The Howdy Glossary

ClearOS is an open-source Linux operating system designed to meet the needs of small and medium-sized businesses, educational institutions, and non-profits. It features a user-friendly web-based interface with integrated applications for networking, gateway services, mail server functionality, groupware server functions, and cloud backup systems. The platform simplifies the administration of network resources by combining essential tools into one system and delivers good performance on commodity hardware.

Developed and maintained by ClearFoundation, a community-driven organization focused on providing open-source solutions for its target users, ClearOS benefits from continuous improvements through collaboration with developers and contributors. This community involvement ensures that ClearOS remains updated with new features and capabilities that enhance its utility in managing network resources efficiently. Through this collaborative effort, ClearFoundation aims to make advanced network management accessible to smaller organizations without requiring extensive technical expertise.

ClearOS distinguishes itself from competitors like pfSense, Untangle, and OPNsense through its comprehensive range of integrated applications in one platform paired with an intuitive web-based interface. This integration streamlines the management of firewall services, mail servers, groupware server functions, VPN capabilities, intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS), routing functionality, and cloud backup systems. By focusing on delivering high performance on commodity hardware at a lower cost while maintaining ease of use for non-technical administrators or smaller IT teams within these organizations; ClearOS offers an efficient solution tailored specifically to their needs.