OPNsense vs. PfSense | Which open source router is best?

 

When it comes to powerful, flexible, and cost-effective network firewalls, two names dominate the conversation: OPNsense and PfSense. Both are open source, highly capable, and both have loyal followings. However, at Infrastructure Contractors, we find ourselves recommending OPNsense far more often.

 

History: Two Paths from One Project

PfSense has been around for years, built on the foundation of an older open source project that was once a shining example of community-driven development. Over time, however, changes in leadership and business direction shifted its focus. The project is now maintained by Netgate, a company that has steered PfSense toward a more commercial approach, including a stronger emphasis on selling proprietary hardware.

OPNsense, on the other hand, is a fork of PfSense created by developers who wanted to preserve the original vision of a truly open source firewall/router platform. It has maintained that ethos, allowing anyone to download, install, and use it — at home or in business — without licensing restrictions.

While OPNsense does offer paid support packages and accepts donations, the core software remains freely available. This approach fosters a vibrant developer community and ensures ongoing innovation. Here is why. 

 

Practical Differences for Businesses

  • PfSense:
    • Still a capable router/firewall solution with strong features.
    • Offers virtual machine (VM) deployments, but the emphasis is on running PfSense on Netgate’s own branded hardware.
    • The commercial focus means some features and updates are more tightly controlled.
  • OPNsense:
    • Fully open source with a transparent development process.
    • Easy to deploy as a VM, allowing for fast backup, restoration, and scaling.
    • Runs on virtually any compatible hardware, from enterprise servers to small embedded devices.

 

Why Unix-Based Routers Make Sense

Whether you choose OPNsense or PfSense, both are Unix-based — which brings some serious advantages:

  • Stability: Unix systems have a reputation for rock-solid uptime, making them ideal for critical networking infrastructure.
  • Security: Frequent updates, robust permissions models, and open code review make vulnerabilities easier to identify and fix.
  • Flexibility: Being software-based, they can run on physical hardware, in virtual machines, or even in cloud environments.
  • Feature-rich: Advanced routing, VPN capabilities, intrusion detection/prevention, and traffic shaping are all possible without extra licensing fees.

 

Virtualization: The OPNsense Advantage

One of OPNsense’s biggest strengths is how well it runs in a virtual environment.

  • Need to upgrade hardware? Migrate the VM to a new server.
  • Concerned about downtime? Restore from a snapshot in minutes.
  • Want to scale resources? Increase CPU, RAM, or network interfaces without buying a new box.

Other firewall solutions — especially proprietary ones — often require expensive hardware purchases and ongoing licensing fees just to achieve the same results.

 

Our Recommendation (and Why)

At Infrastructure Contractors, we sell and support both proprietary and open-source routers. There are times when a commercial, proprietary appliance makes perfect sense. For example inflexible compliance requirements or vendor-specific ecosystems may dictate your options. 

We urge clients to explore open source router platforms like OPNsense. For many businesses, the combination of cost savings, flexibility, and transparency makes it the smarter choice. And because OPNsense can be run on any suitable hardware or as a VM, it often integrates seamlessly into existing infrastructure without requiring a major capital investment.

Infrastructure Contractors can help you evaluate your networking needs, compare both platforms in real-world scenarios, and implement the solution that works best for your business.

Contact us today to explore how we can future-proof your network infrastructure.

 

The Future of Infrastructure: Smart Technology is Reshaping Construction & Networking

For wiring and network hardware, choosing the right company matters

Today’s buildings are expected to be intelligent from the ground up. High-speed internet, secure Wi-Fi, IoT sensors, and remote monitoring are as essential as plumbing or electrical systems.Infrastructure today is no longer just about steel beams and concrete foundations; those traditional elements need to integrate with the right technology from the start.

Commercial tenants and property owners expect their spaces to be “smart” and network-ready on day one. Infrastructure Contractors matches traditional construction expertise with cutting-edge networking, fiber optic, and virtualization solutions.

We have decades of experience running copper Ethernet (CAT6), fiber, and other telco infrastructure in both new and existing buildings. We work with property owners and developers as well as individual tenants to provide them with the best Internet and Network connections and equipment at a competitive price.

We work with all major vendors and carriers, ensuring seamless integration regardless of your preferred technology stack. By specializing in manufacturers like Ubiquiti, we can deliver enterprise-grade performance with minimal licensing costs, helping you save without sacrificing quality.

     

    Fiber vs. Traditional Cabling

    On our CAT6 vs OS2 single-mode fiber service page, we explain why fiber has become the gold standard for high-performance networking. Compared to CAT6, fiber offers:

    • Near-zero signal loss over long distances (over 10 km).
    • Future-proof bandwidth to handle 8K video, massive file transfers, and high-demand applications.
    • Better resilience against electromagnetic interference.

    Infrastructure Contractors designs and installs fiber infrastructure that works seamlessly with your existing systems and preferred carriers, ensuring your network can handle today’s needs and tomorrow’s growth.

     

    KVM Virtualization has the open source advantage

    Using Debian Linux with KVM virtualization, we offer clients:

    • Lower licensing costs compared to VMware, Azure, or Windows Hyper-V.
    • Full control over their infrastructure with no vendor lock-in.
    • The ability to integrate virtualization into building management, multi-tenant hosting, or secure backup systems.

