Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Lantern VS OpenVPN

Compare Lantern VS OpenVPN and see what are their differences

Lantern logo Lantern

Lantern delivers fast, reliable and secure access to the open internet. Download Lantern for free access to blocked videos, news, social media and more. Available for Windows, Android, Mac, Ubuntu.

OpenVPN logo OpenVPN

OpenVPN - The Open Source VPN
  • Lantern Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-03-23
  • OpenVPN Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-19

Lantern features and specs

  • Speed
    Lantern uses advanced techniques to find the fastest possible routes to deliver content, which can result in quicker access and data retrieval compared to other anti-censorship tools.
  • User-Friendly
    Lantern offers a straightforward, easy-to-use interface that even non-tech-savvy users can navigate with minimal guidance.
  • Automatic Censorship Detection
    Lantern can automatically detect when content is blocked and redirect users to an accessible source, providing seamless browsing without interruptions.
  • Cross-Platform
    Available for multiple operating systems including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, allowing users to access censored content across devices.
  • Freemium Model
    Offers a free version with basic functionalities, making it accessible to users who cannot afford to pay for anti-censorship tools.

Possible disadvantages of Lantern

  • Privacy Concerns
    Lantern is not a VPN and does not encrypt all internet traffic, which might expose users to privacy risks and surveillance.
  • Limited Data for Free Users
    The free version of Lantern has data limitations, which can be restrictive for users who require extensive use.
  • Potential Network Instability
    Depending on network conditions and server load, users may experience varying levels of connectivity and reliability.
  • Subscription Costs
    While the basic version is free, advanced features require a subscription, which may not be affordable for all users.
  • Not Fully Open Source
    Lantern's core is open source, but some components are proprietary, which can be a concern for users who prioritize complete transparency.

OpenVPN features and specs

  • Security
    OpenVPN uses robust encryption standards like AES-256, providing a high level of security for data transmission.
  • Open Source
    Being open-source, OpenVPN allows users to verify its code for vulnerabilities, ensuring transparency and reliability.
  • Flexibility
    OpenVPN can run on various platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android, offering extensive compatibility.
  • Customizability
    Users can configure OpenVPN according to their specific needs, allowing advanced network setups and policies.
  • Performance
    OpenVPN offers strong performance with efficient handling of large data transmissions and support for high and stable speeds.
  • Community Support
    A large and active community provides ample resources, including tutorials, forums, and user support.
  • Cost
    As a free and open-source solution, OpenVPN significantly reduces the cost compared to many commercial VPN offerings.

Possible disadvantages of OpenVPN

  • Complex Setup
    Setting up OpenVPN can be complex and may require technical expertise, particularly for advanced configurations.
  • Resource Intensive
    OpenVPN can be resource-intensive compared to some other VPN protocols, potentially impacting the performance of older or lower-spec hardware.
  • Client Software
    The official OpenVPN client software has a less user-friendly interface compared to some commercial VPNs, possibly deterring less tech-savvy users.
  • Mobile Experience
    Although OpenVPN supports mobile devices, the user experience on mobile can be less streamlined compared to desktop environments.
  • Initial Learning Curve
    New users may find the initial learning curve steep due to the multitude of configuration options and the need for understanding networking concepts.
  • Support
    While community support is strong, there may not be as much immediate or personalized support as found with some commercial VPN services.

Lantern videos

REI Co-op Gear Guide: Best Camping Lanterns

More videos:

  • Review - Lantern Reviews - Coast vs. Ozark vs. LifeGear
  • Review - Hurricane Lantern Review- The Feuerhand 276

OpenVPN videos

OpenVPN Overview

More videos:

  • Tutorial - How to setup OpenVPN on Windows | macOS | Android | iOS - Smart DNS Proxy

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Lantern and OpenVPN)
VPN
7 7%
93% 93
Security & Privacy
7 7%
93% 93
Cloud VPN
7 7%
93% 93
Security
17 17%
83% 83

User comments

Share your experience with using Lantern and OpenVPN. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Reviews

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

Lantern Reviews

8 Online Alternatives That Are Cheaper Than Traditional In-Person Therapy
Lantern costs $49 per month and you can cancel at any time. Download Lantern for iOS or Android.
Source: themighty.com

