The Best Virtual Private Network Software in 2026
We researched virtual private network software using official vendor pricing pages, plan tables, and product documentation. Rankings focus on secure remote-user access and encrypted site-to-site connections, weighing verified features and value for money so IT teams can shortlist products for their network requirements.
Our top picks
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Top ranked
Proton VPN#1 of 539.3/10A feature-rich free VPN, with streaming and P2P support reserved for paid plans.
Free plan
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Runner-up
ExpressVPN#2 of 539.2/10A broad-reach VPN with streaming guidance, audited no-logs policy, and tiered plans.
From $2.99/mo (annual)
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Top-ranked free plan
Windscribe#5 of 538.8/10A flexible VPN with useful privacy controls, but its free plan has a 10 GB monthly cap.
Free plan · paid from $3/mo
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The full ranking 53 tools, best first · page 1 of 2
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Best forPeople seeking a free VPN with broad privacy features
A feature-rich free VPN, with streaming and P2P support reserved for paid plans.
9.3/10★★★★★Visit Proton VPN -
Best forStreaming and broad server reach
A broad-reach VPN with streaming guidance, audited no-logs policy, and tiered plans.
From $2.99/mo (annual) Our ExpressVPN verdict → Visit ExpressVPNFor vendors Sponsor this spot · #2 · $99/mo →9.2/10★★★★★Visit ExpressVPN -
Best forBudget-minded users with many devices or P2P needs
A feature-rich VPN with unlimited connections, P2P support and a low annual entry price.
From $3.99/mo (annual) · 7-day trial Our Private Internet Access verdict → Visit siteFor vendors Sponsor this spot · #3 · $79/mo →9.1/10★★★★★Visit site -
Best forPrivacy-focused users wanting simple flat pricing
A privacy-oriented VPN with anonymous accounts, core safeguards, and flat €5 monthly pricing.
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Mullvad VPN -
Best forPeople who want a free VPN across unlimited devices
A flexible VPN with useful privacy controls, but its free plan has a 10 GB monthly cap.
Free plan · paid from $3/mo Our Windscribe verdict → Visit WindscribeFor vendors Sponsor this spot · #5 · $59/mo →8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Windscribe -
Best forNew VPN users who need obfuscation
A beginner-friendly VPN with a limited free tier, flexible controls, and no streaming promise.
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit TunnelBear -
Best forEnterprise SSL VPN and application access
A customer-managed gateway for secure access to enterprise apps and networks.
- SSO support
- Remote access VPN
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Citrix -
OpenVPN Access ServerVerified
Best forOrganizations self-hosting managed remote-access VPN
A configurable business VPN for organizations that can manage self-hosted infrastructure.
- Site-to-site VPN
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit OpenVPN -
OpenVPN CloudConnexaVerified
Best forTeams needing zero-trust and site-to-site VPN
A business VPN for teams that need identity-aware access and private network links.
- Site-to-site VPN
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit OpenVPN -
Best forOverlay networking across devices and clouds
A flexible VPN alternative for managed device and cloud connectivity, not everyday consumer privacy.
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit ZeroTier -
Best forPrivate mesh networking with identity-based controls
A managed private mesh network with identity controls, not a conventional consumer VPN.
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Tailscale -
Best forFortinet users adding VPN to endpoint security
A broad endpoint agent with VPN, suited to organizations already using Fortinet.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Fortinet -
Best forFree VPN with streaming and torrent support
A free VPN with unlimited data, streaming and torrent support, plus paid features.
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit hide.me -
Best forTeams managing private networks with access policies
An open-source mesh VPN for teams that need identity-based network access controls.
- Site-to-site VPN
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit NetBird -
Best forSelf-hosted VPN with SSO and site-to-site links
A self-hosted VPN with a free tier and paid options for SSO, failover, and site links.
- Site-to-site VPN
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Pritunl -
Best forOpen-source VPN with censorship-resistant protocols
A flexible VPN for censorship resistance, with free access to selected sites and paid global locations.
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit Amnezia VPN -
Best forEnterprise browser and client-based remote access
A self-hosted enterprise VPN with browser and client access plus policy controls.
- SSO support
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit Ivanti -
Best forCorporate remote access with IPsec and SSL fallback
A focused corporate VPN client with IPsec, SSL fallback and configurable connection profiles.
