NordLayer vs Netgate pfSense
Side-by-side from the Top 11 ranking of The 11 Best Business VPNs. Last verified June 9, 2026.
The short answer
NordLayer ranks higher on Top 11 (#2 vs #10) for IT teams securing remote access. An incredibly user-friendly and fast solution, perfect for SMBs prioritizing ease of use.
At a glance
| NordLayer | Netgate pfSense | |
|---|---|---|
| Top 11 rank | #2 / The 11 Best Business VPNs | #10 / The 11 Best Business VPNs |
| Score (out of 9.4) | 9 | 7.3 |
| Best for | Simple, high-performance SMB security | Flexible open-source-based VPN solution |
| Pricing | $$ ($7 to $11/user/mo) | $ (Software is free, requires hardware/cloud instance) |
| HQ | Vilnius, Lithuania | Austin, USA |
| Founded | 2019 | 2012 |
NordLayer
An incredibly user-friendly and fast solution, perfect for SMBs prioritizing ease of use.
nordlayer.com/Netgate pfSense
A powerful, customizable option for technical teams comfortable with open-source software.
www.netgate.com/pfsense-plus-softwareMethodology and scoring weights live at /methodology. No vendor pays for placement — see about.