What an open-source VPN is and how to choose the best one

What is an open-source VPN?

An open-source VPN is a virtual private network built on code that’s publicly available for anyone to inspect, audit, or modify. This transparency is the main advantage because you can see exactly how it works, spot potential flaws, and trust that no hidden data collection is happening behind the scenes.

Sometimes the term open-source VPN refers explicitly to the OpenVPN protocol, but in general, it includes any VPN software built on publicly accessible source code.

You can use open-source solutions to create your own VPN server, connect between multiple devices, or build an organization-wide secure network. Unlike with commercial VPN providers, you’re in full control of where your data goes and how it’s encrypted.

What is the difference between an open-source VPN and a regular VPN provider?

A regular VPN provider (like NordVPN) offers a ready-made service. You pay a subscription, download the app, and click "Connect." Your internet traffic gets encrypted and routed through its servers, masking your IP address and securing your connection. Everything from server maintenance and security updates to more advanced features is handled for you.

An open-source VPN, on the other hand, gives you the tools to build your own VPN setup. You host it yourself (either on a rented server or your own hardware), choose your VPN encryption, and configure your devices manually. It’s more hands-on but also more transparent.

Choose an open-source option if:

• You want full control over your data and server location.
• You have the technical skills (or curiosity) to set up your own system.
• You need a VPN for internal business networks or self-hosted projects.

Choose a regular VPN provider if:

• You want convenience and ready-to-use apps.
• You prefer expert-managed infrastructure and global server networks.
• You value ease of use over customization.

What are the best open-source VPN protocols?

When we talk about open-source VPNs, we often mean the protocols that make them work. A VPN protocol defines how your data is encrypted, transmitted, and authenticated. Below are the best and most trusted open-source VPN protocols you can use.

WireGuard

WireGuard is the new gold standard for VPN protocols — it’s fast, lean, and open source. It’s built around modern cryptography (using ChaCha20, Poly1305, and Curve25519), offering high performance and security, including perfect forward secrecy, with a fraction of the codebase of older protocols.

Highlights of WireGuard:

• It’s lightweight and easy to audit (just a few thousand lines of code).
• It delivers excellent speeds and minimal latency.
• It’s available on Linux, Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.

WireGuard’s simplicity and transparency have made it the default choice for many new VPN projects. Even NordVPN’s Linux app went open source and now integrates WireGuard through its custom NordLynx protocol — a great example of open-source principles improving commercial software.

OpenVPN

OpenVPN is the veteran of open-source protocols — it’s battle-tested, highly configurable, and trusted by organizations worldwide. It supports both TCP and UDP connections, multiple encryption standards, and works on nearly every platform imaginable.

Highlights of OpenVPN:

• It’s compatible with a huge range of devices.
• It’s supported by many VPN providers and community projects.

OpenVPN’s main trade-off is complexity. It’s powerful but not as lightweight as WireGuard. Still, if you want proven security and flexibility, it remains one of the best open-source VPN solutions available.

SoftEther

SoftEther VPN (Software Ethernet) is an open-source, cross-platform VPN protocol developed at the University of Tsukuba in Japan. It’s known for supporting multiple VPN protocols all under one roof, including its own, plus OpenVPN, IPsec, and SSTP.

Highlights of SoftEther:

• It works as a multi-protocol VPN server and client.
• It’s great for hybrid networks and enterprise environments.

SoftEther can act as a bridge between different systems, which makes it a go-to for advanced networking setups or organizations running mixed OS environments.

FreeLAN

FreeLAN is a lesser-known but user-friendly open-source VPN client and server. It uses peer-to-peer architecture, allowing devices to connect directly without a central server.

Highlights of FreeLan:

• It is fully open source and community driven.
• It works on Windows, Linux, and macOS.
• It can be configured as client-server, peer-to-peer, or hybrid.

It’s ideal for small teams or hobbyists who want to build private, decentralized networks.

Tinc

Tinc VPN is another open-source peer-to-peer daemon that creates encrypted VPN tunnels between hosts. It’s highly flexible and automatically handles routing, making it a good choice for connecting multiple networks.

Highlights of Tinc:

• It offers automatic node discovery and encryption.
• It runs on Unix-like systems, such as Linux, BSD, and macOS.

