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 SecureW2 Cloud 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.
Managing which devices can connect to a network means considering access across wired, wireless, and VPN environments. PacketFence leads the ranking, followed by Arista NG Firewall and SecureW2 Cloud NAC; Ivanti Neurons for Zero Trust Access is also among the first entries. Compare 802.1X support and the types of access controlled, then look at deployment model and device limit. Free-plan availability and paid-from pricing are additional points to weigh. The entries are ordered as a ranked best-of list. Use the listed criteria to compare coverage and deployment options against the devices and network environments you need to support.
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 · 7.7 Free plan · $416.67/mo
#2 Arista NG Firewall Runner-up · 7.0 Free plan · $22.50/mo
#3 SecureW2 Cloud NAC Also great · 6.9 - 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 planPlatforms$416.67/mofirst paid tier About PacketFenceVisit site - Free plan Web
- Wired access control
- Yes
- Wireless access control
- Yes
- 802.1X support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms$22.50/mofirst paid tier About Arista NG FirewallVisit site - AndroidapiiOSLinuxmacOSWebWindows
- Wired access control
- Yes
- Wireless access control
- Yes
- VPN access control
- Yes
- 802.1X support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - AndroidiOSLinuxmacOSself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- No
- Wired access control
- Yes
- Wireless access control
- Yes
- VPN access control
- Yes
- 802.1X support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free trial AndroidapiiOSLinuxmacOSWebWindows
- Free plan
- No
- Wired access control
- Yes
- Wireless access control
- Yes
- VPN access control
- Yes
- 802.1X support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - apiLinuxmacOSself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- No
- Wired access control
- Yes
- Wireless access control
- Yes
- VPN access control
- Yes
- 802.1X support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free trial apiLinuxmacOSself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Wired access control
- Yes
- Wireless access control
- Yes
- VPN access control
- Yes
- 802.1X support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - apiself-hostedWeb
- Free plan
- No
- Wired access control
- Yes
- Wireless access control
- Yes
- VPN access control
- Yes
- 802.1X support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - apiself-hostedWeb
- Free plan
- No
- Wired access control
- Yes
- Wireless access control
- Yes
- VPN access control
- Yes
- 802.1X support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - self-hostedWeb
- Free plan
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Web
- Free plan
- Yes
- Wired access control
- Yes
- Wireless access control
- Yes
- 802.1X support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Web
- Wired access control
- Yes
- Wireless access control
- Yes
- 802.1X support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - WindowsLinux
- Wired access control
- Yes
- Wireless access control
- Yes
- VPN access control
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms -
- Free plan
- Yes
- Wired access control
- Yes
- Wireless access control
- Yes
- VPN access control
- Yes
- 802.1X support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms -
- Wired access control
- Yes
- Wireless access control
- Yes
- 802.1X support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms -
- Wired access control
- Yes
- Wireless access control
- Yes
- VPN access control
- Yes
- 802.1X support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms -
- Wired access control
- Yes
- Wireless access control
- Yes
- VPN access control
- Yes
- 802.1X support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms -
- Wired access control
- Yes
- Wireless access control
- Yes
- VPN access control
- Yes
- 802.1X support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - AndroidiOSWeb
- Free plan
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms -
- Free plan
- No
- Wired access control
- Yes
- Wireless access control
- Yes
- 802.1X support
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Web
- Free plan
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - WindowsRecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms
Is your app 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 Everything Xiaomi?
PacketFence is ranked #1 of 22 with a score of 7.7. Arista NG Firewall is second and SecureW2 Cloud 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 what each maker publishes: documentation depth, a free tier and the platforms it runs on. Paid placements never change a rank.