Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

STunnel VS Psiphon

Compare STunnel VS Psiphon and see what are their differences

STunnel logo STunnel

Stunnel is a proxy designed to add TLS encryption functionality to existing clients and servers without any changes in the programs' code.

Psiphon logo Psiphon

Psiphon is circumvention software for Windows and Mobile platforms that provides uncensored access to Internet content. Read more about Psiphon.
  • STunnel Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-24
  • Psiphon Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-09-16

STunnel features and specs

  • Security
    STunnel provides encryption for data that might otherwise be sent over an unencrypted network through its use of SSL/TLS protocols, ensuring confidentiality and integrity of data in transit.
  • Versatility
    STunnel can be used with virtually any network protocol that does not inherently support TLS, allowing it to secure a wide range of applications without requiring code changes.
  • Open Source and Free
    As open-source software, STunnel is available for free, allowing anyone to use, modify, and distribute the software with access to the source code.
  • Cross-Platform
    STunnel is available for various operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and macOS, providing a consistent experience across different environments.
  • Minimal Configuration
    For many use cases, STunnel can be configured with a simple configuration file, which minimizes complexity and reduces the effort required to implement it.

Possible disadvantages of STunnel

  • Latency Overhead
    Because STunnel adds an encryption layer, there might be additional latency in data transmission as a result of the encrypting and decrypting process.
  • Configuration Complexity
    Though it can be easy for basic setups, more complex configurations can become challenging, requiring good knowledge of SSL/TLS protocols and certificate management.
  • Certificate Management
    The need to manage SSL/TLS certificates can add complexity, requiring understanding of certificate creation, distribution, and renewal processes.
  • Limited Functionality
    STunnel is specifically designed for adding TLS to network connections, which means it does not provide features like detailed access controls, logging, or advanced firewall capabilities.
  • Lack of Built-in Auth Protocols
    STunnel itself does not provide built-in authentication mechanisms beyond client and server certificate verification, necessitating additional solutions if more sophisticated authentication is required.

Psiphon features and specs

  • Open Source
    Psiphon is an open-source tool, allowing security experts and users to examine the code for vulnerabilities or backdoors.
  • Easy to Use
    Psiphon offers a user-friendly interface which makes it accessible for people who are not tech-savvy.
  • Multiple Platform Support
    It is available for Windows, Android, and iOS, which makes it versatile and usable across different devices.
  • Effective Censorship Circumvention
    Psiphon is effective at bypassing various forms of internet censorship, making it popular in regions with heavy internet restrictions.
  • Free Version Available
    Psiphon offers a free version with basic features, making it accessible to users without financial means.
  • Automatic Protocol Selection
    Psiphon automatically selects the best available protocol to ensure users can bypass censorship effectively.

Possible disadvantages of Psiphon

  • Speed Limitations
    The free version has limited speed, which may not be suitable for bandwidth-intensive activities like streaming or gaming.
  • Data Usage Logging
    Psiphon logs some data usage information on their servers. While not personal data, this could still be a concern for privacy-focused users.
  • Ads in Free Version
    The free version contains ads, which may interrupt the user experience or turn off potential users.
  • Not a Full VPN
    Psiphon is primarily a circumvention tool rather than a full-fledged VPN, lacking some security features found in dedicated VPN services.
  • Limited Server Locations
    Psiphon has fewer server locations compared to leading VPNs, which may affect connection speeds and access to geographically restricted content.

Analysis of Psiphon

Overall verdict

  • Psiphon is generally considered a reliable tool for accessing blocked websites and protecting user privacy, particularly in regions with severe internet censorship. It is praised for its ease of use, cross-platform availability, and its commitment to transparency through open-source development.

Why this product is good

  • Psiphon is a widely used open-source circumvention tool designed to provide internet freedom by bypassing censorship and content filtering. It utilizes a combination of secure communication and obfuscation technologies to ensure users can access restricted content while maintaining privacy and anonymity.

Recommended for

  • Users in countries with stringent internet censorship
  • Individuals seeking to bypass website restrictions
  • People looking for a simple and effective privacy tool
  • Users who do not require high-speed performance for streaming or heavy data transfer

STunnel videos

Make a VPN Server with a Raspberry Pi, OpenVPN and Stunnel

More videos:

  • Tutorial - How to Use TorGuard's Stealth VPN (Openconnect vs OpenVPN Stunnel)
  • Review - Blue Iris - Stunnel

Psiphon videos

Psiphon 3 Review!

