Which open source firewall should i pick?

Is Shorewall even a thing anymore? Their website seems to be last updated in 2020 and no releases.

I haven't used OPNSense either, I know there was some drama with pfSense a few years back and a lot of people moved away from using pfSense to OPNSense. I don't use pfSense at the moment but have used it in a few commercial settings previously and never had any issues. There is a solid community behind it and independently written guides online for just about anything you will want to do - so, pfSense gets a +1 from me.
 
OPNsense is loved for its easy-to-use interface and helpful community support. pfSense is trusted for its strong features and reliability. For those looking for a straightforward firewall solution, Shorewall is a great choice. Make your decision based on your individual needs and experience level.
 
Here's a comparison to help you decide:

pfSense: Powerful, easy web interface, for experienced users.
OPNsense: Stable, user-friendly fork of pfSense, good for most users.
Shorewall: Specific control, command-line focused, ideal for advanced users.
 
Shorewall has had no updates since 2020, so I would not consider it as an option.

OPNsense is ideal for users and companies prioritizing ease of use with:
  • User-friendly GUI
  • Modern security with regular updates
  • Quick and easy setup
  • Frequent improvements and patches

pfSense is perfect for tech-savvy users and organizations requiring extensive customization and control over their network, offering:
  • Extensive customization options
  • Advanced features (VPNs, traffic shaping, multi-WAN)
  • Reliable performance and stability

Both pfSense and OPNsense have their strengths. When choosing, consider your user experience, deployment needs, required features, and scalability to select the best open-source firewall solution for your needs.
 
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