pfSense

pfSense is an open-source firewall and router platform widely used in SMB environments, educational networks, and IT labs.

Built on FreeBSD which can be installed on different machines, it provides a flexible, cost-effective alternative to proprietary firewall appliances with a web-based interface simplifies network management, while advanced capabilities allow IT teams to build secure, customized networks without expensive licensing fees.

pfSense delivers granular control over network traffic and security policies with features like load balancing, captive portal authentication, and dynamic DNS make it suitable for both production environments and testing labs.

It also supports a wide range of packages, enabling users to expand its functionality with tools for monitoring (ntopng), intrusion prevention (Snort and Suricata), and remote connectivity (OpenVPN).