- Remote access VPN
7.3/10★★★★☆Contact Aruba -
Best forWindows organizations using Always On VPN
A self-hosted VPN role for organizations managing Windows Server and Windows clients.
- SSO support
- Remote access VPN
- Site-to-site VPN
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit Microsoft -
Best forSelf-hosters needing many VPN protocols
A self-hosted VPN toolkit for remote access, site-to-site links and protocol flexibility.
- Site-to-site VPN
7.1/10★★★★☆Visit SoftEther -
Best forTechnical teams building IPsec VPN infrastructure
A configurable IPsec toolkit for teams that can manage their own VPN infrastructure.
- Site-to-site VPN
7.0/10★★★★☆Visit strongSwan -
Best forLow-cost WireGuard mesh and remote access
A flexible WireGuard mesh with a free self-hosted plan and connection-based pricing.
- Site-to-site VPN
6.9/10★★★☆☆Visit Netmaker -
Best forTeams seeking identity-based private app access
Identity-based access to private apps and networks, with WireGuard tunnels and resource policies.
6.8/10★★★☆☆Visit Firezone -
Best forNetwork operators configuring VPN on routers
A router operating system with broad VPN support, not a general-purpose VPN service.
- Site-to-site VPN
6.7/10★★★☆☆Visit MikroTik -
Best forSmall businesses needing firewall and VPN tunnels
Combines remote-access and site-to-site VPN with firewall and network controls.
- Remote access VPN
- Site-to-site VPN
6.6/10★★★☆☆Visit GFI Software -
Best forPrivacy-focused users seeking multi-hop VPN
A privacy-focused VPN with multi-hop routing, filtering and obfuscation, but no streaming guarantee.
6.5/10★★★☆☆Visit IVPN -
Best forIndividuals sharing access to a private VPN server
Create a private VPN server and share access keys, while managing the hosting yourself.
6.4/10★★★☆☆Visit Outline VPN -
Best forWindows users connecting to existing VPN gateways
A Windows VPN client for connecting to existing gateways, not a VPN service.
- Remote access VPN
6.3/10★★★☆☆Visit TheGreenBow -
Best forMac teams managing varied VPN connections
A Mac-focused VPN client with broad protocol support and tools for team connection management.
- SSO support
- Remote access VPN
6.2/10★★★☆☆Visit VPN Tracker -
Best forSelf-hosters combining VPN with firewall features
A self-hosted firewall with IPsec, WireGuard, and OpenVPN—not a VPN-only product.
6.1/10★★★☆☆Visit IPFire -
Best forLinux operators deploying site-to-site IPsec
A self-hosted Linux-focused choice for operators configuring IPsec tunnels.
- Site-to-site VPN
6.0/10★★★☆☆Visit LibreSwan -
Best forEnterprises needing a hardened IPsec VPN appliance
A self-hosted IPsec gateway with fallback, high availability and multi-tenant controls.
- SSO support
- Remote access VPN
- Site-to-site VPN
5.9/10★★★☆☆Visit NCP -
Best forTechnical users deploying a personal VPN server
A free deployment tool for people who want to run and manage their own VPN server.
5.8/10★★★☆☆Visit Algo VPN -
Best forSelf-hosters wanting a Tailscale-compatible control plane
A flexible control plane for self-hosters, not a complete hosted VPN service.
- Site-to-site VPN
5.7/10★★★☆☆Visit Headscale -
Best forLinux administrators operating an OpenConnect server
A configurable VPN server for teams that can manage their own deployment.
- Site-to-site VPN
5.6/10★★★☆☆Visit ocserv -
Best forLinux administrators needing an open VPN server
A self-hosted VPN server with broad authentication and routing controls, aimed at Linux administrators.
- SSO support
- Remote access VPN
- Site-to-site VPN
5.5/10★★★☆☆Visit ocserv -
Best forEnterprises using Check Point remote-access gateways
A managed remote-access VPN for organizations running Check Point gateways.
5.3/10★★★☆☆Visit Check Point -
Best forDevelopers embedding or configuring VPN tunnels
A free tunneling protocol and toolkit for teams configuring or embedding VPN connections.
5.2/10★★★☆☆Visit WireGuard -
Best forEnterprises connecting distributed sites and cloud networks
Connect distributed sites and cloud networks with application-aware routing and failover.
5.1/10★★★☆☆Visit Barracuda -
Best forAdministrators wanting a free firewall with VPN options
A self-hosted or cloud firewall with site-to-site VPN, routing, and monitoring.
