Search

If you’re still deciding between platforms, start with these comparisons: pfSense vs OPNsense pfSense vs OpenWrt pfSense Plus vs CE My general recommendation is simple: Use pfSense if you want a mature, powerful firewall platform with tons of documentation and a long track record. Use OPNsense if you want something similar to pfSense, but with a more modern interface and a different update/plugin approach. Use OpenWrt if you want to replace the firmware on supported router hardware or build a lightweight router on lower-power hardware. Use UniFi if you want the easiest full-network ecosys

WireGuard is the VPN protocol itself. It is fast, lightweight, and much simpler than older VPN options like OpenVPN. You can run WireGuard on pfSense, OPNsense, a Raspberry Pi, Linux, UniFi gateways, and many other platforms. The main advantage of WireGuard is control. You manage the server, the keys, the peers, the firewall rules, and the routing yourself. That gives you more flexibility, but it also means you are responsible for configuring everything correctly. I like WireGuard when I’m already managing a firewall or server that supports it. For example, if you already run pfSense, OPNsense

For my own setups, I generally lean toward WireGuard when I want the VPN to be fully under my control and I’m already using a firewall or server that supports it. That is why I like WireGuard on pfSense, UniFi, OPNsense, or a Raspberry Pi. I would use Tailscale when I want remote access to work quickly, when port forwarding is not possible, when a device is behind CGNAT, or when I want easier multi-device management without manually building every peer relationship. Choose Tailscale if you want easy setup, no port forwarding, simple device management, CGNAT support, subnet routing, and exit no

I currently run a full UniFi network and currently own and have tested every one of the devices in this article, including the UDM Pro Max, Cloud Gateway Fiber, Cloud Gateway Max, Dream Router 7, and UniFi Express 7. I even just got the UDM Beast in for testing/review, but most likely won’t add it to this list as it’s designed more for the SMB/Enterprise space. I also used pfSense on a Netgate 6100 for over three years, so I’m not coming at this from the perspective that UniFi is the only good firewall platform. It isn’t. pfSense and OPNsense are still better if you want maximum firewall custo