Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

sshuttle VS libreswan

Compare sshuttle VS libreswan and see what are their differences

sshuttle logo sshuttle

sshuttle: where transparent proxy meets VPN meets ssh

libreswan logo libreswan

Libreswan is a free software implementation of the most widely supported and standardized VPN protocol using "IPsec" and the Internet Key Exchange ("IKE").
  • sshuttle Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-04
Not present

sshuttle features and specs

  • 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 of sshuttle

  • 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.

libreswan features and specs

No features have been listed yet.

Analysis of sshuttle

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.

sshuttle videos

Hak5 1224.1, SShuttle and Linux Talk

More videos:

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

libreswan videos

DevOps & SysAdmins: IPsec for Linux - strongSwan vs Openswan vs Libreswan vs other(?)

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to sshuttle and libreswan)
VPN
90 90%
10% 10
Cloud VPN
79 79%
21% 21
Security & Privacy
88 88%
12% 12
Tool
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

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

sshuttle Reviews

We have no reviews of sshuttle yet.
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libreswan Reviews

Best Top 20 OpenVPN Alternatives (Pros and Cons)
Libreswan is another popular and open-source VPN alternative. This tool is designed based on standard protocols like IPsec and IKE. It has been developed by the community for over 15 years.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, sshuttle seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 28 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.

sshuttle mentions (28)

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libreswan mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of libreswan yet. Tracking of libreswan recommendations started around May 2024.

What are some alternatives?

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

Outline by Alphabet - Control and build your own VPN ๐Ÿ› ๏ธ

StrongSwan.org - strongSwan is an Open Source IPsec-based VPN solution for Linux and other UNIX based operating systems implementing both the IKEv1 and IKEv2 key exchange protocols.

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

OpenVPN - OpenVPN - The Open Source VPN

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

WireGuard - Fast, Modern, Secure VPN Tunnel