Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

OpenVPN VS Outline by Alphabet

Compare OpenVPN VS Outline by Alphabet and see what are their differences

OpenVPN logo OpenVPN

OpenVPN - The Open Source VPN

Outline by Alphabet logo Outline by Alphabet

Control and build your own VPN 🛠️
  • OpenVPN Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-19
  • Outline by Alphabet Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-16

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.

Outline by Alphabet features and specs

  • Open Source
    Outline is free and open-source, allowing users to access, modify, and distribute the source code. This promotes transparency and community-driven improvements.
  • Collaborative Features
    The platform supports real-time collaboration, making it easy for teams to work together on documentation.
  • Clean and Intuitive UI
    Outline offers a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate, reducing the learning curve for new users.
  • Markdown Support
    Outline supports Markdown, allowing users to format documents easily and consistently.
  • Integration Capabilities
    The platform can integrate with various other software and tools, such as Slack, promoting a seamless workflow.

Possible disadvantages of Outline by Alphabet

  • Limited Features Compared to Competitors
    While Outline is powerful, it may lack some advanced features available in other premium documentation tools.
  • Self-Hosting Requirements
    Users need to self-host the software, which can be a drawback for those who prefer a fully managed, cloud-based solution.
  • Scalability Issues
    There may be concerns about scalability for very large organizations or extensive documentation needs.
  • Reliance on Community Support
    As an open-source tool, users may encounter limitations in terms of customer support, relying instead on community forums and documentation.
  • Security Concerns
    Self-hosted solutions can pose security risks if not managed properly, requiring users to handle their own security updates and maintenance.

OpenVPN videos

OpenVPN Overview

More videos:

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

Outline by Alphabet videos

No Outline by Alphabet videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Add video

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to OpenVPN and Outline by Alphabet)
VPN
78 78%
22% 22
Security & Privacy
80 80%
20% 20
Cloud VPN
87 87%
13% 13
Security
58 58%
42% 42

User comments

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Reviews

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

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

Outline by Alphabet Reviews

The 10 Best Open Source VPN Apps
If you couldn’t make up your mind about the other VPNs on our list, then we have another impressive option in Outline Manager. Powered by Shadowsocks, this open-source software works for the safety of journalists so that they can freely browse the Internet and publish their work without the fear of exposing their true identity. Although the target demographic of this...

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Outline by Alphabet should be more popular than OpenVPN. It has been mentiond 64 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.

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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Outline by Alphabet mentions (64)

  • Russia has started indiscriminately blocking all OpenVPN/WireGuard connections
    Outline (https://getoutline.org) is even easier to deploy than Streisand and uses Shadowsocks. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Set Up a Self Hosted Outline VPN with Amazon LightSail in 5 steps.
    Outline, a free and open-source VPN service developed by Google, is renowned for its user-friendly design. It can be conveniently established on diverse platforms, and this blog will specifically guide you through the process of setting up a self-hosted Outline VPN using Amazon LightSail. - Source: dev.to / almost 2 years ago
  • How can I bypass extreme website restrictions in my university wifi?
    Another good way is to set up your own VPN server on Digitalocean or something. Use a VPN protocol that is good at escaping detection. I recommend Outline VPN (getoutline.org). It's an open-source project that uses the Shadowsocks protocol and aims to provide censorship-free Internet to journalists in certain countries. It's not a VPN service so you need to set it up on your own server. Source: over 1 year ago
  • Is there any way to circumvent the shitty VPN ban that we have in place other than, well, a VPN ?
    Use a self-hosted Outline on GCP or any other cloud platform, it works really well in my experience for circumventing these blocks. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Shadowsocks vs. Astrill?
    Shadowsocks is a protocol. Technically not a VPN, but looks like one. Shadowsocks is a string of code that needs a server. You can get a VPS (aka server for $2/m) and install Shadowsocks. Alternately install outline, it's largely based on Shadowsocks. Works also with the Shadowsocks client, or others, like V2rayNG. Source: almost 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing OpenVPN and Outline by Alphabet, you can also consider the following products

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

Mozilla VPN - A VPN from the trusted pioneer in internet privacy.

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

sshuttle - sshuttle: where transparent proxy meets VPN meets ssh

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

Advanced Onion Router - Team Elite - Our work - Advanced Onion Router