Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

ControlD VS OpenVPN

Compare ControlD VS OpenVPN and see what are their differences

ControlD logo ControlD

Bypass geo-restrictions, block tracking, and be more productive.

OpenVPN logo OpenVPN

OpenVPN - The Open Source VPN
  • ControlD Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-05-06
  • OpenVPN Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-19

ControlD features and specs

  • Privacy Protection
    ControlD provides privacy-focused DNS services, protecting users from tracking and surveillance.
  • Customizable Filtering
    Users can customize filtering rules, blocking ads, trackers, and malicious sites according to their preferences.
  • Performance Improvement
    Using ControlD can potentially speed up browsing by blocking ads and trackers, reducing unnecessary data loads.
  • Ease of Use
    The service is user-friendly, allowing even less tech-savvy individuals to easily set up and configure DNS settings.
  • Multiple Profiles
    Supports multiple profiles, enabling users to switch between different filtering and privacy settings based on their needs.

Possible disadvantages of ControlD

  • Subscription Cost
    While ControlD offers free options, advanced features and customization require a paid subscription.
  • Dependency on External Service
    Relying on an external DNS service can be a risk if there are service outages or changes in policies.
  • Potential Overblocking
    Aggressive filtering might inadvertently block legitimate content, requiring users to whitelist specific sites.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite its user-friendliness, some users may still face a learning curve when setting up custom filters and understanding DNS settings.
  • Performance Variability
    The speed and reliability of the service can vary depending on the user's location and network conditions.

OpenVPN features and specs

  • Security
    OpenVPN uses robust encryption standards like AES-256, providing a high level of security for data transmission.
  • Open Source
    Being open-source, OpenVPN allows users to verify its code for vulnerabilities, ensuring transparency and reliability.
  • Flexibility
    OpenVPN can run on various platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android, offering extensive compatibility.
  • Customizability
    Users can configure OpenVPN according to their specific needs, allowing advanced network setups and policies.
  • Performance
    OpenVPN offers strong performance with efficient handling of large data transmissions and support for high and stable speeds.
  • Community Support
    A large and active community provides ample resources, including tutorials, forums, and user support.
  • Cost
    As a free and open-source solution, OpenVPN significantly reduces the cost compared to many commercial VPN offerings.

Possible disadvantages of OpenVPN

  • Complex Setup
    Setting up OpenVPN can be complex and may require technical expertise, particularly for advanced configurations.
  • Resource Intensive
    OpenVPN can be resource-intensive compared to some other VPN protocols, potentially impacting the performance of older or lower-spec hardware.
  • Client Software
    The official OpenVPN client software has a less user-friendly interface compared to some commercial VPNs, possibly deterring less tech-savvy users.
  • Mobile Experience
    Although OpenVPN supports mobile devices, the user experience on mobile can be less streamlined compared to desktop environments.
  • Initial Learning Curve
    New users may find the initial learning curve steep due to the multitude of configuration options and the need for understanding networking concepts.
  • Support
    While community support is strong, there may not be as much immediate or personalized support as found with some commercial VPN services.

ControlD videos

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OpenVPN videos

OpenVPN Overview

More videos:

  • Tutorial - How to setup OpenVPN on Windows | macOS | Android | iOS - Smart DNS Proxy

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to ControlD and OpenVPN)
Security & Privacy
16 16%
84% 84
VPN
0 0%
100% 100
DNS
100 100%
0% 0
Privacy
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare ControlD and OpenVPN

ControlD Reviews

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OpenVPN Reviews

The top 10 alternatives to OpenVPN
OpenVPN is an open-source software application that provides virtual private network (VPN) services. It allows the creation of secure network connections over the internet, using a custom security protocol that utilizes SSL/TLS for key exchange. OpenVPN is capable of traversing network address translators (NATs) and firewalls, providing users with the ability to securely...
Best Top 20 OpenVPN Alternatives (Pros and Cons)
OpenVPN is a virtual private network system used to create trusted end-to-end connection configuration and remote access services. As with any other VPN service, OpenVPN also has its own drawbacks. For instance, its inability to bypass particular proxy servers and complexities in user journeys lead to less user-friendliness. Therefore, we will be discussing a few...
6 Types of VPN Protocols, Compared: Which is the Best to Use?
In most cases, OpenVPN or WireGuard will be your best bet. PPTP is a protocol we don’t recommend using because of its relatively low-level encryption. However, you could try this protocol when privacy and security are not your highest priorities, such as for unblocking streams. If OpenVPN is not supported or does not work well for whatever reason, you could consider using...
Source: vpnoverview.com
OpenVPN vs WireGuard: Which protocol is best?
OpenVPN was first released in May 2001. Although the PPTP protocol had been around for five years already at this point, OpenVPN became popular because it offered stronger encryption without too much of a drop in speed. Over the years, vulnerabilities were patched and new clients were developed that brought OpenVPN support to a greater range of devices. This previously...
9 Best NordVPN Alternatives You Must Use In 2022
The next alternative to NordVPN on our list is OpenVPN. OpenVPN allows you to establish a point-to-point secure connection between your device and the Internet. It is a flexible VPN solution that can cater to business needs as well.
Source: wethegeek.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, ControlD should be more popular than OpenVPN. It has been mentiond 94 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

