# pfSense vs Zscaler Internet Access

| Attribute | pfSense | Zscaler Internet Access |
|---|---|---|
| **Vioscale score** | 42.3 (26% (low)) | 57.8 (9% (low)) |
| deployment.options | `{"cloud":true,"on_prem":true,"self_hosted":true}` | `{"cloud":true}` |
| description.long | A comprehensive network security solution offering firewall, VPN, and routing capabilities. Deployed across millions of installations globally, it serves organizations from small businesses to large enterprises and government agencies. | A cloud-delivered secure web gateway that uses zero-trust proxy architecture to inspect all TLS/SSL traffic at scale and protect against threats, malware, and unauthorized access to SaaS and cloud applications. It combines AI-powered threat detection, identity-based policies, and real-time intelligence to secure internet access from any location. |
| features.capabilities | - | `{"form_factor":"cloud_delivered","deployment_model":"inline_proxy","threat_intel_feed":true,"ssl_tls_decryption":true,"tls_ssl_inspection":true,"app_id_l7_filtering":true,"remote_access_vpn_ztna":true,"malware_threat_protection":true,"central_management_console":true,"forward_proxy_inline_enforcement":true}` |
| integrations.count | 10 | 3 |
| integrations.list | `[{"name":"AWS Marketplace"},{"name":"Azure Marketplace"},{"name":"FreeBSD"},{"name":"FD.io VPP"},{"name":"DPDK"},{"name":"OpenVPN"},{"name":"IPsec"},{"name":"WireGuard"},{"name":"Snort"},{"name":"Suricata"}]` | `[{"name":"SIEM"},{"name":"SOAR"},{"name":"XDR"}]` |
| market.availability | `{"hqCountry":"US","primaryMarkets":[],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":[],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` | `{"primaryMarkets":[],"availabilityScope":"global","availableCountries":[],"notAvailableCountries":[]}` |
| platform.support | `{"cli":true,"web":true}` | - |
| pricing | `{"type":"hybrid","summary":"Free community edition (pfSense CE) plus subscription-based pfSense Plus with cloud marketplace options","currency":"USD","freeTier":true,"sourceUrl":"https://www.netgate.com/company/press-releases/product-availability-update-upcoming-pricing-changes-across-multiple-netgate-appliances","retrievedAt":"2026-08-19T13:09:54.176Z","billingPeriods":["month","year"]}` | - |
| pricing.free_tier | yes | - |
| pricing.model | freemium | commercial |
| pricing.price_level | low | - |
| pricing.transparent | no | - |
| security.gdpr | yes | - |

## Capabilities (Firewalls)

| Capability | pfSense | Zscaler Internet Access |
|---|:--:|:--:|
| **Capabilities** |  |  |
| Form factor | - | Cloud delivered |
| Ips ids inline | - | - |
| App id l7 filtering | - | ✓ |
| Tls ssl inspection | - | ✓ |
| Sdwan integrated | - | - |
| Threat intel feed | - | ✓ |
| Central management console | - | ✓ |
| Ha clustering | - | - |
| Site to site VPN | - | - |
| Remote access VPN ZTNA | - | ✓ |
| Fips 140 validated | - | - |
| Common criteria certified | - | - |
| Open source | - | - |
| Pricing model | - | - |

*Source: Vioscale. Generated 2026-09-01T14:31:54.168Z. "-" = undocumented, not absent.*