OpenWrt AlternativesRouter Custom Firmwares and other similar apps like OpenWrt

OpenWrt is described as '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' and is a very popular router custom firmware in the network & admin category. There are more than 10 alternatives to OpenWrt for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Self-Hosted, OpenWrt, Tomato and Raspberry Pi apps. The best OpenWrt alternative is pfSense, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like OpenWrt are DD-WRT, OPNsense, MikroTik RouterOS and ClearOS.

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OpenWrt alternatives are mainly Firewalls, but if you're looking for Router Custom Firmware or VPN Services you can filter on that. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to OpenWrt.
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Alternatives list

  1. pfSense icon
     110 likes
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    pfSense is a free and open source firewall and router that also features unified threat management, load balancing, multi WAN, and more.

    29 pfSense alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Freemium (Subscription)
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • BSD
     
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    9
    • Most users think pfSense is a great OpenWrt alternative.

    • pfSense is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to OpenWrt.

    • pfSense is Freemium and Open SourceOpenWrt is Free and Open Source
  2. DD-WRT icon
     164 likes
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    DD-WRT is a Linux based alternative OpenSource firmware suitable for a great variety of WLAN routers and embedded systems.

    18 DD-WRT alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Self-Hosted
     
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    10
    • Most users think DD-WRT is a great OpenWrt alternative.

    • DD-WRT is the most popular Linux & Self-Hosted alternative to OpenWrt.

    • DD-WRT is Free and Open SourceOpenWrt is also Free and Open Source
  3. OPNsense icon
     65 likes
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    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.

    18 OPNsense alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Self-Hosted
     
  4. Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Linux-based system converts standard PCs into customizable routers, featuring advanced firewall, VPN server and client, bandwidth control, QoS, wireless AP, captive portal, remote management, industry protocol support, automation, and scalable licensing for network needs.

    26 MikroTik RouterOS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
     
    • MikroTik RouterOS is the most popular Web-based alternative to OpenWrt.

    • MikroTik RouterOS is the most popular commercial alternative to OpenWrt.

    • MikroTik RouterOS is Paid and ProprietaryOpenWrt is Free and Open Source
  5. ClearOS icon
     71 likes
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    ClearOS is a family of operating systems for the enterprise, small business, and home. There are three editions to choose from depending on your needs and suitable to your abilities. They are: ClearOS Enterprise, ClearOS Home, and ClearOS Core.

    27 ClearOS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  6. Freshtomato icon
     8 likes
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    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.

    10 Freshtomato alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  7. OpenWISP icon
     10 likes
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    OpenWISP is a free and open-source platform for efficient IT network deployment, monitoring & management. It allows automation of many aspects of networks: from configuration to monitoring, RADIUS, hotspots, mesh and firmware upgrades, all backed by the reliability of the...

    16 OpenWISP alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Self-Hosted
     
  8. Gargoyle icon
     18 likes
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    Gargoyle is a free firmware upgrade for your wireless router, based on OpenWRT but with an enhanced interface (not LUCI) focused on ease of use. Some enhanced features of Gargoyle include MONITORING BANDWIDTH per connected computer, SET QUOTAS AND THROTTLE to ensure that...

    14 Gargoyle alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • OpenWrt
     
    • Gargoyle is the most popular Windows & Mac alternative to OpenWrt.

    • Gargoyle is Free and Open SourceOpenWrt is also Free and Open Source
  9. VyOS icon
     12 likes
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    VyOS is a community fork of Vyatta , a Linux-based network operating system that provides software-based network routing, firewall, and VPN functionality.

    Cost / License

    • Subscription
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  10. PiFi icon
     2 likes
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    PiFi is a networking firmware and software project for Raspberry Pi devices that makes it easy to setup a VPN/travel router (Wireguard, AdGuard, OpenVPN, NAS) with no technical knowledge which can be managed via smartphone app.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • Android Tablet
    • Raspberry Pi
     
    • PiFi is the most popular Android, iPhone, iPad & Android Tablet alternative to OpenWrt.

    • PiFi is Free and Open SourceOpenWrt is also Free and Open Source
  11. X-wrt icon
     2 likes
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    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...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  12. LibreMesh icon
     17 likes
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    LibreMesh is a set of modules extending the OpenWrt router distribution to create self-configuring wireless and wired mesh networks.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • OpenWrt
    • LEDE - Linux Embedded Development Environment
     
12 of 21 OpenWrt alternatives