Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

OpenWISP VS VyOS

Compare OpenWISP VS VyOS and see what are their differences

OpenWISP logo OpenWISP

A software platform to implement a complete public wifi service.

VyOS logo VyOS

VyOS in an open source Linux-based operating system sold and distributed by Sentrium corporations. It is geared toward IT specialists and network administrators for the purpose of securing network and company data... read more.
  • OpenWISP Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-25
  • VyOS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-14

OpenWISP features and specs

  • Open Source
    OpenWISP is an open-source platform, which means it is free to use, modify, and distribute, allowing for collaborative improvements from a community of developers.
  • Modular Architecture
    OpenWISP features a modular architecture, enabling users to integrate and extend functionalities as needed, providing flexibility and customization.
  • Scalability
    It supports extensive scalability, allowing networks to grow without significant infrastructure changes, making it suitable for both small and large deployments.
  • Centralized Management
    The platform provides centralized management capabilities, enabling easy administration of multiple devices and networks from a single interface.
  • Active Community
    OpenWISP benefits from an active and supportive community, offering extensive documentation, forums, and user assistance for troubleshooting and development.

Possible disadvantages of OpenWISP

  • Complex Setup
    The setup process of OpenWISP can be complex and time-consuming, especially for users unfamiliar with network management software.
  • Resource Intensive
    Running OpenWISP can be resource-intensive, requiring sufficient hardware and technical expertise to ensure optimal performance.
  • Limited Vendor Support
    Compared to commercial network management solutions, OpenWISP may have limited vendor support for specific hardware or advanced features.
  • Customization Challenges
    While highly customizable, the process of tailoring OpenWISP to specific needs can be challenging without adequate technical knowledge or development skills.
  • Learning Curve
    New users may face a steep learning curve due to the complexity and breadth of features offered by OpenWISP, requiring time and effort to master.

VyOS features and specs

  • Open Source
    VyOS is an open-source network operating system, which means it can be freely used, modified, and distributed by anyone. This provides transparency and the ability to customize the software to specific needs.
  • Feature-Rich
    Offers a comprehensive set of networking features including routing, firewall, VPN, and NAT, making it suitable for a wide range of networking tasks and environments.
  • Community Support
    As an open-source project, VyOS has an active community that contributes to its development and provides support through forums, documentation, and other resources.
  • Cost-Effective
    VyOS provides enterprise-grade functionality without the associated cost of commercial networking solutions, making it an economical choice for both businesses and individuals.
  • Flexibility
    VyOS can be deployed on various hardware from physical machines to virtualized environments, providing a high degree of flexibility in deployment options.
  • CLI and API
    It provides a familiar command-line interface and REST API for configuration and management, which appeals to experienced network administrators and enables integration with automation tools.

Possible disadvantages of VyOS

  • Steeper Learning Curve
    While providing powerful features, VyOS can be complex for beginners due to its command-line interface and the need for network configuration knowledge.
  • Performance Limits
    Performance might not match that of specialized hardware-based solutions; thus, for very high throughput or low latency requirements, VyOS may not be the most suitable option.
  • Limited Vendor Support
    Compared to commercial network solutions, VyOS has less formalized support structures. While community support is available, the official support options might not be as extensive.
  • Hardware Compatibility
    Although flexible, not all hardware is guaranteed to be compatible with VyOS, potentially necessitating hardware adjustments or specific configurations.
  • Certification
    Unlike some commercial solutions, VyOS does not have the same level of industry-recognized certifications, which might be a consideration for enterprises needing certified solutions for compliance reasons.
  • Commercial Features
    Certain features and timely updates are only available in the VyOS subscription model, which may limit the entirely free usage scenario.

OpenWISP videos

Introduction to OpenWISP2

More videos:

  • Review - OpenWISP 2: the modular configuration manager for OpenWRT - OpenWrt Summit 2017
  • Review - OpenWISP 2: Network Topology Module

VyOS videos

VYOS Reihe by Mr Beard Review Release April 19

More videos:

  • Review - VyOS as a Simple Lab Router
  • Review - VyOS Router Install and Configuration (New version)

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to OpenWISP and VyOS)
Operating Systems
17 17%
83% 83
Linux
20 20%
80% 80
Routers
100 100%
0% 0
Perimeter Security And Firewalls

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare OpenWISP and VyOS

OpenWISP Reviews

We have no reviews of OpenWISP yet.
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VyOS Reviews

