UniFi Security Gateway costs $29/mo.
These cost $0.
2 free alternatives to UniFi Security Gateway, checked for license, recent activity and real adoption. Each one tells you the catch, so you can switch with your eyes open.
UniFi Security Gateway vs Free Alternatives Matrix
Quick side-by-side comparison · $0/mo vs $29/mo
| Alternative | Type | License | Where It Runs | Stars | Head-to-Head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opnsense | open source | cm0zooe4a000i7dtrtrvgvszh | Self-host | ★ 4.8k | UniFi Security Gateway vs Opnsense → |
| pfSense | open source | cm0zfrz5200pu94snwyqzpqx7 | Self-host | ★ 5.8k | UniFi Security Gateway vs pfSense → |
The picks
2 open source · ranked by fit
- 01
Opnsense
open sourcecm0zooe4a000i7dtrtrvgvszhSelf-host4.8knov 2026From VPN to Intrusion Detection, best-in-class, free open-source firewall.
The catch vs UniFi Security GatewayRequires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed UniFi Security Gateway.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Clone https://github.com/opnsense/core or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- your data
- All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
- checked
- 2026-11-04
- 02
pfSense
open sourcecm0zfrz5200pu94snwyqzpqx7Self-host5.8kmar 2026Comprehensive network security solution for enterprises.
The catch vs UniFi Security GatewayRequires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed UniFi Security Gateway.
Install, platforms & data +
- platforms
- webself-hosteddocker to self-host
- install
- Clone https://github.com/pfsense/pfsense or deploy with Docker Compose
- setup
- Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- your data
- All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
- checked
- 2026-11-04
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers · UniFi Security Gateway open-source replacements
What is the best free alternative to UniFi Security Gateway?+
The top free alternative to UniFi Security Gateway is Opnsense (open source, cm0zooe4a000i7dtrtrvgvszh). From VPN to Intrusion Detection, best-in-class, free open-source firewall. Other popular UniFi Security Gateway replacements include pfSense.
Can I self-host a free replacement for UniFi Security Gateway?+
Yes. Of the 2 free alternatives to UniFi Security Gateway, 2 can be self-hosted on your own server or local machine: Opnsense (cm0zooe4a000i7dtrtrvgvszh), pfSense (cm0zfrz5200pu94snwyqzpqx7).
How much does switching from UniFi Security Gateway to a free alternative save?+
UniFi Security Gateway starts at $29/month per seat ($348/year). Switching a 5-person team to a free alternative like Opnsense saves $1,740 per year in software subscription fees.
Should I vibe-code or build my own UniFi Security Gateway clone from scratch?+
Our build verdict for UniFi Security Gateway is NOT REALLY (use a free alternative, save the tokens). Instead of paying recurring SaaS fees for UniFi Security Gateway or rebuilding it from scratch, deploy one of the 2 battle-tested open-source alternatives like Opnsense or pfSense.
What is the catch when switching from UniFi Security Gateway to Opnsense?+
Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed UniFi Security Gateway.
