Alternatives to VyOS

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

  • 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 FreeBSD-based firewall and router managed through a web interface with public releases, aimed at home labs and small offices rather than network engineers.

  • pfSense

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

    FreeOpen sourceSelf-hosted

    pfSense is an Apache-2.0 FreeBSD firewall and router with VPN, traffic shaping and a package system in a web interface, though hardware support is narrower than Linux.

  • IPFire

    A hardened Linux-based firewall distribution with VPN support, network segmentation and a web management console.

    FreeOpen sourceSelf-hosted

    IPFire is a hardened Linux firewall distribution with WireGuard, OpenVPN, IPsec and a web console, with no cloud marketplace images or paid long-term support builds mentioned.

  • OpenWrt

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

    FreeOpen sourceLinux

    OpenWrt is open-source Linux firmware that runs on supported consumer routers rather than servers or cloud instances, with a risk of bricking the device during installation.

  • DD-WRT

    Third-party open-source router firmware that adds VPN, QoS and advanced routing to consumer routers.

    FreeOpen sourceSelf-hosted

    DD-WRT is open-source firmware for supported consumer routers that adds VPN, QoS and advanced routing, suited to home users rather than cloud or bare-metal deployments.

Similar software

Related functionality, not a direct replacement.