Faucet
Faucet: A free, focused controller for Linux-based OpenFlow switching and routing. Ranked #19 of 24 in Software-Defined Networking Software by our editors (7.1/10); pricing: Free plan; best for free OpenFlow switching control.
At a glance
- Editor score7.1 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forFree OpenFlow switching control
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Deployment modelOn-premises
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Free, open-source control for OpenFlow 1.3 switches
- Combines switching, VLANs, routing, ACLs, and policy forwarding
- Exports Prometheus metrics and integrates with Grafana
Where it doesn't
- Requires Linux and a self-hosted, on-premises deployment
- Enterprise breadth is limited by its smaller integration set
- Configuration is managed through YAML files rather than a hosted interface
Our verdict on Faucet
Faucet is an open-source, self-hosted software-defined networking controller for production networks. It is designed for teams managing OpenFlow 1.3 hardware or software switches in Linux environments. The controller centralizes switching and network policy, covering Layer 2 switching, VLAN management, IPv4 and IPv6 routing, static and BGP routing, Layer 2 and Layer 3 ACLs, policy-based forwarding, and vendor-neutral switch stacking. Its free plan and on-premises deployment model make it a focused option for organizations that want direct control over the control plane without a paid subscription.
Its strongest case is feature depth within OpenFlow switching control. Faucet supports multi-table OpenFlow 1.3 control alongside VLANs, routing, access controls, stacking, and policy forwarding. Monitoring can extend through Prometheus metrics export and Grafana integration. The wider integration set includes Mininet, Open vSwitch, hostapd, and ISC DHCPD, while supported protocols include BGP, LLDP, LACP, RADIUS, and TLS. Authentication is addressed through 802.1X with RADIUS, giving the platform a useful mix of forwarding, segmentation, observability, and access-control capabilities.
The trade-off is operational scope rather than a lack of core networking functions. Faucet is Linux-based and self-hosted, with installation through APT, pip, or Docker on supported Linux environments and configuration through YAML files. Its smaller integration set can constrain enterprise breadth compared with broader SDN ecosystems. Choose Faucet when free OpenFlow control, on-premises deployment, and configurable network policy are priorities. Look elsewhere if your team needs a wider enterprise integration ecosystem or prefers a managed platform instead of operating the controller on Linux.
Your product? Our editors can test Faucet in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
Faucet pricing
Faucet fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Deployment model | On-premises |
| Control-plane model | Centralized |
| Policy segmentation | Yes |
| Northbound API | Not verified |
| Supported protocols | OpenFlow 1.3, BGP, LLDP, LACP, RADIUS, TLS |
| Managed device limit | Not verified |
| Deployment | Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Linux |
| Support | Community, Docs, Tickets |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 6 integrations: Prometheus, Grafana, Mininet, Open vSwitch, hostapd, ISC DHCPD See all → |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | faucet.nz |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Faucet integrations
Faucet lists 6 integrations on its own site.
- Prometheus
- Grafana
- Mininet
- Open vSwitch
- hostapd
- ISC DHCPD
Alternatives to Faucet
- VMware NSXA broad hybrid-cloud networking and security platform with contact-sales pricing.9.3
- Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric ControllerA focused controller for provisioning, automating, and governing VXLAN EVPN fabrics.9.1
- Cisco Catalyst CenterA broad Cisco network-operations platform for discovery, automation, compliance, and assurance.9.0
Used Faucet? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used Faucet for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
Faucet is listed in our Software-Defined Networking Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/faucet/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/faucet.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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.
Last updated · How we research and update