The Best pfSense AlternativesTop Firewalls & VPN Services like pfSense

pfSense is described as 'Free and open source firewall and router that also features unified threat management, load balancing, multi WAN, and more' and is a very popular Firewall in the security & privacy category. There are more than 25 alternatives to pfSense for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Self-Hosted, Web-based, iPhone and BSD apps. The best pfSense alternative is OPNsense, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like pfSense are IPFire, MikroTik RouterOS, Sophos UTM and ClearOS.

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pfSense alternatives page was last updated

Alternatives list

  1. OPNsense icon
     67 likes

    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
     
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    3
  2. IPFire icon
     19 likes

    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.

    14 IPFire alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  3. 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

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
     
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    1
  4. Sophos UTM icon
     16 likes

    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.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Online
     
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    2
  5. ClearOS icon
     71 likes

    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.

    28 ClearOS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  6. NethServer icon
     34 likes

    NethServer is an application manager for Linux servers. The product's main feature is the ability to easily and quickly install and manage instances of applications over multiple nodes. It allows users to deploy services, like [Nextcloud](https://alternativeto.

    Cost / License

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Self-Hosted
     
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    5
  7. 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...

    18 Endian Firewall Community alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  8. VyOS icon
     12 likes

    VyOS is a community fork of Vyatta , a Linux-based network operating system that provides software-based network routing, firewall, and VPN functionality.

    23 VyOS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  9. Smoothwall icon
     13 likes

    The SmoothWall Open Source Project was set up to develop and maintain SmoothWall Express - a Free firewall that includes its own security-hardened GNU/Linux operating system and an easy-to-use web interface.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
  10. DynFi® Firewall is the first French Open Source firewall. The system integrates many filtering features and allows for the first time to manage a large number of your appliances. Available for free, DynFi Firewall has two images (with VGA or Serial return) compatible with...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Self-Hosted
     
  11. Vilfo OS icon
     Like

    Vilfo OS is an easy and powerful software enabling multiple simultaneous connections to VPN servers. It contains firewall, split tunneling, DNS leak protection, VPN killswitch, notifications and much more.

    11 Vilfo OS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Self-Hosted
     
  12. IPCop icon
     14 likes

    IPCop Firewall is a Linux firewall distribution geared towards home and SOHO (Small Office/Home Office) users. The IPCop interface is very user-friendly and task-based. IPCop offers the critical functionality of an expensive network appliance using stock, or even obsolete...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
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    1
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