firewalla
Firewalla is an open-source network security and DNS filtering platform designed to run on dedicated hardware (Blue, Red, Purple, Gold appliances). It provides firewall, parental controls, VPN, DNS-over-HTTPS, and IoT monitoring capabilities through a centralized web and mobile management interface.
Key facts
Objective fields from the source. Values we can't verify are shown as “Unknown” rather than guessed.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Repository | firewalla/firewalla |
| Owner | firewalla |
| Primary language | JavaScript |
| License | AGPL-3.0 — OSI-approved |
| Stars | 612 |
| Forks | 145 |
| Open issues | 188 |
| Latest release | v1.963 (2019-05-31) |
| Last updated | 2026-07-08 |
| Source | https://github.com/firewalla/firewalla |
What firewalla is
JavaScript-based network appliance firmware that enforces DNS filtering, VPN tunneling, VLAN segmentation, and traffic monitoring at the network edge. Deployed as Linux images flashed to ARM-based single-board computers or proprietary hardware; centrally managed via REST API and web dashboard.
Get the firewalla source
Clone the repository and explore it locally.
git clone https://github.com/firewalla/firewalla.gitcd firewalla# follow the project's README for install & configurationNeed it deployed, integrated, or customized instead? DEV.co ships production installs.
Best use cases
Implementation considerations
- Hardware selection depends on throughput/feature needs (Blue < Red < Purple < Gold). Verify compatibility with existing router and network topology before purchase.
- Latest tracked release is v1.963 (May 2019), but last push is July 2026; verify actual versioning and stability branch (release_6_0 noted as stable) and confirm production readiness before full deployment.
- Image deployment requires manual flashing to SD card or USB (for Gold), with hardware-specific guides; plan for initial setup time and test recovery/reset procedures.
- Management occurs via web dashboard (my.firewalla.com) and iOS/Android apps; ensure mobile device support and network accessibility constraints are understood.
- AGPL-3.0 copyleft applies to any modifications; if internal customizations are made and distributed or accessed remotely by others, source code disclosure obligations are triggered.
When to avoid it — and what to weigh
- Enterprise-grade SLA/Support Requirements — Firewalla is community-supported via email ([email protected]) and documentation. No SLA, paid support tiers, or guaranteed response times are documented; unsuitable if SLA guarantees are mandatory.
- Pure Cloud or Managed Appliance Model — Firewalla requires physical hardware procurement and local deployment. If your organization requires fully managed cloud security services or does not want on-premises appliances, this is not suitable.
- High-volume Enterprise Traffic Inspection — ARM-based appliances (Blue, Red) and even proprietary models (Purple, Gold) are designed for small-to-medium networks. Performance at enterprise scale (Gbps+ throughput, thousands of concurrent flows) is unknown and likely inadequate.
- Mandated Commercial Licensing Clarity — AGPL-3.0 requires source disclosure if modifications are distributed or served network-remotely; if commercial derivative products or proprietary forks are planned, legal review of AGPL obligations is essential before adoption.
License & commercial use
Licensed under AGPL-3.0 (GNU Affero General Public License v3.0), a copyleft license requiring source code disclosure for network-accessible modifications. Use of unmodified binaries is permitted; any derivative or network-accessed version must provide source code to users.
Commercial use of unmodified Firewalla firmware for internal/private deployment is permitted under AGPL-3.0. However, if you intend to modify the code and either distribute it, offer it as a service, or create proprietary derivatives, AGPL obligations (source code disclosure to all users) become binding. Consult legal counsel before building commercial products or managed services around Firewalla; the license does not grant proprietary derivative rights.
DEV.co evaluation signals
Editorial assessment — not user reviews. Directional, with an explicit confidence level.
| Signal | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Maintenance | Active |
| Documentation | Adequate |
| License clarity | Clear |
| Deployment complexity | Moderate |
| DEV.co fit | Possible |
| Assessment confidence | Medium |
Firewalla operates as an edge firewall and DNS filter, so it is a security-critical component. Considerations include: (1) AGPL-3.0 source availability supports security review by the community, but no formal third-party audit or disclosure program is mentioned; (2) image checksums (MD5, SHA-256) are provided for integrity but delivery via Google Drive or GitHub introduces supply-chain assumptions; (3) firmware update mechanisms and security patch cadence are not documented; (4) private DNS queries pass through local infrastructure (no cloud dependencies), reducing third-party data exposure. No penetration testing results, CVE history, or security posture documentation is evident—requires vendor engagement.
Alternatives to consider
OPNsense
Open-source BSD-based firewall with stronger enterprise backing, extensive plugin ecosystem, and more active community. Runs on x86 hardware, providing higher throughput and broader compatibility than ARM-based Firewalla.
pfSense
Mature, widely-adopted open-source firewall (FreeBSD-based) with extensive documentation, professional support options, and large ecosystem. Better for high-throughput deployments and complex enterprise routing.
Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Machine / Dream Machine SE
Proprietary managed security appliance combining firewall, DNS filtering, IoT management, and VPN in a single box with strong commercial support. No source code access but more user-friendly for non-technical deployments.
Build on firewalla with DEV.co software developers
Before adoption, request clarification on current versioning, security audit status, performance specifications, and AGPL compliance obligations for your intended use. Contact [email protected] or engage a software audit partner.
Talk to DEV.coRelated open-source tools
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firewalla FAQ
Do I need to buy Firewalla hardware, or can I run it on my own Raspberry Pi?
What is the performance/throughput limit of Firewalla appliances?
Can I modify Firewalla and use it in a commercial product or managed service?
How often are security patches released, and what is the support model?
Software developers & web developers for hire
DEV.co is a software development agency delivering custom software development services to companies building on open source. Our software developers and web developers design, integrate, and ship production systems — spanning web development, APIs, AI, data, and cloud. If firewalla is part of your open-source observability roadmap, our team can implement, customize, migrate, and maintain it.
Evaluate Firewalla for Your Network
Before adoption, request clarification on current versioning, security audit status, performance specifications, and AGPL compliance obligations for your intended use. Contact [email protected] or engage a software audit partner.