pfSense vs m0n0wall

Struggling to choose between pfSense and m0n0wall? 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, m0n0wall is a Network & Admin product tagged with firewall, networking, security.

Its standout features include Stateful packet inspection firewall, Traffic shaping and QoS, Captive portal, VPN capabilities, Web interface for configuration, Plugin architecture for extensibility, and it shines with pros like Free and open source, Runs on commodity hardware, Regular updates and security patches, Good performance, Extensive documentation and community support.

To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison of these two products, delving into their features, pros, cons, pricing, and more. Get ready to explore the nuances that set them apart and determine which one is the perfect fit for your requirements.

pfSense

pfSense

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.

Categories:
firewall router networking open-source

PfSense Features

  1. Stateful packet filtering firewall
  2. Network Address Translation (NAT)
  3. Virtual Private Network (VPN) capabilities
  4. Traffic shaping and quotas
  5. Captive portal
  6. High availability with CARP
  7. Package system for adding functionality

Pricing

  • Open Source

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


m0n0wall

m0n0wall

m0n0wall is a free, open source firewall software that can turn old PCs into dedicated firewall appliances. It is based on FreeBSD and provides advanced networking and security features.

Categories:
firewall networking security

M0n0wall Features

  1. Stateful packet inspection firewall
  2. Traffic shaping and QoS
  3. Captive portal
  4. VPN capabilities
  5. Web interface for configuration
  6. Plugin architecture for extensibility

Pricing

  • Open Source
  • Free

Pros

Free and open source

Runs on commodity hardware

Regular updates and security patches

Good performance

Extensive documentation and community support

Cons

Limited scalability compared to commercial solutions

No official technical support

Requires some technical expertise to setup and manage

Lack of GUI can make configuration challenging for novices