Researched, not hands-on tested.How we review ›
all judged against firewalls at a similar priceThe Netgate 4200 pfSense+ Security Gateway scores 7.1/10 overall, ahead of the Firewalla Gold Plus at 6.8/10.
The Firewalla Gold Plus leads on running costs.
The Netgate 4200 pfSense+ Security Gateway leads on software and features.
They score the same on throughput, ports and networking and security record.
The Firewalla Gold Plus is for buyers who want a dedicated firewall with four 2.5GbE ports and IDS/IPS. It suits people who are happy to run Firewalla's own Linux-based OS. It is a poor match for anyone who needs built-in Wi-Fi, SFP+ or a low upfront cost.
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The Netgate 4200 is a desktop pfSense Plus firewall with four 2.5GbE ports and published multi-gig firewall and VPN throughput. It suits anyone with a gigabit or faster line who wants four 2.5GbE ports and a firewall platform they can configure in depth. It is less clear-cut for buyers who need published IPS throughput, SFP+ ports or a documented advisory history.
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| Criterion | Weight | Firewalla Gold Plus | Netgate 4200 pfSense+ Security Gateway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Throughput | 25% | 8/10 | 8/10 |
| Ports and networking | 20% | 7/10 | 7/10 |
| Software and features | 20% | 6/10 | 8/10 |
| Security record | 20% | 5/10 | 5/10 |
| Running costs | 15% | 8/10 | 7/10 |
| Overall | 6.8/10 | 7.1/10 |
| Spec | Firewalla Gold Plus | Netgate 4200 pfSense+ Security Gateway |
|---|---|---|
| Firewall / IPS throughput | 5 Gbit software packet processing | not listed |
| Ports | 4 x 2.5 Gbit RJ45 plus a console port; no SFP+ | Four 2.5GbE RJ-45 ports (PORT1WAN to PORT4); no SFP+ port listed |
| Software | Firewalla's own Linux-based OS | pfSense Plus, preinstalled |
| VPN throughput | WireGuard 500 Mbps; OpenVPN 120 Mbps | IPsec AES-GCM-128 3.2 Gbps (iPerf3) and 1.05 Gbps (IMIX); WireGuard supported |
| Processor | Quad-core 64-bit Intel CPU | Intel Atom C1110, 4-core, 2.1 GHz with AVX2 |
| Memory | 4 GB DDR RAM, 32 GB storage | 4 GB LPDDR5 |
| Subscriptions needed | No subscription needed for core features; optional MSP web interface costs $40 per year | TAC Lite included; Professional $399/yr and Enterprise $799/yr; no paid subscription listed as required for core features |
Skip it if:
Skip it if: