Best OpenVPN alternatives in 2026
6 direct alternatives to OpenVPN, compared on pricing, features, and best-for use cases. Pick the right replacement without the marketing fluff.
Curated by Louis Corneloup · Updated Cite this list: Toolradar, best OpenVPN alternatives 2026, toolradar.com/alternatives/openvpn
Why people consider alternatives to OpenVPN
OpenVPN creates secure tunnels between networks. An open-source VPN that's been trusted for years - private networking that's proven reliable. The security is established. The flexibility is high.
Teams most often switch away when one of these starts to bite:
- Pricing at scale as usage or premium tiers add up.
- Missing integrations with the rest of your stack.
- Performance or scale limits as your needs grow.
- A specific feature gap you have hit in security.
The 6 alternatives below cover the same core job (security) with different trade-offs.
6 alternatives to OpenVPN
Ranked by G2 and Capterra ratings, media mentions, and editor review, plus how directly they replace OpenVPN.
- 1
Proton VPN
Free plan Higher rated by usersSwiss privacy protection with unlimited bandwidth
4.6 /5 across G2 and SourceForge · 41,014 ratings, May 2026
- 2
NordVPN
Paid Battle-tested at scaleOnline VPN service for privacy
4.0 /5 across G2, Capterra, SourceForge and more · 18,319 ratings, Sep 2026
- 3
ExpressVPN
Paid Higher rated by usersSecure your connection, access global content, and enjoy fast speeds
4.6 /5 across G2 and Capterra · 291 ratings, Sep 2026
- 4
Mullvad VPN
PaidAnonymous VPN with no personal info required
3.7 /5 across G2, SourceForge and Trustpilot · 154 ratings, Aug 2026
- 5
WireGuard
100% freeFast, simple, and secure VPN protocol
4.4 /5 across G2 and Trustpilot · 17 ratings, Aug 2026
- 6
Tailscale
Free plan Higher rated by usersSecurely connect your devices like they're on the same network, anywhere
4.8 /5 across G2 and Capterra · 38 ratings, Sep 2026
Frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to OpenVPN?
Based on real-signal scoring (G2 and Capterra ratings, media mentions, and editorial review), the top alternatives to OpenVPN are Proton VPN, NordVPN, ExpressVPN. Each solves the same core job with different trade-offs on pricing, features, and integrations.
Is there a free alternative to OpenVPN?
Yes. WireGuard is 100% free (no paid upgrade path) (Fast, simple, and secure VPN protocol). Freemium tools on this list offer a free tier with paid upgrades; they are not the same as fully free.
Why do people look for OpenVPN alternatives?
Common reasons teams switch away from OpenVPN: pricing that scales aggressively, missing integrations with the rest of their stack, performance or scale limits, or a specific feature gap in security. The alternatives on this page solve the same core problem with different trade-offs.
Side-by-side comparisons
In-depth comparison pages for OpenVPN versus each alternative.
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