NetBird VS OpenVPN

Compare NetBird VS OpenVPN and see what are their differences

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NetBird

Connect your devices into a single secure private WireGuard®-based mesh network with SSO/MFA and manage access with just a few clicks.

OpenVPN

OpenVPN - The Open Source VPN

Landing page //
2023-10-20

Landing page //
2023-09-19

NetBird

Website: netbird.io
Pricing URL: Official NetBird Pricing
$ Details

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OpenVPN

Website: openvpn.net
Pricing URL: Official OpenVPN Pricing
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NetBird features and specs

Easy Setup
NetBird offers a straightforward setup process, which allows users to quickly configure and deploy a secure network without needing extensive technical knowledge.
Enhanced Security
The platform provides robust security features, such as end-to-end encryption and zero-trust architecture, to ensure safe and secure communications across devices and networks.
Cross-Platform Compatibility
NetBird is designed to work across various operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and more, providing flexibility and interoperability for users with different devices.
Scalability
NetBird allows for easy scaling to accommodate growing networks or expanding user bases, making it suitable for both small teams and larger enterprises.
Open-Source
As an open-source solution, NetBird invites contributions from the community, which can lead to continuous improvements and transparency of its code base.

Possible disadvantages of NetBird

Dependency on Internet Connection
The performance of NetBird can be hindered by poor or unstable internet connections, potentially impacting network speed and reliability.
Potential Learning Curve
While the setup is generally user-friendly, users without prior experience in networking may encounter a learning curve when navigating certain advanced features or integrations.
Limited Support Resources
As a relatively new or niche solution, NetBird might not have an extensive library of support resources, tutorials, or community forums compared to more established networking tools.
Compatibility Issues
Although NetBird is cross-platform, there could be occasional compatibility issues with specific hardware or software configurations that require troubleshooting.
Resource Intensity
Running NetBird's security protocols can consume considerable system resources, which might be a concern for users with older or less powerful devices.

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.

NetBird videos

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OpenVPN videos

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OpenVPN Overview

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to NetBird and OpenVPN)

OpenVPN

VPN

7 7%

VPN

93% 93

Cloud VPN

7 7%

Cloud VPN

93% 93

Security & Privacy

5 5%

Security & Privacy

95% 95

Localhost Tools

100 100%

Localhost Tools

0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using NetBird and OpenVPN. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

Reviews

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

If you’re familiar with Tailscale, you’ll find yourself at ease with NetBird. It acts as a VPN server that handles a WireGuard network on your behalf, significantly reducing complexity. You have the option to self-host or take advantage of their generous free tier on the cloud.

Source: kiranet.org

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...

Source: www.twingate.com

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...

Source: cloudinfrastructureservices.co.uk

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...

Source: www.comparitech.com

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, OpenVPN should be more popular than NetBird. It has been mentiond 40 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.

NetBird mentions (12)

Tailscale Is Pretty Useful
Open source alternative: https://netbird.io/. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 months ago
Tailscale Is Pretty Useful
Probably the closest to tailscale, optionally selfhosted, and using wireguard meshing would be https://netbird.io/. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 months ago
Accessing GitHub Action runners using Netbird
Recently I've been looking at VPN solutions, specifically ones built around WireGuard, that take away some of the manual steps required to manage a large scale deployment. After building proof of concept solutions with several of these offers, I settled on NetBird. - Source: dev.to / 6 months ago
The New Internet
Or https://netbird.io which is open-source. You can host the coordination server too :). - Source: Hacker News / 9 months ago
AWS Lambda Serverless Security. Mistakes, Oversights, and Potential Vulnerabilities
The best way to securely connect your functions to your other resources is with an encrypted mesh network like NetBird. NetBird lets you link your infrastructure together using a zero-config private WireGuard network that works across cloud, serverless, and on-premise infrastructure. - Source: dev.to / 12 months ago

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

What are some alternatives?

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

Headscale - An open source, self-hosted implementation of the Tailscale control server

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

TailScale - Private networks made easy Connect all your devices using WireGuard, without the hassle. Tailscale makes it as easy as installing an app and signing in.

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

ZeroTier - Extremely simple P2P Encrypted VPN

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

Hotspot Shield vs NetBird

Hotspot Shield vs OpenVPN