ClearOS Vs Untangle NG – Which is the better firewall solution

Untangle NG and ClearOS are two highly functional and very well rated security software, but which one is the best fit for you?

When choosing a security software, it is seldom as easy as picking the highest rated or cheapest option. It should involve taking time to identify evaluate your security needs as an individual, a home or business and weighing them against any additional features you may require, then considering the price range of different alternative software that can meet those needs against your capabilities and hardware capacity. This analysis is especially necessary when choosing between Untangle and ClearOS because they are both very functional and efficient Linux based software.

What are the differences between ClearOS and Untangle?

ClearOS Vs Untangle- How do they compare?

Features

ClearOS and Untangle are both firewalls and are designed to perform many of the same tasks. This implies that they have quite a number of similar features, that often operate in to give the same quality of results save for:

Cloud computing- Here, ClearOS shines far above Untangle with a more efficient and intuitive cloud computing system in place, which increases the system speed and effectiveness.

Application Web Security-Untangle is the undisputed winner here, with a wide range of features and applications both additional and service based, to ensure that every aspect of web security is covered.

Cloud Infrastructure-ClearOS has a highly superior cloud infrastructure, which is probably the reason it has a better cloud computing capability

It is clear that ClearOS has a better cloud infrastructure, which makes all features linked to a cloud server better in ClearOS. However, Untangle has a wider range and number of security applications and features.

Ease of use

Linux devices are notoriously difficult for users who are not accustomed to the Linux command line. In consideration to this, ClearOS and Untangled have developed an easy to use and intuitive GUI that works on top of the Linux command line to make it friendly and easy to use. However, ClearOS is still much easier to use than Untangle, which has a lot of drop menus and options which seem very intimidating and confusing to a first time user. ClearOS also gives a Linux user an added edge by giving the option of using the traditional Linux command line, which also allows a beginner to learn and practice.

ClearOS is definitely easier to use, making it the go to option for a new or accustomed Linux user.

Additional features and applications

ClearOS and Untangle are very dedicated to offering the best firewall services possible for both home and work use, implying that they both have a wide array of packet filter and bandwidth control tools to achieve this. However, Untangle has a wider range of applications that may not necessarily be classified as security applications but still go a long way in ensuring internal security of data as well as increasing the efficiency of data flow like HHTPS inspectors and advanced policy managers.

Untangle has a far longer list of additional features and applications making it preferable and more diverse in its functionality

ClearOS Vs Untangle NG – A comparison review

ClearOS

ClearOS is a popular firewall software that is Linux based. It is available in three versions, one free and two paid, tailored to meet different capacity of user needs, with the free version being the least advanced, though still highly functional. The most alluring aspect of this software is that despite being Linux based, it is extremely easy to use, with the GUI being ranked as one of the sleekest and easiest to use among firewall software. However, the software gives the user the option of using a Linux based command line, which adds an added layer of ease of use for a Linux user.

The software enables the user to implement a wide range of firewall functions, both basic and advanced including blocking incoming or outgoing web traffic based on IP or port address, using port forwarding and using iptables to modify the Linux source code. The paid versions of the software packages are equipped with very high quality ClearBOX hardware devices which are very efficient and durable.

Pros

• It is very sleek and easy to use
• The system is highly intuitive
• Its pricing model makes it convenient for a wide range of users

Cons

• Manual installation of applications is very tricky, making the user heavily dependent on the intuitiveness of the system.

Untangle NG

Untangle NG is a Linux-based network security software that is highly popular for its diversity of features and applications. It is very easily scalable, making it applicable for home and business use, depending on the package that you settle on. Aside from the typical security features like bandwidth control and content and packet filtering, Untangle comes with a variety of independent and service applications, which is what makes it stand out from other security software in the market. Its most impressive independent application is its virus blocker. This is because it prevents virus and Trojan horses from making their way undetected into the system as well as removing any malware that may already be present in the web system. Its service applications are very useful in a work environment, because the increase the efficiency with which information is processed. They include a policy maker. WAN balancer and failover as well as VPN services.

Pros

• It gives a detailed pricing model, allowing you to see what you are spending money on
• It allows remote access and monitoring of devices in the network
• It has a long list of additional features and applications
• It allows for purchase of specific applications
• Affordable and gives a detailed pricing model which shows great value for money

Cons

• It may be confusing to navigate for a first time user

Conclusion

Untangle and ClearOS are very efficient in meeting their security thresholds while being very affordable and reasonably easy to use. Their major differences is that ClearOS has superior Cloud infrastructure, which increases its memory and cloud capabilities while Untangled has a wider and more diverse array of applications which makes it applicable in a wider range of areas.

Verdict- So which is better, ClearOS or Untangle?

Though both ClearOS and Untangle are impressive firewall software, I would go with Untangle because it has a wider range of applications and features that could prove to be very useful.

FAQs

What are the hardware requirements to download and run ClearOS?

These requirements are highly dependent on the number of users you intend to have on the web network, which should then determine the package you should go for. In summary:

Which features and applications can be found in Untangle?

The features and applications in untangle are mainly security related, and may differ depending on the version you download. They include:

• Web filters
• Virus, spam, AD and Phish blockers
• Bandwidth and application control
• Web cache
• Intrusion detection and prevention
• HTTPS inspector
• Captive portal
• WAN failover and balancer
• Policy managers
• IPsec and open VPN as well as site-to-site VPN client
• Branding manager