    When paired with Ubiquiti hardware, these solutions deliver rock-solid performance with zero recurring license fees — making them ideal for cost-conscious businesses without compromising reliability.

     

    Automation and IoT for smarter operations

    From automated lighting and HVAC control to AI-driven safety monitoring, Infrastructure Contractors provide the backbone for IoT solutions that reduce costs and increase operational efficiency. These systems can be used by engineers and electrical/HVAC contractors to:

    • Monitor equipment health in real time.
    • Predict maintenance needs before breakdowns occur.
    • Optimize energy use across large facilities.

     

    Choose a Tech-First Contractor (or regret it later)

    Not all contractors understand how to integrate technology into infrastructure. Choosing Infrastructure Contractors means your network layout, fiber runs, and virtualization systems are part of the core build plan, not bolted on as an afterthought.

    We collaborate with all major vendors and carriers to ensure you get the exact combination of hardware, software, and service you need — while keeping your long-term costs predictable and manageable.

    Buildings and facilities designed without modern connectivity in mind will be outdated from day one. Whether you’re starting a new build or upgrading an existing site, Infrastructure Contractors has the expertise to deliver a solution that works today and scales for the next decade.

     

    Contact us today to learn how we can design and install infrastructure that’s smarter, faster, and future-proof — with the flexibility to work with any vendor or carrier you choose.

     

    Open Source Advantage: Why Debian + KVM Virtualization Outpaces Proprietary Hypervisors

    KVM vs Proprietary Hypervisors

    When discussing “virtualization,” the big proprietary names—VMware, Windows Server Hyper-V, Azure—may dominate the conversation. With those options, you pay extra but not for better technology,  you’re usually paying for licensing lock-in, vendor roadmaps you can’t control, costly scaling limits and your vendors’ marketing budgets. 

    We run our virtualization infrastructure on Debian Linux with KVM (Kernel-based Virtual Machine), an open source combination that delivers performance, flexibility, and a thriving community ecosystem without the handcuffs.

    Here are five reasons why it’s not just an alternative, it’s no doubt the smarter path forward.

     

    1. KVM’s thriving, evolving ecosystem

    Debian’s stability and security  have made it the gold standard for countless enterprise environments.

    • Massive package repositories: With over 60,000 packages, you can integrate monitoring tools, automation scripts, storage drivers, and orchestration software without waiting for vendor approval.
    • Community-driven development: Bugs are patched quickly and features roll out based on need, not marketing schedules.
    • Interoperability: Debian integrates perfectly with other open-source giants—Ceph for storage, Proxmox for management, Ansible for automation—building a virtualization stack that’s modular and future-proof.

     

    2. KVM Virtualization: Lean, Native, and Battle-Tested

    KVM isn’t an add-on—it’s part of the Linux kernel itself. 

    • Direct hardware acceleration: Leverages Intel VT-x and AMD-V without extra licensing tiers.
    • Live migration built-in: Move running workloads between hosts with zero downtime.
    • Native Linux integration: Manage with libvirt, virt-manager, or Proxmox with minimal overhead.

    Compare that to:

    • Windows Server Hyper-V: Requires licensing for Windows, CALs, and often Windows Server Datacenter edition for full feature parity. Updates are tied to Windows lifecycle, not virtualization needs.
    • VMware ESXi: Solid performance but feature sets locked behind expensive editions. You want live migration (vMotion)? Pay for Enterprise Plus.
    • Azure: Great for cloud workloads, but costs spike as your VM footprint grows, and hasn’t always been the most realiable.

     

    3. Cost Efficiency Without Cutting Corners

    • Licensing: Debian + KVM is free to use. Your investment goes toward  in hardware and expertise—not license renewals.
    • Scaling: Spin up new hosts or VMs without asking a vendor for more licenses or waiting for procurement.
    • Upgrades: No “forced” major version upgrades to keep support contracts valid. You choose your upgrade window.

     

    4. Performance That Matches (or Beats) Proprietary Stacks

    Benchmark after benchmark shows KVM’s performance matches and often exceeds Hyper-V and VMware. Because it’s part of the Linux kernel, optimization happens at the OS level, thus no middle-layer bloat.

     

    5. Control and Transparency

    Unlike in a proprietary system, where you wait for a patch from the vendor. With open source, you:

    • Review the code yourself (or have your team do it).
    • Patch and deploy without waiting for quarterly rollouts.
    • Integrate security hardening standards immediately.

    That kind of control is priceless especially for industries where uptime is non-negotiable.

    Open Source almost always updates faster than closed ecosystems.

     

    Debian + KVM isn’t just about saving on licenses, it’s about building an infrastructure that’s agile, transparent, and responsive to your needs, not vendors’ sales goals. In an era where tech moves faster than contracts, locking into proprietary hypervisors is a strategic liability.

    With the open-source ecosystem behind Debian and the raw performance of KVM, you’re not just keeping up, you’re future-proofing your infrastructure.


    Want to see how a Debian + KVM virtualization strategy can replace—or outperform—your existing VMware, Hyper-V, or Azure stack? Contact Us Today  for a free infrastructure assessment.