5.0/10★★☆☆☆Visit Netgate -
Best forAdministrators needing an open-source VPN firewall
A flexible firewall platform with IPsec, OpenVPN and site-to-site VPN support.
4.9/10★★☆☆☆Visit OPNsense -
Best forNetwork engineers configuring VPN on virtual routers
A self-hosted router platform for teams that need VPNs alongside advanced network control.
- Site-to-site VPN
4.8/10★★☆☆☆Visit VyOS -
Best forUsers needing a configurable IPsec client
A configurable IPsec client with firewall controls for Windows, macOS and Android.
4.7/10★★☆☆☆Try NCP Secure Entry -
Best forWindows and Linux users connecting to VPN gateways
A free IPsec client with Professional features for connecting to existing gateways.
- Remote access VPN
4.6/10★★☆☆☆Visit Shrew Soft -
Best forUniFi users adding VPN to a managed gateway
A UniFi gateway adds VPN routing and remote access, not a standalone VPN subscription.
- Remote access VPN
- Site-to-site VPN
4.5/10★★☆☆☆Visit Ubiquiti -
Best forBusinesses needing VPN within a security gateway
A network security gateway with several VPN protocols, not a VPN-first service.
4.4/10★★☆☆☆Visit site -
Best forBusinesses controlling browser access to private resources
Combines private-resource access with identity, routing, extension, and data controls in a business browser.
4.3/10★★☆☆☆Visit NordLayer -
Best forOrganizations bundling VPN with hybrid firewall security
A broad hybrid security appliance with VPN capabilities, not a dedicated VPN service.
4.2/10★★☆☆☆Visit Fortinet -
Best forWindows teams managing Securepoint firewall VPN clients
A focused Windows client for centrally managing OpenVPN access to Securepoint firewalls.
- Remote access VPN
4.1/10★★☆☆☆Visit Securepoint -
Best forOrganizations needing VPN within a managed firewall
VPN connectivity comes as part of a managed firewall and SD-WAN platform.
4.0/10★★☆☆☆Visit Barracuda
No tools match those filters.
Compare at a glance
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Remote access VPN | Site-to-site VPN | Supported VPN protocols | Client platforms | Concurrent sessions | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proton VPN | Yes | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9.3 |
| 2 | ExpressVPN | No | $2.99/mo | — | — | — | — | — | 9.2 |
| 3 | Private Internet Access | No | $3.99/mo | — | — | — | — | — | 9.1 |
| 4 | Mullvad VPN | No | €5/mo | — | — | — | — | — | 8.9 |
| 5 | Windscribe | Yes | $1/unit/mo | — | — | — | — | — | 8.8 |
| 6 | TunnelBear | Yes | $3.33/mo | — | — | — | — | — | 8.6 |
| 7 | Citrix Gateway | Yes | — | Yes | — | SSL VPN, TLS, DTLS, EDT, ICAProxy, clientless VPN (cVPN) | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, HTML5/web | — | 8.5 |
| 8 | OpenVPN Access Server | Yes | $7/unit/mo | — | Yes | — | — | — | 8.4 |
| 9 | OpenVPN CloudConnexa | Yes | $7/seat/mo | — | Yes | — | — | — | 8.3 |
| 10 | ZeroTier | Yes | $18/mo | — | — | — | — | — | 8.1 |
| 11 | Tailscale | Yes | $8/user/mo | — | — | — | — | — | 8.0 |
| 12 | FortiClient | No | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7.9 |
| 13 | hide.me | Yes | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7.8 |
| 14 | NetBird | Yes | €6/user/mo | — | Yes | — | — | — | 7.7 |
| 15 | Pritunl | Yes | $10/mo | — | Yes | — | — | — | 7.6 |
| 16 | Amnezia VPN | Yes | $8/user/mo | — | — | — | — | — | 7.5 |
| 17 | Ivanti Connect Secure | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 7.4 |
| 18 | Aruba VIA | — | — | Yes | — | IPsec (IKEv1/IKEv2); SSL fallback | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | — | 7.3 |
| 19 | Windows Server Remote Access VPN | — | — | Yes | Yes | PPTP, L2TP, SSTP, IKEv2 | Windows | — | 7.2 |
| 20 | SoftEther VPN | Yes | None | — | Yes | — | — | — | 7.1 |
| 21 | strongSwan | Yes | None | — | Yes | — | — | — | 7.0 |
