Best Zentyal Server Alternatives in 2026
The top Zentyal Server alternatives are FortiGate, Arista NG Firewall and Google Cloud NGFW: 15 firewall software our editors would look at instead of Zentyal Server, in our ranking order.
Zentyal Server: A capable small-business firewall and directory platform with free and supported editions. Where it falls short: commercial support is priced per server rather than per organization.
Switching from Zentyal Server? For most firewall software buyers the best Zentyal Server alternative is FortiGate, built for enterprise hybrid environments. On a budget, Alibaba Cloud Cloud Firewall starts at $420/mo. Arista NG Firewall has a free plan.
Why People Look for a Zentyal Server Alternative
- Commercial support is priced per server rather than per organization
- Self-hosted Linux deployment requires infrastructure and administration
- Management breadth is narrower than more advanced firewall platforms
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallFortiGate9.4
Enterprise hybrid environments
Visit FortiGate - Lowest priceAlibaba Cloud Cloud Firewall8.4
Paid plans from $420/mo
Visit Alibaba Cloud Cloud Firewall - Best free optionArista NG Firewall9.3
Has a free plan
Visit Arista NG Firewall
All 15 Zentyal Server Alternatives, Ranked
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.
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Best forEnterprise hybrid environments
- Better than Zentyal Server:
- Editor score 9.4 vs 7.1
A broad hybrid firewall platform for organizations that need deep security and network controls.
9.4/10★★★★★Visit Fortinet -
Best forBroad firewall protection with strong value
- Better than Zentyal Server:
- Editor score 9.3 vs 7.1
A broad firewall platform with a free plan and extensive network controls.
9.3/10★★★★★Visit Arista -
Best forGoogle Cloud-native firewall protection
- Better than Zentyal Server:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 7.1
Google Cloud-native firewall protection with free rule evaluation and usage-priced advanced controls.
- Central management
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Google Cloud -
Best forOpen-source firewall with built-in IPS
- Better than Zentyal Server:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 7.1
A broad, self-hosted firewall platform for teams that need IPS and network control.
9.1/10★★★★★Visit OPNsense -
Best forAzure-centric enterprise firewalling
- Better than Zentyal Server:
- Editor score 9.0 vs 7.1
A deep Azure-native firewall for sensitive workloads, with consumption-based pricing.
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Microsoft -
Best forAWS network perimeter protection
- Better than Zentyal Server:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 7.1
Centralized AWS perimeter protection with deep inspection and usage-based pricing.
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forHybrid enterprise firewall deployments
- Better than Zentyal Server:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 7.1
A broad firewall platform for organizations combining branch, data center, and cloud security.
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Forcepoint -
Best forFree self-hosted firewall with IPS
- Better than Zentyal Server:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 7.1
A free self-hosted firewall with IPS, VPNs, segmentation, and traffic controls.
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit IPFire -
Best forProgrammable open-source network security
- Better than Zentyal Server:
- Editor score 8.6 vs 7.1
A programmable self-hosted firewall platform for complex network environments.
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit VyOS -
Best forGlobally distributed cloud filtering
- Better than Zentyal Server:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 7.1
A programmable cloud firewall for globally distributed Layer 3 and 4 filtering.
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Cloudflare -
Best forAlibaba Cloud enterprise firewall deployments
- Better than Zentyal Server:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 7.1
Broad Alibaba Cloud boundary protection with enterprise pricing and cloud-focused coverage.
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Alibaba Cloud -
Best forCentral management for Palo Alto firewalls
- Better than Zentyal Server:
- Editor score 8.3 vs 7.1
A focused management center for policy, deployment, analysis, and updates across Palo Alto firewalls.
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forMulti-vendor firewall policy governance
- Better than Zentyal Server:
- Editor score 8.2 vs 7.1
A governance layer for visibility, analysis, workflow, and automation across firewall environments.
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Tufin -
Best forMulti-vendor policy analysis and change control
- Better than Zentyal Server:
- Editor score 8.1 vs 7.1
A strong fit for multi-vendor policy analysis, automation, and controlled change.
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit AlgoSec -
Best forEnterprise firewall governance and automation
- Better than Zentyal Server:
- Editor score 8.0 vs 7.1
A governance platform for enterprises managing complex, multi-vendor firewall policies.
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit FireMon
Zentyal Server Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Zentyal Server?
FortiGate: #1 in our Firewall Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A broad hybrid firewall platform for organizations that need deep security and network controls.
Is there a free alternative to Zentyal Server?
Yes. Arista NG Firewall, Google Cloud NGFW, OPNsense, IPFire and VyOS have a free plan or a free tier.
Why do people look for Zentyal Server alternatives?
Commercial support is priced per server rather than per organization; Self-hosted Linux deployment requires infrastructure and administration; Management breadth is narrower than more advanced firewall platforms.
How do I switch from Zentyal Server?
Export your data from Zentyal Server (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Zentyal Server.
How to Switch from Zentyal Server
- Export your data from Zentyal Server (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Zentyal Server.
Zentyal Server vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | Zentyal Server | Yes | 7.1 | |
| 1 | FortiGate | No | 9.4 | |
| 2 | Arista NG Firewall | Yes | $270/yr | 9.3 |
| 3 | Google Cloud NGFW | Yes | $0.02/GB usage-based | 9.2 |
| 4 | OPNsense | Yes | 9.1 | |
| 5 | Azure Firewall Premium | No | 9.0 | |
| 6 | AWS Network Firewall | No | $0.07/GB usage-based | 8.9 |
| 7 | Forcepoint Next Generation Firewall | 8.8 | ||
| 8 | IPFire | Yes | Free | 8.7 |
| 9 | VyOS | Yes | 8.6 | |
| 10 | Cloudflare Magic Firewall | No | 8.5 | |
| 11 | Alibaba Cloud Cloud Firewall | No | $420/mo | 8.4 |
| 12 | Palo Alto Networks Panorama | 8.3 | ||
| 13 | Tufin | 8.2 | ||
| 14 | AlgoSec | 8.1 | ||
| 15 | FireMon | No | 8.0 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update