Best NetBird Alternatives in 2026
The top NetBird alternatives are OpenVPN CloudConnexa, OpenVPN Access Server and Azure VPN Gateway: 15 business VPN software our editors would look at instead of NetBird, in our ranking order.
NetBird: A flexible hybrid VPN with a free tier, self-hosting, and identity-based controls. Where it falls short: advanced device and traffic controls begin with the €12 business plan.
Switching from NetBird? For most business vpn software buyers the best NetBird alternative is OpenVPN CloudConnexa, built for businesses wanting managed VPN and zero trust. On a budget, Proton VPN for Business starts at $6.99/user/mo.
Why People Look for a NetBird Alternative
- 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
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallOpenVPN CloudConnexa9.3
Businesses wanting managed VPN and zero trust
Visit OpenVPN CloudConnexa - Lowest priceProton VPN for Business8.5
Paid plans from $6.99/user/mo
Visit Proton VPN for Business - Best free optionOpenVPN CloudConnexa9.3
Has a free plan
Visit OpenVPN CloudConnexa
All 15 NetBird Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
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OpenVPN CloudConnexaVerified
Best forBusinesses wanting managed VPN and zero trust
- Better than NetBird:
- Editor score 9.3 vs 8.8
A managed business VPN with zero-trust controls, posture checks, and cloud networking.
- Device posture
- SSO / SCIM
- Site-to-site networking
9.3/10★★★★★Visit OpenVPN -
OpenVPN Access ServerVerified
Best forOrganizations needing full-featured self-hosted VPN
- Better than NetBird:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 8.8
A flexible self-hosted VPN for organizations needing deep access and authentication controls.
- SSO / SCIM
- Site-to-site networking
- Audit logs
9.2/10★★★★★Visit OpenVPN -
Best forAzure-centered organizations needing site-to-site VPN
- Better than NetBird:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 8.8
A strong Azure-centered VPN gateway for hybrid networks, with usage-based pricing and tiered limits.
- Device posture
- SSO / SCIM
- Site-to-site networking
9.1/10★★★★★Visit site -
Best forEnterprises needing hybrid VPN and application access
- Better than NetBird:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 8.8
Enterprise access control combining VPN connectivity with identity-aware application access.
- Device posture
- SSO / SCIM
- Site-to-site networking
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit F5 -
Best forAWS users needing managed remote-access VPN
A flexible, AWS-centered VPN for managed remote access and detailed access control.
- Device posture
- SSO / SCIM
- Audit logs
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit AWS Client VPN -
Best forCloud-first teams securing private applications
A cloud-delivered VPN alternative with identity, device, and application-aware controls.
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Cloudflare -
Best forBusinesses wanting managed VPN with privacy features
A managed business VPN with strong administration, identity, and device-management coverage.
- Device posture
- SSO / SCIM
- Audit logs
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Proton VPN -
Best forTeams needing broad VPN security controls
A broad business VPN platform combining private access, identity controls, and device checks.
- Device posture
- SSO / SCIM
- Site-to-site networking
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit GoodAccess -
Best forModern teams needing flexible overlay networking
Flexible encrypted networking with strong identity, cloud, and infrastructure-as-code support.
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Tailscale -
Best forAlibaba Cloud users needing low-cost VPN gateways
A low-cost VPN gateway for Alibaba Cloud hybrid networking and remote access.
- SSO / SCIM
- Site-to-site networking
- Audit logs
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Alibaba Cloud -
Best forEnterprises consolidating cloud security controls
A broad enterprise ZTNA platform for consolidating access, posture, and security controls.
8.1/10★★★★☆Contact Versa -
Best forEnterprises needing complete SASE networking
A broad cloud SASE platform for enterprises that need networking and security together.
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Cato Networks -
Best forSecurity-focused enterprises needing recorded sessions
A hybrid private-access platform with posture checks, threat controls, and recorded sessions.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Netskope -
Best forCitrix environments needing application-level access
A Citrix-focused ZTNA service for controlling access to private and cloud applications.
- Device posture
- SSO / SCIM
- Audit logs
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Citrix -
Best forEnterprises needing advanced zero-trust private access
A focused VPN alternative for enterprises that need application-level access controls.
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Zscaler
NetBird Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to NetBird?
OpenVPN CloudConnexa: #1 in our Business VPN Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.3 out of 10. A managed business VPN with zero-trust controls, posture checks, and cloud networking.
Is there a free alternative to NetBird?
Yes. OpenVPN CloudConnexa, OpenVPN Access Server, Cloudflare Access, GoodAccess and Tailscale have a free plan or a free tier.
What is the cheapest paid alternative to NetBird?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, Proton VPN for Business starts lowest, at $6.99/user/mo.
Why do people look for NetBird alternatives?
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.
How do I switch from NetBird?
Export your data from NetBird (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel NetBird.
How to Switch from NetBird
- Export your data from NetBird (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel NetBird.
NetBird vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | SSO / SCIM | Device posture | Site-to-site networking | Admin control level | Access model | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | NetBird | Yes | €6/user/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Advanced | Hybrid | 8.8 |
| 1 | OpenVPN CloudConnexa | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Advanced | Hybrid | 9.3 | |
| 2 | OpenVPN Access Server | Yes | $7/unit/mo | Yes | Yes | Enterprise | Hybrid | 9.2 | |
| 3 | Azure VPN Gateway | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Advanced | Vpn | 9.1 | |
| 4 | F5 BIG-IP APM | Yes | Yes | Yes | Advanced | Hybrid | 8.9 | ||
| 5 | AWS Client VPN | No | $0.10/unit usage-based | Yes | Yes | No | Advanced | Vpn | 8.7 |
| 6 | Cloudflare Access | Yes | 8.6 | ||||||
| 7 | Proton VPN for Business | No | $6.99/user/mo | Yes | Yes | Advanced | Hybrid | 8.5 | |
| 8 | GoodAccess | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Advanced | Hybrid | 8.4 | |
| 9 | Tailscale | Yes | $8/user/mo | 8.3 | |||||
| 10 | Alibaba Cloud VPN Gateway | No | $0.05 usage-based | Yes | Yes | Advanced | Hybrid | 8.2 | |
| 11 | Versa Zero Trust Network Access | 8.1 | |||||||
| 12 | Cato SASE Platform | 8.0 | |||||||
| 13 | Netskope One Private Access | No | 7.9 | ||||||
| 14 | Citrix Secure Private Access | Yes | Yes | Advanced | Ztna | 7.8 | |||
| 15 | Zscaler Private Access | 7.7 |
Head-to-Head
- NetBird vs OpenVPN CloudConnexa
- NetBird vs OpenVPN Access Server
- NetBird vs Azure VPN Gateway
- NetBird vs F5 BIG-IP APM
- NetBird vs AWS Client VPN
- NetBird vs Cloudflare Access
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update