pfSense Alternatives for Linux

pfSense is not available for Linux but there are plenty of alternatives that runs on Linux with similar functionality. The best Linux alternative is IPFire, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 25 alternatives to pfSense and 18 are available for Linux so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Linux alternatives to pfSense are Sophos UTM, ClearOS, NethServer and Endian Firewall Community.

filter to find the best alternatives

pfSense alternatives are mainly Firewalls, but if you're looking for VPN Services or Operating Systems you can filter on that. Other popular filters include Linux, Free and Open Source. You can also filter by region, for example EU-based alternatives if you prefer software developed in the European Union. These are just examples - use the filter bar below to find more specific alternatives to pfSense.
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pfSense alternatives page was last updated

Alternatives list

  1. IPFire icon
     19 likes
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    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.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
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    15
    • Almost everyone thinks IPFire is a great pfSense alternative.

    • IPFire is the most popular Linux alternative to pfSense.

    • IPFire is Free and Open SourcepfSense is Freemium and Open Source
  2. Sophos UTM icon
     16 likes
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    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.

    10 Sophos UTM alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Online
     
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    2
    15
    Comments about Sophos UTM as an Alternative to pfSense
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Not as resource hungry when IPS enabled

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    -1

    Free for home use.....very complete package.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    pfSense Icon
    Sophos UTM icon
    • Most users think Sophos UTM is a great pfSense alternative.

    • Sophos UTM is Paid and ProprietarypfSense is Freemium and Open Source
  3. 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
     
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    10
  4. NethServer icon
     34 likes
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    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.

    11 NethServer alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Self-Hosted
    • CentOS
     
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    5
    11
    Comments about NethServer as an Alternative to pfSense
    Top Positive Comment
    Aas
    3

    Multi purpose server. Not just firewall.

    Top Negative Comment
    Guest
    6

    It's main function (server) does not match pfSense (firewall)

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    0

    pfSense is a firewall and router, NethServer is a Linux server platform for running other types of services

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
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    3 of 5 comments
    pfSense Icon
    NethServer icon
    • Some users think NethServer is a great pfSense alternative, some don't.

    • NethServer is Free and Open SourcepfSense is Freemium and Open Source
  5. Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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...

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
    |
    9
  6. 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.

    23 VyOS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Subscription
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
    |
    12
  7. Smoothwall icon
     13 likes
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    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
     
  8. IPCop icon
     14 likes
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    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
     
    |
    1
    9
    Comments about IPCop as an Alternative to pfSense
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Low HW needs, easy to use.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    pfSense Icon
    IPCop icon
    • Almost everyone thinks IPCop is a great pfSense alternative.

    • IPCop is Free and Open SourcepfSense is Freemium and Open Source
  9. ZeroShell icon
     8 likes
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    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.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Self-Hosted
     
    |
    10
  10. 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
     
  11. Zorp GPL icon
     Like
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    Zorp GPL is a next generation, open source proxy firewall with deep protocol analysis. It allows you to inspect, control, and modify traffic on the application layer of the ISO/OSI model. Decisions can be made based on data extracted from the application-level traffic (for...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Alerts

    • Discontinued

    Platforms

    • Linux
     
12 of 18 pfSense alternatives