SafeLine vs Untangle NG Firewall
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, ratings, and alternatives.
SafeLine is a self-hosted Web Application Firewall (WAF) and reverse proxy designed to protect web applications from various attacks and exploits. It provides a robust security solution for web applications, ensuring their safety and integrity.
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.
Personal edition is free forever (semantic analysis engine, rule-based protection, up to 10 apps). Paid tiers: Lite $10/month or $100/year (20 apps, geo-blocking, Discord/Telegram alerts), Pro $100/month or $1000/year (advanced threat detection, unlimited apps, priority support), and Ultimate with custom annual pricing.
- Highly customizable security solution
- Self-hosted for increased control and security
- Real-time traffic monitoring and analysis
- Robust alerting system for security incidents
- 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 technical expertise for setup and configuration
- Limited support options compared to commercial solutions
- May require additional resources for optimal performance
- 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
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The Verdict
AI-generated from listing dataUntangle NG Firewall offers a modular, enterprise‑backed security suite with paid pricing and limited API, while SafeLine provides a free, open‑source, highly customizable WAF with full API access but requires more technical skill.
Key differences
- •Pricing model: Untangle requires contact‑based pricing; SafeLine has a free tier and freemium model.
- •Target audience: Untangle is aimed at SMBs, schools, and public‑sector orgs; SafeLine targets web developers/administrators.
- •API availability: Untangle offers no API; SafeLine provides a full API.
- •Support channels: Untangle relies on sales/Arista support (unspecified); SafeLine offers Discord and GitHub Issues only.
- •Open‑source status: Untangle is proprietary; SafeLine is open source (21,993 GitHub stars).
Pricing & value
SafeLine offers a free forever tier and freemium model; Untangle requires contacting sales with no public pricing.
Ease of use / learning curve
Untangle provides a cloud dashboard and mobile app for remote management; SafeLine needs technical expertise to configure.
Features & depth
Untangle bundles firewall, content filtering, IPS, VPN, ransomware protection; SafeLine focuses on WAF/reverse proxy only.
Integrations & ecosystem
SafeLine has an open‑source API and GitHub ecosystem; Untangle has no API and limited integration info.
Support
Untangle is backed by Arista’s enterprise support (though details not specified); SafeLine only offers community Discord/GitHub support.
Scalability
Untangle’s modular design lets organizations add security apps as needed; SafeLine’s scalability depends on self‑hosting resources.
Security & privacy
Untangle includes built‑in ransomware protection, intrusion prevention, and content filtering; SafeLine provides only web‑app level protection.
Choose SafeLine if…
Web developers or admins who want a free, open‑source WAF and can handle self‑hosting and custom configuration.
Choose Untangle NG Firewall if…
SMBs, schools, or government groups needing a full‑stack firewall with managed UI and enterprise backing.
Common questions
What are the upfront costs for each product?
Untangle requires contacting sales; no public price listed. SafeLine offers a free personal edition and a paid freemium tier.
Do either solutions provide an API for automation?
Untangle: No API. SafeLine: Yes, an API is available.
Which product is easier for non‑technical staff to manage?
Untangle, with its cloud dashboard and mobile app, is designed for easier remote management; SafeLine needs technical expertise.