Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Shadowsocks VS OpenVPN

Compare Shadowsocks VS OpenVPN and see what are their differences

Shadowsocks logo Shadowsocks

A fast tunnel proxy that helps you bypass firewalls

OpenVPN logo OpenVPN

OpenVPN - The Open Source VPN
  • Shadowsocks Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-24
  • OpenVPN Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-19

Shadowsocks features and specs

  • Enhanced Privacy
    Shadowsocks encrypts internet traffic, making it difficult for ISPs and other entities to monitor online activities.
  • Bypassing Censorship
    Shadowsocks is effective at bypassing internet censorship, allowing users to access restricted content.
  • Open Source
    Being an open-source project, Shadowsocks is transparent and can be audited by anyone for security vulnerabilities or backdoors.
  • Lightweight and Fast
    The protocol is designed to be lightweight, ensuring faster connection speeds and minimal overhead.
  • Customizable
    Shadowsocks supports various encryption methods, allowing users to choose the level of security they need.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    Shadowsocks is available on multiple operating systems including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.

Possible disadvantages of Shadowsocks

  • Complex Setup
    Setting up Shadowsocks requires some technical knowledge, which may not be user-friendly for non-technical users.
  • Legal Issues
    In some countries, using Shadowsocks may be considered illegal due to strict internet censorship laws.
  • Not a Comprehensive VPN
    Unlike traditional VPNs, Shadowsocks is primarily a proxy and may not offer additional features such as IP masking or DNS leak protection.
  • Server Dependence
    The effectiveness of Shadowsocks depends on the reliability of the server being used, which may vary.
  • Potential Blockage
    Advanced firewalls and censorship tools can potentially detect and block Shadowsocks traffic.
  • Encryption Weaker Than Some VPNs
    While Shadowsocks offers encryption, it may not be as robust as some of the more secure VPN protocols like OpenVPN or WireGuard.

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.

Shadowsocks videos

shadowsocks-libev 开机自启动、多用户配置和BBR加速

More videos:

  • Review - 最新官方原版Shadowsocks服务器搭建和客户端在Windows、Android以及MacOS上的使用

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 Shadowsocks and OpenVPN)
VPN
14 14%
86% 86
Cloud VPN
14 14%
86% 86
Security & Privacy
9 9%
91% 91
Security
37 37%
63% 63

User comments

Share your experience with using Shadowsocks and OpenVPN. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Reviews

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

Shadowsocks Reviews

We have no reviews of Shadowsocks yet.
Be the first one to post

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, OpenVPN should be more popular than Shadowsocks. 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.

Shadowsocks mentions (10)

  • Proton announces release of a new VPN protocol, "Stealth"
    Is there a good comparison of "undetectable" VPN protocols? Wireguard[0], Shadowsocks[1], VLess[2], VMess[3], Trojan[4], etc. All of them seemed to work for me during my recent trip to China. [0] The article says Wireguard is easy to block, but in my experience GFW lets it through. [1] https://shadowsocks.org [2] https://xtls.github.io/en/development/protocols/vless.html [3]... - Source: Hacker News / 9 months ago
  • Wireguard blocked
    Maybe with https://shadowsocks.org/. Source: over 1 year ago
  • proton vpn in china
    I am also in China right now and sorry to say that ProtonVPN hasn't worked at all for me.I downloaded four different VPN apps before departing from Europe and only Mullvad had worked since they implement a Shadowsocks bridge on some connections. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • How to secure internet on an open Wi-Fi?
    If the changing por trick work you can try shadowsocks or v2ray. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Staying Safe Online - A Resource Collection For Protesters and Activists
    Fellow sub member /u/zenzebeat reports that https://shadowsocks.org/ still works fine albeit slow. Source: over 2 years ago
View more

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
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Shadowsocks and OpenVPN, 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.

Windscribe - Windscribe is a desktop application and browser extension that work together to block ads and trackers, restore access to blocked content and help you safeguard your privacy online.

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

Mullvad - Mullvad is a Swedish virtual private network (VPN) provider.

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

NordVPN - NordVPN offers VPN technology that encrypts data twice.