IPFire vs Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)

Both IPFire and Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) are capable WAF solutions. The right choice depends on your specific infrastructure, budget, and feature requirements.

View IPFire Review View Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) Review

Overview

IPFire and Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) 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.

Comprehensive WordPress security plugin with Patchstack-powered firewall rules, virtual patching, two-factor authentication, and site scanning for proactive protection.

Quick Comparison

Feature IPFire Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)
Overall Rating 3.4/5 4.1/5
Free Tier Yes Yes
Pricing Model Free and open source (GPL); optional paid appliances and support from Lightning Wire Labs Freemium (Free tier + annual Pro license)
Ease of Use 3.8/5 4.3/5
Value for Money 4.8/5 4.2/5
Support 3.2/5 4.0/5
Open Source Yes Yes
Platforms x86_64 bare metal, ARM (Raspberry Pi and similar), KVM, VMware, Xen, Hyper-V, cloud images WordPress (self-hosted)
Compliance None (open source project, no vendor certifications) Contact vendor

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 →

Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)

Model: Freemium (Free tier + annual Pro license)

Free Tier Available

Free

$0

Pro (1 site)

$99/year (~$8.25/month)

Pro (multi-site)

From $199/year

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.

Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)

  • Patchstack Firewall

    Virtual patching rules powered by Patchstack that protect against known plugin and theme vulnerabilities automatically.

  • Two-Factor Authentication

    Multiple 2FA methods including authenticator apps, email codes, and backup codes for all user roles.

  • Passwordless Login

    Login via passkeys and biometrics, eliminating password-based attacks entirely (Pro feature).

  • Site Scanner

    Checks for known malware, vulnerabilities in plugins and themes, and blocklist status.

  • File Change Detection

    Monitors WordPress core files and alerts when unexpected changes are detected.

  • Security Dashboard

    Unified dashboard showing security status, recent events, and actionable recommendations.

  • Trusted Devices

    Recognizes trusted devices and restricts admin access from unknown devices (Pro feature).

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 →

Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)

  • You need: WordPress agencies managing multiple sites, users wanting modern authentication features like passkeys, sites needing automatic virtual patching for plugin vulnerabilities
  • You want to start with a free tier
  • You prefer open-source solutions
  • You're using: WordPress (self-hosted)
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 Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)?

Both IPFire and Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) offer free tiers, making them accessible for startups. Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) scores higher for ease of use (4.3/5), which is valuable for smaller teams. Consider your immediate security needs and growth plans when choosing.

Which has better support: IPFire or Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)?

Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) has a higher support rating (4.0/5) 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 Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)?

Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) scores higher for ease of use (4.3/5) versus IPFire (3.8/5). The actual implementation effort depends on your existing infrastructure and team expertise.

Which is more cost-effective: IPFire or Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)?

Both providers offer free tiers, making it easy to start without commitment. IPFire scores higher for value (4.8/5). Total cost depends on your traffic volume, required features, and support level needs.

Which is better for WordPress: IPFire or Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)?

Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) explicitly supports WordPress while IPFire takes a more platform-agnostic approach. For WordPress-specific threats like plugin vulnerabilities and brute force attacks, look for providers with WordPress-specific rule sets.