pfSense vs ClearOS

Struggling to choose between pfSense and ClearOS? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

pfSense is a Network & Admin solution with tags like firewall, router, networking, open-source.

It boasts features such as Stateful packet filtering firewall, Network Address Translation (NAT), Virtual Private Network (VPN) capabilities, Traffic shaping and quotas, Captive portal, High availability with CARP, Package system for adding functionality and pros including Free and open source, Wide range of features, Extensible through packages, Runs on commodity hardware, Regular security updates.

On the other hand, ClearOS is a Network & Admin product tagged with firewall, vpn, mail-server, web-server, file-sharing.

Its standout features include Network Gateway, Firewall, VPN, Mail Server, Web Server, File Sharing, Intrusion Detection, Bandwidth Management, Anti-Virus & Anti-Spam, and it shines with pros like Open source and free, Easy web-based interface, Bundled services, Marketplace for add-ons, Community support.

Feature	pfSense	ClearOS
Overall Score	N/A	N/A
Primary Category	Network & Admin	Network & Admin

Product Overview

pfSense

Description: pfSense is a free, open source firewall and router platform based on FreeBSD. It has a wide range of features including traffic shaping, captive portal, VPN capabilities, and packages that add functionality.

ClearOS

Description: ClearOS is an open source Linux distribution designed for small businesses and organizations. It functions as a network gateway and offers a web-based interface to administer network services like firewall, VPN, mail server, web server, file sharing, and more.

Key Features Comparison

pfSense Features

• Stateful packet filtering firewall
• Network Address Translation (NAT)
• Virtual Private Network (VPN) capabilities
• Traffic shaping and quotas
• Captive portal
• High availability with CARP
• Package system for adding functionality

ClearOS Features

• Network Gateway
• Firewall
• VPN
• Mail Server
• Web Server
• File Sharing
• Intrusion Detection
• Bandwidth Management
• Anti-Virus & Anti-Spam

Pros & Cons Analysis

pfSense

Pros

• Free and open source
• Wide range of features
• Extensible through packages
• Runs on commodity hardware
• Regular security updates

Cons

• Complex interface for beginners
• Requires technical knowledge to setup and manage
• Limited official support options

ClearOS

Pros

• Open source and free
• Easy web-based interface
• Bundled services
• Marketplace for add-ons
• Community support

Cons

• Limited scalability
• Steep learning curve
• Lacks enterprise features
• Relies on plugins for functionality

Pricing Comparison

pfSense

• Open Source

ClearOS

• Freemium
• Subscription-Based