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SoftEther VS sshuttle

Compare SoftEther VS sshuttle 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
Alternatives Is it good?
sshuttle

sshuttle: where transparent proxy meets VPN meets ssh

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
Alternatives Is it good?
Axcrypt
AxCrypt is a powerful, easy-to-use encryption tool that protects your files, passwords, and personal information with strong AES-256 security. Available on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, it keeps your data safe wherever you go. sponsored

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, sshuttle seems to be a lot more popular than SoftEther. While we know about 29 links to sshuttle, we've tracked only 2 mentions of SoftEther.

social mentions
2 vs 29
Security & Privacy popularity
45% vs 55%
alternatives listed
169 vs 173

Base details

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

SoftEther
sshuttle
Website softether.org github.com
Pricing
Open source
Open source
Listed in
VPN VPN Software Gaming VPN Security & Privacy +1
VPN Security Cloud VPN SSH +1

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

SoftEther 5 features
sshuttle 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.
  • Simplicity
    sshuttle is easy to set up and use, requiring minimal configuration. It leverages SSH, a tool that many are already familiar with.
  • No Root Access Required
    sshuttle can be used without root access on the client side, making it accessible in environments where administrative privileges are restricted.
  • Cross-Platform
    sshuttle works on multiple operating systems including Linux and macOS, providing flexibility in different environments.
  • Compatibility
    As it operates at the IP level, sshuttle can work with any program and command-line tools that interact over TCP/IP without requiring any changes.
  • Security
    Utilizes SSH's encryption mechanisms, ensuring data is securely tunneled between the client and the server.

Possible disadvantages

  • Performance
    While convenient, sshuttle may not perform as well as more specialized VPN solutions, especially under heavy network load.
  • Limited Features
    Compared to dedicated VPN software, sshuttle lacks advanced features such as traffic shaping, advanced logging, and fine-grained access controls.
  • No UDP Support
    sshuttle primarily supports TCP, and has limited support for UDP, which may be a drawback for applications that rely heavily on UDP.
  • Dependency on SSH Servers
    Requires a functional SSH server at the remote end, which may not always be feasible or permitted in all network configurations.
  • Complex Networks
    Handling complex network environments may get tricky. More sophisticated routing configurations or VPN setups can better manage such cases.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

SoftEther
sshuttle

No analysis of SoftEther yet.

Overall verdict

  • sshuttle is generally considered a good and reliable tool for securely tunneling traffic. It is suitable for users who need an easy way to bypass firewalls and access remote networks securely without the complexity of traditional VPNs.

Why this product is good

  • sshuttle is a popular tool because it combines the simplicity of SSH tunneling with the transparency of a VPN, allowing users to forward traffic easily over an SSH connection. It is particularly appreciated for its ability to overcome restrictive firewalls and provide secure access to resources without needing root privileges (on the client side) or requiring a VPN setup on the server.

Recommended for

  • Developers and system administrators who need to access office or remote networks securely.
  • Users who need to bypass firewalls or restrictive network conditions.
  • People seeking a simpler alternative to VPNs, especially when working with SSH-accessible servers.
  • Individuals who require a temporary or lightweight solution for secure network access.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

SoftEther 2 videos + Add
sshuttle 3 videos + Add

SoftEther VPN short review and testing (2018) FREE!

More videos

  • - SoftEther VPN Server Review and Tutorial

Hak5 1224.1, SShuttle and Linux Talk

More videos

  • - Hak5 1224.2, SShuttle and Linux Talk
  • - Hak5 1224.3, SShuttle and Linux Talk

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
sshuttle
45% 45%
Security & Privacy
55% 55%
36% 36%
VPN
64% 64%
52% 52%
Cloud VPN
48% 48%
14% 14%
Tool
86% 86%

User comments

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Reviews and articles

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

SoftEther no reviews yet
sshuttle no reviews yet

We have no reviews of sshuttle 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
sshuttle 29 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

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Alternatives to SoftEther and sshuttle

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

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