Arista Guardian for Network Identity (AGNI) vs PacketFence

Arista Guardian for Network Identity (AGNI)9.0Visit PacketFence8.5Visit

Higher score Arista Guardian for Network Identity (AGNI) #4 in Network Access Control Software 9.0/10 Pricing on request ✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Arista

vs

PacketFence #7 in Network Access Control Software 8.5/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 4 of 4 features Visit PacketFence

• Arista Guardian for Network Identity (AGNI) fits best

  Hybrid networks focused on identity and device posture

• PacketFence fits best

  Budget-conscious teams wanting full-featured NAC

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Side by side

Feature	Arista Guardian for Network Identity (AGNI) 9.0/10 Visit ↗	PacketFence 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.0	8.5
Ranking	#4 in Network Access Control Software	#7 in Network Access Control Software
Best for	Hybrid networks focused on identity and device posture	Budget-conscious teams wanting full-featured NAC
Pricing model	Paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	Pricing on request	$5,000/yr
Free plan	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Free trial	—	30 days
Deployment	Cloud	Cloud, Desktop, Self-hosted
Platforms	Web	Web, Linux
Integrations	14 integrations	20 integrations
Features Arista Guardian for Network Identity (AGNI) 3/4 · PacketFence 4/4
Wired access control	✓	✓
Wireless access control	✓	✓
VPN access control	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
802.1X support	✓	✓
Specs
Deployment model	Hybrid	Hybrid
Device limit	Not checked yet	250 devices
Our review
Pros	Covers wired, wireless, BYOD, IoT, guest, and certificate-based access Combines profiling, posture assessment, behavioral monitoring, and segmentation Connects with major identity, endpoint, SIEM, and network security tools	802.1X, BYOD, guest access, profiling, posture, and remediation Free GPL-licensed Community Edition with unlimited devices Extensive directory, endpoint, firewall, and network integrations
Cons	Pricing requires contact with sales Ask AVA cloud troubleshooting is limited to the cloud deployment Its broad feature set may exceed the needs of basic access-control teams	Cloud Starter is limited to 250 registered devices Self-hosted deployment requires internal infrastructure management Enterprise pricing is not listed with the plan details
Our verdict	Arista Guardian for Network Identity (AGNI) is a network access control platform for enterprise wired and wireless infrastructure. It suits organizations that need identity-based policies across hybrid networks, including BYOD, IoT, guest… Read the review →	PacketFence is a network access control platform for organizations managing wired and wireless networks. It authenticates, authorizes, profiles, quarantines, and remediates devices through 802.1X/EAP, MAC authentication bypass, RADIUS,… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Arista Guardian for Network Identity (AGNI) — where it wins

  • Covers wired, wireless, BYOD, IoT, guest, and certificate-based access
  • Combines profiling, posture assessment, behavioral monitoring, and segmentation
  • Connects with major identity, endpoint, SIEM, and network security tools

  Where it doesn't

  • Pricing requires contact with sales
  • Ask AVA cloud troubleshooting is limited to the cloud deployment
  • Its broad feature set may exceed the needs of basic access-control teams

• PacketFence — where it wins

  • 802.1X, BYOD, guest access, profiling, posture, and remediation
  • Free GPL-licensed Community Edition with unlimited devices
  • Extensive directory, endpoint, firewall, and network integrations

  Where it doesn't

  • Cloud Starter is limited to 250 registered devices
  • Self-hosted deployment requires internal infrastructure management
  • Enterprise pricing is not listed with the plan details

• Arista Guardian for Network Identity (AGNI)9.0/10 · Pricing on request

  A broad NAC platform for hybrid networks that connect identity, device posture, and segmentation.

  Visit AristaFull verdict →
• PacketFence8.5/10 · Free plan · 30-day trial

  A broad NAC platform with strong open-source value and flexible paid support options.

  Visit PacketFenceFull verdict →