Hillstone T-Series vs Netgate pfSense vs Sophos UTM comparison

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Comparison Buyer's Guide
Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between Hillstone T-Series, Netgate pfSense, and Sophos UTM based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out what your peers are saying about Netgate, Fortinet, OPNsense and others in Firewalls.
To learn more, read our detailed Firewalls Report (Updated: March 2024).
765,234 professionals have used our research since 2012.
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Questions from the Community
Top Answer: When you compare these firewalls you can identify them with different features, advantages, practices and usage at… more »
Top Answer:From my experience regarding both the Sophos and FortiGate firewalls, I personally would rather use FortiGate. I know… more »
Top Answer:As a solution, Sophos UTM offers a lot of functionality, it scales well, and the stability and performance are quite… more »
Top Answer:We installed Hillstone T-Series after a ransomware attack. The dashboard and user interface are very good.
Top Answer:On a scale from one to ten, with one being low and ten being high price, I would rate the price of Hillstone T-Series at… more »
Top Answer:We cannot secure a specific IP class with this firewall. Another loophole with Hillstone T-Series is that when we… more »
Top Answer:You don't really specify what type of router you are looking for but if you are talking about a gateway router I… more »
Top Answer:Fortinet’s Fortigate is a firewall solution we use and are very much satisfied with its performance. We find Fortigate… more »
Top Answer:Two of the most common and well recognized firewalls, PfSense and OPNsense both support site-to-site IPsec VPN and… more »
Top Answer:The Sophos UTM is a UTM and Sophos XG is the NGFW. First, you must know about the difference between a UTM and NGFW… more »
Top Answer:The most valuable features of the solution are application filtering and web filtering.
Top Answer:Sophos UTM is a reasonably priced product. I rate the product's price a five on a scale of one to ten, where one is… more »
Comparisons
Also Known As
FortiGate 60b, FortiGate 60c, FortiGate 80c, FortiGate 50b, FortiGate 200b, FortiGate 110c, FortiGate
Hillstone T-Series Intelligent Next-Generation Firewalls, Hillstone iNGFW
Astaro
Learn More
Overview

Fortinet FortiGate enhances network security, prevents unauthorized access, and offers robust firewall protection. Valued features include advanced threat protection, reliable performance, and a user-friendly interface. It improves efficiency, streamlines processes, and boosts collaboration, providing valuable insights for informed decision-making and growth.

Hillstone’s T-Series intelligent Next-Generation Firewall (iNGFW) uses three key technologies to detect advanced attacks and provide continuous threat defense for today’s networks. First, it uses statistical clustering to detect unknown malware, leveraging the patented Hillstone Advanced Threat Detection engine (ATD). Second, it uses behavioral analytics to detect anomalous network behavior, which is based on the Hillstone Abnormal Behavior Detection engine (ABD). Finally, it leverages the Hillstone threat correlation analysis engine to correlate threat events detected by disparate engines – including ATD, ABD, Sandbox and other traditional signature-based threat detection technologies – along with context information to identify advanced threats.

pfSense is a powerful and reliable network security appliance primarily used for security purposes such as firewall and VPN or traffic shaping, network management, and web filtering. It is commonly used by small businesses and managed service providers to protect their customers' networks and enable remote access through VPNs. 

The solution is praised for its stability, user-friendly interface, scalability potential, open-source nature, free cost, easy installation, firewall capabilities, security features, flexibility, and simplicity. Overall, pfSense is a cost-effective solution for enterprises that need a VPN for their employees.

pfSense Key Features

pfSense has many key features and capabilities, including:

  • Strength and accuracy: pfSense is able to always follow either default or custom rules, making it a stronger firewall than some of its competitors. It also filters traffic separately, whether it’s coming from your internal network of devices or the open internet, allowing you to set different rules and policies for each.

  • Flexibility: pfSense can work both as a basic firewall and as a complete security system because it gives you the flexibility to integrate additional features as code where necessary.

  • Open-source: Because it is open-source, not only is pfSense free to use, but community members can contribute to the code to make it a better software.

