Untangle vs Pfsense – Which firewall should you get?

Are you looking to manage and protect your network? The right firewall will simplify your network security measures and provide a flexible platform that fits your needs. This Untangle vs PfSense review explores two intuitive and flexible firewall options.

Untangle NG and PfSense offer a variety of firewall features to enhance your network security. Both options are designed to offer protection across the board, making them ideal for different levels of coverage. They will allow the administrator to block access to sites offer VPN functionality and keep attacks at bay. These firewall options also carry a range of features to enhance their coverage and use. Untangle NG is simplified, very easy to administrate and designed with a range of apps for comprehensive coverage. On the other hand, open source PfSense offers a variety of additions to meet niche security needs. So, which option is better suited for you? This Untangle vs PfSense comparison review looks into each firewall solution to help you find the right choice for your needs.

What are the differences between Untangle and PfSense?

Untangle vs PfSense – How do they compare?

Web interface and support

Untangle NG and PfSense take up a special interface for an easier administration experience, although Untangle’s interface is far easy to use. They feature a dashboard to help you monitor and manage your network security comfortably. Either option will also provide alert feeds, allowing you to stay ahead of any risks in real time. The simplified status monitoring across all services and systems combines with the impressive display option to make using these firewall solutions very straightforward.  Both firewall solutions feature e-mail support, making it very easy to troubleshoot any problems quickly.

Content filtering

With Untangle and PfSense, you will have access to enhanced content filtering. These modular platforms are designed for robust content filtering, with a variety of rule-based policies for enhanced coverage. You can filter out websites, files, file patterns, keywords, ports, IP addresses and browsers. You will also have access to time-based management and templates for different platforms with either option. That said, PfSense offers better content filtering control than Untangle by allowing you to block HTTPS and HTTP traffic through set rules. You can also take up a time quota-based management policy for content and users to enhance your ability to meet your content filtering needs.

Modified intrusion protection and remote connectivity

Untangle and PfSense will -provide a gateway Antivirus to protect against virus attacks. They also offer malware protection, with these services updated to handle the latest malware releases. These modular platforms feature an intrusion prevention system to fight against network intrusion, with a variety of enhanced protection measures. You can protect against Port based services such as port scanning, while blocking traffic by IP regions. The firewall services also offer an auto updated URL block list to secure your network further. Both platforms will offer easy VPN client management, and feature an OpenVPN server to improve overall efficiency. That said, only PfSense offers site-to-site VPN client support for more rounded remote connectivity.

Policy, bandwidth and network management

These firewall solutions offer a range of management options for ideal coverage and simplified use. You can set up rule based policy creation for time and users, as well as take up an option to bypass specific content filtering rules. Unlike Untangle NG, PfSense will also allow you to take up management for user groups. They both offer a variety of bandwidth management services which allow you to allocate bandwidth based on both users and applications. Untangle and PfSense will provide rule-based bandwidth allocation for traffic, making it easier to manage bandwidth across multiple users. You can quickly identify users, applications or websites consuming more than their allocated bandwidth. However, both options will not support rule-based allocation by percentage or fixed split.  They each deliver great all round network management, although Untangle doesn’t support torrent event detection and blocking. That said, they will support efficient network configuration, thanks to an inclusive wizard.  Both support port mapping and forward DNS service, as well as VoIP service management. You can support multiple LAN within one network with either firewall solution.

Untangle vs PfSense – A comparison overview

Untangle NG Firewall

Untangle NG Firewall simplifies network security by providing a modular platform to cover all your security needs in a cost effective way. The Linux-based, secure open platform meets expectations for security needs across the board. It offers a flexible and intuitive browser based interface that ensures deep analysis and insight into your network. Untangle NG will handle a variety of avenues, ranging from small offices to large organizations. The firewall solution ensures comprehensive coverage for all your security needs, ensuring you can handle malware, phishing, hacking efforts and other exploits before they can reach users. It also offers high end filtering, allowing you to handle applications, web requests, spam and malvertising attempts. With this firewall, you will be able to control what users can set up, access and use. The modular platform offers a variety of free and paid apps, ranging from the Ad blocker and web filter to a virus blocker ans SSL Inspector that should provide all rounded security for your network.  With Untangle NG Firewall, you can even provide secure access to Wi-Fi across your system. It also provides real time analysis and insight, with the database-driven reports accessible without the need for any additional applications.

Pros

• Comprehensive network security needs covered by single package
• Impressive connectivity and performance
• Offers thorough insight and analysis
• Features a range of free apps for added value

Cons

• Doesn’t offer a wide range of VPN features

PfSense

PfSense is an open source FreeBSD distribution that is developed for use as a router and firewall. Alongside the flexible and powerful firewall and routing, it also offers a variety of features that enhance its use for network security. PfSense delivers a stable and comprehensive platform for network security that rivals high cost alternatives while being very easy to use. It offers an adjustable state table size, with various optimization options to suit your security needs.  You can choose from default, high latency, conservative and aggressive state table options to suit your security protocols.  PfSense also three VPN connectivity options, as well as PPTP and PPPoE servers for enhanced point-to-point connection security. PfSense features RRD graphs that deliver detailed information for monitoring a range of needs. You will be able to monitor total throughput, CPU utilization, packets/second and throughput for every interface, traffic shaping queues and WAN interface ping response. You can also monitor real time data with SCG graphs that displays throughput across different interfaces and state table size. The platform also offers a captive portal that will provide additional network security for wireless networks.

Pros

• Budget friendly option rivals multiple high cost solutions
• Straightforward set up and easy management
• Great all round functionality and performance
• Very easy to diagnose problems by performing packet captures on GUI and command line

Cons

• Interfaces will need to be adjusted manually for ideal use
• Some network cards could be problematic

Conclusion

Untangle NG and PfSense firewall options offer comprehensive solutions to network security needs for different sized brands. They combine the best technology available for enhanced protection while being very easy to use. These options are stable, simplified and offer great all round performance. Both options are considerably well priced, allowing you to enjoy coverage on a budget. They can also be tailored to meet your specific coverage demands, making them efficient security options.

Verdict : So which is better untangle or pfsense?

Both platforms offer value for a range of network security needs. PfSense is an open source option, which means users can shape it to meet their specific needs, it is a great option for niche problems, but it can be tougher to use than Untangle NG. Untangle is our standout option because it provides an easy to use modular platform with comprehensive coverage. The simple UI, strong web filtering and efficient administration options offered by Untangle will simplify your network security needs without compromising on the quality of coverage offered.

FAQs

Can you try out Untangle NG Firewall before purchase?

Yes you can! The brand offers a free trial period across all of its applications to help you determine whether the service offered is ideal for you.  The convenient trial faceplate shows how many days of your free trial remain, and your application settings will be retained upon purchase.

How much RAM do you need for PfSense?

You should be able to set up and use PfSense with a RAM of at least 512 MB. You will also need a CPU offering at least 600 MHz, at least one compatible network interface card, a minimum of 4GB disk drive and CD/DVD-ROM or a bootable USB drive for your first installation.