CrowdSec vs Smoothwall Express
CrowdSec
crowdsec.netSmoothwall Express
smoothwall.orgSide by side
| Figure | CrowdSec | Smoothwall Express |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $49/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 8 | 1 |
| Spec score · Firewall Software | 9.1 (#4) | 7.9 (#40) |
| Founded | 2020 | 2000 |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Purpose | The open source CrowdSec Security Stack detects and blocks malicious IPs to safeguard infrastructure and application security. | Smoothwall Express is a free, open-source network firewall intended for home and small-business users. |
| Security update | CrowdSec 1.8.1, released September 3, 2026, fixed a Brave Browser bot-detection false positive and corrected LAPI alert-query and challenge handling issues. | The homepage says Update 13, released 25 March 2026, corrected several CVEs and updated CA certificates. |
| Support | CrowdSec Console Premium lists optional premium service and support for $1K/month. | The download page recommends a my.smoothwall profile for manuals and patch or update email notifications, and directs users to the community for help and feedback. |
| 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 project says Express is designed for home and small-business users and aims to run efficiently on older, cheaper hardware. |
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
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.
Smoothwall Express
Smoothwall Express has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.