FREE, OPEN-SOURCE VPN SOFTWARE
Security-focused software you can inspect and run yourself. Explore four established projects, their protocols and what it takes to operate them.
Runs VPN software with configured credentials.
A private gateway or authorized remote peer.
Routes and firewall policy determine access.
Open-source VPN software is not a managed VPN subscription. Hosting, updates, credentials and configuration remain your responsibility.
These projects provide tunnel software. You arrange the server or peer, hosting and administration. A provider’s free plan is a different product: someone else operates the exit servers. Compare hosted providers
READ THE CODE. UNDERSTAND THE SETUP.
Open-source code enables inspection; it does not guarantee a secure deployment. Choose supported configurations, apply security updates and check routing, DNS and firewall behavior on the devices you use.
VPN protocol & implementations
WireGuard uses public-key peers and a deliberately small protocol design. Official implementations and clients cover Linux, Windows, macOS, BSD, Android and iOS.
A compact tunnel for personal remote access and networks you administer.
Client/server VPN software
The community open-source daemon and related clients implement OpenVPN tunnels. Platform packages and clients are documented by the project.
Certificate-based remote access and configurable self-hosted networks.
IPsec / IKE VPN implementation
A modular IPsec implementation with IKEv2 support, certificate-based authentication and documented interoperability scenarios.
Standards-based remote access and site-to-site links for administrators.
Multi-protocol VPN suite
An open-source, cross-platform VPN server/client project with multiple supported VPN protocols and an officially maintained stable repository.
Remote-access servers and network bridging with multiple client options.
CHOOSE THE RESPONSIBILITY YOU WANT
| Question | Run the software yourself | Use a managed VPN provider |
|---|---|---|
| Who operates the tunnel endpoint? | You, your organization or your chosen host | The VPN provider and its infrastructure partners |
| What can cost money? | Hosting, bandwidth, hardware and administration; listed open-source editions have no license fee | A subscription, or the limits and terms of a free plan |
| Who maintains it? | You manage updates, credentials, firewall rules and configuration | The provider maintains its service; you still maintain your devices and apps |
| What trust remains? | Your host, its legal jurisdiction, billing records, your configuration and software distribution | The operator, owners, host partners, retention policies and software distribution |
| Does it make you anonymous? | No. A dedicated exit IP, hosting account and browser identity can still link activity | No. Account identifiers, cookies, logins and browser fingerprints can still link activity |
A VPN encrypts a path to its endpoint. It does not remove the need for HTTPS or prevent a site from recognizing an account you log into. EFF: choosing a VPN (opens in a new tab)
JURISDICTION STILL APPLIES
We do not assign an Eyes label from a software developer’s location. For your deployment, consider who hosts the endpoint, where it physically runs, who administers it and what account or connection records exist.
Understand jurisdictionOfficial project documentation, source repositories and license information. This directory includes no StealthVPN penetration test, deployment audit or security certification. Project resource links go directly to the projects.
Use the privacy checklistWANT MORE? / GO HANDS-ON
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