BunkerWeb vs freenginx

BunkerWeb is an open-source web application firewall and NGINX-based server that protects web services as a reverse proxy. Its core protections include HTTPS with automated Let's Encrypt, HTTP security headers, TLS hardening, ModSecurity with the OWASP Core Rule Set and automatic bans for suspicious behavior. It can block known malicious IPs through external blacklists and DNS-based blackhole lists. Bot challenges can use cookies, JavaScript, CAPTCHA, hCaptcha, reCAPTCHA or Turnstile. Supported deployment integrations include Docker, Docker autoconf, Swarm, Kubernetes and Linux. An optional web UI manages instances and configurations, though it is currently supported with Docker and Linux integrations. The open-source plan costs nothing under the AGPLv3 license. A PRO version has pricing based on the number of protected services; Standard has no technical support, while Enterprise includes dedicated technical support. Kubernetes Gateway API mode is in beta. For API access, the documentation recommends an IP whitelist and optionally an API token. Free community support is available through Discord, GitHub Discussions, Reddit, Server Fault and Super User; professional support and consulting are also offered.

freenginx is an effort to preserve free and open development of server software used for HTTP, mail, and TCP/UDP proxying. Its HTTP server can serve static files, reverse proxy with caching, balance load, and provide fault tolerance. It supports SSL/TLS SNI, HTTP/2, and HTTP/3, along with access controls based on client IP address, HTTP Basic authentication, or a subrequest result. Cached and accelerated connections are available for FastCGI, uwsgi, SCGI, and memcached servers. The mail proxy supports IMAP, POP3, and SMTP authentication methods with SSL and STARTTLS/STLS. TCP and UDP proxying includes load balancing, fault tolerance, and client-address access control. The process design uses one master and several workers running under an unprivileged user. Configuration can be reloaded and the executable upgraded without interrupting client service. Source and documentation are distributed under a 2-clause BSD-like license. The software is self-hosted and uses file-based configuration; downloads include source, Windows builds, and mainline and stable versions.