Protectli
Protectli designs and assembles OS-agnostic Intel-based mini-PC appliances (the Vault and Vault Pro series) used as firewalls, routers, VPNs, and hypervisor hosts, sold primarily via direct e-commerce, Amazon in nine countries, and an MSP/reseller partner program, with complementary coreboot open-source firmware and cellular modem accessories.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersVista, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Protectli does
Protectli, operating legally as Dewolf Technologies, Inc., designs, assembles, and sells the Vault family of OS-agnostic mini-PC hardware appliances used primarily as firewalls, routers, VPN concentrators, and hypervisor hosts. Hardware centers on Intel CPUs and Intel NICs in solid-state, fanless aluminum chassis, available in 2-, 4-, and 6-port configurations across a standard Vault line ($149-$549) and a higher-end Vault Pro line ($249-$899). A standout technical component is the optional coreboot open-source firmware, developed in partnership with 3mdeb (Dasharo distribution), which provides security transparency and auditability versus proprietary AMI BIOS. Protectli maintains an extensive software qualification program covering OPNsense, pfSense, Proxmox, Ubuntu, XCP-ng, and ESXi, and sells a complementary accessory portfolio of 4G/5G cellular modems, WiFi kits, SFP+ modules, RAM/SSD components, TPM modules, UPS units, and recertified refurbished units.
The business model is direct e-commerce first, augmented by Amazon Marketplace listings in nine countries (US, CA, FR, DE, IT, NL, ES, UK, AU) and a partner program for MSPs, resellers, and enterprise accounts offering white labeling, pre-installed software images, custom packaging, and volume discounts. Revenue is overwhelmingly one-time hardware sales with an optional extended warranty (up to 5 years total); there are no subscriptions or recurring fees. Fulfillment and support are run from three regional offices: US (Vista, CA), Canada (North Vancouver), and Germany (Rossdorf). Customers span home users and prosumers, small businesses, MSPs, and larger enterprises requiring NDAA-compliant US-assembled hardware, with notable strategic partnership exposure to Viasat (ELEVATE program).
Protectli firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Protectli
- Legal name
- Dewolf Technologies, Inc.
- Website
- https://protectli.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Protectli designs and assembles OS-agnostic Intel-based mini-PC appliances (the Vault and Vault Pro series) used as firewalls, routers, VPNs, and hypervisor hosts, sold primarily via direct e-commerce, Amazon in nine countries, and an MSP/reseller partner program, with complementary coreboot open-source firmware and cellular modem accessories.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Protectli is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Vista
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Protectli business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Hardware Appliance Sales: One-time purchase of Protectli Vault hardware appliances (mini PCs) configured to customer specifications. Revenue from direct e-commerce sales, Amazon marketplace, and partner/reseller channels. Additional revenue from components (RAM, SSDs), accessories (cellular modems, power supplies), and extended warranties.
- Extended Warranty: Optional extended warranty available for up to 3 additional years beyond standard 2-year warranty (5 years total), purchasable at time of original product purchase or within 60 days.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Entry-level 2-Port Vaults starting at $149 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Mid-range 4-Port Vaults starting at $209 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | High-end 6-Port Vaults starting at $239 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Cellular Modems ($129-$399) |
| One time/ perpetual license | One time/ perpetual license | Extended Warranty (up to 5 years total) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Components and Accessories |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Protectli product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Protectli designs, assembles, and sells OS-agnostic mini PC hardware appliances (the Vault and Vault Pro series) in 2-, 4-, and 6-port configurations, along with cellular modems, components, and accessories, for use as firewalls, routers, VPNs, hypervisors, and other network security and edge applications. The company sells direct-to-consumer via its own e-commerce site and Amazon Marketplace, and through a partner program for MSPs, resellers, and enterprise clients with white-label options.
Product overview
Protectli is a hardware company offering the Vault series of OS-agnostic mini PCs designed primarily for network security applications. The core product line consists of the standard Vault Series and the premium Vault Pro Series, available in 2-port, 4-port, and 6-port configurations. The Vault hardware platforms support various operating systems including OPNsense, pfSense, Ubuntu, and can be configured with either standard AMI BIOS or optional coreboot open-source firmware. The product portfolio includes complementary cellular modems (4G LTE and 5G) for WAN failover and mobile connectivity, along with accessories such as WiFi kits, SFP+ modules, power supplies, storage, memory, TPM modules, UPS units, and mounting solutions. Protectli also offers recertified/refurbished Vault units at discounted prices.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- The Vault: Main product line of OS-agnostic mini PCs designed for network security applications including firewalls, routers, VPNs, and virtualization.
- Vault Pro Series
Products and services
- Vault 2-Port Mini PC Entry-level OS-agnostic mini PC with 2 Ethernet ports, designed for home users and small networks running firewalls, routers, or VPNs; available with Intel Celeron J3060, N5105, N100, or i3-N305 processors and up to 48GB RAM.
- Vault 4-Port Mini PC Mid-range OS-agnostic mini PC with 4 Ethernet ports for small teams and companies; supports Intel processors up to N150, up to 64GB DDR5 RAM, and offers 1GbE, 2.5GbE, or 10GbE SFP+ NIC options.
- Vault 6-Port Mini PC Top-tier OS-agnostic mini PC with 6 Ethernet ports for businesses and complex networks; features Intel CPUs up to i7 with 10 cores, up to 96GB DDR5 RAM, and supports 1GbE, 2.5GbE, and 10GbE NIC options.