  • User-friendly: Usually firewall products are not user-friendly because they often include complex settings, options, and features that require fine-tuning. pfSense’s interface is simple, direct, and easy to use.

  • WireGuard Support: Instead of building your own VPN using pfSense, or settling for a commercial VPN provider, you can directly integrate WireGuard with the pfSense firewall.

  • Speed Management and Fault Tolerance: pfSense’s multi-WAN feature allows your system to continue operating in case components fail.

  • Well-supported: pfSense regularly has security and feature updates. It also has a documentation site and a well-informed and knowledgeable support forum.

Reviews from Real Users

Below is some feedback from PeerSpot Users who are currently using the solution.

Bojan O., CEO at In.sist d.o.o., says, “The classic features, such as content inspection, content protection, and the application-level firewall, are the most important."

Another PeerSpot user, a chef at a media company, explains what he finds most valuable about pfSense: "The plugins or add-ons are most valuable. Sometimes, they are free of charge, and sometimes, you have to pay for them, but you can purchase or download very valuable plugins or add-ons to perform internal testing of your network and simulate a denial-of-service attack or whichever attack you want to simulate. You can also remote and monitor your network and see where the gap is."

T.O., a VP of Business Development at a tech services company, mentions, "What I found most valuable is the cost of the platform, the flexibility of the platform, and the fact that the ongoing fees are not there as they are with the competitor."



Sophos UTM is a unified threat management platform designed to protect your businesses from known and emerging malware including viruses, rootkits and spyware. The solution provides a complete network security package with everything your organization needs in a single modular appliance.

Sophos UTM Features

Sophos UTM has many valuable key features. Some of the most useful ones include:

  • Web and Email Filtering
  • General Management
  • Network Protection
  • Network Routing and Services
  • Advanced Threat Protection
  • Authentication
  • Email Encryption and DLP
  • Web Policy
  • End-User Portal
  • VPN IPsec Client, VPN SSL Client, and Clientless VPN
  • Web Application Firewall Protection
  • UTM Endpoint Protection and Management
  • SEC Endpoint Integration
  • Logging and Reporting

Sophos UTM Benefits

There are many benefits to implementing Sophos UTM. Some of the biggest advantages the solution offers include:

  • Simplifies your IT security without the complexity of multiple point solutions
  • Intuitive interface to help you quickly create policies to control security risks
  • Provides clear, detailed reports to give you the insight you need to improve your network performance and protection
  • Complete control to block, allow, shape and prioritize applications
  • Two-factor authentication with one-time password (OTP)
  • Integrated wireless controller
  • Allows you to connect remote offices with easy VPN and Wi-Fi

Reviews from Real Users

Below are some reviews and helpful feedback written by PeerSpot users currently using the Sophos UTM solution.

PeerSpot user Dana B., Network Administrator at a manufacturing company, says “The web and email filtering are the two biggest and most valuable aspects of the solution for us. The solution overall has just been a good, cost-effective solution for us. The solution offers a lot of functionality. The solution scales well. We've found the technical support to be helpful. The stability and performance are quite good.”

A Technical Director at a security firm mentions, "Sophos SG UTM had all the basic functionality that you needed. It is user-friendly and easy to manage for any integrator."

Marek M., Senior Network Engineer at a computer software company, comments, “Sophos UTM is the simplest of these products to set up. If you follow the instructions using the wizard, which is just a few steps, then you will have a firewall to protect you and your customer.”

A Software Sales Manager at a tech services company explains, “The overall visibility of the console is what I find most valuable, plus it's very user-friendly. It can be integrated with other solutions such as SOAR, SIEM, etc., even when you have an existing firewall. I really like that the console can be integrated. You'll see everything on the same window, and the single window feature of the machine is so good. These are the features I really like.”

