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Head-to-head · Network Access Control Software

PacketFence vs NACVIEW

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score PacketFence #7 in Network Access Control Software 8.5/10 Free plan · 30-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 4 of 4 features Visit PacketFence
NACVIEW #12 in Network Access Control Software 7.7/10 Free plan · 60-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 4 of 4 features Visit NACVIEW

PacketFence leads on 1 check, NACVIEW on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scorePacketFence · 8.5/10
  • Free planboth
  • Free trialboth

PacketFence scores higher on our rubric for network access control software: 8.5 against 7.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #7 and #12.

PacketFence leads on device limit: 250 devices versus 100 devices.

PacketFence is the better fit for budget-conscious teams wanting full-featured NAC. NACVIEW is the better fit for small deployments needing affordable broad NAC.

  • PacketFence fits best

    Budget-conscious teams wanting full-featured NAC

  • NACVIEW fits best

    Small deployments needing affordable broad NAC

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature PacketFence 8.5/10 Visit ↗ NACVIEW 7.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.5 7.7
Ranking #7 in Network Access Control Software #12 in Network Access Control Software
Best for Budget-conscious teams wanting full-featured NAC Small deployments needing affordable broad NAC
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $5,000/yr —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial 30 days 60 days
Free trial length 30 days 60 days
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Self-hosted Self-hosted
Integrations 20 integrations 12 integrations
Features PacketFence 4/4 · NACVIEW 4/4
Wired access control ✓ ✓
Wireless access control ✓ ✓
VPN access control ✓ ✓
802.1X support ✓ ✓
Specs
Deployment model Hybrid Hybrid
Device limit 250 devices (best) 100 devices
Our review
Pros
  • 802.1X, BYOD, guest access, profiling, posture, and remediation
  • Free GPL-licensed Community Edition with unlimited devices
  • Extensive directory, endpoint, firewall, and network integrations
  • Covers wired, wireless, VPN, 802.1X, profiling, and endpoint management
  • Supports cloud, virtual-appliance, hardware-appliance, and self-hosted deployments
  • Includes IPAM, high availability, dashboards, reporting, and a full API
Cons
  • Cloud Starter is limited to 250 registered devices
  • Self-hosted deployment requires internal infrastructure management
  • Enterprise pricing is not listed with the plan details
  • Free NV-20 is limited to 20 simultaneously authorized endpoint devices
  • Paid license sizes start at 100 end devices
  • Paid plans require an individual quotation
Our verdict

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 →

NACVIEW is a network access control platform for companies and institutions that need to authenticate and authorize users and devices before granting access. It covers wired, wireless, and VPN environments, with 802.1X/EAP, MAC…

Read the review →
  1. PacketFenceNetwork Access Control Software 8.5Free plan · 30-day trial
  2. NACVIEWNetwork Access Control Software 7.7Free plan · 60-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • 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

  • NACVIEW — where it wins

    • Covers wired, wireless, VPN, 802.1X, profiling, and endpoint management
    • Supports cloud, virtual-appliance, hardware-appliance, and self-hosted deployments
    • Includes IPAM, high availability, dashboards, reporting, and a full API

    Where it doesn't

    • Free NV-20 is limited to 20 simultaneously authorized endpoint devices
    • Paid license sizes start at 100 end devices
    • Paid plans require an individual quotation
  • 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 →
  • NACVIEW7.7/10 · Free plan · 60-day trial

    Broad NAC coverage with a free entry plan and quotation-based paid licensing.

    Visit NACVIEWFull verdict →

More comparisons

All network access control software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update