Topics
Browse everything Firewall Compare publishes by category and tag: every topic covered here, with the most recent guides listed under each one.
Tags
- #opnsense 12
- #pfsense 11
- #comparison 9
- #firewall 8
- #homelab 8
- #buying-guide 5
- #ids-ips 4
- #unifi 4
- #vpn 4
- #netgate 3
- #wireguard 3
- #appliance 2
- #hardware 2
- #mikrotik 2
- #mini-pc 2
- #network-security 2
- #networking 2
- #small-business 2
- #smb 2
- #celeron 1
- #firewall-software 1
- #firewalla 1
- #gigabit 1
- #haproxy 1
- #home-firewall 1
- #home-network 1
- #intel 1
- #ipfire 1
- #migration 1
- #n100 1
- #ngfw 1
- #nginx 1
- #openvpn 1
- #openwrt 1
- #pricing 1
- #protectli 1
- #reverse-proxy 1
- #sophos 1
- #tls 1
- #total-cost-of-ownership 1
- #use-case 1
- #vyos 1
Categories
Comparisons 10 posts
- Firewall Cost Comparison 2026: 3-Year Cost of 8 OptionsThree-year firewall costs at October 2026 prices: UniFi from $199, DIY OPNsense from $359, Netgate $829, FortiGate and SonicWall $1,486 to $2,729.
- Is OPNsense Better Than pfSense? The 2026 VerdictIs OPNsense better than pfSense? For most new installs, yes: it is free, updates fortnightly and builds in IDS/IPS. pfSense Plus wins on Netgate gear.
- 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 (2026): Features, Cost & VerdictCompare Firewalla and pfSense on published throughput, VPN limits, setup, extensibility, maintenance, and total cost, with clear picks by use case.
- 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 (2026): Ubiquiti Gateway or DIY Firewall?UniFi vs pfSense: Ubiquiti's zone-based firewall and IDS/IPS against pfSense packages, FRR routing, VPN and hardware cost, and who should pick each.
Buyer's Guides 3 posts
- Best Firewall for Gigabit Internet Home: 2026 PicksFor gigabit home internet, an OPNsense box on Intel 2.5GbE hardware is the pick. We compare it with UniFi, Firewalla, Netgate and MikroTik.
- 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.
- 4 Best Homelab Firewalls for 2026 (Compared)Pick the best homelab firewall by budget: MikroTik under $100, UniFi from $129, OPNsense on a Protectli VP2420e, or a Netgate 4200, plus IDS/IPS tips.
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): Hardware, Support & CostCompare Protectli and Netgate appliances on ports, CPUs, OS flexibility, support, pricing, and the throughput figures Netgate publishes.