James D., IT Manager at Manual Workers Union, states, “The fact that it's on the cloud means we don't have to administer it on our network or deal with a physical machine, which saves us money. The solution has many great features. From the console, we can start different scannings on different machines. We enjoy the centralized reporting part of it. The initial setup is simple. We enjoy its general stability. The solution can scale. So far, the solution has been problem-free.”

Sample Customers
1. Amazon Web Services 2. Microsoft 3. IBM 4. Cisco 5. Dell 6. HP 7. Oracle 8. Verizon 9. AT&T 10. T-Mobile 11. Sprint 12. Vodafone 13. Orange 14. BT Group 15. Telstra 16. Deutsche Telekom 17. Comcast 18. Time Warner Cable 19. CenturyLink 20. NTT Communications 21. Tata Communications 22. SoftBank 23. China Mobile 24. Singtel 25. Telus 26. Rogers Communications 27. Bell Canada 28. Telkom Indonesia 29. Telkom South Africa 30. Telmex 31. Telia Company 32. Telkom Kenya
University of Córdoba
Nerds On Site Inc., RKC Development Inc., Expertech, Fisher's Technology, Ncisive, Consulting, CPURX, Vaughn's Computer House Calls, Imeretech LLC, Digital Crisis, Carolina Digital Phone, Technigogo Technology Services, The Simple Solution, SwiftecITInc, Rocky Mountain Tech Team, Free Range Geeks, Alaska Computer Geeks, Lark Information Technology, Renaissance Systems Inc., Cutting Edge Computers, Caretech LLC, GoVanguard, Network Touch Ltd, P.C. Solutions.Net, Vision Voice and Data Systems LLC, Montgomery Technologies, Techforce, Concero Networks, ASONInc, CPS Electronics and Consulting, Darkwire.net LLC, IT Specialists, MBS-Net Inc., VOICE1 LLC, Advantage Networking Inc., Powerhouse Systems, Doxa Multimedia Inc., Pro Computer Service, Virtual IT Services, A&J Computers Inc., Envision IT LLC, CommunicaONE Inc., Bone Computer Inc., Amax Engineering Corporation, QPG Ltd. Co., IT 101 Inc., Perfect Cloud Solutions, Applied Technology Group Inc., The Digital Sun Group LLC, Firespring
One Housing Group
Top Industries
REVIEWERS
Comms Service Provider16%
Computer Software Company9%
Financial Services Firm8%
Manufacturing Company7%
VISITORS READING REVIEWS
Educational Organization20%
Computer Software Company15%
Comms Service Provider8%
Manufacturing Company6%
VISITORS READING REVIEWS
Comms Service Provider20%
Computer Software Company20%
Financial Services Firm14%
Real Estate/Law Firm11%
REVIEWERS
Manufacturing Company9%
University9%
Comms Service Provider8%
Marketing Services Firm8%
VISITORS READING REVIEWS
Comms Service Provider14%
Computer Software Company14%
Government8%
Educational Organization6%
REVIEWERS
Comms Service Provider12%
Manufacturing Company12%
Financial Services Firm10%
Computer Software Company9%
VISITORS READING REVIEWS
Computer Software Company18%
Comms Service Provider10%
Government8%
Educational Organization6%
Company Size
REVIEWERS
Small Business48%
Midsize Enterprise23%
Large Enterprise30%
VISITORS READING REVIEWS
Small Business27%
Midsize Enterprise32%
Large Enterprise41%
VISITORS READING REVIEWS
Small Business29%
Midsize Enterprise16%
Large Enterprise54%
REVIEWERS
Small Business69%
Midsize Enterprise19%
Large Enterprise12%
VISITORS READING REVIEWS
Small Business33%
Midsize Enterprise18%
Large Enterprise49%
REVIEWERS
Small Business58%
Midsize Enterprise20%
Large Enterprise21%
VISITORS READING REVIEWS
Small Business36%
Midsize Enterprise19%
Large Enterprise45%
Buyer's Guide
Firewalls
March 2024
Find out what your peers are saying about Netgate, Fortinet, OPNsense and others in Firewalls. Updated: March 2024.
765,234 professionals have used our research since 2012.