Tinc isn’t as beginner friendly as WireGuard, but it’s rock solid for system administrators looking for a self-hosted VPN that scales easily.

Why should you use open-source VPNs?

Open-source VPNs appeal to people who care about privacy and control and don’t mind getting a bit technical to get there. Let’s look at what makes them worth considering and what you should keep in mind before getting started.

Advantages of open-source VPNs

If you’re serious about privacy or like to build things your own way, the benefits are hard to ignore:

• Transparency. You can see exactly how the VPN works and make sure it has no mystery code and no hidden data collection.
• Security through visibility. Public code allows security researchers to audit it and spot vulnerabilities early.
• Customizability. You can tweak VPN authentication methods, encryption levels, or routing to fit your needs.
• No vendor lock-in. You’re not dependent on a single company's infrastructure or policies.
• Free or low cost. If you’re looking for a free VPN, the open-source option means you’ll only pay for server hosting.

Disadvantages of open-source VPNs

Keep in mind that this freedom comes with trade-offs:

• Complex setup. The open-source option is not as beginner friendly as commercial VPNs. You’ll need to install and configure everything yourself.
• No customer support. If something breaks, your best help comes from community forums and documentation.
• Maintenance required. You’re responsible for keeping your server and software updated.
• Performance limits. Without a large server network, your speeds and locations depend on your own hosting setup.

The most common use cases of open-source VPNs

Open-source VPNs do a lot more than just hide your IP address. The most common scenarios include:

• Self-hosted privacy. Run your own VPN to route traffic securely without relying on third-party providers.
• Remote work access. Connect employees securely to internal business systems.
• Multi-site connectivity. Link different offices or cloud environments via encrypted tunnels.
• Bypassing censorship. Use your own open-source VPN server in a country with unrestricted internet access.
• Securing IoT or home networks. Protect connected devices and create private access points.
• Public Wi-Fi protection. Encrypt your internet connection when using airport, hotel, or other public Wi-Fi networks, which are often less secure.
• Educational or research purposes. Study encryption, tunneling, or networking protocols.

How to set up an open-source VPN protocol

Setting up an open-source VPN requires taking some technical steps, but the payoff is worth it — total control and transparency.

Follow these steps:

1. 1.Choose your protocol. Pick one that fits your needs — WireGuard for speed, OpenVPN for compatibility, or SoftEther for multi-protocol support.
2. 2.Set up a server. Rent a VPS from a trusted provider (DigitalOcean, Linode, AWS) or use your own physical machine.
3. 3.Install the VPN software. For example, on Ubuntu, you may use:

sudo apt install wireguard

or for OpenVPN:

sudo apt install openvpn

1. 1.Generate keys and configuration files. Follow your protocol's documentation to create server and client keys, define IP address ranges, and set up routing.
2. 2.Open required ports. Configure your firewall (e.g., ufw or iptables) to allow VPN traffic — WireGuard typically uses UDP port 51820.
3. 3.Verify and configure routing/NAT. For your VPN to route traffic from the client to the internet, you must enable IP forwarding on the server and configure Network Address Translation (NAT) in your firewall rules.
4. 4.Start the VPN server. Enable and run the VPN service. Check logs for any configuration errors.
5. 5.Configure clients. Import the configuration file into your VPN client (like WireGuard GUI or OpenVPN Connect).
6. 6.Test your VPN connection. You can use NordVPN’s IP lookup tool to confirm your IP address has changed and traffic is encrypted.

How to choose an open-source VPN

Choosing the right VPN depends on your goals and level of technical comfort. Here’s what to keep in mind:

• Security. Look for modern cryptography and advanced encryption standards (e.g., AES-256 or ChaCha20).
• Performance. WireGuard tends to outperform older protocols due to its simplicity and lower overhead.
• Ease of setup. OpenVPN is highly reliable but complex, WireGuard and SoftEther are simpler for modern systems.
• Compatibility. Make sure your VPN supports your operating system — whether it’s Linux, Windows, macOS, or Android.
• Community and documentation. A strong open-source community means better guides, faster bug fixes, and more reliable support.
• Scalability. If you need to connect multiple users or branches, go for protocols like Tinc or SoftEther that handle complex networks well.
• Maintenance. You’ll be your own IT team here — expect to install updates, monitor logs, and handle occasional troubleshooting.