Untangle is now presented in Arista Edge Threat Management’s materials as NG Firewall; OPNsense is a separate open-source firewall and routing platform. Both can serve as an on-premises gateway, but they differ in deployment choices, licensing and support. Choose by the functions you need, the hardware and network design you can support, and whether you want a commercial subscription or a community-software path—not by feature lists alone.
What “Untangle” means now
Arista’s NG Firewall is the current product name used in the vendor’s materials for the platform associated with Untangle. The product is described as modular, with a browser-based interface for security, filtering, traffic visibility, performance management and remote connectivity. Its Complete subscription page lists apps including Firewall, Intrusion Prevention, Threat Prevention, Web Filter, Application Control, VPN options, WAN failover and Policy Manager.
That feature list is a description of the vendor’s offering, not an independent comparison or assurance that every function is enabled in every configuration. OPNsense is not an Untangle edition: it is a separate FreeBSD-based firewall and routing project.
How to compare the platforms
Start with your requirements and network layout. The following comparison reflects documented deployment and feature options, not a head-to-head performance or usability test.
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- Quad Core J3710 Processor: F3 firewall hardware with Pentium J3710 Processor, 4 Cores 4 Threads, 2M Cache, up to 2.64 GHz, TDP 6.5 W. Compatible with OPNsense, Linux, ESXi, Proxmox
- 4 x i225V 2.5GbE LAN: J3710 mini pc with 4 x i225V 2500Mbps LAN, can monitor network data, improve network security, powerful and widely used
- DDR3 RAM mSATA Slot: J3710 firewall pc with 1 x DDR3L SO-DIMM memory, 1 x mSATA SSD slot, 1 x SATA 3.0 slot(SATA Cable included), 1 x Mini-PCIe Slot
- HD DP Dual Display: Micro firewall appliance J3710 integrated HD Graphics, HD + DP dual display interfaces improve work efficiency
- Fanless Mini Size: Firewall appliance J3710 with aluminium alloy body, fanless quiet running without noise. Size only 11 x 10 x 3.5 cm
| Decision area | Arista NG Firewall (Untangle) | OPNsense |
|---|---|---|
| Deployment | Dedicated vendor appliance, user-selected hardware, VMware ESX/ESXi virtual appliance, or AWS and Azure cloud deployment are documented options. It can operate as a firewall/router or transparent bridge. Arista deployment guide | Software installation on x86-64 hardware; the installation guide distinguishes full and embedded images. Official desktop and rack appliances are also documented. Installation documentation and hardware quickstart |
| Functions to check | Complete lists Firewall, intrusion and threat prevention, web filtering, application control, VPN options, WAN failover and Policy Manager. Confirm subscription and configuration requirements for the functions you need. NG Firewall Complete | The project documents stateful firewalling, VPNs, traffic shaping, captive portal, proxy, IDS/inline prevention, high availability, VLANs, monitoring, DHCP/DNS services and plugins. OPNsense Introduction |
| Hardware and interfaces | Existing or purpose-built Intel-based gateway hardware is supported by the deployment guidance; vendor appliances have model-specific interface and throughput specifications. Confirm fit for your interface count and traffic. Arista data sheet | x86-64 is the supported microprocessor architecture stated in the installation guide. Confirm drivers, resources and sizing against current documentation before selecting hardware. Installation documentation |
| Software and support model | NG Firewall Complete is a commercial subscription; check current price, terms, deployment count and support coverage. Subscription page | Community Edition software and official appliances/business support are different choices. Official shop appliances arrive with Business Edition preinstalled; support subscriptions have separate terms. Hardware quickstart and Support documentation |
Plan deployment and migration before buying
Decide what traffic the firewall must inspect
Arista’s guide explicitly says filtering applies only to traffic that passes through NG Firewall. In a routed gateway design, ensure the relevant networks use it as their path. In a transparent-bridge design, place it in the traffic path between the existing router and the protected network. If traffic bypasses the device, its filtering functions cannot inspect that traffic.
For either platform, map WAN links, LANs, VLANs, VPN users and any existing router or security appliance before migration. Identify which device will perform routing, DHCP/DNS services, VPN termination and failover; avoid assuming that installing a firewall automatically transfers those roles or policies.
Rank #2
- 【Processor & OS】Firewall Mini PC with Intel J3710 CPU up to 2.40GHz, 4Cores4threads 2MB L2 Cache, TDP 6w, supports AES-NI/Wol. It tested with pf-sense linux ubuntu and other popular open source os. ("DEL" key to enter BIOS)
- 【Interfaces】The firewall pc has 4 * Intel I226-V lan ports(up to 2.5G), 2 * USB3.0 ports, 1 * RS232 COM port, 2 * HD port, 1 * DC port. Equipped with VESA mount, you can install the micro pc behind the monitor to save space.
