Best Network Access Control Software in 2026
Updated
In short: PacketFence is ranked #1 of 22 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Arista NG Firewall and Portnox NAC. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Arista NG Firewall. The lowest first paid tier on this page is Arista NG Firewall at $22.50/mo.
Network access control software covers decisions about which devices can connect through wired, wireless, or VPN access. Compare 802.1X support and the types of access controlled, then check deployment model and device limit for details relevant to your environment. Free-plan availability and the paid-from price provide additional comparison points. PacketFence, Arista NG Firewall, and Portnox NAC lead the ranking, followed by Genian NAC and SecureW2 Cloud NAC. Consider the network connections and device population you need to address, then use the listed criteria to compare access coverage, deployment, and licensing.
22 network access control software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
#1 PacketFence Top pick · 8.2 Free plan · $416.67/mo
#2 Arista NG Firewall Runner-up · 7.2 Free plan · $22.50/mo
#3 Portnox NAC Also great · 7.1 
- Free planFree trial AndroidapiiOSLinuxmacOSself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Wired access control
- Yes
- Wireless access control
- Yes
- VPN access control
- Yes
- 802.1X support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms$416.67/mofirst paid tier About PacketFenceVisit site - Free plan Web
- Wired access control
- Yes
- Wireless access control
- Yes
- 802.1X support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms$22.50/mofirst paid tier About Arista NG FirewallVisit site - Free trial AndroidapiiOSLinuxmacOSWebWindows
- Free plan
- No
- Wired access control
- Yes
- Wireless access control
- Yes
- VPN access control
- Yes
- 802.1X support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Free trial apiLinuxmacOSself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Wired access control
- Yes
- Wireless access control
- Yes
- VPN access control
- Yes
- 802.1X support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - AndroidapiiOSLinuxmacOSWebWindows
- Wired access control
- Yes
- Wireless access control
- Yes
- VPN access control
- Yes
- 802.1X support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - AndroidiOSLinuxmacOSself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- No
- Wired access control
- Yes
- Wireless access control
- Yes
- VPN access control
- Yes
- 802.1X support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - apiLinuxmacOSself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- No
- Wired access control
- Yes
- Wireless access control
- Yes
- VPN access control
- Yes
- 802.1X support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - apiself-hostedWeb
- Free plan
- No
- Wired access control
- Yes
- Wireless access control
- Yes
- VPN access control
- Yes
- 802.1X support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - apiself-hostedWeb
- Free plan
- No
- Wired access control
- Yes
- Wireless access control
- Yes
- VPN access control
- Yes
- 802.1X support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - self-hostedWeb
- Free plan
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms -
- Free plan
- Yes
- Wired access control
- Yes
- Wireless access control
- Yes
- VPN access control
- Yes
- 802.1X support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Web
- Free plan
- Yes
- Wired access control
- Yes
- Wireless access control
- Yes
- 802.1X support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Web
- Wired access control
- Yes
- Wireless access control
- Yes
- 802.1X support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - WindowsLinux
- Wired access control
- Yes
- Wireless access control
- Yes
- VPN access control
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms -
- Wired access control
- Yes
- Wireless access control
- Yes
- VPN access control
- Yes
- 802.1X support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms -
- Wired access control
- Yes
- Wireless access control
- Yes
- VPN access control
- Yes
- 802.1X support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms -
- Wired access control
- Yes
- Wireless access control
- Yes
- 802.1X support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms -
- Wired access control
- Yes
- Wireless access control
- Yes
- VPN access control
- Yes
- 802.1X support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms -
- Free plan
- No
- Wired access control
- Yes
- Wireless access control
- Yes
- 802.1X support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - AndroidiOSWeb
- Free plan
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - Web
- Free plan
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms - WindowsRecognisedDocumentedFree planFree trialPlatforms
Is your platform on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which network access control software is ranked first on The Geeks Club?
PacketFence is ranked #1 of 22 with a score of 8.2. Arista NG Firewall is second and Portnox NAC third.
How many of these have a free plan?
2 of the 22 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, Arista NG Firewall has the lowest first paid tier we found: $22.50/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked on how quickly a newcomer can get going: documentation depth, a free tier or trial, and the platforms it runs on. Paid placements never change a rank.