Software Alternatives & Startups

SoftEther VS Netmaker

Compare SoftEther VS Netmaker and see what are their differences

SoftEther

SoftEther VPN ("SoftEther" means "Software Ethernet") is one of the world's most powerful and easy-to-use multi-protocol VPN software. It runs on Windows, Linux, Mac, FreeBSD and Solaris.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
Netmaker

Netmaker automates mesh VPN's and software-defined networks using WireGuard.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source Freemium Free trial

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Netmaker seems to be a lot more popular than SoftEther. While we know about 63 links to Netmaker, we've tracked only 2 mentions of SoftEther.

social mentions
2 vs 63
Security & Privacy popularity
49% vs 51%
alternatives listed
169 vs 102

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

SoftEther
Netmaker
Website softether.org netmaker.io
Pricing
Open source
Open source Freemium Free trial Official pricing
Listed in

About SoftEther and Netmaker

In their own words, as submitted to SaaSHub.

SoftEther
Netmaker

No description of SoftEther yet.

https://www.saashub.com/netmaker

Read more about Netmaker

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

SoftEther 5 features
Netmaker 5 features
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    SoftEther VPN is compatible with a wide range of operating systems, including Windows, Linux, Mac, FreeBSD, and Solaris, providing flexibility for users across different platforms.
  • Multi-Protocol Support
    It supports multiple VPN protocols such as SSL-VPN, L2TP/IPsec, OpenVPN, and Microsoft SSTP, offering users various options for connectivity depending on their needs and configurations.
  • High Performance
    Optimized for fast network throughput, SoftEther VPN can handle high-speed internet connections efficiently, which is ideal for transferring large volumes of data.
  • Free and Open Source
    As a free and open-source software, SoftEther VPN allows users to access and modify the source code, fostering customization and transparency.
  • Strong Security Features
    It provides robust security features including AES encryption and RSA certificate authentication, ensuring secure data transmission over the network.

Possible disadvantages

  • Complex Setup for Beginners
    Although powerful, SoftEther VPN may have a steep learning curve for users who are not familiar with network configurations, potentially causing difficulty in initial setup.
  • Limited Native Client Support
    While SoftEther VPN supports a range of protocols, it lacks native clients across all platforms, which may require third-party software for full functionality.
  • Dependency on System Resources
    Running SoftEther VPN, especially on detailed configurations, may require significant system resources, which could impact performance on lower-end devices.
  • Community Support
    Being an open-source project, support primarily comes from community forums, which might result in slower response times for troubleshooting critical issues.
  • Scalability
    Netmaker is designed to easily scale with growing network demands, making it suitable for both small businesses and large enterprises.
  • Performance
    The platform optimizes for speed and low-latency connections, which enhances overall network efficiency and user experience.
  • Security
    Netmaker provides robust security features, including encryption and controlled access, which help protect network data and reduce vulnerabilities.
  • Automation
    Automated network management features simplify the process of setting up and maintaining virtual networks, reducing manual work and potential errors.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    Netmaker supports a wide range of operating systems, allowing seamless integration across diverse device landscapes.

Possible disadvantages

  • Complexity
    Initial setup and configuration can be complex, requiring a certain level of technical knowledge, which might be challenging for non-technical users.
  • Cost
    While offering a free tier, the advanced features and enterprise-level services come at a cost that might not fit within all organizations' budgets.
  • Limited Support
    As of now, support options may be limited, which could be a drawback for users who require extensive customer service or immediate assistance.
  • Learning Curve
    Due to its comprehensive features and capabilities, new users might experience a steep learning curve when adapting to the platform.
  • Resource Intensive
    Running the software might be resource-intensive on certain systems, potentially requiring upgrades or additional hardware investment.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

SoftEther 2 videos + Add
Netmaker 4 videos + Add

SoftEther VPN short review and testing (2018) FREE!

More videos

  • - SoftEther VPN Server Review and Tutorial

免费开源的组网神器NetMaker,wireguard协议LAN to LAN对等网络

More videos

  • - Netmaker v0.2 - Site to Site and Gateway over WireGuard Tutorial
  • - Netmaker - A powerful, open source, self hosted, GUI for setting up Wireguard networks and VPNs.
  • - Automated Failover / Relay for WireGuard ® Networks with Netmaker EE

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
SoftEther
Netmaker
49% 49%
51% 51%
40% 40%
VPN
60% 60%
51% 51%
49% 49%
0% 0%
100% 100%

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing SoftEther and Netmaker.

What makes your product unique?

Netmaker's answer:

  1. Netmaker uses kernel WireGuard, which makes it way faster and more modern than the alternatives.
  2. Netmaker can also be fully "self-hosted" so you don't have to rely on a 3rd party with potential access to your sensitive data. 3 Netmaker creates a Mesh VPN, which is like the best of software-defined networking, zero trust, and VPNs all combined into one.

Why should a person choose your product over its competitors?

Netmaker's answer:

Netmaker is faster, more configurable, cheaper, and can be fully-self hosted. With Netmaker, you're in control.

How would you describe the primary audience of your product?

Netmaker's answer:

IT admins, sysadmins, DevOps, InfraOps, platform engineers, and developers.

Which are the primary technologies used for building your product?

Netmaker's answer:

WireGuard, Golang, and Docker.

User comments

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

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

SoftEther no reviews yet
Netmaker no reviews yet

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

Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

SoftEther 2 mentions
Netmaker 63 mentions
  • Best VPN hardware device for small size team?
    You can try softether.org, you just need to set it up on a computer in the office that is always running. Source: about 3 years ago
  • I need help.
    I recommend SoftEther. simple, fast and doesn't take much space, the download site is softether.org Ghost clients are the clients that have amazing bypasses for huge servers such as mineplex and hypixel, most free ghost clients are... Source: over 4 years ago
  • PrivateVPN is horrible. Don't do it.
    With Netmaker, you can have greater control and customization by assigning dedicated IP addresses to specific nodes within your network. I just stumble upon it yesterday, check it out. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Benefit of connect device under NAT to VPN network
    These days, I'm trying to deploy full mesh VPN network with netmaker. It is really easy to use and manage. However there are something makes me confused. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Web based self service CA for OpenVPN
    If a TCP based protocol isn't an absolute must have, I'd ditch OpenVPN for Wireguard with some kind of management overlay. e.g netmaker. Source: over 3 years ago

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Alternatives to SoftEther and Netmaker

When comparing SoftEther and Netmaker, you can also consider the following products.