- 【RAM & Storage】The firewall router equipped with 8G DDR3 RAM, max support 8GB; 240GB mSATA SSD, can be up to 512GB. Not support HDD.
- 【Fanless Design】The small firewall box is only small but powerful. Low power consumption, only 6W; fanless heat dissipation design, aluminum alloy shell, efficient and fast heat dissipation, support 24/7 hours working, no noise. Equipped with VESA mount, you can install the micro pc behind the monitor to save space.
- 【12 Months Service】You will get 1*mini pc，size:5.27 * 4.98 * 1.43 in weigh:500g. If you encounter any problems during the use, please contact us through Amazon, we have a professional and efficient team dedicated to serving you.
Choose the deployment form that suits operations
- Dedicated appliance: reduces the need to select and qualify commodity hardware, but verify ports, capacity and support terms for the specific model.
- Self-selected hardware: gives flexibility, but makes compatibility, NIC drivers, storage and resource sizing your responsibility. A fanless multi-port firewall mini PC is a hardware category, not a compatibility guarantee for either platform.
- Virtual deployment: Arista documents VMware ESX/ESXi deployment. Check the current vendor requirements and ensure the virtual network design sends intended traffic through the firewall.
- Cloud deployment: Arista documents AWS and Azure options. Cloud gateway needs differ from an on-premises appliance; validate routing and deployment details for the target environment.
OPNsense’s official installation guide supports x86-64 and distinguishes a full image from an embedded image aimed at systems with limited local resources or installation-console access. Do not infer a suitable CPU, RAM, storage or port count from the architecture statement alone: consult the current installation and hardware sizing guidance.
Match the feature set to the job
Write down the functions that are requirements rather than merely attractive options. For example, a small office may prioritize VLAN-aware rules, remote-access VPN, web filtering and WAN failover; another network may need inline intrusion prevention, traffic shaping or high availability. Verify each item in current product documentation, including whether it requires a particular edition, subscription, app or hardware configuration.
Rank #3
- 【Professional Firewall & NAS SERVER】OAKNODE 10gbe Firewall Appliance Mini PC-MGNASN, a powerful professional firewall router pc equipped with a 12th Gen Alder Lake N100 4C/4T up to 3.4GHz TDP only 6W with Intel UHD Graphics which maximizes the performance of the 2.5GbE port & SFP+ port, bring you a smooth secured and encrypted network environment.
- 【Rich I/O to meet your needs】Firewall Appliance MGNASN With HDMI 2.0+DP 1.4+TYPE-C(dp 1.2) Support for 3x4K@60Hz together, Dual DDR4 RAM slot support for up to 1x32GB SO-Dimm laptop DDR5 Ram Maximum 5600Mhz and 1xM.2 NVMe/PCIe 3.0x1 2280 SSD slot +1*SATA 3.0 SSD/HDD slots (install externally), also it support boot from TF card slot and it also support PXE/AWOL/Watchdog/GPIO etc. which is perfect for your firewall appliance、VM、Router、home Server needs.
- 【2xSFP+ 10GbE + 4x2.5GbE】This Firewall Router equipped with 2xIntel 82599ES 10gbe network card and 4*Intel i226-V network card speed maximum up to 2.5GbE(need other device like router, cables etc. also support 2.5Gbe/10gbe)which can bring you more faster and professional network usage(some system not release drivers yet) suggest to install version of below systems: pf-sense plus 23.0X or CE 2.7.X, OPNsense 22.1, OpenWrt, ROS7, ESXI 8 , Proxmox, CentOS etc).
- 【4G LTE Function supported】This model also support 4G LTE function(mini PCIE slot for 4G modem) and SIM card slot which you can use it as a IOT devices for your server.
- 【Quality With Warranty】If you have any questions or requirements(like OS installation/ drives/bios updates etc.) on OAKNODE Firewall mini pc MGNASN, PLEASE feel free to contact us. We offered 12 Months warranty for it and WE'LL REPLY YOUR Questions within 12 hours(during Workdays).
OPNsense documents a broad set of firewall and routing capabilities, including IDS/inline prevention, traffic shaping, VPNs, high availability and plugins. Arista’s Complete listing groups security, filtering, VPN and performance-related apps. The overlapping labels do not establish identical behavior, management workflows or protection outcomes; compare the specific implementation and support terms for each required function.
Budget for the whole operating model
At the time the Arista NG Firewall Complete page was accessed on October 5, 2026, it advertised a starting price of $25.00 per month. This is a time-sensitive commercial price, not a hardware purchase price; check the current page for subscription terms, the number of covered deployments and support before budgeting.
