Free and open first

Best Virtual Private Network Software in 2026

54 apps
Research read 10 Oct 2026
How the order is worked out

1

hide.me
by hide.me
Free plan Open source AndroidExtensioniPhone+5

Choose hide.me if you want a VPN with broad platform availability and listed support for streaming, torrents, WireGuard and a kill switch.

9.1 Free plan Visit site
2

IPFire

Free plan Open source APILinuxSelf-hosted+1

IPFire brings firewalling, VPN, intrusion prevention, and proxy functions together in a free, open-source platform.

9.1 Free plan Visit site
3

OPNsense
by OPNsense
Free plan Open source AndroidAPIiPhone+2

OPNsense combines firewall, routing, VPN, failover, and intrusion-prevention features in a self-hosted platform.

8.8 Free plan Visit site
4

Tailscale
by Tailscale
Free plan Open source AndroidAPIExtension+6

Tailscale combines encrypted device connections with access rules, identity provisioning, monitoring, and sharing features.

8.7 Free plan · paid from $8/user/mo · 14-day trial Visit site
5

Windscribe
by Windscribe
Free plan Open source AndroidExtensioniPhone+4

Windscribe offers a free tier, location-based Build-A-Plan, and Pro subscriptions with unlimited data.

8.5 Free plan · paid from $3/mo Visit site
6

Algo VPN
by Algo VPN
Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3

Algo provides scripts and client setup materials for a self-managed personal VPN. Its deployment cautions, protocol exclusions, and privacy limits are important to weigh before use.

7.7 Open source Visit site
7

Amnezia VPN
by Amnezia VPN
Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3

Amnezia VPN offers both a limited free service and a self-hosted setup, with platform-dependent split tunneling.

7.7 Free plan · paid from $3.30/mo (annual) · 7-day trial Visit site
8

Firezone
by Firezone
Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+4

7.5 Free plan · paid from $4.16/user/mo (annual) · 30-day trial Visit site
9

FortiClient

Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+2

7.5 Pricing on request Visit site
10

Headscale

Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+4

Choose Headscale if you want a free, self-hosted control server for a personal or small-organisation tailnet, with network tools and API interfaces.

7.5 Open source Visit site
11

MikroTik RouterOS
by MikroTik RouterOS
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+3

RouterOS offers several supported interfaces and three paid tiers with differing tunnel limits. Compare the listed limits and unsupported SSO/SCIM and device posture against your requirements.

7.4 From $45 · 1-day trial Visit site
12

NetBird
by NetBird
Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3

NetBird combines encrypted connectivity with identity, device-policy and administrative controls, and offers both cloud and self-hosted deployment.

7.3 Free plan · paid from €6/user/mo Visit site
13

Netmaker
by Netmaker
Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3

Netmaker combines WireGuard-based networking with access controls and a free self-hosted Community tier.

7.3 Free plan · paid from $2/mo · 7-day trial Visit site
14

OpenVPN Access Server
by OpenVPN Access Server
Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3

OpenVPN Access Server combines self-hosting with administrative controls and a free tier for up to two simultaneous connections.

7.3 Free plan · paid from $7/mo · 14-day trial Visit site
15

OpenVPN CloudConnexa
by OpenVPN CloudConnexa
Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3

CloudConnexa combines network connectivity with centralized administration and security controls. Account for per-seat use and the separate Internet Gateway requirement when assessing fit.

7.2 Free plan · paid from $7/user/mo · 14-day trial Visit site
16

Outline VPN
by Outline VPN
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+4

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.

7.2 Free plan Visit site
17

Proton VPN
by Proton VPN
Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+2

Proton VPN offers a free plan with no data limits, alongside paid plans listed as free.

7.2 Free plan Visit site
18

LibreSwan
by LibreSwan
Free plan LinuxSelf-hosted

LibreSwan provides a free, multi-platform implementation of IPsec VPN and IKE with broad authentication and deployment documentation.

7.1 Free plan Visit site
19

pfSense
by pfSense
Free plan LinuxSelf-hostedWeb

pfSense offers firewall, routing, and VPN capabilities across hardware, virtual, and cloud deployments.

7.1 Free plan · 30-day trial Visit site
20

SoftEther VPN
by SoftEther VPN
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+4

Choose SoftEther VPN if you need free, open-source software for remote access or site-to-site networking, with multiple protocols and administration options.

7.1 Free plan Visit site
21

strongSwan
by strongSwan
Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3

strongSwan provides a broad IPsec VPN implementation with extensive authentication, cryptography, and platform support.

7.1 Free plan Visit site
22

OpenConnect VPN Server (ocserv)

Free plan LinuxSelf-hosted

ocserv provides a broad set of authentication, networking, isolation, and administration controls for self-hosted VPN deployments.

7.0 Open source Visit site
23

Pritunl
by Pritunl
Free plan LinuxMacWindows

Pritunl combines VPN access with advanced controls, network linking, and auditing. Its plans keep users and devices unlimited, while paid pricing is based on each server.

7.0 Free plan · paid from $10/mo Visit site
24

TunnelBear
by TunnelBear
Free plan WebWindowsMac+3

TunnelBear offers a limited free plan and paid options for personal browsing or business teams.

7.0 Free plan · paid from $3.33/mo Visit site
25

ZeroTier

Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+5

ZeroTier covers virtual networking across cloud, on-premises and edge environments, with security controls and several management capabilities.

6.9 Free plan · paid from $18/mo Visit site

#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price

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