OpenVPN is not only a VPN client; it is a standard in and of itself, including novel approaches for establishing secure end-to-end connections. So it’s unsurprising that OpenVPN has developed into a prominent security protocol and is now included in a large number of major VPNs. However, its advanced features frequently perplex typical consumers who are unable to wade through an infinite number of options. Therefore, if you’re seeking an intuitive VPN client, you’ve come to the perfect spot. In this article, we’ve put a list of the 8+ best OpenVPN alternatives that are largely free and simple to set up. Now that we’ve established that let’s begin the article by identifying VPN clients like OpenVPN.
8+ Best OpenVPN Alternatives
We’ve listed 8+ alternatives to OpenVPN below with a few general points in mind. As indicated previously, the majority of them are open-source VPNs like OpenVPN. Additionally, some of the clients are developed on the OpenVPN security protocol, which means you’ll receive the same level of protection but with a more straightforward interface.
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1. Wireguard
Wireguard is one of the best OpenVPN alternatives because it combines a nice user interface with advanced security features. To begin, it is an open-source VPN built on the SSH protocol. Many would claim that SSH is secure in comparison to OpenVPN’s proprietary security protocol. Wireguard, on the other hand, utilizes extra cryptographic services such as Curve25519, Poly1305, SipHash24, and others to bolster the security of data communication. With all of these features, Wireguard is undoubtedly one of the most secure VPNs available. Additionally, Wireguard works somewhat better than OpenVPN since it encrypts and transmits data using the basic SSL protocol. Overall, Wireguard is an excellent VPN that easily competes with OpenVPN in terms of security and features.
2. SoftEther VPN
SoftEther VPN is one of the best OpenVPN alternatives. This is because, similarly to OpenVPN, SoftEther is an open-source, cross-platform VPN that supports a variety of security protocols. You may simply pick your preferred protocol and create your server accordingly. The VPN is unusual in that it was developed as part of a Master’s thesis by a student at the University of Tsukuba. Slowly, the VPN evolved into a massive academic project, with students from all over the world hosting servers to supply everyone with a free and secure VPN service.
Apart from that, it’s built on the OpenVPN security protocol, which means you receive similar security protection with more advanced features. Additionally to L2TP/IPsec, SSL, and Microsoft Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol, SoftEther VPN supports. Thus, if you’re looking for a VPN with the same feature set as OpenVPN and cutting-edge security, SoftEther VPN is your best bet.
3. Pritunl
Pritunl is my third pick because it offers an intuitive user interface, which is uncommon among open-source VPNs. While OpenVPN is more advanced, Pritunl is your best pick if you are a newbie looking to create a personal VPN server. To begin, it is open-source, similar to OpenVPN, cross-platform, and fully free. It makes no concessions in terms of the underlying technology. Pritunl utilizes OpenVPN’s security protocol and also includes some user management functionality. For example, you may immediately import OpenVPN profiles and URI setups, as well as add servers. To put it simply, Pritunl is the most user-friendly open-source VPN with a small handful of essential features. Consider Pritunl VPN if it meets your requirements.
4. OpenConnect
OpenConnect is a free and open-source VPN client for Windows, Linux, and other Unix-like operating systems. In some ways, it is one of the oldest VPN clients currently in development. Initially built as a Linux-only alternative to Cisco’s AnyConnect VPN client, OpenConnect quickly became a de facto standard for many VPN clients due to widespread community support. You may argue that it is a close competitor to OpenVPN in terms of open-source community support. Apart from that, OpenConnect is built on the SSL security protocol, which is fantastic. As with features, you may configure your own server, encrypt data transmission, and import server setups. In conclusion, OpenConnect is a good VPN client that you should definitely give a try, especially if you are a Linux user.
5. Tunnelblick
If you’re searching for a Mac-compatible OpenVPN alternative, you should consider Tunnelblick. It is built for macOS and is compatible with Sierra, High Sierra, and the most recent version of macOS, Mojave. As with OpenVPN, it is an open-source project that is absolutely free. The best part about Tunnelblick, though, is that it supports both OpenVPN and Apple’s own security protocol. As a result, it enables you to connect to a VPN without depleting your Mac’s resources. Additionally, you receive a slew of features such as server setup, protocol checking, and IPv6 tunneling. To summarise, if you’re looking for a VPN that’s as secure as OpenVPN, Tunnelblick is the best option for macOS.
