Open Source MikroTik RouterOS Alternatives

The best open source alternative to MikroTik RouterOS is DD-WRT. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 10 alternatives to MikroTik RouterOS and 15 is open source so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting open source alternatives to MikroTik RouterOS are OpenWrt, pfSense, OPNsense and Freshtomato.

MikroTik RouterOS alternatives are mainly Firewalls but may also be Router Custom Firmware or VPN Services. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of MikroTik RouterOS.

MikroTik RouterOS alternatives page was last updated

MikroTik RouterOS

Paid • Proprietary
Firewall

Online
Self-Hosted

The main product of MikroTik is a Linux-based operating system known as MikroTik RouterOS. Installed on a personal computer...

Learn more about MikroTik RouterOS

DD-WRT
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Router Custom Firmware
Mac
Windows
Linux
18 DD-WRT alternatives
DD-WRT is a Linux based alternative OpenSource firmware suitable for a great variety of WLAN routers and embedded systems. The main emphasis lies on providing the easiest possible handling while at the same time supporting a great number of functionalities within the framework...
- - DD-WRT is the most popular Windows, Mac & Linux alternative to MikroTik RouterOS.
- - DD-WRT is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to MikroTik RouterOS.
Suggest and vote on features
DD-WRT Features
1. OpenVPNDD-WRT supports OpenVPN, one of the most secure and reliable VPN protocols.
Multiple languages
SSH
RADIUS Services
Overclock
Opinions about DD-WRT as a Alternative to MikroTik RouterOS
Almost everyone thinks DD-WRT is a great MikroTik RouterOS alternative.
OpenWrt
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Router Custom Firmware
Operating System
Linux
18 OpenWrt alternatives
OpenWrt Project is a Linux operating system targeting embedded devices. Instead of trying to create a single, static firmware, OpenWrt provides a fully writable filesystem with package management. This frees you from the application selection and configuration provided by the...
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OpenWrt Features
Security focused
Opinions about OpenWrt as a Alternative to MikroTik RouterOS
Almost everyone thinks OpenWrt is a great MikroTik RouterOS alternative.
pfSense
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Firewall
VPN Service
BSD
28 pfSense alternatives
pfSense is a free, open source customized distribution of FreeBSD tailored for use as a firewall, and router. In addition to being a powerful, flexible firewalling and routing platform, it includes a long list of related features and a package...
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pfSense Features
1. OpenVPNpfSense supports OpenVPN, one of the most secure and reliable VPN protocols.
2. Spam FilterpfSense can detect unsolicited, unwanted and virus-infected emails, calls, files, etc.
Integrated Virus scanner
Load balancing
Zabbix monitoring
RADIUS Services
DHCP Server
LDAP support
FOSS
Content Filtering
Opinions about pfSense as a Alternative to MikroTik RouterOS
Most users think pfSense is a great MikroTik RouterOS alternative.
OPNsense
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Firewall
Self-Hosted
17 OPNsense alternatives
OPNsense includes most of the features available in expensive commercial firewalls, and more in many cases. It brings the rich feature set of commercial offerings with the benefits of open and verifiable sources.
- - OPNsense is the most popular Self-Hosted alternative to MikroTik RouterOS.
Suggest and vote on features
OPNsense Features
1. Two-factor AuthenticationOPNsense supports two-factor authentication (2FA).
2. Privacy focusedOPNsense is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
Geofencing
Web filter
Encrypted VPN
Load balancing
Freshtomato
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Router Custom Firmware
Linux
8 Freshtomato alternatives
FreshTomato firmware project is a system based on Linux, dedicated for routers with Broadcom chipset and distributed on the GPL license. This advanced system consists of a particularly friendly interface, thanks to which even inexperienced users can easily work with it.
Suggest and vote on features
Freshtomato Features
1. Built-in VPNFreshtomato has a built-in VPN feature that enhances your privacy and allows you to browse the web from anywhere.
2. Wake on LANFreshtomato can switch on your offline remote computers through the local network from anywhere.
SSH
Access Control
Port Forwarding
QoS
Traffic Monitoring
Configurable
VyOS
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Open Source
Firewall
VPN Service
Operating System
Linux
20 VyOS alternatives
VyOS is a community fork of Vyatta , a Linux-based network operating system that provides software-based network routing, firewall, and VPN functionality.
- - VyOS is the most popular commercial alternative to MikroTik RouterOS.
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VyOS Features
1. Command line interfaceVyOS either have CLI support or is a CLI-only app.
2. AES-256 EncryptionVyOS has AES-256 Encryption, i.e. very strong security.
3. No TrackingVyOS will not track you or use your personal data.
4. WireGuardVyOS supports the Wireguard protocol for encrypted VPN traffic.
5. OpenVPNVyOS supports OpenVPN, one of the most secure and reliable VPN protocols.
6. Built-in VPNVyOS has a built-in VPN feature that enhances your privacy and allows you to browse the web from anywhere.
7. End-to-End EncryptionVyOS has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
Network Discovery
Opinions about VyOS as a Alternative to MikroTik RouterOS
Almost everyone thinks VyOS is a great MikroTik RouterOS alternative.
Tomato by Shibby
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Router Custom Firmware
Linux
Tomato
10 Tomato by Shibby alternatives
TomatoUSB fork.
- Torrent client integration (Transmission) with user-friendly GUI for configuration.
- NFS server integration
- Support for USB 3G modems (thx @LDevil)
- Support MultiWAN.
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Tomato by Shibby Features
QoS
Discontinued
Project Discontinued - No project activity since may 2017.
OpenWISP
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Linux
Self-Hosted
10 OpenWISP alternatives
OpenWISP is a software platform that can be used to implement a complete public wifi service.
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OpenWISP Features
User Management
Mesh network
Add a screenshot
IPFire
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Firewall
VPN Service
Operating System
Linux
12 IPFire alternatives
IPFire is a server distribution with intended to use as a firewall. It focuses on flexibility, and scales from small to middle sized business networks and home networks.
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IPFire Features
DHCP Server
DNS Server
DANOS
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Firewall
Self-Hosted
5 DANOS alternatives
DANOS unified network operating system driving innovation across the networking stack. DANOS is based upon Vyatta and uses DPDK so it should be able to forward packets line rate (10G).
DANOS has no features, suggest some!
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Quagga
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Linux
BSD
9 Quagga alternatives
Quagga is a network routing software suite providing implementations of Open Shortest Path First (OSPF), Routing Information Protocol (RIP), Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) and IS-IS for Unix-like platforms, particularly Linux, Solaris, FreeBSD and NetBSD.
Quagga has no features, suggest some!
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TomatoUSB
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Router Custom Firmware
Firewall
Linux
Tomato
10 TomatoUSB alternatives
Tomato USB is an alternative Linux-based firmware for powering Broadcom-based ethernet routers. It is a modification of the famous Tomato firmware, with additional built-in support for USB port, wireless-N mode support, support for several newer router models, and various...
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TomatoUSB Features
Skinnable
Discontinued
No longer developed. Last version, Build 54, released on November 2010, can be still downloaded from the official website.