Netgate 2100 pfSense+ Security Gateway vs Netgate 4200 pfSense+ Security Gateway

Researched, not hands-on tested.How we review ›

all judged against firewalls at a similar price

The Netgate 4200 pfSense+ Security Gateway scores 7.1/10 overall, ahead of the Netgate 2100 pfSense+ Security Gateway at 5.9/10.

The Netgate 2100 pfSense+ Security Gateway leads on running costs.

The Netgate 4200 pfSense+ Security Gateway leads on throughput and ports and networking.

They score the same on software and features and security record.

The biggest difference is throughput, where the Netgate 4200 pfSense+ Security Gateway scores 8/10 to the Netgate 2100 pfSense+ Security Gateway's 4/10.

Netgate 2100 pfSense+ Security Gateway

5.9/10verdict: good, not the best

The Netgate 2100 is for people who want a supported, fanless pfSense Plus firewall for a small office or home network. It suits those who value low running costs and a no-subscription core over inspection headroom. Buyers planning IPS on a full gigabit line should check the throughput evidence first.

Typically about £436 in the UK when we researched itSearch Amazon UK

Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details

Netgate 4200 pfSense+ Security Gateway

7.1/10verdict: buy

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.

Typically about £465 in the UK when we researched itSearch Amazon UK

Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details

Scores, criterion by criterion

Criterion	Weight	Netgate 2100 pfSense+ Security Gateway	Netgate 4200 pfSense+ Security Gateway
Throughput	25%	4/10	8/10
Ports and networking	20%	5/10	7/10
Software and features	20%	8/10	8/10
Security record	20%	5/10	5/10
Running costs	15%	9/10	7/10
Overall		5.9/10	7.1/10

Specifications

Spec	Netgate 2100 pfSense+ Security Gateway	Netgate 4200 pfSense+ Security Gateway
Ports	One 1 GbE WAN (RJ45/SFP combo) plus four 1 GbE LAN ports, five total	Four 2.5GbE RJ-45 ports (PORT1WAN to PORT4); no SFP+ port listed
Software	pfSense Plus with lifetime upgrades	pfSense Plus, preinstalled
VPN throughput	IPsec VPN, 254 Mbps iPerf3	IPsec AES-GCM-128 3.2 Gbps (iPerf3) and 1.05 Gbps (IMIX); WireGuard supported
Processor	Marvell Armada 3720 (88F3720) dual-core ARMv8-A Cortex-A53 at 1.2 GHz	Intel Atom C1110, 4-core, 2.1 GHz with AVX2
Memory	4 GB DDR4, not expandable	4 GB LPDDR5
Subscriptions needed	No subscription required for core software; TAC Lite included; TAC Professional $399/yr; TAC Enterprise $799/yr	TAC Lite included; Professional $399/yr and Enterprise $799/yr; no paid subscription listed as required for core features

Strengths and weaknesses

Netgate 2100 pfSense+ Security Gateway

+ No subscription needed for core software
+ Fanless, with an owner report of 6 W
+ Near line-rate iPerf3 firewall throughput of 964 Mbps
− IMIX firewall throughput is only 249 Mbps
− IPS throughput is not published
− Five 1GbE ports only, no faster options listed

Skip it if:

Buyers wanting full gigabit throughput with IPS enabled
Anyone who needs 2.5GbE or SFP+ ports
Buyers who need more than five 1GbE ports without adding a switch

Read the full Netgate 2100 pfSense+ Security Gateway review ›

Netgate 4200 pfSense+ Security Gateway

+ Firewall throughput of 8.61 Gbps (iPerf3) is well above gigabit
+ Four 2.5GbE ports
+ No paid subscription listed as required for core features
− IPS throughput not published
− No SFP+ port listed

Skip it if:

Buyers who need a published IPS throughput figure before committing
Anyone needing SFP+ or fibre ports on the firewall itself
Buyers who require a documented firmware and advisory history

Read the full Netgate 4200 pfSense+ Security Gateway review ›

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