ControlD mentions (94)

  • Best device for a kid to learn how to code?
    Thinkpad 431s if you are on a low budget. It's the best performing cheap option, IMO. Obviously block access to internet nonsense. I just started using ControlD.com and it works like a charm. Or, if you have the time, make the PiHole and your Home Lab & Network Lab a project that you two build together. Make the command line kid friendly, like using bat instead of cat and LSD instead of ls and so on. Colors are... - Source: Hacker News / 9 months ago
  • Ask HN: Which tools are the best for internet safety for kids?
    I've tried hosted Pi-Hole and AdGuard Home. They are good as long as I'm around to fix stuffs. Then I tested something which can be global (home) and also for individual devices -- Control-D, NextDNS, and Adguard DNS. All of them works pretty well. If I really have to choose, then it would be in the order of NextDNS > Control-D > AdGuard DNS. Affiliated with none, and have decided to subscribe to all three to... - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Runs on your OpenWrt box: AdGuard Home is network-wide blocking ads and tracking
    I used Pi-Hole, then went to NextDNS, then to AdGuard DNS, tinkered with AdGuard Home, and currently testing Control-D. They are all actually pretty good, similar features, and it has become just a matter of personal choice. In all fairness, when I have some time and can invest in decent hardwares, I might go back to AdGuard Home with one of the paid services as backup for travel, and when for the other family... - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Runs on your OpenWrt box: AdGuard Home is network-wide blocking ads and tracking
    I've used ControlD [https://controld.com/] for this and liked it. Does anyone know how NextDNS compares to it? ControlD has worked well for me, outside a few UI complaints I have with their site. I do have some concerns with trust as I don't know much about ControlD, and I'd rather use the most trusted service for this. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Firefox and ads on iOS
    Firefox is my daily in macOS, iOS and Windows. It is great and I love the syncing. The #1 companion on the desktop is uBlock Origin but on iOS I really miss an adblocker. As a workaround I block adds via DNS with Control D (https://controld.com/) but I prefer an extension on the phone. The Firefox Focus app on iOS does not sync with my Firefox account so that's not an option either. Sure, I could use a different... Source: over 1 year ago
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OpenVPN mentions (40)

  • Ask HN: Who is hiring? (October 2023)
    OpenVPN is hiring! https://openvpn.net/ C++ Developer in the United States. Full-time| Fully remote| Flexible work schedules Link to look at vacancy details and apply:. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Are there any work arounds for the Netflix new "household" system?
    How you connect to your modem will depend on the device you are using, but for windows laptops as an example you download the OpenVPN program and input your modem details there, much like you would any other vpn service. I think there would be some guides on youtube. https://openvpn.net/. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Can i use PFSense to control incoming user connections (without a vpn?)
    I just started playing with CloudConnexa for remotely managing my second pFSense. Really nice and is free for up to 3 concurrent users. https://openvpn.net. Can also self-host OpenVPN access server with a free 2 concurrent license. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Is the 7spotlight Markle family interview airing now? Is anyone watching and can provide comment? 👀📺
    If anyone is being blocked check out free OpenVPN. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Is it possible for a sysadmin to block only some packets from a VPN connection ?
    I too haven't used the client-nat directive in some years (I currently implement 1:1 NAT with pfsense to access my network because I'm too lazy to change the networks subnet from the default) so I decided to retest and it does appear that OpenVPN Connect clients do not properly support the client-nat directive but the traditional OpenVPN server/clients still do. I've just tested this on OpenVPN 2.6.3 Server,... Source: about 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing ControlD and OpenVPN, you can also consider the following products

NextDNS - Block ads, trackers and malicious websites on all your devices.

ProtonVPN - ProtonVPN is a security focused FREE VPN service, developed by CERN and MIT scientists. Use the web anonymously, unblock websites & encrypt your connection.

Tunnello VPN - Fast VPN that unblocks internet and protects your privacy

Hotspot Shield - Hotspot Shield is a software application developed by AnchorFree, Inc.

RethinkDNS - 2B+ Android users deserve access to a safer and open Internet.

Psiphon - Psiphon is circumvention software for Windows and Mobile platforms that provides uncensored access to Internet content. Read more about Psiphon.