{
 "schemaVersion": 1,
 "generated": "2026-10-30",
 "dataLicense": "CC BY-SA 4.0",
 "license": "CC BY-SA 4.0",
 "notice": "Data from Open Source Everything (https://opensourceeverything.org), licensed CC BY-SA 4.0: use it freely, credit the site, link to the page, and share changes under the same license. Listings were drafted with AI assistance and are managed by the r/TrueOpenSource moderators; check a project's own page before relying on a fact.",
 "id": "router-firmware",
 "name": "Router and firewall software",
 "page": "https://opensourceeverything.org/g/router-firmware/",
 "category": "hw-pc",
 "categoryName": "Devices & accessories",
 "job": "Replacing a router's software or running your own firewall",
 "closedApps": [
  "Vendor router firmware",
  "Ubiquiti UniFi OS",
  "FRITZ!OS"
 ],
 "coverage": null,
 "alternatives": [
  {
   "id": "openwrt",
   "name": "OpenWrt",
   "page": "https://opensourceeverything.org/p/openwrt/",
   "summary": "OpenWrt is a free operating system for home routers and other small network devices. It lets people replace the software their router came with and customize it, mainly for home users and tech enthusiasts.",
   "kind": "self_hosted",
   "setup": "advanced",
   "setupWhy": "You run it on your own server (a computer you set up and keep running), or from the command line.",
   "platforms": [
    "server"
   ],
   "license": "GPL-2.0-only",
   "licenseClass": "open",
   "licenseNeedsCheck": true,
   "stars": 28959,
   "forks": null,
   "status": "active",
   "verified": false,
   "latestRelease": null,
   "code": "https://github.com/openwrt/openwrt",
   "website": "https://openwrt.org",
   "download": null,
   "release": null,
   "family": null,
   "familyChildren": [],
   "howToHelp": null,
   "project": "openwrt",
   "rank": 1,
   "fit": "full",
   "note": null,
   "why": "Does the whole job · Advanced setup",
   "score": 65.4
  },
  {
   "id": "freshtomato",
   "name": "FreshTomato",
   "page": "https://opensourceeverything.org/p/freshtomato/",
   "summary": "FreshTomato is alternative firmware, the built-in software that runs a router, for certain Broadcom ARM-based routers from brands like ASUS, Netgear and Linksys. It is meant for people who want to replace their router's software with an open-source version.",
   "kind": "developer_tool",
   "setup": "advanced",
   "setupWhy": "Made for developers: you use it from code or the command line.",
   "platforms": [],
   "license": "GPL-3.0",
   "licenseClass": "open",
   "licenseNeedsCheck": false,
   "stars": 199,
   "forks": null,
   "status": "active",
   "verified": false,
   "latestRelease": null,
   "code": "https://github.com/FreshTomato-Project/freshtomato-arm",
   "website": "https://freshtomato.org",
   "download": null,
   "release": null,
   "family": null,
   "familyChildren": [],
   "howToHelp": null,
   "project": "freshtomato",
   "rank": 2,
   "fit": "full",
   "note": null,
   "why": "Does the whole job · Advanced setup",
   "score": 52.9
  },
  {
   "id": "opnsense",
   "name": "OPNsense",
   "page": "https://opensourceeverything.org/p/opnsense/",
   "summary": "OPNsense is free software that runs a computer's network firewall and router, the box that controls traffic between a home or office network and the internet. It is aimed at people and IT staff who want to run their own network security system instead of relying on a closed vendor product.",
   "kind": "self_hosted",
   "setup": "advanced",
   "setupWhy": "You run it on your own server (a computer you set up and keep running), or from the command line.",
   "platforms": [
    "server"
   ],
   "license": "BSD-2-Clause",
   "licenseClass": "open",
   "licenseNeedsCheck": false,
   "stars": 4768,
   "forks": null,
   "status": "active",
   "verified": false,
   "latestRelease": null,
   "code": "https://github.com/opnsense/core",
   "website": "https://opnsense.org",
   "download": null,
   "release": null,
   "family": null,
   "familyChildren": [],
   "howToHelp": null,
   "project": "opnsense",
   "rank": 3,
   "fit": "partial",
   "note": "Covers firewall and router software; the README does not describe replacing a specific vendor's router firmware or hardware support.",
   "why": "Does part of the job · Advanced setup",
   "score": 34
  }
 ],
 "source": "https://opensourceeverything.org/g/router-firmware/",
 "group": "Router and firewall software",
 "replaces": [
  "Vendor router firmware",
  "Ubiquiti UniFi OS",
  "FRITZ!OS"
 ]
}