IT & Infrastructure·Standings

Virtual Private Network Software

Virtual private network software links people or sites to a private network; choose by client platforms and whether you need remote-access or site-to-site VPN.

Use the signal score out of 10 as a quick comparison. Check the marks for a public API, open-source code and a free tier, then review protocols, sessions, SSO and deployment details.

• 54 platforms
• 4 with a public API on this page
• 24 with a free tier
• Checked 10 Oct 2026

1. #PlatformSignalPlugs inPrice
2. 1
   T

   Tailscaletailscale.com

   Tailscale is an identity-based secure-connectivity platform built on WireGuard that links teams, clouds, CI/CD, IoT, Kubernetes, AI workloads and personal…

   7.7 APIOpenFree Free tier · from $1/mo
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3. 2
   W

   Windscribewindscribe.com

   Windscribe combines VPN desktop software and browser extensions to protect privacy, bypass blocked content, and block ads and trackers.

   7.7 APIOpenFree Free tier · from $3/mo
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4. 3
   HM

   hide.mehide.me

   Free, open-source VPN with apps, browser access, and self-hosting across major platforms.

   7.7 APIOpenFree Free tier
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5. 4
   O

   OPNsenseopnsense.org

   OPNsense is a FreeBSD-based open-source firewall and routing platform administered through a web interface.

   7.6 APIOpenFree Free tier · from €149/yr (lower tiers unpriced)
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6. 5
   I

   IPFireipfire.org

   IPFire is a hardened Linux operating system functioning as a stateful firewall, VPN gateway, intrusion-prevention platform and extensible network appliance.

   7.4 APIOpenFree Free tier · from $1,099/yr
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7. 6
   Z

   ZeroTierzerotier.com

   ZeroTier provides software-defined networking that connects devices, applications, clouds and sites through encrypted virtual networks over existing…

   6.7 APIOpenFree Free tier · from $18/mo
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8. 7
   MR

   MikroTik RouterOSmikrotik.com

   Paid network software with Android, iOS, web, Windows, API, and self-hosted access; free plan and trial.

   6.7 APIOpenFree Free tier
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9. 8
   AV

   Algo VPNgithub.com

   Algo is a set of Ansible scripts for setting up a personal WireGuard and IPsec VPN.

   6.7 APIOpenFree Free tier
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10. 9
    AV

    Amnezia VPNamnezia.org
    6.7 APIOpenFree Free tier · from $3.30/mo
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11. 10
    OA

    OpenVPN Access Serveropenvpn.net

    Freemium VPN server with free plan, SSO, site-to-site networking, and apps for major platforms.

    6.7 APIOpenFree Free tier · from $7/mo
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12. 11
    OC

    OpenVPN CloudConnexaopenvpn.net

    Freemium cloud VPN with web and major-platform apps, SSO, and a free plan.

    6.7 APIOpenFree Free tier · from $7/mo
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13. 12
    N

    NetBirdnetbird.io
    6.7 APIOpenFree Free tier · from €6/mo
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14. 13
    N

    Netmakernetmaker.io

    Freemium VPN with self-hosting, SSO/SCIM, device posture, and site-to-site networking.

    6.7 APIOpenFree Free tier · from $2/mo
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15. 14
    S

    strongSwanstrongswan.org

    strongSwan implements Internet Key Exchange protocols to secure IP traffic in policy-based and route-based IPsec VPN scenarios.

    6.7 APIOpenFree Free tier
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16. 15
    F

    FortiClientfortinet.com

    Endpoint security with ransomware protection for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android; free plan and trial available.

    6.7 APIOpenFree Free tier
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17. 16
    PV

    Proton VPNprotonvpn.com

    Freemium VPN for major platforms with a free plan, audited no-logs, and 10-device support.

    6.7 APIOpenFree Free tier
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18. 17
    H

    Headscaleheadscale.net

    Open-source VPN control server with site-to-site networking for major devices and self-hosting.

    6.7 APIOpenFree Free tier
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19. 18
    OV

    Outline VPNgetoutline.org

    Free VPN with apps, a public API, self-hosted option, and standard admin controls.

    6.7 APIOpenFree Free tier
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20. 19
    SV

    SoftEther VPNsoftether.org

    Free VPN for major platforms with API, self-hosting, and site-to-site networking.

    6.7 APIOpenFree Free tier
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21. 20
    W

    WireGuardwireguard.com

    WireGuard is a VPN that securely encapsulates IP packets over UDP.

    6.4 APIOpenFree Free tier
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22. 21
    V

    VyOSvyos.io

    VyOS is an open-source networking operating system for bare-metal, cloud, and edge deployments.

    6.3 APIOpenFree Free tier
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23. 22
    OV

    OpenConnect VPN Server (ocserv)ocserv.openconnect-vpn.net

    ocserv is an open-source Linux SSL VPN server designed for organizations needing remote access VPN with enterprise user management and control.

    6.2 APIOpenFree Free tier
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24. 23
    L

    LibreSwanlibreswan.org

    LibreSwan is free software that implements the standardized IPsec VPN protocol using Internet Key Exchange (IKE).

    6.1 APIOpenFree Free tier
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25. 24
    P

    pfSensepfsense.org

    Freemium self-hosted VPN platform for Linux and web management, with a free plan and trial.

    6.1 APIOpenFree Free tier · from $129/yr (lower tiers unpriced)
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26. 25
    FB

    F5 BIG-IP APMf5.com

    Paid access manager with SSO and SCIM support across desktop, mobile, web, API, and self-hosted deployments.

    6.0 APIOpenFree —
    →

Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this board are open to sponsors. Take #1 · Other ways to advertise

How to choose

Which platforms does it need to run on?

Start with the devices and operating systems your people use. The board compares Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android and self-hosted options.

A tool may support desktop and mobile clients, while another may suit a self-hosted setup. Confirm the required platform before comparing other features.

Do you need remote-access or site-to-site VPN?

Choose remote-access VPN when individual users connect to a private network, or site-to-site VPN when network locations need a link between them.

The comparison lists both VPN types, along with supported VPN protocols, so you can match the connection method to your network plan.

How can you check the real cost?

Compare the free plan, paid-from price and free-trial details shown for each tool. Algo VPN is listed as free; Citrix Gateway and Firezone use a freemium model.

Some paid products, including Aruba VIA and Barracuda CloudGen Firewall, list pricing on request. FortiClient is marked paid while also showing a free plan.

What deployment and access controls should you compare?

Check the deployment model, concurrent sessions and SSO support before choosing. These fields show how the VPN fits your infrastructure and sign-in process.

If you need to inspect or change the code, check the tool's open-source mark and licence details.

Questions

What is virtual private network software?

It provides remote-access or site-to-site VPN connections between users, devices or network locations.

Which platforms do VPN tools support?

The board compares Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android and self-hosted deployments.

How do I compare VPN pricing?

Review the free plan, paid-from price and free-trial fields. Some products state that pricing is available on request.

What VPN features should I compare?

Compare remote-access VPN, site-to-site VPN, supported protocols, concurrent sessions, SSO support and deployment model.

Are open-source VPN options included?

Yes. The board marks open-source code separately from free plans and free trials.

Some top positions on this board can be paid placements, standing where they were sold. The facts on each platform are not for sale. How we rank · Disclosure