Side by side
IPFire vs MikroTik RouterOS
Both stand on virtual private network software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan Open source APILinuxSelf-hosted+1
IPFire brings firewalling, VPN, intrusion prevention, and proxy functions together in a free, open-source platform. Its deployment images cover multiple hardware and cloud settings, while SSL inspection is not included.
Visit IPFire 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.
Visit MikroTik RouterOSThe facts
| IPFire | MikroTik RouterOS | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | No |
| Runs on | API, Linux, Self-hosted, Web | Android, API, iPhone, Self-hosted, Web, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | See the plans | See the plans |
| Plans published | 6 | 9 |
| Maker | Not published | MikroTik RouterOS |
| Website | ipfire.org | mikrotik.com |
| On virtual private network software | #2 of 54 | #11 of 54 |
IPFire: what it does well
- Supports IPsec, WireGuard, and OpenVPN.
- Suricata-based intrusion prevention blocks malicious traffic.
- Offers images for x86_64 and aarch64 deployments.
- Monitoring covers bandwidth, connections, and intrusion attempts.
What to know first
- SSL inspection is not supported.
- Optional URL filtering uses URLFilter or SquidGuard.
- Professional support is offered by Lightning Wire Labs.
MikroTik RouterOS: what it does well
- Supports site-to-site networking and VPN access.
- Includes audit logs and advanced admin controls.
- Supports hardware, PCs, virtual machines, and multiple interfaces.
- Free Demo offers a 24-hour trial mode.
What to know first
- SSO/SCIM is not supported.
- Device posture is not supported.
Alternatives to IPFire Alternatives to MikroTik RouterOS The whole list