6. StrongSwan
StrongSwan is another popular open-source and entirely free alternative to OpenVPN. While OpenVPN employs its own bespoke security protocol that is a combination of SSL and TLS, strongSwan exchanges keys using the newest IPSec protocol combined with IKEv1 and IKEv2. In terms of security, I’d say strongSwan isn’t far behind OpenVPN, considering that it uses its own encryption algorithms. Apart from that, strongSwan enables the addition of servers, the customization of security options, and the use of virtual IP addresses to avoid monitoring. To summarise, strongSwan is one of the best cross-platform VPNs with a plethora of advanced features that you should certainly give a try at least once.
7. ProtonVPN
If you’re not interested in tinkering with servers and simply want a VPN for private browsing, ProtonVPN is the best replacement for OpenVPN. Unlike OpenVPN, ProtonVPN offers its own servers in a variety of locations across the world. ProtonVPN’s best part is that it offers a completely free plan with unlimited data. However, keep in mind that you will not receive the best speed and that the free plan is only available in three countries.
Nonetheless, it ranks among the best in terms of security and is easily equivalent to OpenVPN. Because ProtonVPN is situated in Switzerland, you are protected by the world’s strictest privacy regulations. Apart from that, it protects all data exchanges with OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPSec security protocols. Additionally, it utilizes military-grade 256-bit AES encryption to ensure that your online activity is always secure. To summarise, if you want to protect your online privacy, ProtonVPN is an excellent choice.
8. Tinc VPN
Tinc VPN is a robust VPN daemon that competes with OpenVPN; however, it lacks a graphical user interface. If you are a network administrator or are comfortable with the command line, Tinc VPN may be an excellent tool for tunneling your network and encrypting it. Tinc VPN, similar to OpenVPN, is an open-source project that is completely free. It makes use of the more recent SPTPS protocol, which is reported to function better. Additionally, Tinc VPN utilizes the SVPN protocol, which encrypts data to protect your online anonymity. Additionally, you may control numerous security parameters such as force encryption, open-port scanning, and vulnerability discovery. To put it simply, if you are an advanced user seeking a client like OpenVPN, Tinc VPN is a must-have.
9. Passepartout
Passepartout is a one-of-a-kind VPN on this list since it was developed specifically for the iOS platform. In addition, it’s an open-source app built on the OpenVPN security protocol. While OpenVPN does have a dedicated iPhone and iPad app, many users find it awkward and overly advanced to use. Passepartout, on the other hand, aims to deliver the same OpenVPN technology in a more aesthetically pleasing and intuitive interface.
You can accomplish all that is possible with OpenVPN but in a more straightforward manner. For example, you may configure as many VPN servers as you like. Additionally, it automates several VPN features by utilizing various iOS features such as Trusted Networks and Siri Shortcuts. Well, In basic terms, you will be able to use the OpenVPN protocol to create a personal VPN on your iOS device. And the best part is that it does not track your online activities, so there are no concerns about privacy. Simply put, if you’re looking for an OpenVPN alternative for iOS, Passepartout is the software to download.
10. TunnelBear
The TunnelBear is our final pick in this list which is very similar to OpenVPN in terms of security and privacy protection. It offers a free plan that does not track your internet activities and maintains the same speed. However, free users are limited to 500MB of data each month. Thus, if you’re looking for a secure VPN for casual browsing, TunnelBear may be a good option. Additionally, if you tweet to Tunnelbear, you can receive an extra 1GB of data, which is great. In terms of security, TunnelBear utilizes the OpenVPN protocol on all platforms except iOS, which utilizes the IPSec protocol. Nonetheless, you are effectively protected on the security front by industry-leading standards. Additionally, it safeguards your data with 256-bit encryption. Taking all of this into consideration, if you’re looking for a hassle-free VPN experience, TunnelBear can be an excellent OpenVPN replacement.
Conclusion: OpenVPN Alternatives
That concludes our list of the 8+ best OpenVPN alternatives. We’ve attempted to include VPNs that are primarily open-source and provide superior security. Additionally, the aforementioned VPNs have a slew of advanced features, from server customization to open port checks. You may proceed and pick an appropriate VPN based on your desire. That concludes our contribution. If you like our list of open-source VPNs, please leave a comment below and let us know.