Side by side
OpenVPN Community Edition vs SoftEther VPN
Both stand on business vpn software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Pick OpenVPN Community Edition for a free, open-source VPN when manual setup and command-line administration are acceptable. Its authentication, routing, and access-policy options support controlled network extension. Look elsewhere if you need a web interface, API, or managed setup.
Visit OpenVPN Community EditionChoose 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.
Visit SoftEther VPNThe facts
| OpenVPN Community Edition | SoftEther VPN | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Android, iPhone, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Windows | Android, API, iPhone, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | SoftEther VPN |
| Website | openvpn.net | softether.org |
| On business vpn software | #23 of 94 | #19 of 94 |
OpenVPN Community Edition: what it does well
- Free and open-source project
- Supports Layer 2 and Layer 3 VPN extension
- Certificate, smart-card, and password authentication
- User and group firewall policies
- TCP or UDP client/server connections
What to know first
- Manual setup is required
- CLI-only management
- No web GUI or API is listed
- No free trial
SoftEther VPN: 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.
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