ExtremeControl vs PacketFence

ExtremeControl9.1Visit PacketFence8.5Visit

Higher score ExtremeControl #3 in Network Access Control Software 9.1/10 Pricing on request ✓ 4 of 4 features Visit ExtremeControl

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

• ExtremeControl fits best

  Mixed networks needing mature endpoint controls

• PacketFence fits best

  Budget-conscious teams wanting full-featured NAC

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Side by side

Feature	ExtremeControl 9.1/10 Visit ↗	PacketFence 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.1	8.5
Ranking	#3 in Network Access Control Software	#7 in Network Access Control Software
Best for	Mixed networks needing mature endpoint controls	Budget-conscious teams wanting full-featured NAC
Pricing model	Paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	Pricing on request	$5,000/yr
Free plan	—	✓ (best)
Free trial	—	30 days
Deployment	Cloud, Self-hosted	Cloud, Desktop, Self-hosted
Platforms	Web	Web, Linux
Integrations	9 integrations	20 integrations
Features ExtremeControl 4/4 · PacketFence 4/4
Wired access control	✓	✓
Wireless access control	✓	✓
VPN access control	✓	✓
802.1X support	✓	✓
Specs
Deployment model	Hybrid	Hybrid
Device limit	Not checked yet	250 devices
Our review
Pros	Covers wired, wireless, VPN, 802.1X, profiling, and remediation Supports guest, BYOD, IoT, dynamic VLANs, roles, and downloadable ACLs Deploys virtually on VMware, Hyper-V, Nutanix, and Universal Compute Platform	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 contacting sales Licensing is tied to ExtremeCloud IQ Site Engine No free plan is available	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	ExtremeControl is a network access control application for organizations that need centralized visibility and policy-based control across wired, wireless, and VPN environments. It supports endpoint authentication and authorization,… 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

• ExtremeControl — where it wins

  • Covers wired, wireless, VPN, 802.1X, profiling, and remediation
  • Supports guest, BYOD, IoT, dynamic VLANs, roles, and downloadable ACLs
  • Deploys virtually on VMware, Hyper-V, Nutanix, and Universal Compute Platform

  Where it doesn't

  • Pricing requires contacting sales
  • Licensing is tied to ExtremeCloud IQ Site Engine
  • No free plan is available

• 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

• ExtremeControl9.1/10 · Pricing on request

  A broad NAC platform for organizations managing mixed wired, wireless, VPN, and IoT access.

  Visit ExtremeControlFull 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 →