VPN Gate

At a glance

• Editor score
  6.2 / 10
• Pricing
  Free plan
• Best for
  Free users wanting broad relay choice
• Free plan
  Yes
• Paid from
  Free
• Founded
  2013 · Tsukuba, Japan
• Facts checked
  22 Sep 2026

• Where it wins

  • Free access without user registration
  • Broad volunteer relay directory with location and connection details
  • Supports SoftEther, L2TP/IPsec, OpenVPN, and Microsoft SSTP

• Where it doesn't

  • Relay availability varies between volunteer-operated servers
  • Logging policies differ by relay
  • A research project rather than a commercial VPN provider

Our verdict on VPN Gate

VPN Gate is a free academic VPN relay service operated as a research project by the University of Tsukuba in Japan. It is intended for people who want to connect to public VPN relays without creating an account, with server selection based on location and connection information. The directory covers volunteer-operated servers worldwide, and official connection guidance is provided for Windows, macOS, iPhone, iPad, and Android users.

Its main strength is choice across protocols and relay locations. VPN Gate supports SoftEther SSL-VPN, L2TP/IPsec, OpenVPN, and Microsoft SSTP, while the Windows client plug-in provides a dedicated connection path for that platform. Users can review available relays and their displayed connection characteristics before choosing one. This makes VPN Gate a practical fit for free users who value broad relay selection and do not want registration. The published service model is free rather than tiered, so there are no paid plans adding separate features.

The trade-off is the independent nature of the network. Volunteer operators control individual relays, which means availability, IP addresses, and logging policies vary from server to server. The service displays logging policies per relay, but users need to review those differences when selecting a connection. VPN Gate is therefore better suited to users prioritizing free access, protocol variety, and location choice than to users seeking a consistent commercial provider experience. Those who need uniform policies across every server or a centrally managed VPN service should consider an alternative.

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VPN Gate pricing

VPN Gate fact sheet

Alternatives to VPN Gate

• Proton VPNA strong free VPN with unlimited data, audited no-logs coverage, and open-source apps.9.3
• hide.meA capable free VPN for privacy-focused streaming and torrenting.9.1
• WindscribeA flexible VPN with a capable free tier and unusually configurable paid plans.9.0

See all VPN Gate alternatives →

Featured on iTechGuides

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update