Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

OpenWrt VS Untangle Web Filter

Compare OpenWrt VS Untangle Web Filter and see what are their differences

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OpenWrt logo OpenWrt

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

Untangle Web Filter logo Untangle Web Filter

Web Filter from Untangle allows network administrators to enact policies and strengthen security across the network.
  • OpenWrt Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-14
  • Untangle Web Filter Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-23

OpenWrt features and specs

  • Customizability
    OpenWrt provides a high degree of customizability, allowing users to install and configure a wide variety of software packages to tailor the firmware to specific needs.
  • Performance
    Being lightweight and efficient, OpenWrt can enhance router performance, leading to faster network speeds and more reliable connections.
  • Security
    OpenWrt receives regular updates and has strong security features, including state-of-the-art encryption and support for VPNs, which can help protect your network.
  • Community Support
    A large and active community surrounds OpenWrt, providing extensive documentation, forums, and support, which can be very helpful for troubleshooting and learning.
  • Open Source
    As an open-source project, OpenWrt allows users to freely inspect, modify, and share the software, contributing to transparency and community-driven improvements.
  • Hardware Compatibility
    OpenWrt is compatible with a wide range of devices, from routers to embedded devices, making it a flexible option for various hardware.

Possible disadvantages of OpenWrt

  • Technical Complexity
    The high level of customization and advanced features can be overwhelming for inexperienced users, requiring a steep learning curve to effectively manage the firmware.
  • Potential Stability Issues
    Although generally stable, custom configurations and new updates can sometimes lead to instability or bugs, which may require troubleshooting.
  • Limited Manufacturer Support
    Using OpenWrt might void the warranty or result in limited support from the router manufacturer, as it replaces the stock firmware with a third-party alternative.
  • Initial Setup
    The initial installation and setup process can be complex and time-consuming, especially for users who are not familiar with command-line interfaces and networking concepts.
  • Resource Intensive on Low-End Hardware
    On lower-end or older hardware, OpenWrt might not perform optimally, and some features could be too resource-intensive to function properly.

Untangle Web Filter features and specs

  • Comprehensive Filtering
    Untangle Web Filter provides a wide range of filtering options, allowing administrators to block or allow specific websites and categories to protect users from inappropriate or harmful content.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The web filter offers an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, making it accessible for administrators to configure and manage web filtering settings effectively.
  • Customizable Policies
    Administrators can create and enforce custom policies tailored to different user groups or departments, offering flexible management of internet access and usage.
  • Comprehensive Reporting
    The solution includes robust reporting features that provide detailed insights into web usage patterns, helping organizations identify potential issues or areas needing attention.
  • Integration Capabilities
    Untangle Web Filter integrates easily with existing network infrastructure and security solutions, ensuring seamless deployment and management.

Possible disadvantages of Untangle Web Filter

  • Resource Intensive
    The solution may require significant system resources, potentially impacting performance on older or less powerful hardware.
  • Cost
    Untangle Web Filter might be considered costly, especially for smaller organizations with tight budgets, compared to other solutions available in the market.
  • Complex Setup for Advanced Features
    While the basic setup is straightforward, configuring advanced features and policies can be complex, necessitating additional technical knowledge.
  • False Positives
    There may be a higher incidence of false positives, where legitimate websites are blocked, requiring ongoing adjustments to the filtering criteria.
  • Limited Mobile Support
    The web filter may have limited functionality or support on mobile devices, restricting comprehensive protection across all platforms.

Analysis of OpenWrt

Overall verdict

  • Yes, OpenWrt is considered good for users who need a robust and customizable router firmware that can be tailored to specific network requirements.

Why this product is good

  • OpenWrt is widely regarded as a good choice for custom router firmware due to its flexibility, extensive community support, and ability to enhance network performance. It allows users to install additional software packages and customize their network settings in ways not typically available on stock firmware. Additionally, OpenWrt regularly updates to address security vulnerabilities, providing a secure environment for diverse networking needs.

Recommended for

  • Tech-savvy users looking to extend their router functionality
  • Individuals interested in improving network security
  • Users who require advanced networking features
  • Anyone wanting to repurpose old hardware into a stable networking device
  • Open-source enthusiasts who appreciate community-driven projects

Analysis of Untangle Web Filter

Overall verdict

  • Untangle Web Filter is generally considered effective and reliable, with a user-friendly interface and strong support community. It's well-suited for businesses that need to ensure compliance and enhance security by controlling access to inappropriate or harmful web content.

