PacketFence vs UniFi Network

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.

UniFi Network manages internet gateways, Wi-Fi, and switching through real-time traffic dashboards, topology maps, and optimization tips. License-free Site Manager supports remote management and cloud orchestration across UniFi deployments. The software can run on a Cloud Gateway or CloudKey, or be self-hosted on local hardware or in a cloud environment such as AWS, Azure, or GCP. Mobile applications for iOS and Android can manage a network, and the local control plane supports device management during internet outages or in air-gapped deployments.

Wireless security options include WPA2, WPA3, and mixed modes, with pre-shared key or RADIUS/802.1X authentication. Administrators can assign VLANs to Wi-Fi SSIDs and apply segmentation, isolation, and traffic policies. UniFi gateways provide IDS/IPS monitoring, alerts, and threat blocking; CyberSecure is a per-site subscription that expands the threat signature database. The Site Manager API supplies site-wide internet health, device status, and network performance data, while local APIs cover devices, client activity, and traffic insights. Core routing, firewall enforcement, and deep packet inspection run on local equipment, but some updates, notifications, and remote alerts rely on the cloud. UniFi Network software is free, and paid options start at $29/mo.