CrowdSec vs OPNsense
CrowdSec
crowdsec.net
OPNsense
opnsense.orgSide by side
| Figure | CrowdSec | OPNsense |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $49/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 8 | 6 |
| Spec score · Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software | 9.3 (#1) | 9.1 (#2) |
| Spec score · Firewall Software | 9.2 (#3) | 9.5 (#1) |
| Documentation depth | The documentation includes installation guides, architecture, data sources, remediation, APIs, integrations, compilation and contribution/testing guidance. | Official documentation covers feature guides, API reference, architecture, security, releases, hardware, installation, virtualization, and troubleshooting. |
| Founded | 2020 | 2014 |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Headquarters | Montrouge, France | Middelharnis, the Netherlands |
| Licence | The CrowdSec Security Engine repository is released under the MIT License. | OPNsense code is released under the OSI-approved BSD 2-Clause Simplified licence, allowing modification and redistribution subject to its conditions. |
| Rating on Apple App Store | CrowdSec Monitor, an unofficial third-party app, is rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 rating on the US App Store. | 3.7 out of 5 from 10 ratings for the independent OPNManager+ app. |
| Rating on G2 | 4.7 out of 5 from 87 reviews. | 4.8 out of 5 from 5 reviews. |
| Support | CrowdSec Console Premium lists optional premium service and support for $1K/month. | Commercial support offers network-design advice, issue solving, and custom development for an annual fee. |
| Target users | The Security Stack page lists MSSPs, IT and services, hosting, education, ecommerce, finance, government, media, and healthcare among industries using or suited to the product. | The Business Edition is intended for companies, enterprises and professionals seeking a selective upgrade path and additional commercial features. |
| What it does | CrowdSec Security Engine analyzes logs and HTTP requests with behavior-based scenarios, then uses remediation components to block malicious activity. | OPNsense is a FreeBSD-based open-source firewall and routing platform administered through a web interface. |
Plans
CrowdSec
- IP Reputation API$49 a month
- Platinum Blocklists$1,900 a month
- Live Exploit Tracker$2,000 a month
- CommunityFree
- Community Security EngineFree
- IP Reputation API access$49 a month
- Local CTI replication$9,000 a month
- CrowdSec Console PremiumPriced on request
OPNsense
- Business EditionPrice not published
- Business Edition 3YrPrice not published
- Community EditionFree
- OPNsense Business Edition 1yr subscription€149 a year
- OPNsense Business Edition (3Yr)€399, paid once
- OPNsense Business Edition 3Yr€399 a year
In their own words
CrowdSec
CrowdSec is an open-source security stack designed to detect and block malicious IP addresses to protect infrastructure and applications. Its Security Engine analyzes logs and requests for harmful behavior, while the Remediation Component blocks IPs identified by that engine across supported platforms. CrowdSec says analysis takes place locally and logs do not leave the user's infrastructure. Its AppSec Component can provide web application firewall protection. The free Community offering includes real-time decision management, audit support, AWS CloudTrail scenarios, CAPI allow lists, and Kubernetes audit acquisition. IP Reputation data includes contextual criteria, activity timelines, autonomous system and IP range reputation, MITRE technique classification, and hourly updates. Listed integrations include Microsoft Sentinel, AWS log sources, WordPress, Cloudflare, Docker, and Kubernetes. The Community Security Engine is free. The IP Reputation API is listed at $49 a month for 5,000 queries; other listed services include blocklists and threat-intelligence options. CrowdSec lists Linux, macOS, and Windows among its platforms, with API, extension, self-hosted, and web options.
OPNsense
OPNsense is an open-source firewall and routing platform based on FreeBSD, available for self-hosted, web, and API use. Its stateful firewall supports IPv4 and IPv6 and provides live views of passed and blocked traffic. VPN integrations include IPsec, OpenVPN, Tinc, and WireGuard. CARP supports automatic hardware failover with state synchronization, and inline intrusion prevention uses Suricata with Proofpoint Emerging Threats Open rules. The modular Model View Controller framework supports extensions and API functionality. Authentication options include LDAP, Active Directory, RADIUS, captive portal authentication, and 802.1X through a plugin. Community Edition is free at free under the 2-clause BSD license, and installation is limited to x86-64 architecture. Official setup guides cover AWS images, OVA images, and an Azure Virtual Appliance. Business subscriptions add commercial features and support; listed prices are €149 a year or €399 a year for three years. The project began in 2014 as a fork of pfSense and m0n0wall, with its first official release in January 2015.