2 open source alternatives to NordVPN
Consumer VPN subscription with a large server network. Here are the open source projects real teams use instead — ranked by fit, with honest pros and cons for each.
What people don't love about NordVPN
- You still have to trust the provider with your traffic.
- Apps on some platforms lag behind others on features.
- Aggressive auto-renew pricing catches people out.
Current NordVPN pricing (for reference): From $3.99/month on 2-year plans; renewal rates are higher.
Quick comparison
| Alternative | Best for | License | Self-host | Hosted cloud? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
WireGuard Modern VPN tunnel protocol with a tiny code base. |
Running your own fast VPN tunnel on a $5 VPS with minimal moving parts. | GPL-2.0 | ★★☆☆☆ | Self-host only |
|
OpenVPN Community The veteran open source VPN with TLS and broad client support. |
Situations where you need TCP/443 obfuscation to punch through restrictive firewalls. | GPL-2.0 | ★★★☆☆ | Self-host only |
1. WireGuard — Running your own fast VPN tunnel on a $5 VPS with minimal moving parts.
Modern VPN tunnel protocol with a tiny code base.
Strengths
- Fast, auditable (4k LoC) and shipped in Linux kernel.
- Trivial config once you understand keys and peers.
- Runs on anything from a VPS to a Raspberry Pi.
Weaknesses
- No built-in user management — you manage keys yourself.
- No obfuscation — firewalls can detect and block it.
- You're accountable for the exit IP's reputation.
WireGuard homepage · Source on GitHub · NordVPN vs WireGuard →
2. OpenVPN Community — Situations where you need TCP/443 obfuscation to punch through restrictive firewalls.
The veteran open source VPN with TLS and broad client support.
Strengths
- Runs through firewalls via TCP/443 when needed.
- Mature ecosystem of GUIs and Access Server add-ons.
- Flexible auth — certs, user/pass, MFA plugins.
Weaknesses
- Slower than WireGuard on comparable hardware.
- Config is more verbose; cert management is non-trivial.
- Commercial Access Server is a different licence.
OpenVPN Community homepage · Source on GitHub · NordVPN vs OpenVPN Community →
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