IPFire vs Myra Hyperscale WAF

IPFire and Myra Hyperscale WAF take different approaches to web application security. Consider your team's expertise and infrastructure preferences when evaluating these options.

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IPFire and Myra Hyperscale WAF take fundamentally different approaches to web application security. Understanding your infrastructure and team capabilities will help determine which approach fits your needs.

Overview

IPFire and Myra Hyperscale WAF are both popular web application firewall solutions. This comparison will help you understand the key differences and choose the right one for your needs.

Open source Linux firewall distribution with a Netfilter packet filter, Suricata IPS, and a Squid proxy. A network perimeter firewall, not a web application firewall.

German-made, GDPR-compliant cloud WAF built for critical infrastructure and regulated industries. BSI-qualified, NIS-2 and DORA compliant. Managed WAF service available. Blocks 8M+ malicious L7 requests per customer per year. Data processing exclusively in Germany on request.

Quick Comparison

Feature IPFire Myra Hyperscale WAF
Overall Rating 3.4/5 3.7/5
Free Tier Yes No
Pricing Model Free and open source (GPL); optional paid appliances and support from Lightning Wire Labs Custom (quote-based)
Ease of Use 3.8/5 4.0/5
Value for Money 4.8/5 3.2/5
Support 3.2/5 4.5/5
Open Source Yes No
Platforms x86_64 bare metal, ARM (Raspberry Pi and similar), KVM, VMware, Xen, Hyper-V, cloud images Any origin (own data center, cloud, hosting provider). Compatible with AWS, Azure, GCP, on-premises, and hybrid deployments via DNS-based integration.
Compliance None (open source project, no vendor certifications) BSI-qualified (C5 Type 2), ISO 27001, PCI DSS, NIS-2 compliant, DORA compliant, GDPR compliant, IT-Grundschutz, SOC 2 Type 2

Pricing Comparison

IPFire

Model: Free and open source (GPL); optional paid appliances and support from Lightning Wire Labs

Free Tier Available

Community

Free

Appliance

Hardware purchase

Commercial Support

Contact Sales

View full pricing →

Myra Hyperscale WAF

Model: Custom (quote-based)

Myra WAF

Custom

Managed WAF Service

Custom (add-on)

View full pricing →

Features Comparison

IPFire

  • Stateful Packet Filter

    Linux Netfilter firewall with zones, NAT, port forwarding, time-based rules, MAC rules, GeoIP country blocking, and SYN-flood rate limiting.

  • Suricata IPS

    Deep packet inspection against Emerging Threats and Cisco Talos signature sets, with per-category rule selection and automatic ruleset updates.

  • Network Segmentation

    Built-in LAN, DMZ, wireless, and guest zones with separate policy, which is how you actually put a web server behind IPFire.

  • Squid Web Proxy

    Outbound proxy with transparent mode, URL filtering, MIME type blocking, traffic shaping, and LDAP, Active Directory, or RADIUS authentication.

  • VPN Gateway

    IPsec, WireGuard, and OpenVPN for site-to-site and remote access, with hardware crypto acceleration and post-quantum key exchange on IPsec.

  • Pakfire Add-ons

    Package manager for optional components including monitoring, backup tools, Guardian for log-driven blocking, and Tor.

Myra Hyperscale WAF

  • OWASP Top 10 Protection

    Blocks SQL injection, XSS, CSRF, and other OWASP Top 10 attacks. Blocks an average of 8 million malicious layer 7 requests per customer per year.

  • HTTP/S Request Filtering

    Filters all HTTP and HTTPS requests with rules defined via simple comparisons or regular expressions. Near infinite scalability with no capacity constraints.

  • Managed WAF Service

    Optional add-on where Myra security experts create tailored rule sets for your specific applications, provide ongoing optimization, and offer expert support on demand. Ideal for teams without dedicated WAF expertise.

  • Zero-Day Protection

    Responds to newly discovered vulnerabilities with rapid rule updates. Proactive defense against zero-day exploits before patches are available.

  • Data Sovereignty (Germany)

    On request, all data processing occurs exclusively in Germany. Full GDPR compliance and BSI-qualified infrastructure for organizations with strict European data sovereignty requirements.

  • NIS-2 and DORA Compliance

    Designed for compliance with the EU Network and Information Systems Directive (NIS-2) and Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA). Critical for financial institutions and essential service operators in the EU.

  • API Protection

    Protects APIs against injection attacks, exploits, and data leaks. Detects faulty authentication and missing protection measures that could lead to service interruptions.

  • Intuitive Rule Management

    Web-based UI for creating, editing, and managing WAF rules. Toggle rules on/off with a single click. Rules include parameters like name, log identifier, expiration date, conditions, and actions.

Which One Is Right for You?

The best WAF depends on your specific requirements, infrastructure, and team expertise.

IPFire

  • You need: Home labs, small offices, and branch networks needing a free perimeter firewall, VPN gateway, and IPS on modest hardware
  • You want to start with a free tier
  • You prefer open-source solutions
  • You're using: x86_64 bare metal, ARM (Raspberry Pi and similar), KVM, VMware, Xen, Hyper-V, cloud images
Learn more →

Myra Hyperscale WAF

  • You need: European organizations with strict data sovereignty requirements. Banks, insurance companies, and financial institutions needing NIS-2 and DORA compliance. German public sector and critical infrastructure operators requiring BSI-qualified solutions. Mid-sized enterprises wanting a managed WAF without in-house security expertise.
  • You're using: Any origin (own data center, cloud, hosting provider). Compatible with AWS, Azure, GCP, on-premises, and hybrid deployments via DNS-based integration.
Learn more →

We recommend evaluating both options with a trial or free tier before committing. Consider your existing infrastructure, team expertise, compliance requirements, and budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better for startups: IPFire or Myra Hyperscale WAF?

IPFire offers a free tier while Myra Hyperscale WAF does not, which may be important for early-stage startups. Myra Hyperscale WAF scores higher for ease of use (4.0/5), which is valuable for smaller teams. Consider your immediate security needs and growth plans when choosing.

Which has better support: IPFire or Myra Hyperscale WAF?

Myra Hyperscale WAF has a higher support rating (4.5/5) compared to IPFire (3.2/5). However, support quality can vary based on your plan tier - enterprise customers typically receive more responsive support from both providers. Consider evaluating support during a trial period.

Which is easier to implement: IPFire or Myra Hyperscale WAF?

Myra Hyperscale WAF scores higher for ease of use (4.0/5) versus IPFire (3.8/5). The actual implementation effort depends on your existing infrastructure and team expertise.

Which is more cost-effective: IPFire or Myra Hyperscale WAF?

IPFire offers a free tier while Myra Hyperscale WAF requires a paid plan. IPFire scores higher for value (4.8/5). Total cost depends on your traffic volume, required features, and support level needs.

Which works better with AWS: IPFire or Myra Hyperscale WAF?

Myra Hyperscale WAF explicitly supports AWS while IPFire's AWS integration may vary. Consider whether native AWS integration or cross-cloud portability matters more for your use case.