Top Open Source Firewalls in 2023

Originally published on https://www.virtualizationhowto.com by Brandon Lee on June 14, 2023.

A key part of any secure network is the firewall. I have been running open-source firewalls in the lab and other environments for years now. This post delves into my picks for the top open-source firewalls in 2023. We will examine each firewall’s key features and discuss how they might cater to your unique needs.

Why Run an Open-Source Firewall?

An open-source security platform is an ideal choice for many reasons. Being open source, they’re freely available for anyone to use, offering free and paid applications based on the complexity and support you need.

The ‘open-source’ in open-source firewall software means you have access to the source code. This gives you unmatched flexibility, allowing for customization of your network security needs.

Another strength lies in their community support. Since these tools are open-source, they’re backed by dedicated online communities of developers and users who contribute to their continuous improvement, enhancing their firewall features over time.

Moreover, open-source firewalls often offer web-based management interfaces that make configuration and administration tasks simpler and more intuitive. They can be installed on a hardware device or run as a virtual machine as a virtual appliance in your home lab. This versatility allows for seamless integration into your existing…