- Vault Pro Series Enterprise-grade premium line of Vault hardware with enhanced processing power, expanded customization, and advanced security features including UEFI, secure boot, measured boot, and TPM support; spans VP2400, VP4600, VP6600, and VP3200 series.
- 4G LTE Cellular Modems Internal and external 4G LTE modem options for Vault hardware enabling cellular connectivity, WAN failover, and mobile connectivity applications; supports LTE Category 4 with up to 150Mbps download and 50Mbps upload.
- 5G Cellular Modems Internal and external 5G modem options for Vault hardware providing high-speed cellular connectivity as primary WAN or failover solution.
Quantifiable outcome
- 46.6% higher PassMark performance compared to VP2420 predecessor
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Protectli
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Protectli technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration8 records
Feature5 records
Protectli partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- ViasatcoreELEVATE partnership combining Protectli's versatile, compact hardware with Viasat's decades of experience in communications and encryption products. Offers businesses custom powerful, scalable, and reliable networking solutions.
- HardenedBSD FoundationminorSupport for HardenedBSD Foundation development of censorship- and surveillance-resistant mesh network technology. Community support partnership.
- XCP-ngcorePartnership with XCP-ng open-source hypervisor project to offer pre-installed hypervisor on Protectli Vault hardware. Provides turnkey solution for virtualization deployments.
- 3mdebcorePartnership with 3mdeb, developers of Dasharo (coreboot downstream distribution), to optimize and maintain coreboot open-source firmware specifically for Protectli Vault hardware. 3mdeb develops and maintains the custom coreboot implementation that provides security transparency and reduced attack surface for Vault users.
- OPNsensecoreOpen-source firewall operating system available pre-installed and tested on all Vault platforms. Part of comprehensive software qualification program.
- ProxmoxcoreOpen-source virtualization platform tested and supported on all Vault platforms. Part of hypervisor solution offerings.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Protectli competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- ZOTAC: Mini PC (ZBOX) and graphics card manufacturer whose multi-NIC ZBOX models are frequently repurposed as firewalls/routers by enthusiasts - an indirect but real substitute for Vault hardware.
- Supermicro: Server, workstation, and embedded hardware vendor whose Mini-ITX and embedded systems target network security and virtualization use cases overlapping with Protectli's Vault Pro lineup.
- Ubiquiti (UniFi): Major networking equipment vendor (gateways, routers, switches, security appliances) with a strong consumer/prosumer brand. Competes for the same wall-budget networking dollars with a more integrated ecosystem.
- Intel NUC (Intel): Intel's NUC line of compact desktop mini PCs is widely repurposed for firewall, routing, and hypervisor deployments. Provides the silicon and reference platform that Protectli's Vault products also rely on.
- MikroTik: Established Latvian manufacturer of RouterOS-based routing and firewall hardware (RouterBOARD, CCR series). Competes for the same networking and firewall appliance budgets with a broader portfolio including carrier-grade equipment.
Direct peers
- Qotom: Shenzhen-based manufacturer of mini PCs with multiple Ethernet ports marketed for firewall, router, and pfSense/OPNsense use. Competes with Protectli on price in the entry-level 2-port and 4-port segments.
- Netgate: Maker of pfSense-branded firewall appliances (Netgate 1100, 2100, 6100) targeting home, SMB, and enterprise users. The most direct competitor to Protectli given overlapping target customers, similar mini-PC form factors, and shared pfSense software compatibility.
- Firewalla: Consumer/SMB firewall appliance company offering plug-and-play hardware plus a subscription-based software app. Comparable target customer (home and small-business networking) though its business model is more software-led.
- Deciso (OPNsense hardware): Dutch company that develops OPNsense and sells its own line of OPNsense-branded firewall appliances (DEC series). Direct competitor with identical OS-agnostic + open-source positioning that Protectli qualifies on its Vault hardware.
Emerging players
- Topton: Chinese ODM offering multi-NIC mini PCs and barebones firewall appliances via AliExpress and B2B channels. Targets the same prosumer/homelab buyers as Protectli with aggressive pricing.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Protectli social profiles
Digital presenceProtectli compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance6 records
Protectli financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Protectli leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Protectli funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Protectli M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Protectli
What does Protectli do?
Protectli designs, assembles, and sells OS-agnostic mini PC hardware appliances (the Vault and Vault Pro series) in 2-, 4-, and 6-port configurations, along with cellular modems, components, and accessories, for use as firewalls, routers, VPNs, hypervisors, and other network security and edge applications. The company sells direct-to-consumer via its own e-commerce site and Amazon Marketplace, and through a partner program for MSPs, resellers, and enterprise clients with white-label options.
Is Protectli a public or private company?
Protectli is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Protectli founded?
Protectli was founded in 2016. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Protectli based?
Protectli is headquartered in Vista, United States, in the North America region.
How does Protectli make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Hardware Appliance Sales are the primary driver. The others are extended Warranty.
Who are Protectli's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are ZOTAC, Supermicro, Ubiquiti (UniFi), Intel NUC (Intel) and MikroTik. Direct peers are Qotom, Netgate, Firewalla and Deciso (OPNsense hardware). Topton is listed as an emerging player.
Does Protectli have an API?
No public API is recorded for Protectli.