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SoftEther VPN

by SoftEther VPN

Free plan AndroidAPIiPhoneLinuxMacSelf-hosted+1

Visit SoftEther VPN Alternatives Pricing

SoftEther VPN's own site

What SoftEther VPN is

SoftEther VPN is free, open-source VPN software for remote access and site-to-site networking. Its connections can use Ethernet bridging or IP routing, and the server supports SoftEther VPN, OpenVPN, L2TP/IPsec, MS-SSTP, L2TPv3/IPsec, and EtherIP/IPsec. VPN over HTTPS and built-in NAT traversal are designed to help connections cross NATs and firewalls. The project lists AES 256-bit and RSA 4096-bit encryption, security logging, and firewall features. Authentication options include RADIUS, NT Domain or Active Directory, and RSA certificate authentication.

Administrators can manage a server through a Windows GUI manager or the vpncmd command-line utility. A JSON-RPC API suite can be used to build server management applications. The specification allows up to 4,096 concurrent VPN sessions and 4,096 virtual hubs per server. Supported systems include Windows, Linux, macOS, FreeBSD, Solaris, iOS, and Android; self-hosted use is also listed. The software is distributed under the Apache License 2.0. The project is based at the University of Tsukuba in Japan, and the current version originated as Daiyuu Nobori's master's research. Its maker, SoftEther VPN, was founded in 2013.

Who it suits

SoftEther VPN suits people who need remote-access or site-to-site VPNs and can work with advanced administration. It offers multiple connection protocols, authentication options, and both graphical and command-line server management.

What it does well

  • Free software under the Apache License 2.0.
  • Supports remote access and site-to-site VPNs.
  • Offers several VPN protocols on the server.
  • Lists Windows, Linux, macOS, FreeBSD, Solaris, iOS, and Android.
  • Includes GUI, command-line, and JSON-RPC management options.

What to know first

  • Advanced admin control may require experienced administrators.
  • The server specification caps sessions and virtual hubs at 4,096 each.
  • The Windows GUI manager is limited to Windows.

Limits

The server specification allows a maximum of 4,096 concurrent VPN sessions and 4,096 virtual hubs per server. The software is free, with no free trial.

Plans

PlanBilled and limitsPrice
SoftEther VPNOpen-source VPN software · server supports up to 4,096 concurrent sessions and 4,096 virtual hubsFree

As softether.org lists them, read 9 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

  1. Visit the SoftEther VPN website.
  2. Choose a supported system: Windows, Linux, macOS, FreeBSD, Solaris, iOS, or Android.
  3. For server administration, use the Windows GUI manager or vpncmd command-line utility.
  4. Configure VPN access using the supported protocols and authentication options.

Verdict

Choose SoftEther VPN if you need free, open-source software for remote access or site-to-site networking, with multiple protocols and administration options. Its advanced control level and server configuration make it a better fit for administrators comfortable managing VPN infrastructure.

Questions

How much does SoftEther VPN cost?

The listed plan is free. The software is open-source and distributed under the Apache License 2.0.

Is there a free trial?

No. The product has a free plan.

Which platforms does it support?

Supported platforms are Windows, Linux, macOS, FreeBSD, Solaris, iOS, and Android. Self-hosted use is also listed.

Which VPN protocols can the server use?

The server supports SoftEther VPN, OpenVPN, L2TP/IPsec, MS-SSTP, L2TPv3/IPsec, and EtherIP/IPsec.

How can administrators manage a server?

Management options include a Windows GUI manager, the vpncmd command-line utility, and a JSON-RPC API suite for building management applications.

Who makes SoftEther VPN?

The maker is SoftEther VPN, founded in 2013. The project is based at the University of Tsukuba in Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.

Facts from SoftEther VPN's own pages

Access model
hybrid · softether.org, 22 Sept 2026
Admin control level
advanced · softether.org, 22 Sept 2026
API
The project says its JSON-RPC API suite can be used to build VPN Server management applications. · softether.org, 9 Oct 2026
Audit logs
Yes · softether.org, 22 Sept 2026
Authentication
Listed authentication options include RADIUS, NT Domain or Active Directory, and RSA certificate authentication. · softether.org, 9 Oct 2026
Firewall traversal
Its VPN over HTTPS and built-in NAT traversal are designed to allow connections through NATs and firewalls. · softether.org, 9 Oct 2026
Founded
2013 · softether.org, 28 Sept 2026
Free plan
Yes · softether.org, 22 Sept 2026
Headquarters
University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan · softether.org, 28 Sept 2026
Limits
The specification lists a maximum of 4,096 concurrent VPN sessions and 4,096 virtual hubs per server. · softether.org, 9 Oct 2026
Management
Server management options include a Windows GUI manager and the vpncmd command-line utility. · softether.org, 9 Oct 2026
Platforms
The download page lists Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, FreeBSD, and Solaris; the project also describes built-in L2TP client compatibility for iOS and Android. · softether.org, 9 Oct 2026
Product
SoftEther VPN is open-source, cross-platform, multiprotocol VPN software distributed under the Apache License 2.0. · softether.org, 9 Oct 2026
Project and origin
The project is based at the University of Tsukuba in Japan, and the current SoftEther VPN version originated as Daiyuu Nobori's master's research. · softether.org, 9 Oct 2026
Protocols
The server supports SoftEther VPN, OpenVPN, L2TP/IPsec, MS-SSTP, L2TPv3/IPsec, and EtherIP/IPsec. · softether.org, 9 Oct 2026
Security
The project lists AES 256-bit and RSA 4096-bit encryption, security logging, and firewall features. · softether.org, 9 Oct 2026
Site-to-site networking
Yes · softether.org, 22 Sept 2026
Support
Users can ask questions on the official forum, where project members say they will respond; posting requires registration and login. · softether.org, 9 Oct 2026
Supported platforms
Windows,Linux,macOS,FreeBSD,Solaris,iOS and Android · softether.org, 22 Sept 2026
Use cases
It supports remote-access and site-to-site VPNs using Ethernet bridging or IP routing. · softether.org, 9 Oct 2026

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