OpenVPN is not simply a VPN client; it is a standard in and of itself, introducing novel techniques for establishing secure end-to-end connections. So it’s unsurprising that OpenVPN has developed into a leading security protocol and is now included in a large number of mainstream VPNs. However, its advanced features frequently perplex average consumers who are unable to wade through an infinite number of settings. Therefore, if you’re looking for an intuitive VPN client, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ve compiled a list of the ten best OpenVPN alternatives that are mostly free and simple to set up. Now that we’ve established that let’s begin the article by identifying VPN clients like OpenVPN.
10 Best OpenVPN Alternatives
We’ve listed ten alternatives to OpenVPN here with a few broad points in mind. As mentioned previously, the majority of them are open-source VPNs like OpenVPN. Additionally, some of the clients are built on the OpenVPN security protocol, which means you’ll get the same level of protection but with a more intuitive interface.
1. Pritunl
I chose Pritunl as my second choice because it has a user-friendly interface, which is uncommon among open-source VPNs. While OpenVPN is more advanced, Pritunl is your best bet if you are a beginner looking to create a personal VPN server. To begin, it is open-source, similar to OpenVPN, cross-platform, and completely free. It also makes no concessions in terms of the underlying technology. Pritunl utilizes OpenVPN’s security protocol and also includes some user management functionality. You can directly import OpenVPN profiles and URI configurations, as well as add servers. To put it simply, Pritunl is the most user-friendly open-source VPN with a core set of features. Consider Pritunl VPN if it meets your requirements.
2. SoftEther VPN
SoftEther VPN is one of the best alternatives to OpenVPN. This is because, similarly to OpenVPN, SoftEther is an open-source, cross-platform VPN that supports various security protocols. Therefore, you can simply select your preferred protocol and configure your server accordingly. In addition, the VPN is unique 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 provide everyone with a free and secure VPN service.
Apart from that, it’s built on the OpenVPN security protocol, which means you get similar security protection alongside 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. TunnelBlick
If you’re looking for a Mac-compatible OpenVPN alternative, you should consider Tunnelblick. It is optimized 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 completely free. The best feature of Tunnelblick, however, is that it supports both OpenVPN and Apple’s proprietary security protocol. It enables you to connect to a VPN without depleting your Mac’s resources. Additionally, you get a slew of options such as server configuration, 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.
4. WireGuard
Wireguard is one of the best OpenVPN alternatives because it combines a friendly user interface with advanced security features. To begin, it is an open-source VPN based on the SSH protocol. Many would argue that SSH is insecure in comparison to OpenVPN’s proprietary security protocol. Wireguard, on the other hand, utilizes additional cryptographic services such as Curve25519, Poly1305, SipHash24, and others to bolster the security of data exchange. With all of these features, Wireguard is undoubtedly one of the most secure VPNs available. Additionally, Wireguard performs slightly better than OpenVPN because it encrypts and transmits data using the simple SSL protocol. Overall, Wireguard is an excellent VPN that easily competes with OpenVPN in terms of security and features.
5. 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 still in development. Initially developed 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. Thus, you could 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 can configure your own server, encrypt data transmission, and import server configurations. In conclusion, OpenConnect is a capable VPN client that you should definitely give a try, especially if you are a Linux user.
6. StrongSwan
strongSwan is another popular open-source and completely free alternative to OpenVPN. While OpenVPN uses its own custom security protocol that is a combination of SSL and TLS, strongSwan exchanges keys using the latest IPSec protocol along with IKEv1 and IKEv2. In terms of security, I’d say strongSwan isn’t far behind OpenVPN, given that it uses its own encryption protocols. Apart from that, strongSwan enables the addition of servers, the customization of security preferences, and the use of virtual IP addresses to avoid tracking. To summarise, strongSwan is one of the best cross-platform VPNs with a plethora of advanced features that you should definitely give a try at least once.
7. Passepartout
Passepartout is a one-of-a-kind VPN on this list because it was created specifically for the iOS platform. In addition, it’s an open-source app having OpenVPN security protocol at the base. While OpenVPN does have a dedicated iPhone and iPad app, many users find it clunky and overly complicated 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 everything that is possible with OpenVPN but in a more effortless manner. For example, you can configure as many VPN servers as you like. Additionally, it automates numerous VPN features by utilizing various iOS features such as Trusted Networks and Siri Shortcuts. In simple terms, you’ll be able to use the OpenVPN protocol to create a personal VPN on your iOS device. And the great part is that it does not track your internet activity, so there are no concerns about privacy. Simply put, if you’re looking for an OpenVPN alternative for iOS, Passepartout is the app to download.
8. Tinc VPN
Tinc VPN is a robust VPN daemon that competes with OpenVPN, but it lacks a graphical user interface. If you are a network administrator or are comfortable with the command line, Tinc VPN can 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 said to perform better. Additionally, Tinc VPN utilizes the SVPN protocol, which encrypts data to safeguard your online privacy. Additionally, you can manage various security configurations such as force encryption, open-port scanning, and vulnerability discovery. To put it simply, if you are an advanced user looking for a client similar to OpenVPN, Tinc VPN is a must-have.
9. TunnelBear
TunnelBear is our final recommendation on this list because its security and privacy protection are very similar to OpenVPN. In addition, it offers a free plan that does not log your internet activity and maintains the same speed. Nevertheless, free users are limited to 500MB of data per 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 additional 1GB of data, which is awesome. Finally, in terms of security, TunnelBear utilizes the OpenVPN protocol on all platforms except iOS, which utilizes the IPSec protocol. Nonetheless, you are well protected on the security front by industry-leading protocols. 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.
10. 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 operates its own servers in a variety of locations throughout the world. ProtonVPN’s best feature is that it offers a completely free plan with unlimited data. However, keep in mind that you will not receive the fastest speeds and that the free plan is only available in three countries.
Nonetheless, it ranks among the best in terms of security and is easily comparable to OpenVPN. Because ProtonVPN is based in Switzerland, you are protected by the world’s strictest privacy laws. Apart from that, it protects all data exchanges via OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPSec security protocols. Additionally, it utilizes military-grade 256-bit AES encryption to ensure that your internet activity is always secure. To summarise, if you want to protect your online privacy, ProtonVPN is an excellent choice.
Wrapping Up: OpenVPN Alternatives
That concludes our list of the top ten OpenVPN alternatives. We’ve attempted to include VPNs that are primarily open-source and provide superior security. Additionally, the aforementioned VPNs include a slew of advanced features, from server customization to open port checking. You may choose a VPN based on your preferences. That concludes our contribution. If you enjoyed our list of open-source VPNs, please leave a comment below and let us know.
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