More videos:

  • Review - UNLIMITED INTERNET NEW SET UP PSIPHON PRO VPN WORKING TO ALL NETWORK

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to STunnel and Psiphon)
Security & Privacy
8 8%
92% 92
VPN
4 4%
96% 96
Cloud VPN
5 5%
95% 95
Security
4 4%
96% 96

User comments

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Reviews

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

STunnel Reviews

We have no reviews of STunnel yet.
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Psiphon Reviews

Best Top 20 OpenVPN Alternatives (Pros and Cons)
Psiphon is free and open-source software that is compatible with Windows, iOS, and Android devices.
Best 5 Psiphon Alternatives in 2023
Why, when Psiphon is already deemed as one of the best VPNs out there, would you want to look for alternatives? There could honestly be a million reasons why you might not be satisfied with a specific service but when it comes to choosing a good VPN client, it all boils down to speed, privacy, and pricing. While Psiphon is known for offering top-tier security and good...
Turbo VPN Alternatives – Best Free VPN Apps For Android in 2022
If we talk about the features, Psiphon Pro has a global network featuring thousands of servers and diverse entry points. You don’t need to register any account or link your debit card; just download the app, and you can connect for free.
Source: techviral.net
10 Best Free Android VPN Apps For Your Smartphone In 2021
Psiphon Pro is an open-source, peer-reviewed and trustworthy VPN Android app, which will open access to everything on the Internet. Unlike other VPN apps for Android, Psiphon gives users options like always-on VPN and excludes selected apps from using VPN. By using these features you can always turn-on VPN by default and omit apps like banking and other payment apps by...
Source: techlog360.com
8 Best Turbo VPN Alternatives for Android and iOS
Psiphon Pro is one of the most transparent and secure VPNs out there, hence it’s a suitable alternative to Turbo VPN. It started as a proxy system at the University of Toronto, but now has evolved into a full-fledged VPN. The best part is that it’s completely open-source and does not log any user data, unlike Turbo VPN. Psiphon Pro utilizes multiple technologies like...
Source: beebom.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Psiphon seems to be more popular. 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.

STunnel mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of STunnel yet. Tracking of STunnel recommendations started around Mar 2021.

Psiphon mentions (27)

  • Fortiguard workaround?
    These should be able bypass FortiGuard. Speeds will be slow though. 1. Psiphon. 2. Your Freedom VPN. 3. Puffin Browser. Source: over 1 year ago
  • Mullvad is completely blocked in Russia
    Psiphon should work and it is free but they have limits on speed. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Youtube slow buffering in Converge
    Free: https://psiphon.ca/ Paid: Too many to list here. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • What is a cheaper/easier method for VPN Torrenting?
    I have Xfinity and I've been using this for years after I saw ppl talk about it on my site's forums. The devs are always updating it weekly. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Bypassing University Internet Restrictions for Legal Purposes (to access my homeservers/raspberry Pis/VPS)
    The only thing that has worked for me so far is Psiphon VPN (https://psiphon.ca/), which has allowed me to access the normally blocked websites. I'm not sure exactly how it works, but I'm interested in finding out if there's a way to replicate it. Thanks in advance for any answers or advice. Source: over 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing STunnel and Psiphon, you can also consider the following products

PowerShell - Download WMF. Windows Management Framework contains the latest versions of PowerShell, DSC, WMI, and WinRM for older versions of Windows. PowerShell Module Browser. Search for PowerShell modules and cmdlets.

ProtonVPN - ProtonVPN is a security focused FREE VPN service, developed by CERN and MIT scientists. Use the web anonymously, unblock websites & encrypt your connection.

AES Crypt - AES Crypt is an advanced file encryption utility that integrates with the Windows shell or runs from the Linux command prompt to provide a simple, yet powerful, tool for encrypting files using the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES).

OpenVPN - OpenVPN - The Open Source VPN

V2Ray - A platform for building proxies to bypass network restrictions.

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.