Rank #4
- 【◆Powerful Celeron N2840 Processor: N2840 Processor, 2 Cores 2 Threads, 1M Cache, Max Turbo Frequency 2.58 GHz, TDP 7.5 W. Compatible with OPNsense, Linux, Windows,ESXI, OpenWrt and other systems. Press "Delete" key to enter BIOS setup, supports Auto Power On, Wake On Lake, GPIO, PXE
- 【◆1GbE LAN: Mini Router PC with 2*Realtek RTL8111H network card chip full UDE 1000M with filter connector.Soft Router can monitor network data, improve network security, powerful and widely used.
- ◆DDR3L Memory & Large Storage Capacity: Firewall box computer with 1 x DDR3L SO-DIMM memory 1333/1600MHz, 1xMSATA3.0 SSD+1x2.5''SATA3.0 SSD/HDD.
- ◆UHD Graphics & Dual Display: N2840 processor integrated UHD Graphics, HD and VGA dual display interfaces support 4K@60Hz.
- ◆Rich interfaces: 2 x1000M Realtek RTL8111H-LAN,2 xUSB3.0, 4 xUSB2.0, HDMI,VGA,AUDIO supports data storage and system boot.
OPNsense Community Edition is open-source software, but that does not make a deployment cost-free. Hardware, administration, maintenance and support can all carry costs. OPNsense’s official hardware quickstart says shop appliances arrive with Business Edition preinstalled, and the support documentation describes separate subscription terms; confirm current hardware and support arrangements directly with OPNsense.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Understand appliance figures and software versions
Arista’s data sheet publishes model-specific throughput figures under its stated test methodology. For example, it lists Q4 firewall throughput of 940 Mbps and NGFW throughput of 850 Mbps. These are vendor test figures, not independent benchmarks or a guarantee for a particular workload. Enabled inspection functions, traffic mix and interface needs matter; check the current data sheet and match a model to your expected use.
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Best Value
- Powerful 12th Gen N150 Processor: Glovary Firewall Box Computer with Twin Lake 12th Gen N150 Processor, 4 Cores 4 Threads, 6M Cache, up to 3.6 GHz, TDP 6W. Supports OPNsense, Linux, Openwrt, etc
- 6 x i226V 2.5GbE Lan: Firewall router with 6 x i226-V network card, 2.5x faster than common Gigabit Ethernet. Soft Router can monitor network data, improve network security, powerful and widely used
- DDR5 RAM 2 x M.2 NVMe Slot: Micro firewall appliance with 1 x DDR5 SO-DIMM, 2 x M.2 2280 NVMe SSD slot, 1 x SATA 3.0 for 2.5" SSD/HDD (SATA 3.0 Cable Included)
- UHD Graphics & Triple Display: Mini PC Firewall with 2HD+Type-C triple display interfaces support 4K@60Hz, N150 processor integrated UHD Graphics. Fanless design with aluminium alloy body, quiet running without noise. Supports 12V 4 Pin 80 x 10mm small fan (Package includes 4Pin fan cable)
- Package Contents: 1 xGlovary firewall appliance, 1 xPower adapter, 1 xSATA 3.0 cable, 1 x4pin fan cable, 1 xVESA bracket. Rich interfaces: 6 x2.5G i226V-LAN, 2 xHD, 1 xType-C, 1 xUSB3.2, 4 xUSB2.0, 1 xTF Card slot supports data storage and system boot
Software release information changes. The OPNsense Community Edition release page listed version 26.7.5, dated September 30, 2026, when checked for this article; its notes include security-related fixes, including an OpenSSL update. Check the official 26.7 release notes and current release information before installing or planning an upgrade.
Use a safe pilot, backup and recovery plan
Before replacing a live gateway, document the current configuration and routing, arrange a maintenance window, and keep a tested way to restore connectivity if the new firewall fails. The exact backup and restore workflow depends on the product and version, so consult its current documentation rather than relying on a generic migration checklist.
Quick Recap
- Inventory: record interfaces, VLANs, subnets, gateways, DNS/DHCP responsibilities, VPNs, rules, NAT, filtering needs and failover behavior.
- Qualify the target: verify platform support, network-interface compatibility, resource sizing and any subscription or edition requirements.
- Build off-path: install and configure the candidate without making it the production gateway; test management access and required services.
- Validate traffic: confirm that representative clients and network segments actually pass through the firewall and that required policies, VPNs and monitoring work.
- Cut over with rollback ready: preserve the previous configuration and cabling/routing plan until the new gateway is stable; know how to return traffic to the old path.
Which should you choose?
- Consider Arista NG Firewall if its modular commercial offering and documented appliance, user-hardware, VMware or cloud deployment options align with your operations, and you are comfortable validating subscription and support terms.
- Consider OPNsense if you want an open-source FreeBSD-based firewall platform, are prepared to select supported x86-64 hardware or an official appliance, and can decide whether Community Edition or Business Edition and support arrangements meet your needs.
- Do not choose by a single speed figure or feature label. There is no verified specific retail mini PC established here as compatible with both systems, and vendor throughput figures are not a substitute for sizing against your actual traffic and enabled inspection.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
