Best OpenVPN Alternatives

OpenVPN is described as 'provides flexible VPN solutions to secure your data communications, whether it's for Internet privacy, remote access for employees, securing IoT, or for networking Cloud data centers' and is a leading VPN service in the security & privacy category. There are more than 25 alternatives to OpenVPN for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Mac, Windows, Android and iPhone apps. The best OpenVPN alternative is WireGuard, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like OpenVPN are SoftEther VPN, ZeroTier, Shadowsocks and Tailscale.

OpenVPN alternatives are mainly VPN Services but may also be Virtual LAN Software or VPN Clients. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of OpenVPN.

OpenVPN alternatives page was last updated

OpenVPN

712

Freemium • Open Source
VPN Service

OpenVPN provides flexible VPN solutions to secure your data communications, whether it's for Internet privacy, remote...

More about OpenVPN

WireGuard
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
VPN Service
VPN Client
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
iPhone
BSD
F-Droid
OpenWrt
39 WireGuard alternatives
WireGuard is an extremely simple yet fast and modern VPN that utilizes state-of-the-art cryptography. It aims to be faster, simpler, leaner, and more useful than IPSec, while avoiding the massive headache. It intends to be considerably more performant than OpenVPN.
- - WireGuard is the most popular Windows, Android, Mac & iPhone alternative to OpenVPN.
- - WireGuard is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to OpenVPN.
Suggest and vote on features
WireGuard Features
1. No LogsWireGuard doesn't keep any logs of your activities.
2. Privacy focusedWireGuard is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
3. LightweightWireGuard consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
4. WireGuardWireGuard supports the Wireguard protocol for encrypted VPN traffic.
5. No TrackingWireGuard will not track you or use your personal data.
Encrypted VPN
Fast speed
Comments about WireGuard as a Alternative to OpenVPN
Almost everyone thinks WireGuard is a great OpenVPN alternative.
Guest
Less detectable by DPI, smaller code base. Very easy to config
Top positive comment•
2

James Hendrickson
Administration is a breeze, more secure, smaller code base.
Top positive comment•
-1

Guest
being unable to use blocked sites in Iran
Positive comment•
-2

Guest
Simpler, faster and more secure than OpenVPN
Positive comment•
-1

Guest
WireGuard proposes a complete new concept. More lightweight, faster, easier to use. This is really a step up as far as secure ip tunnels are concerned.
Positive comment•
3
SoftEther VPN
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
VPN Service
Virtual LAN Software
VPN Client
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
43 SoftEther VPN alternatives
SoftEther VPN ("SoftEther" means "Software Ethernet") is one of the world's most powerful and easy-to-use multi-protocol VPN software. It runs on Windows, Linux, Mac, FreeBSD and Solaris.
Suggest and vote on features
SoftEther VPN Features
1. OpenVPNSoftEther VPN supports OpenVPN, one of the most secure and reliable VPN protocols.
2. AES-256 EncryptionSoftEther VPN has AES-256 Encryption, i.e. very strong security.
3. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in SoftEther VPN without registration.
4. WireGuardSoftEther VPN supports the Wireguard protocol for encrypted VPN traffic.
5. Built-in VPNSoftEther VPN has a built-in VPN feature that enhances your privacy and allows you to browse the web from anywhere.
6. LightweightSoftEther VPN consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
7. Privacy focusedSoftEther VPN is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
8. Ad-freeSoftEther VPN doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
9. End-to-End EncryptionSoftEther VPN has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
Configurable
Support for Multiple protocols
L2TP
Multiple languages
Comments about SoftEther VPN as a Alternative to OpenVPN
Almost everyone thinks SoftEther VPN is a great OpenVPN alternative.
Guest
I like Softether VPN as an alternative to openvpn because it works well with my firewall and easy setup and quite lot of option configurations.
Positive comment•
0

Jan Klass
Can be used as a drop-in replacement for OpenVPN, is free and open source as well
Positive comment•
-1

