SoftEther VPN review
A flexible open-source VPN for remote access, site-to-site links, and mixed protocol environments.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
SoftEther VPN is free, open-source software for building remote-access and site-to-site networks. It is designed for enterprises, small businesses, system administrators, and individual users that need control over their VPN infrastructure. The software includes VPN Server, VPN Client, and VPN Bridge components, with support for Windows, Linux, macOS, FreeBSD, Solaris, iOS, Android, and self-hosted deployments. Mobile devices can connect through compatible built-in VPN clients.
There are no commercial pricing tiers: the project describes SoftEther VPN as free and open source. Its main value comes from protocol and network-design flexibility. Deployments can use SSL-VPN over HTTPS with NAT traversal, OpenVPN, L2TP/IPsec, MS-SSTP, L2TPv3, or EtherIP. Virtual Hubs and virtual network adapters support virtual Ethernet switching, while Layer 2 bridging and Layer 3 IP routing cover different network architectures. Cascading connections and bridging provide a path for site-to-site designs, and IPv4 and IPv6 dual-stack networking supports both address families.
SoftEther VPN also fits environments that already rely on established identity, logging, and network equipment. Authentication options include RADIUS, NT Domain, Active Directory, and certificates, while packet, security, and administration logs can transfer through syslog. GUI and command-line administration give administrators two management approaches, and listed ecosystem connections include Cisco VPN routers and the supported VPN protocols. Choose SoftEther VPN when open-source licensing, self-hosted control, and protocol flexibility matter most. It is less suitable for buyers seeking a packaged service with commercial tiers or a narrowly managed enterprise experience.
SoftEther VPN pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Supports remote-access and site-to-site VPN deployments
- Combines Layer 2 bridging with Layer 3 IP routing
- Offers multiple protocols and enterprise authentication options
- Where it doesn't
- Requires self-hosted administration and VPN infrastructure
- Mobile access relies on compatible built-in VPN clients
- Enterprise control depth is less pronounced than its networking breadth
SoftEther VPN fact sheet, pricing and score →
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