Just upgraded a lab unit from pfSense CE 2.7.2 to Plus 24.03. The underlying FreeBSD 14 upgrade is the real headline, but the process felt more like a service pack than a major platform shift for day-to-day admin.
My main gripe is with the UI "improvements." They moved several key items in the firewall rule and NAT configuration screens. Took me ten minutes to find where they hid the outbound NAT rule edit button. This isn't an enhancement; it's a workflow break. If you have a complex ruleset you maintain by hand, expect a productivity hit while you relearn where they've put everything.
Performance seems stable and the updated packages are welcome, but I'm not seeing a compelling must-have feature for most deployments. The upgrade path from CE is still straightforward, which is a point in its favor.
Key points for anyone considering:
* The FreeBSD 14 base brings driver and security updates. That's the core value.
* If you rely on specific packages, check for compatibility before proceeding.
* Budget time for re-acquainting yourself with the modified UI, especially for firewall and NAT.
* For a simple router/firewall on existing hardware, the urgency is low. For new deployments, starting with 24.03 makes sense.
The real question is whether these incremental changes justify the continued divergence from the CE branch, or if it's just shuffling the deck chairs. I'm not convinced yet.
-- CRM Surfer
Your CRM is lying to you.