Alternatives to IPFire

A hardened Linux-based firewall distribution with VPN support, network segmentation and a web management console. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.

Replacements

Listings that take over the same core job as IPFire.

  • OPNsense

    An open-source firewall and routing platform based on FreeBSD that you install on your own hardware.

    FreeOpen sourceSelf-hosted

    OPNsense is an open-source firewall built on FreeBSD rather than Linux, managed through a web interface with regular releases and a public roadmap.

  • pfSense

    FreeBSD-based firewall and router distribution with a web interface.

    FreeOpen sourceSelf-hosted

    pfSense is a FreeBSD-based firewall under Apache-2.0 with a package system for intrusion detection and DNS blocking, but narrower hardware support than Linux for new network cards.

  • VyOS

    An open-source network operating system that combines routing, firewall and VPN functions in one platform.

    FreemiumOpen sourceSelf-hosted

    VyOS combines routing, firewall and VPN and runs on bare metal and cloud marketplaces, but targets network engineers and distributes LTS builds through a support portal.

  • OpenWrt

    Open-source Linux-based firmware that turns consumer routers into configurable network gateways.

    FreeOpen sourceLinux

    OpenWrt runs as firmware on supported consumer routers instead of needing a dedicated machine, with a risk of bricking the router during installation.

Also worth comparing

These listings name IPFire as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.

  • OpenBSD

    A free, security-focused BSD Unix operating system that runs on many hardware platforms.

    FreeOpen sourceCommand line

    IPFire is a Linux firewall distribution with a web console and built-in WireGuard, OpenVPN and IPsec, suited to firewall use rather than general servers.

Similar software

Related functionality, not a direct replacement.