pfSense Alternatives

pfSense is described as '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' and is a popular Firewall in the security & privacy category. There are more than 25 alternatives to pfSense for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Self-Hosted solutions, Online / Web-based, BSD and VirtualBox. The best alternative is OPNsense, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like pfSense are MikroTik RouterOS, NethServer, Sophos UTM and IPFire.

pfSense alternatives are mainly Firewalls but may also be VPN Services or Operating Systems. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of pfSense.

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pfSense

Free • Open Source
Firewall
BSD

pfSense is a free, open source customized distribution of FreeBSD tailored for use as a firewall, and...

Learn more about pfSense

OPNsense
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Firewall
Self-Hosted
17 alternatives to OPNsense
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.
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
OPNsense vs pfSense opinions
Almost everyone thinks OPNsense is a great alternative to pfSense.
Zazucki
Read this: https://teklager.se/en/pfsense-vs-opnsense/ Especially the part under "Politics, drama & bad blood between the two projects"
Positive comment•
2

Guest
Stability is the in the center of OPNsense distribution. To achieve this goal, only a limited number of plugins are available, but they are well tested and upgraded together with the core.
Positive comment•
1

Guest
OPNSense has the lost features in pfSense.
Positive comment•
-5
MikroTik RouterOS
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
Firewall
Router Custom Firmware
VPN Service
Online
Self-Hosted
23 alternatives to MikroTik RouterOS
The main product of MikroTik is a Linux-based operating system known as MikroTik RouterOS. Installed on a personal computer or server computer, it turns the computer into a network router, implementing features such as firewall rules, virtual private network (VPN) server and...
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MikroTik RouterOS Features
SSH
Wi-Fi Direct
User Management
MikroTik RouterOS vs pfSense opinions
Most users think MikroTik RouterOS is a great alternative to pfSense.
Guest
Mainly a router, after all
Negative comment•
0
NethServer
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Firewall
Mail Server
VPN Service
Linux
Self-Hosted
CentOS
13 alternatives to NethServer
NethServer is a CentOS-based Linux distribution for servers. The product's main feature is a modular design which makes it simple to turn the distribution into a mail server and filter, web server, groupware, firewall, web filter, IPS/IDS or VPN server.
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NethServer Features
1. OpenVPNNethServer supports OpenVPN, one of the most secure and reliable VPN protocols.
Active Directory integration
Gateway
Web filter
Linux-based
NethServer vs pfSense opinions
Some users think NethServer is a great alternative to pfSense, some don't.
Aas
Multi purpose server. Not just firewall.
Top positive comment•
3

Guest
pfSense is a firewall and router, NethServer is a Linux server platform for running other types of services
Top negative comment•
0

Guest
An orange is not like a piece of cheese
Negative comment•
0

atomicwrites
pfSense is a dedicated firewall but this is a general turnkey server.
Negative comment•
0

Guest
It's main function (server) does not match pfSense (firewall)
Negative comment•
7
Sophos UTM
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
Firewall
Linux
Online
13 alternatives to Sophos UTM
Sophos UTM integrates complete security software within a single appliance. Choose only the protection you need when you need it. And deploy it on the platform that best fits your business: software, hardware or virtual appliance.

Sophos UTM has no features, suggest some!

Sophos UTM vs pfSense opinions
Most users think Sophos UTM is a great alternative to pfSense.
Guest
Not as resource hungry when IPS enabled
Positive comment•
0

Guest
Free for home use.....very complete package.
Positive comment•
-1
IPFire
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Firewall
VPN Service
Operating System
Linux
12 alternatives to IPFire
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
IPFire vs pfSense opinions
Almost everyone thinks IPFire is a great alternative to pfSense.
VyOS
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Open Source
Firewall
VPN Service
Operating System
Linux
20 alternatives to VyOS
VyOS is a community fork of Vyatta , a Linux-based network operating system that provides software-based network routing, firewall, and VPN functionality.
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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
VyOS vs pfSense opinions
Almost everyone thinks VyOS is a great alternative to pfSense.
ClearOS
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Firewall
Operating System
Mail Server
Linux
30 alternatives to ClearOS
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.
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ClearOS Features
1. Spam FilterClearOS can detect unsolicited, unwanted and virus-infected emails, calls, files, etc.
Web-Based
Gateway
PhpMyAdmin
ClearOS vs pfSense opinions
Some users think ClearOS is a great alternative to pfSense, some don't.
Endian Firewall Community
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free Personal • Open Source
Firewall
VPN Service
Linux
19 alternatives to Endian Firewall Community
Endian Firewall Community (EFW) is a "turn-key" linux security distribution that turns every system into a full featured security appliance with Unified Threat Management (UTM) functionality. The software has been designed with "usability in mind" and is very...
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Endian Firewall Community Features
Security focused
Email security
Network activity
Gateway
Endian Firewall Community vs pfSense opinions
Almost everyone thinks Endian Firewall Community is a great alternative to pfSense.
ZeroShell
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Firewall
VPN Service
Linux
Self-Hosted
10 alternatives to ZeroShell
Zeroshell is a Linux distribution for servers and embedded devices aimed at providing the main network services a LAN requires. It is available in the form of Live CD or Compact Flash image and you can configure and administer it using your web browser.
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ZeroShell Features
DHCP Server
DNS Server
Load balancing
Discontinued
From the Zeroshell website (translated from Italian to English)Disposal of the Zeroshell projectThe project has now reached the end of its life. Zeroshell was born in June 2006 and has over 200,000 installations worldwide. Any security updates will be guaranteed until September 30, 2021. I thank everyone who believed and contributed in various ways to improving the project. The zeroshell.org domain will be divested or sold on September 30, 2021

ZeroShell vs pfSense opinions
Almost everyone thinks ZeroShell is a great alternative to pfSense.
Untangle
Do you think this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
Firewall
VPN Service
Linux
29 alternatives to Untangle
Untangle is a platform for deploying network based applications. The platform unites these applications around a common GUI, database and reporting. Applications on the Untangle platform inspect network traffic simultaneously, which greatly reduces the resource requirements of...
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Untangle Features
1. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsUntangle can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
2. Spam FilterUntangle can detect unsolicited, unwanted and virus-infected emails, calls, files, etc.
Web filter
Traffic Monitoring
Gateway
Untangle vs pfSense opinions
Most users think Untangle is a great alternative to pfSense.
Guest
low priced home user support option - still get an enterprise grade firewall that a home user can discern and use readily.
Positive comment•
0