| 22 | Netmaker | Yes | $2/unit/mo | — | Yes | — | — | — | 6.9 |
| 23 | Firezone | Yes | $4.16/user/mo | — | — | — | — | — | 6.8 |
| 24 | MikroTik RouterOS | No | $45 one-time | — | Yes | — | — | — | 6.7 |
| 25 | KerioControl | No | — | Yes | Yes | Kerio VPN, IPsec, OpenVPN | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | — | 6.6 |
| 26 | IVPN | No | $60/yr | — | — | — | — | — | 6.5 |
| 27 | Outline VPN | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | — | 6.4 |
| 28 | TheGreenBow VPN Client | No | €74/unit one-time | Yes | — | IPsec IKEv1, IPsec IKEv2, OpenVPN | Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS | — | 6.3 |
| 29 | VPN Tracker | No | — | Yes | — | IPsec (IKEv1 and IKEv2), OpenVPN, WireGuard, L2TP, PPTP (Mac only), SonicWall SSL, SSTP, Fortinet SSL, Cisco AnyConnect SSL | macOS, iOS (iPhone and iPad) | — | 6.2 |
| 30 | IPFire | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | — | 6.1 |
| 31 | LibreSwan | Yes | None | — | Yes | — | — | — | 6.0 |
| 32 | NCP Virtual Secure Enterprise VPN Server | No | — | Yes | Yes | IPsec; IKEv1; IKEv2; NAT-T; fallback IPsec over HTTPS | Windows; macOS; Linux; iOS; Android | — | 5.9 |
| 33 | Algo VPN | — | None | — | — | — | — | — | 5.8 |
| 34 | Headscale | — | None | — | Yes | — | — | — | 5.7 |
| 35 | OpenConnect VPN Server (ocserv) | — | None | — | Yes | — | — | — | 5.6 |
| 36 | ocserv (OpenConnect VPN Server) | Yes | None | Yes | Yes | TLS, DTLS | Linux, Android, Windows, macOS | — | 5.5 |
| 37 | Check Point Endpoint Security VPN | No | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5.3 |
| 38 | WireGuard | Yes | None | — | — | — | — | — | 5.2 |
| 39 | Barracuda Secure SD-WAN | No | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5.1 |
| 40 | pfSense | Yes | — | — | — | — | — | — | 5.0 |
| 41 | OPNsense | Yes | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4.9 |
| 42 | VyOS | Yes | — | — | Yes | — | — | — | 4.8 |
| 43 | NCP Secure Entry | No | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4.7 |
| 44 | Shrew Soft VPN Client | Yes | $19.99/unit one-time | Yes | — | IPsec, ISAKMP, XAuth, Configuration Exchange | Windows, Linux, FreeBSD, NetBSD | — | 4.6 |
| 45 | Ubiquiti UniFi Gateway | No | — | Yes | Yes | OpenVPN, WireGuard, L2TP, IPsec | iOS, Android; Endpoint also supports PC | 300 sessions | 4.5 |
| 46 | Untangle NG Firewall | Yes | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4.4 |
| 47 | NordLayer Browser | No | $4/user/mo | — | — | — | — | — | 4.3 |
| 48 | FortiGate | No | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4.2 |
| 49 | Securepoint VPN Client | — | — | Yes | No | OpenVPN (SSL VPN) | Windows | — | 4.1 |
| 50 | Barracuda CloudGen Firewall | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4.0 |
Head-to-head All 23 comparisons →
- Proton VPN vs ExpressVPN
- Proton VPN vs Mullvad VPN
- Proton VPN vs Citrix Gateway
- Proton VPN vs OpenVPN Access Server
- ExpressVPN vs Private Internet Access
- ExpressVPN vs Mullvad VPN
- ExpressVPN vs Windscribe
- ExpressVPN vs TunnelBear
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How we rank virtual private network software
Every tool on this page was researched by iTechGuides Editors from its official website — pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. We rank on how well each one does this category's core job, what the free or entry plan includes, and where it falls short. Where we have enough verified facts, the score out of 10 is a rubric — job fit, value and how much we could verify — shown with its breakdown on every tool's page; a tool we have not verified enough to score yet shows its rank without a number. Scores are re-checked when a product changes its plans. Read the full editorial policy, or submit a tool we missed.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update