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ZeroShell VS VyOS

Compare ZeroShell VS VyOS and see what are their differences

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Contents:
  1. » Base Details
  2. » Videos
  3. » Reviews
  4. » Alternatives

ZeroShell logo ZeroShell

Zeroshell is a Linux distribution for servers and embedded devices aimed at providing the main...

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.
  • ZeroShell Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-04-19
  • VyOS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-14

ZeroShell features and specs

  • Comprehensive Feature Set
    ZeroShell offers a wide range of networking features including VPN, load balancing, QoS, and firewall functionalities, making it a versatile solution for network management.
  • Open Source
    Being open source, ZeroShell allows users to access, modify, and customize the source code to suit their specific needs, fostering a more flexible and community-driven development environment.
  • Web-Based Management
    ZeroShell provides a user-friendly web-based management interface, which simplifies the process of configuring and managing network settings for users without requiring deep technical expertise.
  • Virtualization Support
    It is available as a Live CD or can be run on virtual machines, providing flexibility in deployment and reducing the need for dedicated hardware resources.

Possible disadvantages of ZeroShell

  • Limited Community Support
    As a niche software solution, ZeroShell may not have a large community for support and troubleshooting, which could be a limitation for users seeking assistance and updates.
  • UI and Usability
    The user interface, while functional, may be considered outdated and not as intuitive compared to more modern solutions, potentially requiring a steeper learning curve for new users.
  • Scalability Concerns
    ZeroShell might not be suitable for very large scale deployments as it lacks some of the capabilities and optimizations found in enterprise-grade solutions.
  • Potential Security Issues
    As with any open source project, ensuring regular updates and security patches can be a concern, particularly if the project is not actively maintained.

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.

Analysis of VyOS

Overall verdict

  • VyOS is a solid option for individuals or organizations looking for a customizable and cost-effective network solution. Its open-source nature, robust feature set, and active community support make it a competitive choice for network administrators seeking to build and manage complex network infrastructure.

Why this product is good

  • VyOS is a reputable choice for network operating systems because it is an open-source platform, providing flexibility and community-driven improvements. It supports a wide range of network features such as routing, firewalling, VPN building, and more. VyOS is beneficial for those wanting to maintain control over their network features, costs, and deployment settings. It also offers detailed documentation and a supportive community which can be incredibly beneficial for troubleshooting and customization.

Recommended for

    VyOS is recommended for small to medium-sized enterprises, network engineers, and IT professionals who require flexible deployment options and complete control over their network infrastructure. It is particularly suitable for those with Linux knowledge because of its command-line interface and those who are comfortable working within a community-driven open-source environment.

ZeroShell videos

+ Add

ZeroShell Webinar

More videos:

  • Review - Zeroshell Router Easy Setup

VyOS videos

+ Add

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 ZeroShell and VyOS)

ZeroShell

VyOS

Monitoring Tools
100 100%
Monitoring Tools
0% 0
Operating Systems
0 0%
Operating Systems
100% 100
Firewall
100 100%
Firewall
0% 0
Linux
0 0%
Linux
100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using ZeroShell and VyOS. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Reviews

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

ZeroShell Reviews

Best free Linux router and firewall distributions of 2023
Although Zeroshell never reached the point of being good enough to be recommended, we had high hopes for it in 2019 when we started maintaining this list of recommendations because it was developed from scratch rather than based on another system and had some innovative features. Unfortunately, the system got officially abandoned in September 2021. No longer maintained and...
Source: teklager.se
5 Router OS Turns Old PC Into High Performance Router And Enterprise Network Switch
Zeroshell is a Linux distribution for servers and embedded devices aimed at providing the main network services a LAN requires. It is available in the form of Live CD or Compact Flash image and you can configure and administer it using your web browser.
Source: www.geckoandfly.com
A Feast of Linux-Based Routers
I've also done tutorials on ZeroShell for LinuxPlanet, covering several topics: introduction and setup, setting up RADIUS server for Enterprise Wi-Fi encryption, configuring captive portal, Internet gateway and router, and creating bonded VPNs for higher throughput and failover.
Source: www.linuxtoday.com
The Hunt For the Ultimate Free Open Source Firewall Distro
Any chance for an overview/update of the top contenders? Your last update was 2015 and we are closing fast on 2020. I'd like to see a revisit of top contenders only - ideally free but feel free to include a commercial version or two if it is really that much better. In particular I'd appreciate more drill down on pfsense vs zeroshell. I've begun playing with zeroshell but...
Source: www.mondaiji.com

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...
Source: www.zenarmor.com
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...
Source: www.comparitech.com
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.
Source: www.geckoandfly.com
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.
Source: www.mondaiji.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, VyOS seems to be more popular. 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.

ZeroShell mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of ZeroShell yet. Tracking of ZeroShell recommendations started around Mar 2021.

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: about 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
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What are some alternatives?

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

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

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

IPFire - IPFire is a server distribution with intended to use as a firewall.

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

Emsisoft Online Armor Firewall - Emsisoft Online Armor Firewall is a freemium online firewall protection system by the Emsisoft that is based on the own independent protection technology of the Emsisoft.

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

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