pfSense vs Snort
pfSense
pfsense.orgSnort
snort.orgSide by side
| Figure | pfSense | Snort |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $2.50/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 5 | 4 |
| Spec score · Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software | 8.1 (#9) | 7.7 (#14) |
| Integrations | The feature page names Azure and name.com as dynamic DNS providers, and RADIUS/LDAP as VPN authentication sources. | The site describes integrators as companies distributing Snort or Snort rules in commercial offerings, including vendors, MSSPs, and SIMs. |
| Purpose | pfSense is a free, open-source FreeBSD-based firewall and router distribution managed through a web interface. | Snort analyzes network traffic using rules to identify malicious activity, generate alerts, and optionally stop matching packets inline. |
| Support | Netgate Global Support covers installation, deployment, and configuration issues, and is available for self-installed and virtual pfSense software. | Subscribers can submit false-positive or false-negative reports directly to Talos for support, with a ticket assigned for follow-up. |
Plans
pfSense
- pfSense Plus SoftwarePrice not published
- pfSense Community EditionFree
- pfSense Plus CloudPriced on request
- pfSense Plus on third-party hardware$129 a year
- pfSense Plus on Netgate appliances$189, paid once
In their own words
pfSense
pfSense is a free, open-source firewall and router distribution based on FreeBSD, managed through a web interface. Its firewall uses stateful packet inspection and can block traffic based on policy matches. Routing features include policy-based routing, static routes, and concurrent IPv4 and IPv6 support. Security options include IDS/IPS, Snort packet analysis, Suricata rules, IP block lists, and application detection. It supports IPsec, OpenVPN, and WireGuard for site-to-site and remote-access VPNs. The software can run on selected hardware, virtual machines, and cloud instances, and is available in the Azure and AWS Marketplaces, including their US GovCloud regions. The Community Edition is free and open source. pfSense Plus on third-party hardware starts at $129 a year; on Netgate appliances it starts at $189, paid once, with the software included at no charge with an appliance. The USB installer overwrites the entire hard drive and does not support dual booting.