Cisco Catalyst Center vs PacketFence
Cisco Catalyst Center
cisco.com
PacketFence
packetfence.comSide by side
| Figure | Cisco Catalyst Center | PacketFence |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | $416.67/mo |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 7 |
| Spec score · Network Provisioning Software | 7.8 (#6) | 8.8 (#1) |
| Spec score · Network Access Control Software | 7.8 (#10) | 8.7 (#1) |
| Deployment requirements | The Ubuntu KVM virtual appliance minimums include 32 vCPUs, 256 GiB of memory, and a 3-TB SSD. | Self-hosted PacketFence lists Debian 12.x or RHEL 8.x, four CPU cores, 16 GB RAM minimum, 200 GB disk, and at least one network interface. |
| Founded | 1984 | 2005 |
| Headquarters | San Jose, California, United States | Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States |
Plans
Cisco Catalyst Center
- Cisco DNA AdvantagePriced on request
- Cisco DNA EssentialsPriced on request
PacketFence
- Community EditionFree
- Premium Support$5,000 a year
- Starter$5,000 a year
- Professional$15,000 a year
- Professional Deployment$20,000, paid once
- EnterprisePriced on request
- Training ServicesPrice not published
In their own words
Cisco Catalyst Center
Cisco Catalyst Center has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.
PacketFence
PacketFence is an enterprise network access control platform for organizations managing wired, wireless, and VPN access. It can enforce policy through SNMP or RADIUS, inline Layer 2 or Layer 3 deployment, VLAN assignment, and quarantine isolation. Authentication options include 802.1X/EAP, directory services, external RADIUS, OAuth2 social login, SAML 2.0, and PKI certificates. Guest workflows include self-registration, sponsored access, email or SMS confirmation, and CSV imports. Self-service provisioning can configure 802.1X profiles for iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and ChromeOS. The platform checks antivirus, operating system patch level, and security-agent presence, and can quarantine devices that fail policy. Administrators get a web interface, command-line tools, REST API, customizable captive portals, and Perl extension points. The self-hosted Community Edition is GPL v2+ with unlimited devices and full source code. Its listed minimum requirements include Debian 12.x or RHEL 8.x, four CPU cores, 16 GB RAM, 200 GB disk, and a network interface. Paid plans include Starter at $5,000 /year for up to 250 registered devices.