Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

sshuttle VS OpenDNS

Compare sshuttle VS OpenDNS and see what are their differences

Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

sshuttle logo sshuttle

sshuttle: where transparent proxy meets VPN meets ssh

OpenDNS logo OpenDNS

OpenDNS provides faster and safer Internet access for your home or Business.
  • sshuttle Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-08-04
  • OpenDNS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-22

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.

OpenDNS features and specs

  • Improved Security
    OpenDNS offers robust protection against phishing attacks, malware, and botnets by blocking access to known malicious domains.
  • Enhanced Control
    Users get granular control over website access, enabling custom filtering to block inappropriate or unsafe sites, which is especially useful for parents and schools.
  • Faster DNS Resolution
    OpenDNS aims to provide faster domain name resolution, potentially reducing the time it takes to load websites compared to using ISPs' DNS services.
  • DNS Uptime
    With globally distributed servers, OpenDNS ensures high availability and reliability, minimizing the risk of DNS outages.
  • Detailed Analytics
    OpenDNS provides insightful web usage statistics and reports that can help identify trends and potential security threats.
  • Device Compatibility
    It is compatible with multiple platforms and devices, making it easy to configure on routers, computers, and mobile devices.
  • Ease of Use
    The service is straightforward to set up, often requiring only a simple change in DNS settings on your device or router.

Possible disadvantages of OpenDNS

  • Privacy Concerns
    By using OpenDNS, users are subject to its terms of service and privacy policy, which may involve data logging and sharing with third parties.
  • Limited Free Features
    The free version of OpenDNS has limited features compared to the premium offerings, which may not be sufficient for all users.
  • Potential Circumvention
    Tech-savvy users or devices can potentially circumvent OpenDNS filtering by manually changing DNS settings to another provider.
  • Dependency on Third-Party Service
    Relying on an external DNS service introduces an additional point of dependency, which could be problematic if the service experiences outages or disruptions.
  • Geographic Performance Variations
    Performance improvements in DNS resolution speed may vary based on geographic location due to the proximity of OpenDNS servers.
  • Complex Configuration for Advanced Features
    Utilizing some of the advanced features, like custom filtering and detailed analytics, may require a more complex configuration that could be challenging for non-technical users.
  • Limited control on Pure DNS Services
    Since OpenDNS modifies DNS requests for security and filtering purposes, users needing pure DNS services without any changes may find it restrictive.

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.

Analysis of OpenDNS

Overall verdict

  • OpenDNS is generally regarded as a good choice for users looking for enhanced internet security and customizable filtering, making it a strong option for both personal and enterprise use.

Why this product is good

  • OpenDNS is renowned for its robust security features, including phishing protection, parental controls, and DNS-level blocking of malicious websites. It provides fast and reliable DNS resolution, which can enhance internet speed and browsing experience. The platform also offers customizable filtering policies and is easy to set up for both individuals and businesses.

Recommended for

    Families seeking to implement parental controls, businesses needing to safeguard against cyber threats with minimal infrastructure changes, and individuals looking for improved online safety and reliability.

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

OpenDNS videos

OpenDNS - #2 - OpenDNS Review

More videos:

  • Tutorial - How to secure home network using OpenDNS
  • Review - IN DEPTH: openDNS

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to sshuttle and OpenDNS)
VPN
100 100%
0% 0
Security & Privacy
38 38%
62% 62
DNS
0 0%
100% 100
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 OpenDNS

sshuttle Reviews

We have no reviews of sshuttle yet.
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OpenDNS Reviews

Best Free Firewalls for Windows, Mac & Android in 2024
Note that OpenDNS Home works best alongside Windows’ built-in firewall. Since it’s not a complete firewall software, you’ll need another firewall to properly monitor incoming and outgoing traffic to help block network intrusions. All things considered, though, OpenDNS Home is a great free solution to improve online safety.
Source: www.wizcase.com
Best DNS servers of 2022: Boost your internet speed with these free, public services
Google's support site offers only very basic guidance targeted at experienced users, warning that "only users who are proficient with configuring operating system settings [should] make these changes." If you're unsure what you're doing, check the tutorials from a provider such as OpenDNS, remembering to replace its nameservers with Google's: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4.
Best DNS Servers to Use for Free in 2022
Again, for users concerned about their children’s Internet safety, OpenDNS offers a service called OpenDNS FamilyShield that blocks adult content (available at the servers 208.67.222.123 and 208.67.220.123).
Best free DNS servers: 14 options to check out
Owned by Cisco, OpenDNS has two free options: Family Shield and Home. Family Shield is good for parents who want to make sure their kids can’t access inappropriate content. Home focuses on internet safety and performance.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, sshuttle should be more popular than OpenDNS. It has been mentiond 27 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 (27)

View more

OpenDNS mentions (11)

  • Multiple DDNS configs?
    I've been using the DDNS option in the UI to sync with no-ip.com, so that I can remotely access my NAS via Wireguard, and this works great. However, my new router no longer supports DDNS without subscription. I need another DDNS client to sync with opendns.com, to get content filtering and parental controls, as my new router has no options for this. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Evaluating DNSfilter
    We have used opendns.com for this for years. Might take a look at them. Source: about 2 years ago
  • What does this error message mean? How/where do I change the URL?
    Can you visit opendns.com on your home network? The problem likely that site is getting blocked, and can't use the API to get the public IP of your box. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Firefox detected a potential security threat and did not continue to calyxos.org
    This might be an issue with my DNS provider. I use opendns.com to filter my DNS queries. They're giving the following reasons for blocking the site... Source: over 2 years ago
  • Wi-Fi web filtering
    If all users need the same level of filtering, opendns.com is free and works great. You need a way to forward DNS requests to the Open DNS server, such as a typical Windows DNS. Source: over 3 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

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

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

1.1.1.1 - The free app that makes your Internet safer.

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

Quad9 - Quad9 is a free, recursive, anycast DNS platform that provides end users robust security protections, high-performance, and privacy.

Outline by Alphabet - Control and build your own VPN 🛠️

NextDNS - Block ads, trackers and malicious websites on all your devices.