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Best Virtual Routers Software in 2026

Virtual router software handles network routing in software instead of relying on a dedicated hardware appliance. The list covers tools for Linux, web, self-hosted, API, Android and iOS environments.

  1. 1

    IPFire

    Free plan Open source APILinuxSelf-hosted+1

    IPFire brings firewalling, VPN, intrusion prevention, and proxy functions together in a free, open-source platform.

    9.0 Free plan Visit site
  2. 2

    OpenWrt

    by OpenWrt
    Free plan Open source AndroidAPILinux+2

    Choose OpenWrt if you want a free Linux system for an embedded device and are comfortable checking compatibility and configuring it.

    8.7 Open source Visit site
  3. 3

    OPNsense

    by OPNsense
    Free plan Open source AndroidAPIiPhone+2

    OPNsense combines firewall, routing, VPN, failover, and intrusion-prevention features in a self-hosted platform.

    8.7 Free plan Visit site
  4. 4

    FRRouting

    Free plan LinuxSelf-hosted

    FRRouting provides a wide range of routing protocols and distribution options for Linux and Unix environments.

    7.2 Free plan Visit site
  5. 5

    MikroTik RouterOS

    by MikroTik RouterOS
    Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+3

    RouterOS offers several supported interfaces and three paid tiers with differing tunnel limits. Compare the listed limits and unsupported SSO/SCIM and device posture against your requirements.

    7.2 From $45 · 1-day trial Visit site
  6. 6

    TNSR

    by TNSR
    Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted

    TNSR offers extensive routing, VPN, management, and monitoring capabilities for Linux deployments.

    6.8 Pricing on request Visit site
  7. 7

    VyOS

    by VyOS
    Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted

    Choose VyOS if you need an open-source networking operating system with extensive routing, firewall, VPN, and automation options.

    6.8 Free plan Visit site
  8. 8

    BIRD Internet Routing Daemon

    Free plan Linux
    6.3 Free plan Visit site
  9. 9

    Juniper vJunos-router

    Free plan Linux
    5.8 Free plan Visit site
  10. 10

    NVIDIA DSX Air

    Free trial APIWeb

    DSX Air provides a cloud environment for simulating and validating complex NVIDIA-based infrastructure before hardware is installed.

    5.8 Visit site
  11. 11

    FortiGate

    by FortiGate
    Free trial Self-hosted

    FortiGate combines firewall security, networking, centralized management, and cloud deployment options across hybrid environments.

    5.7 Pricing on request · 30-day trial Visit site
  12. 12

    pfSense Software

    Free plan Web
    5.5 Free plan Visit site
  13. 13

    Juniper Security Director

    by Juniper Security Director
    Paid Self-hostedWeb

    Choose Juniper Security Director if your organization manages Juniper SRX security policies across on-premises and cloud environments and needs centralized policy analysis.

    5.4 Pricing on request Visit site
  14. 14

    6WIND Virtual Service Router

    Paid LinuxWeb
    4.8 Pricing on request · 30-day trial Visit site
  15. 15

    IP Infusion OcNOS-DC

    Paid LinuxMacWeb+1
    4.8 Pricing on request Visit site
  16. 16

    Arista CloudEOS

    Paid Linux
    4.6 Visit site
  17. 17

    Arrcus ArcOS

    Paid Linux
    4.6 Pricing on request Visit site
  18. 18

    Check Point CloudGuard Network Security

    Paid Web
    4.6 Pricing on request Visit site
  19. 19

    Huawei NetEngine AR6700V-L Virtual Router

    Paid LinuxWeb
    4.5 Pricing on request Visit site
  20. 20

    H3C vSR1000

    Paid
    4.3 Pricing on request Visit site
  21. 21

    Juniper vMX

    Paid Linux
    4.1 Pricing on request · 60-day trial Visit site
  22. 22

    Nokia Virtualized Service Router

    Paid Linux
    4.1 Pricing on request Visit site
  23. 23

    RtBrick RBFS

    Paid Linux
    4.0 Pricing on request · 30-day trial Visit site
  24. 24

    R&S LANCOM vRouter

    Paid Web
    3.9 Pricing on request · 30-day trial Visit site
  25. 25

    VM-Series

    by Palo Alto Networks
    Paid LinuxOn_premise
    3.9 Pricing on request Visit site

#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price

When comparing options, look at free plans, paid pricing, deployment type, routing protocols, maximum throughput, VPN support, high availability and cloud platform support. Some products offer trials; review the applicable open-source licence when access to or modification of code matters.

Questions

Can I find virtual router options with no plan cost?

Yes. Tools such as BIRD Internet Routing Daemon, FRRouting and IPFire offer free plans.

Can a paid virtual router be tested first?

Some tools provide a free trial; 6WIND Virtual Service Router lists a 30-day trial. Check the terms for the product you are considering.

What operating environments are represented?

The listed tools run across Linux, web, self-hosted, API, Android and iOS environments.

Which features should I assess beyond price?

Assess deployment type, routing protocols, maximum throughput, VPN support, high availability and cloud platform support.

Do any listed tools provide open-source code?

Some tools in this category provide open-source code. Check the specific licence if code access or modification matters.

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