coka4you
Easy setup and a great variety of functions.
Positive comment•
1
ZeroTier
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
VPN Service
Virtual LAN Software
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
iPhone
BSD
Self-Hosted
45 ZeroTier alternatives
ZeroTier creates virtual ethernet networks that work everywhere. Use it as a VPN alternative, for gaming, or to create a virtual office LAN that travels with you.
- - ZeroTier is the most popular Self-Hosted alternative to OpenVPN.
Suggest and vote on features
ZeroTier Features
P2P Network
Peer-To-Peer
Zero configuration
LAN Tunneling
Mesh network
Peer to peer VPN
Encrypted VPN
Software defined network
No port forwarding required
VPN Hosting
Comments about ZeroTier as a Alternative to OpenVPN
Almost everyone thinks ZeroTier is a great OpenVPN alternative.
Guest
For me the ideal replacement of the old hamachi, a little complicated installation in linux the first time, then everything on wheels.
Positive comment•
0
Shadowsocks
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
VPN Service
Anonymizing Network
Proxy Service
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
F-Droid
175 Shadowsocks alternatives
A fast tunnel proxy that helps you bypass firewalls.
- - Shadowsocks is the most popular iPad & Android Tablet alternative to OpenVPN.
Suggest and vote on features
Shadowsocks Features
1. Built-in VPNShadowsocks has a built-in VPN feature that enhances your privacy and allows you to browse the web from anywhere.
2. Anonymous ProxyShadowsocks protects your personal information by hiding your device identifying information.
3. OpenVPNShadowsocks supports OpenVPN, one of the most secure and reliable VPN protocols.
4. ShadowsocksShadowsocks has support for shadowsocks protocol to circumvent Internet censorship
Bypass Firewall
Tcp proxy
Online Anonymity
Split Proxy
Anticensorship
Bypass Censorship
Comments about Shadowsocks as a Alternative to OpenVPN
Most users think Shadowsocks is a great OpenVPN alternative.
Jonathan Dumont
this is a proxy not a vpn solution
Negative comment•
3
Tailscale
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Freemium • Proprietary
VPN Service
Virtual LAN Software
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
Software as a Service (SaaS)
24 Tailscale alternatives
Private networks made easy Connect all your devices using WireGuard, without the hassle. Tailscale makes it as easy as installing an app and signing in.
- - Tailscale is the most popular SaaS alternative to OpenVPN.
Suggest and vote on features
Tailscale Features
1. WireGuardTailscale supports the Wireguard protocol for encrypted VPN traffic.
2. End-to-End EncryptionTailscale has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
3. Dark ModeTailscale supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
4. Privacy focusedTailscale is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
5. Built-in VPNTailscale has a built-in VPN feature that enhances your privacy and allows you to browse the web from anywhere.
6. Anonymous ProxyTailscale protects your personal information by hiding your device identifying information.
7. DecentralizedTailscale is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
8. Two-factor AuthenticationTailscale supports two-factor authentication (2FA).
Software defined network
Overlay network
Mesh network
FreePN
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Proprietary
VPN Service
VPN Client
Anonymizing Network
Linux
Gentoo Linux
Ubuntu
257 FreePN alternatives
FreePN is the first completely free, completely open network dedicated to protecting your online privacy. Joining the network is easy: just download and install the app. No accounts, no registration, no setup. Once you start the app, you're already protected.
Suggest and vote on features
FreePN Features
1. Privacy focusedFreePN is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
2. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in FreePN without registration.
3. No TrackingFreePN will not track you or use your personal data.
4. DecentralizedFreePN is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
5. AES-256 EncryptionFreePN has AES-256 Encryption, i.e. very strong security.
6. LightweightFreePN consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
7. End-to-End EncryptionFreePN has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
8. Anonymous ProxyFreePN protects your personal information by hiding your device identifying information.
9. No LogsFreePN doesn't keep any logs of your activities.
Save money
Unblock netflix
Bypass Firewall
Distributed
Hide your IP
Peer-To-Peer
P2P Network
DNS Proxy
Built-In Proxy
Anticensorship
Discontinued
The website is unavailable.
Add a screenshot
Outline VPN
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
VPN Service
VPN Client
Anonymizing Network
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
iPhone
Android Tablet
iPad
AppImageHub
Homebrew
173 Outline VPN alternatives
Journalists need safe access to information to research issues, communicate with sources, and report the news. Outline lets news organizations easily provide their network safer access to the open internet.
Suggest and vote on features
Outline VPN Features
1. Privacy focusedOutline VPN is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
2. DecentralizedOutline VPN is based on a decentralized infrastructure with no single entity controlling it.
3. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in Outline VPN without registration.
4. ShadowsocksOutline VPN has support for shadowsocks protocol to circumvent Internet censorship
5. No LogsOutline VPN doesn't keep any logs of your activities.
6. AES-256 EncryptionOutline VPN has AES-256 Encryption, i.e. very strong security.
Encrypted VPN
Multiple languages
AES Encryption
Tunnelblick
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
VPN Service
Mac
18 Tunnelblick alternatives
Tunnelblick is a free, open source graphic user interface for OpenVPN on OS X and macOS. It provides easy control of OpenVPN client and/or server connections.
Suggest and vote on features
Tunnelblick Features
1. OpenVPNTunnelblick supports OpenVPN, one of the most secure and reliable VPN protocols.
ALAC support
Graphical User Interface
Comments about Tunnelblick as a Alternative to OpenVPN
pros, cons and recent comments
A S
Very impressive, but freezes all time
Negative comment•
0
NetBird
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
VPN Service
Virtual LAN Software
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
17 NetBird alternatives
NetBird is an open-source mesh VPN built on top of WireGuard® making it easy to create secure private networks for your organization or home. NetBird is an alternative to traditional centralized VPNs like OpenVPN, Pritunl, etc.
- - NetBird is the most popular Web-based alternative to OpenVPN.
Suggest and vote on features
NetBird Features
1. WireGuardNetBird supports the Wireguard protocol for encrypted VPN traffic.
2. Two-factor AuthenticationNetBird supports two-factor authentication (2FA).
3. AES-256 EncryptionNetBird has AES-256 Encryption, i.e. very strong security.
4. End-to-End EncryptionNetBird has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
Peer-To-Peer
Golang
Freegate
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Proprietary
Anonymizing Network
Proxy Service
Windows
Wine
181 Freegate alternatives
Freegate is an anti-censorship software for secure and fast Internet access. It was developed and maintained by Dynamic Internet Technology Inc. (DIT), a pioneer in censorship-circumvention operation.
Suggest and vote on features
Freegate Features
1. Anonymous ProxyFreegate protects your personal information by hiding your device identifying information.
Anticensorship
Bypass Firewall
Online Anonymity
Bypass Censorship
Warning
The installer is detected as malicious by some antiviruses: https://www.virustotal.com/gui/file/20017fd064a42e743ecb6f6fd5b8b60efc21e7f3979b07fcd23a811514f23111

Opinions about Freegate as a Alternative to OpenVPN
Some users think Freegate is a great OpenVPN alternative, some don't.