Side by side
Cambium cnMaestro vs PacketFence
Both stand on network provisioning software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan APISelf-hostedWeb
cnMaestro combines Cambium device management with cloud and on-premises deployment options, plus APIs and webhooks. Essentials has stated device and user limits; cnMaestro X has multi-year subscriptions with tier-based pricing.
Visit Cambium cnMaestro
Free plan Open source AndroidAPIiPhone+5
PacketFence combines access enforcement, authentication, onboarding, and device compliance controls. Organizations considering self-hosting should account for the stated system requirements and plan device limits.
Visit PacketFenceThe facts
| Cambium cnMaestro | PacketFence | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Yes |
| Runs on | API, Self-hosted, Web | Android, API, iPhone, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Web, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Starter: $5,000 a year |
| Plans published | 2 | 7 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | cambiumnetworks.com | packetfence.com |
| On network provisioning software | #2 of 24 | #1 of 24 |
Cambium cnMaestro: what it does well
- Free Essentials plan supports up to 10,000 devices.
- Supports cloud, private cloud, and on-premises deployment.
- Includes REST APIs and webhooks.
- X trial lasts 90 days.
What to know first
- Manages Cambium wireless and wired infrastructure.
- Essentials is limited to 10 management users.
- X subscription pricing depends on device tiers and counts.
- X subscriptions are offered for 1, 3, or 5 years.
PacketFence: what it does well
- Supports wired, wireless, and VPN access control.
- Guest workflows include self-registration and sponsored access.
- Can quarantine devices that fail security policy.
- Community Edition includes unlimited devices and full source code.
What to know first
- Self-hosted minimum is 16 GB RAM and 200 GB disk.
- Starter supports up to 250 registered devices.
- Paid plans start at $5,000 per year.
Alternatives to Cambium cnMaestro Alternatives to PacketFence The whole list