Topics
Browse posts by category and tag — every topic we cover, with the latest pieces under each.
Tags
- #opnsense 10
- #pfsense 10
- #comparison 9
- #homelab 9
- #firewall 7
- #vpn 5
- #buying-guide 4
- #wireguard 4
- #ids-ips 3
- #unifi 3
- #appliance 2
- #hardware 2
- #mikrotik 2
- #mini-pc 2
- #netgate 2
- #network-security 2
- #networking 2
- #smb 2
- #celeron 1
- #firewalla 1
- #haproxy 1
- #home-network 1
- #intel 1
- #ipfire 1
- #migration 1
- #n100 1
- #ngfw 1
- #nginx 1
- #openvpn 1
- #openwrt 1
- #protectli 1
- #reverse-proxy 1
- #small-business 1
- #sophos 1
- #tls 1
- #use-case 1
- #vyos 1
Categories
Comparisons 9 posts
- UniFi Dream Machine Pro vs pfSense: Hardware and CostHow the UniFi Dream Machine Pro compares with a pfSense build on ports, IDS/IPS licensing, VPN protocol support, and long-term cost of ownership.
- Firewalla vs pfSense: Appliance or DIY Firewall?Firewalla's app-managed appliances against a self-built pfSense box, compared on published throughput, VPN limits, extensibility, and true total cost.
- pfSense Alternatives: 7 Platforms Compared for 2026Seven pfSense alternatives compared on licensing, IDS/IPS, VPN and hardware, plus the once-popular names that no longer belong on a 2026 shortlist.
- UniFi vs pfSense Firewall Comparison: Which Fits Your Network?A UniFi vs pfSense firewall comparison covering setup, IDS/IPS, SSL inspection, VPN performance, and routing, plus who should pick each platform.
- Best Firewall for Small Business 2026: 6 Options ComparedSix firewalls evaluated for SMB buyers in 2026 — specs, total cost of ownership, and which fits your team size and compliance posture.
- HAProxy vs nginx Reverse Proxy for a Home FirewallBoth OPNsense and pfSense can run a reverse proxy on the firewall itself. HAProxy and nginx solve the same homelab problem differently.
Buyer's Guides 2 posts
- Best Mini PC for OPNsense 2026: A Buyer's Guide by TierA spec-driven guide to the best mini PC for OPNsense in 2026, covering NIC compatibility, AES-NI, IDS/IPS sizing, and three picks from budget to multi-gig.
- Best Homelab Firewall in 2026: OPNsense, pfSense, UniFi, MikroTikA buyer's guide to picking the right homelab firewall in 2026, comparing OPNsense, pfSense, UniFi, and MikroTik RouterOS with budget tiers and concrete picks.
Hardware 2 posts
- Firewall Hardware Tiers: Celeron vs N100 vs i5 Mini-PCsHow much CPU does a home firewall really need? A tiering of mini-PC silicon, from older Celeron through Intel N100 to i5-class, mapped to throughput.
- Protectli vs Netgate 2026: Which Firewall Hardware Wins?Side-by-side hardware comparison of Protectli (VP2410, VP2420, VP4670) and Netgate (1100, 2100, 4100, 6100) firewall appliances.