IPFire vs Untangle NG Firewall
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
IPFire is an open-source Linux distribution built specifically to run as a firewall and network security gateway. It provides stateful packet inspection, network segmentation with DMZ and guest zones, and a web-based console for managing rules and monitoring traffic in real time, running on ordinary commodity hardware or as a virtual appliance. Beyond basic filtering, IPFire integrates Suricata-based intrusion detection/prevention, WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IPsec VPN support, a community-maintained domain blocklist, and an IP geolocation database for location-based rules. It is free and open-source with no paywalled features, while Core Updates ship regularly and commercial appliances and support are available separately.
Untangle NG Firewall is a modular next-generation firewall platform that consolidates network security functions like content filtering, intrusion prevention, ransomware protection, and VPN into a single console instead of requiring multiple separate vendor products. Following its acquisition, the product now operates under Arista Networks as part of the Edge Threat Management (ETM) platform, with NG Firewall remaining the core product and a cloud-based ETM Dashboard, including a mobile app, for centralized management. The platform is aimed at organizations that need enterprise-style network security without a large in-house security team, and it is used across education (K-12 and higher ed), government, healthcare, financial services, nonprofits, and hospitality. Special pricing is available for qualifying public institutions, nonprofits, and government organizations, and a free trial and online purchase configurator are offered directly on the site.
- Completely free and open source with no feature paywall
- Active development with regular Core Updates
- Built-in IPS via Suricata without extra licensing
- Flexible deployment on cheap hardware or VMs
- Modular design lets organizations pay only for needed security functions
- Discounted pricing available for education, nonprofit, and government buyers
- Cloud dashboard with mobile app simplifies remote management
- Backed by Arista's networking infrastructure following acquisition
- Requires more networking knowledge than a consumer router's firewall app
- No official cloud-hosted management, it is self-hosted
- Commercial support/appliances are a separate purchase
- Public list pricing is not shown; requires going through a configurator or sales
- Brand transition (Untangle to Arista Edge Threat Management) can cause naming confusion
- Best suited to organizations comfortable managing their own modular security stack
More alternatives & similar tools
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Alternatives to Untangle NG Firewall
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Unified security gateway with threat prevention and zero‑trust controls
The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataIPFire is a free, open‑source firewall that requires more networking expertise, while Untangle NG Firewall is a commercial, modular solution with cloud‑based management but undisclosed pricing.
Key differences
- •Cost: IPFire is free; Untangle requires a paid license (price not disclosed).
- •Management UI: Untangle offers a cloud‑based dashboard and mobile app; IPFire provides only a local web console.
- •Deployment complexity: IPFire needs more networking knowledge; Untangle’s modular design is aimed at easier, plug‑in style setup.
- •Support model: IPFire relies on community forums plus optional commercial support; Untangle is backed by Arista with a sales‑driven support path.
Pricing & value
IPFire is completely free and open source; Untangle’s pricing is undisclosed and requires a purchase.
Ease of use / learning curve
Untangle provides a cloud dashboard and mobile app, reducing setup effort versus IPFire’s more technical, self‑hosted console.
Features & depth
Both include firewall, IPS, VPN, and zone segmentation; depth of each feature isn’t differentiated in the facts.
Integrations & ecosystem
Neither product lists an API; both are self‑hosted with comparable integration possibilities.
Support
IPFire offers community forums and optional commercial support; Untangle is backed by Arista but specific support details aren’t provided.
Scalability
Both are self‑hosted appliances with no cloud‑scale offering mentioned.
Security & privacy
Each provides built‑in IPS (Suricata for IPFire) and VPN; no privacy‑related differences are specified.
Choose IPFire if…
Tech‑savvy small business or homelab needing a free, open‑source firewall with built‑in IPS.
Choose Untangle NG Firewall if…
SMB, school, or public‑sector org that prefers a modular, commercially supported firewall with cloud management.
Common questions
What is the total cost to deploy each solution?
IPFire is free; Untangle NG Firewall requires a paid license, but exact pricing is not disclosed and must be obtained from sales.
Which product is easier for non‑technical staff to manage?
Untangle offers a cloud‑based dashboard and mobile app, making day‑to‑day management simpler than IPFire’s locally hosted console.
Do either of the firewalls provide an API for automation?
Both products list “API Available: No,” so neither includes a native automation API.