pfSense AlternativesOnly apps categorised as Firewalls

The best Firewall alternative to pfSense is OPNsense, which is both free and Open Source. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 25 alternatives to pfSense and many of them are Firewalls so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Firewall alternatives to pfSense are IPFire, MikroTik RouterOS, Sophos UTM and ClearOS.

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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Alternatives list

  1. OPNsense icon

    OPNsense

     65 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.

    19 OPNsense alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Self-Hosted
    OPNsense screenshot 1
     
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    3
    OPNsense vs pfSense Comments
    Zazucki
    Positive
    4

    Read this: https://teklager.se/en/pfsense-vs-opnsense/ Especially the part under "Politics, drama & bad blood between the two projects"

    Guest
    Positive
    1

    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.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Positive
    -3

    OPNSense has the lost features in pfSense.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • OPNsense is Free and Open SourcepfSense is Freemium and Open Source
    • OPNsense is Privacy focused and LightweightpfSense is not according to our users
  2. IPFire icon

    IPFire

     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
    IPFire screenshot 1
     
  4. MikroTik RouterOS icon

    MikroTik RouterOS

     32 likes

    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.

    27 MikroTik RouterOS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    MikroTik RouterOS screenshot 1
     
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    1
    MikroTik RouterOS vs pfSense Comments
    Guest
    Negative
    0

    Mainly a router, after all

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • MikroTik RouterOS is Paid and ProprietarypfSense is Freemium and Open Source
  5. Sophos UTM icon

    Sophos UTM

     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.

    11 Sophos UTM alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • Online
    Sophos UTM screenshot 1
     
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    2
    Sophos UTM vs pfSense Comments
    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.
    • Sophos UTM is Paid and ProprietarypfSense is Freemium and Open Source
  6. ClearOS icon

    ClearOS

     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
    ClearOS screenshot 1
     
  7. Endian Firewall Community icon

    Endian Firewall Community

     20 likes

    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
    Endian Firewall Community screenshot 1
     
  9. VyOS icon

    VyOS

     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
    VyOS screenshot 1
     
  10. Smoothwall icon

    Smoothwall

     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
    Control Home
     
  11. DynFi Firewall icon

    DynFi Firewall

     2 likes

    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
    DynFi Firewall screenshot 1
     
  12. Vilfo OS icon

    Vilfo OS

     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.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Self-Hosted
    User interface
     
  13. IPCop icon

    IPCop

     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
    DHCP
     
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    1
    IPCop vs pfSense Comments
    Guest
    Positive
    0

    Low HW needs, easy to use.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    • IPCop is Free and Open SourcepfSense is Freemium and Open Source
  14. Sophos XG Firewall icon

    Sophos XG Firewall

     5 likes

    A modern replacement for Sophos UTM based on Sophos, Cyberoam and Astaro technology combined.

    Cost / License

    • Free Personal
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Self-Hosted
    Sophos XG Firewall screenshot 1
     
12 of 20 pfSense alternatives