Pritunl vs WireGuard: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Pritunl and WireGuard comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Pritunl
Enterprise VPN server
Best for you if:
- • You need identity & access features specifically
- • Pritunl is an open-source VPN server with enterprise features
- • It provides distributed VPN clusters with multi-cloud support
WireGuard
Fast and modern VPN protocol
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (9.0/10 vs 7.8/10)
- • You need something completely free
- • You need encryption features specifically
- • WireGuard is a fast, modern VPN protocol for secure networking
- • It provides simpler, more performant tunnels than IPsec or OpenVPN
| At a Glance |  Pritunl |  WireGuard |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free |
Best For | Identity & Access | Encryption |
Rating | 78/100 | 90/100 |
| Feature | Pritunl | WireGuard |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| Editorial Score | 78 | 90 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Identity & AccessEncryption | EncryptionVPN |
How Pritunl and WireGuard Compare
Pritunl
Enterprise VPN server
Free tier available · 78/100 score
WireGuard
Fast and modern VPN protocol
Free · 90/100 score
Pritunl is a identity & access tool. WireGuard is in encryption.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
WireGuard is free. Pritunl is freemium.
Go with: WireGuard
Want the highest-rated option?
Pritunl: 78/100. WireGuard: 90/100.
Go with: WireGuard
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: WireGuard
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Pritunl is freemium. WireGuard is free. Go with WireGuard if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Pritunl is a identity & access tool. WireGuard is in encryption. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
WireGuard scores higher: 90/100 vs 78/100.
Key Takeaways
WireGuard
- Higher score: 90/100 vs 78
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Pritunl
- Better fit for identity & access
The Bottom Line
WireGuard (90/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pritunl or WireGuard better?
WireGuard scores 90/100 in our evaluation. Pritunl is freemium and WireGuard is free.
What are Pritunl and WireGuard used for?
Pritunl: Enterprise VPN server. WireGuard: Fast and modern VPN protocol.
What does Pritunl cost vs WireGuard?
Pritunl is freemium (free tier + paid plans). WireGuard is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.