Why this product is good

  • Untangle Web Filter, now part of the Arista Networks ecosystem, is widely regarded as a robust solution due to its ability to provide comprehensive web filtering, which is essential for organizations looking to control internet usage and protect against online threats. It offers features like policy enforcement, reporting, and threat analysis, making it a valuable tool for IT administrators.

Recommended for

    The solution is ideal for schools, businesses, and institutions that require advanced web filtering capabilities to safeguard users while maintaining network performance. Its ability to be customized for different environments makes it versatile for various organizational needs.

OpenWrt videos

Upgrading Your Home Router to OpenWRT and Why It Is Worth It

More videos:

  • Review - Playing with OpenWrt Wireless Settings
  • Review - Make Your TP-LINK Router into a High Power Router with OpenWrt

Untangle Web Filter videos

No Untangle Web Filter videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to OpenWrt and Untangle Web Filter)
Operating Systems
100 100%
0% 0
Security & Privacy
0 0%
100% 100
Linux
100 100%
0% 0
Office & Productivity
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare OpenWrt and Untangle Web Filter

OpenWrt Reviews

Best pfSense Software Alternatives and Competitors
Both pfSense and OpenWRT are formidable and versatile alternatives for network administration software. While OpenWRT is designed for embedded devices such as routers, Pfsense focuses on firewalls and routing functions that are more complex. Pfsense is more user-friendly, while OpenWRT provides more configuration options. Both are supported by thriving online communities...
The Best Open Source Router OS Software for Large or Small Networks
OpenWrt also offers a range of advanced networking configurations, including support for Quality of Service (QoS), network address translation (NAT), and virtual LAN (VLAN) tagging. These features make OpenWrt an attractive option for businesses and organizations that require more advanced networking capabilities. The open-source nature of OpenWrt means that users can...
Best free Linux router and firewall distributions of 2023
Unlike IPFire, OpenWRT has a large number of optional packages in its repository. As a result, you can configure this OS in countless different ways. Most importantly, OpenWRT has drivers for all hardware supported by Linux. This means that almost all Wireless hardware is supported, making it the most versatile OS for creating Access Points.
Source: teklager.se
Top 7 pfSense Alternatives
OpenWRT is made primarily to replace the software on existing routers, but it can also run on x86 (PCs, server hardware, VMs) machines. It is a very mature OS and has some of the best Wi-Fi support around, unlike a lot of other router software options. It has a pretty good GUI and a ton of add-on packages.
7 Best Router Firmware | Open Source | 2022
OpenWrt Project is a Linux based alternative open source firmware for routers in 2022 and embedded systems. And it is one of the best Open Source Firmware that offers you an utterly writable filesystem along with package management. It allows for full customization and lets you customize the device for any application.
Source: viralhax.com

Untangle Web Filter Reviews

We have no reviews of Untangle Web Filter yet.
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, OpenWrt seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 103 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.

OpenWrt mentions (103)

  • Recommendation for a wifi router with L2TP or other VPN server support?
    If your current router supports a custom firmware like openWRT then you could do this without having to buy a new one. Source: over 1 year ago
  • OpenWrt Site Account Creation
    Unfortunately, I can't create an account via Github on the openwrt site. Source: over 1 year ago
  • openwrt.org not loading
    Anyone else having trouble reaching openwrt.org right now? I can't get the forums, main page or downloads. I've done plenty of troubleshooting and there isn't anything else on my network having trouble reaching anything else on the internet. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Things just got a little weird, my current network is down, I'm a newb trying to start from the ground up and I found out I actually have another (newer) wifi router.... what to do?
    On the router. openwrt.org has lots of great documentation that lays out exactly what you're looking for and then some. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • As of June 2023, what is the best router that I could buy specifically for ease of use with all things pi-hole related
    Is the Verizon one a combined modem/router? If you want to add your own router, you might have to call them and ask them to put it into bridged mode. I like OpenWRT because it gives you a lot of customization options. I've just been running it on an old TP-Link Archer C7 for the past 5 years or so and I haven't had any issues, but that's ancient hardware now. Source: almost 2 years ago
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Untangle Web Filter mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Untangle Web Filter yet. Tracking of Untangle Web Filter recommendations started around Aug 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing OpenWrt and Untangle Web Filter, you can also consider the following products

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

Check Point Quantum Security Gateway - Quantum is the next-generation VPN security gateway that delivers the core security benefits of a firewall, next-generation IPS, antivirus, and Web-filtering without sacrificing performance.

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

Forcepoint Web Security - Seguridad Web De Última Generación Para La Fuerza Laboral Global Del Futuro

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

Barracuda CloudGen Firewall - Barracuda's cloud-ready firewalls improve site-to-site connectivity and provide enterprises with uninterrupted access to applications hosted in the cloud.