Side by side

NethSecurity vs OPNsense

Both stand on firewall software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.

NethSecurity

Free plan Open source APILinuxSelf-hosted+1

NethSecurity combines several network security and traffic management functions, with an optional remote management controller. Check the hardware requirements and subscription limits, especially for backups and controller registration.

Visit NethSecurity

OPNsense

Free plan Open source AndroidAPIiPhone+2

OPNsense combines firewall, routing, VPN, failover, and intrusion-prevention features in a self-hosted platform. Community Edition is free; Business subscriptions add commercial features and support at listed annual or three-year rates.

Visit OPNsense

The facts

	NethSecurity	OPNsense
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Open source	Yes	Yes
Runs on	API, Linux, Self-hosted, Web	Android, API, iPhone, Self-hosted, Web
Lowest paid plan	Personal: €150 a year	OPNsense Business Edition 1yr subscription: €149 a year
Plans published	5	6
Maker	NethSecurity	OPNsense
Website	nethsecurity.org	opnsense.org
On firewall software	#4 of 81	#1 of 81

NethSecurity: what it does well

Includes firewall and intrusion prevention
Supports IPsec, OpenVPN, and WireGuard
Threat Shield blocks known malicious IP addresses
Open-source project
Optional Controller manages multiple installations remotely

What to know first

Available only for x86-64
Cloud backup requires a subscription
Trial does not allow commercial support requests
Minimum hardware includes two Ethernet cards

OPNsense: what it does well

Firewall supports both IPv4 and IPv6
Integrates four VPN technologies
CARP provides failover with state synchronization
Community Edition is free under a 2-clause BSD license

What to know first

Installation is limited to x86-64 architecture
One-year Business subscription costs €149 a year

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