Best pfSense Software Alternatives and Competitors
VyOS is a community clone of Vyatta which is a Linux-based network operating system that has software-based routing, firewall, and virtual private network (VPN) capabilities. VyOS firewall offers network security services such as a web proxy, DHCP server and relay, and DNS forwarding. The VyOS firewall is compatible with IPv4 and IPv6, zone-based firewalls, and numerous NAT...
The Best Open Source Router OS Software for Large or Small Networks
One of the strengths of VyOS is its command-line interface (CLI), which allows for detailed configuration of networking features. The CLI is similar to the Juniper Networks Junos CLI, making it a good choice for users familiar with that platform. Additionally, VyOS includes a web-based GUI for configuring basic networking settings. VyOS’s strengths also include its advanced...
Best free Linux router and firewall distributions of 2023
VyOS must be managed from the command line, and it requires a high level of expertise to maintain and use. If you are a Linux expert, have some time on your hands, and love the command line interface, you can give it a shot - some of our customers use it successfully. However, it's not a good choice if you are a home user who just wants to get things done. There are two...
Source: teklager.se
5 Router OS Turns Old PC Into High Performance Router And Enterprise Network Switch
VyOS runs on a wide range of hardware from small office routers to large servers, as well as virtual machines and multiple cloud providers. VyOS is not just a router, it’s an open, customizable platform for network devices. Fully Open Source: Its entire codebase and build toolchain are available to everyone for auditing, building customized images, and contributing.
The Hunt For the Ultimate Free Open Source Firewall Distro
Thank you for the post! I would like to add a point if possible. As far as i know VyOS has dmvpn functionality available, which is a thing to consider for large-scale and rapidly growing companies. Other software routers do not have such thing as far as know.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, VyOS should be more popular than OpenWISP. It has been mentiond 30 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

OpenWISP mentions (13)

  • OpenWrt 24.10.0 – First Stable Release – 6. February 2025
    > Is there a recommended hardware and step by step guide for those new to this? What exactly are you planning to do? OpenWRT is quite flexible. There's this https://openwrt.org/toh/buyerguide. OpenWRT one is hot right now: https://openwrt.org/toh/openwrt/one > Can you do mesh networks? Yes. Note also https://openwisp.org/ if you want to do a whole fleet of OpenWRT routers. - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago
  • OpenWrt One router officially launched
    I think the closest thing that exists today is OpenWISP[1] but I haven't had a chance to check it out personally yet. [1] https://openwisp.org/. - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
  • OpenWrt 23.05.0-rc1 – First Release Candidate
    Is this something similar to OpenWISP? It all sounds cool, but might be an overkill for small installations… [0] https://openwisp.org/. - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
  • Console for managing multiple OpenWRT nodes?
    Haven't tried it yet, but I think OpenWISP is what you want. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Any open source centrally managed access point system?
    All my searches are pointing to OpenWISP. Source: almost 3 years ago
View more

VyOS mentions (30)

  • VyOS From Scratch – Edition 1 (set up your own router)
    Might be worth adding a paragraph about what VyOS is, maybe not for the target audience but certainly for HN. https://vyos.io/ The VyOS website says: > Democratizing how we access networks through a universal Router and Open source software. > Our vision at VyOS is to dramatically change how we access networks so that we can all build the solutions we always dreamed of, without restrictions, limitations, or... - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
  • VyOS is the next-generation network operating system
    VyOS is the next-generation network operating system that’s revolutionizing the way businesses manage their networks. With its powerful tools and intuitive interface, VyOS makes it easy to manage and configure even the most complex networks. Plus, with its open-source architecture, you have access to a community of developers and users who are constantly improving and expanding the capabilities of the system. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Advice for a high school networking lab
    VyOS https://vyos.io/ is my go-to for open source CLI focused router platform. Configuration syntax is similar to that of Juniper. I believe as an educational institution you would qualify for free LTS images from them. They’re super friendly to reach out to, and seems like they’re still actively developing some really cool features. They do support WiFi interfaces, among many others. Pretty decent online docs too! Source: about 2 years ago
  • linux network project ideas
    There's VyOS if that's what you're looking for? If you want to do everything from scratch, just use Debian/Ubuntu and configure all the components individually. Source: about 2 years ago
  • VPN Site to SIte (Fortigate or Asus)
    If you absolutely have to do your homelab experiments in production, at least do it properly. Get some decent hardware (I just got a pair of these, they are fun: https://www.pcengines.ch/apu2.htm) and install something like https://vyos.io/ or opnsense or ipfire or something. Then you might actually learn something, plus in my experience these much more stable than cheapass consumer crap. Source: over 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing OpenWISP and VyOS, you can also consider the following products

OpenWrt - OpenWrt is an open-source firmware based on Linux for wireless routers

OPNsense - OPNsense® you next open source firewall. Free Download. High-end Security Made Easy™. Offers Intrusion Prevention, Captive Portal, Traffic Shaping and more.

MikroTik RouterOS - The main product of MikroTik is a Linux-based operating system known as MikroTik RouterOS.

pfSense - pfSense is a free and open source firewall and router that also features unified threat management, load balancing, multi WAN, and more

LibreMesh - An Open Source Sofware for Geek-free Mesh Community Networks.

FRRouting - FRRouting (FRR) is an IP routing protocol suite for Linux and Unix platforms which