall | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Autonomous Task Execution** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.6 (45 reviews) | 
| **Adaptive Learning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 9.1 (51 reviews) | 

#### Functionality

| Feature | Netgate pfSense | Tailscale | Sophos Firewall | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Virtual Private Network (VPN)** | 9.1 (218 reviews) | Not enough data | 9.3 (525 reviews) | 
| **Antivirus** | 6.6 (136 reviews) | Not enough data | 9.2 (499 reviews) | 
| **URL Filtering** | 7.9 (167 reviews) | Not enough data | 9.3 (534 reviews) | 
| **Availability** | 9.3 (200 reviews) | Not enough data | 9.4 (500 reviews) | 

#### Monitoring

| Feature | Netgate pfSense | Tailscale | Sophos Firewall | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Load Balancing** | 8.5 (163 reviews) | Not enough data | 9.1 (494 reviews) | 
| **Continuous Analysis** | 8.2 (168 reviews) | Not enough data | 9.1 (505 reviews) | 
| **Intrusion Prevention** | 8.7 (188 reviews) | Not enough data | 9.3 (531 reviews) | 
| **Intrusion Detection** | 8.4 (181 reviews) | Not enough data | 9.3 (520 reviews) | 

#### Generative AI

| Feature | Netgate pfSense | Tailscale | Sophos Firewall | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **AI Text Summarization** | 6.7 (73 reviews) | Not enough data | 8.2 (271 reviews) | 

#### Artificial Intelligence - Firewall

| Feature | Netgate pfSense | Tailscale | Sophos Firewall | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **AI Firewall** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 8.1 (183 reviews) | 

### Business VPN

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Netgate pfSense** | 8.8/10 | 181 |
| **Tailscale** | 9.0/10 | 16 |
| **Sophos Firewall** | N/A | N/A |

#### Usage

| Feature | Netgate pfSense | Tailscale | Sophos Firewall | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Multi-Device Usage** | 9.2 (146 reviews) | 9.9 (16 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Multiple Concurrent Connections** | 9.5 (162 reviews) | 9.8 (14 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Protocol Choices** | 9.3 (165 reviews) | 8.3 (11 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Unlimited Bandwidth** | 9.4 (156 reviews) | 9.7 (13 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **No Log Storage** | 7.9 (110 reviews) | 8.0 (11 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Varied Server Locations** | 8.5 (113 reviews) | 9.1 (11 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Unlimited Server Switches** | 8.5 (108 reviews) | 9.3 (10 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Miscellaneous

| Feature | Netgate pfSense | Tailscale | Sophos Firewall | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Live Customer Support** | 8.1 (109 reviews) | 8.3 (7 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Open Source Code** | 9.3 (147 reviews) | 8.9 (11 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Multiple Payment Methods** | 8.2 (97 reviews) | 8.3 (5 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 Tailscale (1):** [Business VPN Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/business-vpn)

**Unique to Sophos Firewall (1):** [Firewall Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/firewall-software)


---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | Netgate pfSense | Tailscale | Sophos Firewall | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 68.5% | 65.5% | 19.9% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 25.2% | 31.0% | 63.7% | 
| **Enterprise** | 6.3% | 3.4% | 16.4% | 

### By Industry

#### Netgate pfSense

- **Information Technology and Services:** 20.1%
- **Computer & Network Security:** 11.0%
- **Computer Software:** 6.3%
- **Telecommunications:** 4.1%
- **Computer Networking:** 3.8%
- **Non-Profit Organization Management:** 3.5%
- **Education Management:** 3.1%
- **Government Administration:** 3.1%
- **Higher Education:** 2.8%
- **Health, Wellness and Fitness:** 1.9%
- **Other:** 40.3%

#### Tailscale

- **Information Technology and Services:** 24.1%
- **Computer Software:** 24.1%
- **Computer & Network Security:** 10.3%
- **Higher Education:** 6.9%
- **Telecommunications:** 3.4%
- **Renewables & Environment:** 3.4%
- **Marketing and Advertising:** 3.4%
- **Internet:** 3.4%
- **Industrial Automation:** 3.4%
- **Financial Services:** 3.4%
- **Other:** 13.8%

#### Sophos Firewall

- **Information Technology and Services:** 14.2%
- **Computer & Network Security:** 9.7%
- **Manufacturing:** 5.3%
- **Primary/Secondary Education:** 3.3%
- **Higher Education:** 3.0%
- **Oil & Energy:** 2.7%
- **Education Management:** 2.7%
- **Financial Services:** 2.6%
- **Hospital & Health Care:** 2.6%
- **Computer Software:** 2.6%
- **Other:** 51.2%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to Netgate pfSense

- [Check Point Next Generation Firewalls (NGFWs)](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-next-generation-firewalls-ngfws/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (587 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)
- [SonicWall Next Generation Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/sonicwall-next-generation-firewall/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (153 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 (88 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 Tailscale

- [Twingate](https://www.g2.com/products/twingate/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (76 reviews)
- [OpenVPN Access Server](https://www.g2.com/products/openvpn-access-server/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (347 reviews)
- [OpenVPN CloudConnexa](https://www.g2.com/products/openvpn-cloudconnexa/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (127 reviews)
- [Check Point SASE](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-sase/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (221 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)
- [WireGuard](https://www.g2.com/products/wireguard/reviews) — 4.8/5 stars (14 reviews)
- [AWS Client VPN](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-client-vpn/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (22 reviews)
- [NordLayer](https://www.g2.com/products/nordlayer/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (126 reviews)
- [SoftEther VPN](https://www.g2.com/products/softether-vpn/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (17 reviews)

### Alternatives to Sophos Firewall

- [Check Point Next Generation Firewalls (NGFWs)](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-next-generation-firewalls-ngfws/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (587 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)
- [SonicWall Next Generation Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/sonicwall-next-generation-firewall/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (153 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)
- [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)
- [Barracuda CloudGen Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/barracuda-cloudgen-firewall/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (51 reviews)
- [GlassWire Firewall](https://www.g2.com/products/glasswire-firewall/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (50 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 "

### Tailscale

No discussions available for this product.

### Sophos Firewall

- Title: [What is Sophos Firewall used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-sophos-firewall-used-for) — 3 comments
  > **Top comment:** "Perimeter protection and administration, navigation traffic control based on policies. Network high availability, deep inspection of packets, IPS, IDS,..."
- Title: [Is Sophos XG free?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-sophos-xg-free) — 3 comments
  > **Top comment:** "They do have a home edition that is free for non commerical use.  Excellent for learning and to get a fully featured firewall for home."
- Title: [Is Sophos firewall good?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-sophos-firewall-good) — 3 comments
  > **Top comment:** "Yes, is good. I recommend you."
- Title: [How do I manage Sophos XG firewall?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-do-i-manage-sophos-xg-firewall) — 2 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Sophos XG firewall can be manage from sophos central cloud."
- Title: [Sophos Certification](https://www.g2.com/discussions/sophos-certification) — 2 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Sophos Certification is improving upskills in cybersecrity space. You have to be a part of any sophos partner to get training portal and certification."

---
**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/netgate-pfsense-vs-tailscale-vs-sophos-firewall)