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Outline VPN

by Outline VPN

Free plan AndroidAPIiPhoneLinuxMacSelf-hosted+1

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Outline VPN's own site

What Outline VPN is

Outline VPN is free software for creating and sharing access to a VPN server that you operate. An administrator selects the server location and users, then generates access keys in Outline Manager for Outline Client users. Keys and connection instructions can be shared by email or phone number. Server options named by Outline include DigitalOcean, Google Cloud Platform, and Amazon Web Services; those providers may charge separately. Managers can set a trailing 30-day data limit for each key. Outline describes its protocol as difficult to detect and resistant to network and IP blocking, and says device-to-server traffic uses AEAD 256-bit Chacha2020 IETF Poly 1305 encryption. Servers do not store logs, though administrators can see bandwidth per key. It supports Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, API, and self-hosted use.

Who it suits

It suits individuals, organizations, civil society groups, and app builders that want to run and control private VPN access. It requires managing a cloud or other server.

What it does well

  • Free software with no subscription access fee
  • Administrator chooses server location and users
  • Per-key 30-day data limits
  • Supports major desktop and mobile platforms
  • Servers do not store logs

What to know first

  • Cloud server costs may be separate
  • Not an anonymity tool
  • Administrators can view bandwidth per key
  • Requires access keys from Outline Manager

Limits

Outline software is free, but access requires a cloud server that may have a separate provider cost. Administrators can impose a trailing 30-day data limit on each access key, enforced hourly.

Plans

PlanBilled and limitsPrice
Outline softwareSoftware is free; requires access to a cloud server, which may have a separate provider costFree

As getoutline.org lists them, read 10 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

  1. Open the Outline website and choose a supported platform
  2. Provision a server with DigitalOcean, Google Cloud Platform, or Amazon Web Services
  3. Use Outline Manager to select the server location and create access keys
  4. Share keys and connection instructions by email or phone
  5. Connect with Outline Client and set per-key data limits if needed

Verdict

Outline is a self-managed VPN access tool rather than a subscription service. It offers broad platform support and server control, but you remain responsible for server costs and administration.

Questions

How much does Outline software cost?

The Outline software plan is 0.00 USD and free. A cloud server may have a separate provider cost.

Is Outline an access subscription?

No. It is software for running and sharing access to a private VPN server, with access keys generated through Outline Manager.

Which platforms are supported?

Supported platforms include Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and Chrome. API and self-hosted options are also listed.

Does Outline keep server logs?

Outline says servers do not store logs. Server administrators can still see bandwidth transferred for each access key.

Is Outline an anonymity tool?

No. Outline says websites may identify users who log in or through browser fingerprinting.

Who makes Outline VPN?

The maker is Outline VPN, founded in 2018.

Facts from Outline VPN's own pages

Access keys
Outline Manager generates access keys, which users need to connect with Outline Client. · getoutline.org, 10 Oct 2026
Access model
vpn · getoutline.org, 22 Sept 2026
Admin control level
standard · getoutline.org, 22 Sept 2026
Audit logs
No · getoutline.org, 22 Sept 2026
Audits
Outline says Radically Open Security audited it in 2018 and 2022, and Cure53 audited it in 2018 and the SDK in 2024. · support.getoutline.org, 10 Oct 2026
Blocking resistance
Outline uses a protocol designed to be difficult to detect and is described as resistant to network and IP blocking. · getoutline.org, 10 Oct 2026
Cloud providers
Outline’s help pages name DigitalOcean, Google Cloud Platform, and Amazon Web Services as server options. · support.getoutline.org, 10 Oct 2026
Encryption
Outline says it encrypts device-to-server communications using the AEAD 256-bit Chacha2020 IETF Poly 1305 cipher. · support.getoutline.org, 10 Oct 2026
Founded
2018 · getoutline.org, 28 Sept 2026
Free plan
Yes · getoutline.org, 22 Sept 2026
Logging and metrics
Outline says servers do not store logs, while bandwidth transferred is tracked per access key for server administrators. · support.getoutline.org, 10 Oct 2026
Not an access subscription
Outline is a tool for running and sharing access to a private VPN server, and access keys are generated through Outline Manager. · getoutline.org, 10 Oct 2026
Privacy limit
Outline says it is not an anonymity tool and that websites may still identify users who log in or through browser fingerprinting. · support.getoutline.org, 10 Oct 2026
Server control
Server administrators choose where their server is located and who can access it. · getoutline.org, 10 Oct 2026
Sharing
Managers can share access keys and connection instructions with recipients by email or phone number. · getoutline.org, 10 Oct 2026
Support
Outline directs users to its Help Center for technical help and provides a contact link for additional assistance. · getoutline.org, 10 Oct 2026
Supported platforms
Windows,macOS,Linux,Android,iOS,Chrome · getoutline.org, 22 Sept 2026
Usage limits
Managers can set a trailing 30-day data limit for each access key, with limits enforced hourly. · support.getoutline.org, 10 Oct 2026
What it does
Outline lets people create, run, and share access to their own VPN server. · getoutline.org, 10 Oct 2026
Who it is for
Outline describes uses by individuals and organizations seeking access to the open internet, including civil society groups and app builders. · getoutline.org, 10 Oct 2026

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