First, this isn’t an attempt at an unfair shit on Netgate post. I’ve been a pfSense user (and member of their sub) for many, many years. I’ve endured (along with everyone else) their…unique PR strategy. I always told myself the software is good regardless of the company and their penchant for public trouble. I even defended them a couple of years ago when they announced pfSense+.
But, last week’s abrupt announcement about the end of pfSense+'s Home+Lab edition and a requirement to pay $399/yr to continue using + was the final dramatic incident for me. I’m not decided on what I’m doing, but I don’t think it’s pfSense+.
Today, they announced a price reduction to $129/yr. But 35 cents a day to stay on + still seems like a lot to me. Considering the free alternatives (CE & OPNsense), not because it’s unattainable pricing.
I’m curious how the greater pfSense community feels, but I don’t feel confident this post won’t just get taken down in r/pfSense.
For the unfamiliar, here’s the context:
I voted that I will pursue a free option, but that’s not necessarily the gist of it. I don’t mind paying for a good product, but I will not buy into a subscription model, and will certainly not deal with a company willing to rugpull, or otherwise scheme, customers.