Azure VPN Gateway vs NetBird

Azure VPN Gateway9.1Visit NetBird8.8Visit

Higher score Azure VPN Gateway #3 in Business VPN Software 9.1/10 Paid ✓ 4 of 4 features Visit site

vs

NetBird #5 in Business VPN Software 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit NetBird

• Azure VPN Gateway fits best

  Azure-centered organizations needing site-to-site VPN

• NetBird fits best

  Open-source teams seeking affordable hybrid VPN

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Side by side

Feature	Azure VPN Gateway 9.1/10 Visit ↗	NetBird 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.1	8.8
Ranking	#3 in Business VPN Software	#5 in Business VPN Software
Best for	Azure-centered organizations needing site-to-site VPN	Open-source teams seeking affordable hybrid VPN
Pricing model	Paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	—	€6/user/mo
Free plan	—	✓ (best)
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud	Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support	Docs, Community	Email, Tickets, Community, Docs
Integrations	6 integrations	20 integrations
Built for	Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Azure VPN Gateway 4/4 · NetBird 4/4
SSO / SCIM	✓	✓
Device posture	✓	✓
Site-to-site networking	✓	✓
Audit logs	✓	✓
Specs
Admin control level	Advanced	Advanced
Access model	Vpn	Hybrid
Supported platforms	Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, web portal, Azure CLI, REST API	Linux, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Android TV, tvOS, Docker, routers
Our review
Pros	Supports site-to-site, point-to-site, and VNet-to-VNet VPNs Entra authentication, Conditional Access, and device compliance controls BGP, resiliency, RBAC, monitoring, logs, and Azure integrations	Free plan includes encrypted P2P networking, access controls, and private DNS Supports WireGuard, site-to-site connectivity, segmentation, and posture checks Self-hosting, API automation, and broad identity and device integrations
Cons	No perpetual free plan Usage-based pricing can include extra tunnel or connection charges Bandwidth and tunnel limits vary across gateway SKUs	Advanced device and traffic controls begin with the €12 Business plan Enterprise pricing and terms are custom rather than published Free-plan support is limited to community support
Our verdict	Azure VPN Gateway is a cloud-managed networking service for encrypted connectivity between Azure virtual networks, on-premises networks, and individual remote devices. It is designed for hybrid connectivity, branch networking, remote… Read the review →	NetBird is an open-source Zero Trust networking platform for organizations and home users that need encrypted connections between users, devices, servers, cloud workloads, and private networks. It combines peer-to-peer WireGuard networking… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Azure VPN Gateway — where it wins

  • Supports site-to-site, point-to-site, and VNet-to-VNet VPNs
  • Entra authentication, Conditional Access, and device compliance controls
  • BGP, resiliency, RBAC, monitoring, logs, and Azure integrations

  Where it doesn't

  • No perpetual free plan
  • Usage-based pricing can include extra tunnel or connection charges
  • Bandwidth and tunnel limits vary across gateway SKUs

• NetBird — where it wins

  • Free plan includes encrypted P2P networking, access controls, and private DNS
  • Supports WireGuard, site-to-site connectivity, segmentation, and posture checks
  • Self-hosting, API automation, and broad identity and device integrations

  Where it doesn't

  • Advanced device and traffic controls begin with the €12 Business plan
  • Enterprise pricing and terms are custom rather than published
  • Free-plan support is limited to community support

• Azure VPN Gateway9.1/10 · Paid

  A strong Azure-centered VPN gateway for hybrid networks, with usage-based pricing and tiered limits.

  Visit siteFull verdict →
• NetBird8.8/10 · Free plan

  A flexible hybrid VPN with a free tier, self-hosting, and identity-based controls.

  Visit NetBirdFull verdict →