TNSR
TNSR · Austin, Texas, United States · founded 2004
What it is
TNSR is a Linux software router and VPN concentrator for high-speed routing and VPN workloads. Netgate says its Vector Packet Processing can scale packet processing from 1 to 1000 Gbps and beyond on commercial off-the-shelf hardware. Routing options include BGP, OSPF, static and dynamic routing, policy-based routing, carrier-grade NAT, and equal-cost multipath. VPN support covers routed site-to-site IPsec and WireGuard, with IKEv1 and IKEv2. Management is available through a CLI, RESTCONF API, and NETCONF, with SNMP monitoring and a Prometheus dataplane exporter. Security features include access control lists, packet filtering, password or key authentication, RADIUS, and role-based access control. Netgate offers cloud deployments through AWS and Azure marketplaces and lists its 6100, 8200, and 8300 appliances. Subscriptions include 24x7 TAC support. Pricing is on request, with no free plan; a proof of concept covers software costs for up to 30 days, excluding unspecified cloud-provider charges.
For and against
For
- Routing features include BGP and OSPF
- Supports IPsec and WireGuard VPNs
- CLI, RESTCONF, and NETCONF management
- AWS and Azure marketplace options
- 24x7 TAC support included
Against
- No free plan
- Pricing is available on request
- Not positioned as a firewall
- May lack pfSense Plus features
The verdict
TNSR targets high-throughput routing and VPN workloads with extensive management and monitoring interfaces. Its firewall positioning and paid, quote-based model deserve review alongside your network requirements.
Who it suits
It is aimed at businesses, ISPs, internet telephone providers, hosting providers, managed service providers, and SaaS providers needing Linux routing and VPN capabilities. Teams seeking a firewall replacement should note Netgate’s stated positioning.
Plans and prices
TNSR Software Subscription - Renewal
per instance · ISO downloads · software updates · TAC Pro 24x7 support
Read 15 Oct 2026 · shop.netgate.com
TNSR AWS/Azure proof of concept
Software costs covered for up to 30 days; cloud provider charges are not specified
Read 10 Oct 2026 · netgate.com
TNSR software
No bandwidth, feature, traffic type, or connection limits stated
Read 10 Oct 2026 · netgate.com
On the record
- Access control
- TNSR supports Layer 2 MACIP, Layer 3 IPv4/IPv6, Layer 4 and host ACLs.netgate.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- API documentation
- The RESTCONF reference is automatically generated for release 26.02 and includes authentication and HTTP error details.docs.netgate.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- API security
- RESTCONF supports HTTPS/TLS, client certificates or password authentication, and NACM authorization; Netgate warns against exposing it to insecure networks.docs.netgate.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Appliance availability
- Tested Netgate platforms include the 6100 MAX, 8200, 8300, 1537-1U and 1541-1U.docs.netgate.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Appliance platforms
- Netgate lists TNSR on its 6100, 8200, and 8300 appliance systems.netgate.com · read 10 Oct 2026
- Carrier NAT
- TNSR supports NAT44, MAP-T, MAP-E and NAT traversal for carrier-scale address translation.netgate.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- CLI
- A comprehensive router-style CLI exposes configuration, status and diagnostic operations.netgate.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Cloud integrations
- TNSR is offered through AWS and Azure marketplaces, with cloud instances using enhanced or accelerated networking.docs.netgate.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Cloud platforms
- Netgate offers TNSR through AWS and Azure marketplaces, including Intel and ARM64 cloud deployments.netgate.com · read 10 Oct 2026
- Company
- Netgate says it was formed in 2004 and is headquartered in Austin, Texas.netgate.com · read 10 Oct 2026
- Company facts
- LinkedIn lists Netgate as a privately held computer-networking company founded in 2002, headquartered in Austin, Texas, with 51–200 employees.linkedin.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Documentation depth
- Netgate publishes installation, platform, command, API, recipe, troubleshooting, security and release documentation for TNSR.docs.netgate.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- High availability
- VRRP provides redundant default-gateway operation, and VPF can synchronize connection state between clustered routers.netgate.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Installation
- TNSR 26.02 installs from a hybrid ISO written to USB/DVD or supplied to a virtual-machine hypervisor.docs.netgate.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- Netgate identifies businesses, ISPs, internet telephone providers, hosting providers, managed service providers, and SaaS providers as potential users.netgate.com · read 10 Oct 2026
- Licence model
- TNSR combines proprietary software with open-source components rather than being wholly open source.docs.netgate.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: firewall scope
- Netgate says TNSR is not positioned as a full firewall and lacks common pfSense features such as IDS/IPS and content filtering.netgate.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: hardware compatibility
- Netgate provides no assurance that untested hardware will be compatible or achieve acceptable performance.docs.netgate.com · read 15 Oct 2026