OpenVPN Reviews

The top 10 alternatives to OpenVPN
OpenVPN is an open-source software application that provides virtual private network (VPN) services. It allows the creation of secure network connections over the internet, using a custom security protocol that utilizes SSL/TLS for key exchange. OpenVPN is capable of traversing network address translators (NATs) and firewalls, providing users with the ability to securely...
Best Top 20 OpenVPN Alternatives (Pros and Cons)
OpenVPN is a virtual private network system used to create trusted end-to-end connection configuration and remote access services. As with any other VPN service, OpenVPN also has its own drawbacks. For instance, its inability to bypass particular proxy servers and complexities in user journeys lead to less user-friendliness. Therefore, we will be discussing a few...
6 Types of VPN Protocols, Compared: Which is the Best to Use?
In most cases, OpenVPN or WireGuard will be your best bet. PPTP is a protocol we don’t recommend using because of its relatively low-level encryption. However, you could try this protocol when privacy and security are not your highest priorities, such as for unblocking streams. If OpenVPN is not supported or does not work well for whatever reason, you could consider using...
Source: vpnoverview.com
OpenVPN vs WireGuard: Which protocol is best?
OpenVPN was first released in May 2001. Although the PPTP protocol had been around for five years already at this point, OpenVPN became popular because it offered stronger encryption without too much of a drop in speed. Over the years, vulnerabilities were patched and new clients were developed that brought OpenVPN support to a greater range of devices. This previously...
9 Best NordVPN Alternatives You Must Use In 2022
The next alternative to NordVPN on our list is OpenVPN. OpenVPN allows you to establish a point-to-point secure connection between your device and the Internet. It is a flexible VPN solution that can cater to business needs as well.
Source: wethegeek.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, OpenVPN should be more popular than Lantern. It has been mentiond 40 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.

Lantern mentions (4)

  • For some reason, the recommended vpns on this sub (mullvad, IVPN, etc) are all banned in my country. Any good alternatives?
    I still think it's quite odd you can't access the website even with different DNS and Tor. You can also try something like https://getlantern.org/ but sure, feel free to check other VPNs like AirVPN and OVPN. Source: over 2 years ago
  • VPN for China
    Lantern - https://getlantern.org/ (different technology compared to VPNs, therefore sometimes works when VPNs don't work). Source: over 2 years ago
  • Secure Internet Access
    For those of you who may need secure internet access - https://getlantern.org. Source: about 3 years ago
  • What VPN works best in China as of September 2021
    Another good choice would be lantern with single click activation. It's reliable most of the times except the big days. Source: over 3 years ago

OpenVPN mentions (40)

  • Ask HN: Who is hiring? (October 2023)
    OpenVPN is hiring! https://openvpn.net/ C++ Developer in the United States. Full-time| Fully remote| Flexible work schedules Link to look at vacancy details and apply:. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Are there any work arounds for the Netflix new "household" system?
    How you connect to your modem will depend on the device you are using, but for windows laptops as an example you download the OpenVPN program and input your modem details there, much like you would any other vpn service. I think there would be some guides on youtube. https://openvpn.net/. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Can i use PFSense to control incoming user connections (without a vpn?)
    I just started playing with CloudConnexa for remotely managing my second pFSense. Really nice and is free for up to 3 concurrent users. https://openvpn.net. Can also self-host OpenVPN access server with a free 2 concurrent license. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Is the 7spotlight Markle family interview airing now? Is anyone watching and can provide comment? 👀📺
    If anyone is being blocked check out free OpenVPN. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Is it possible for a sysadmin to block only some packets from a VPN connection ?
    I too haven't used the client-nat directive in some years (I currently implement 1:1 NAT with pfsense to access my network because I'm too lazy to change the networks subnet from the default) so I decided to retest and it does appear that OpenVPN Connect clients do not properly support the client-nat directive but the traditional OpenVPN server/clients still do. I've just tested this on OpenVPN 2.6.3 Server,... Source: about 2 years ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Lantern and OpenVPN, you can also consider the following products

Psiphon - Psiphon is circumvention software for Windows and Mobile platforms that provides uncensored access to Internet content. Read more about Psiphon.

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

PureVPN - PureVPN is a premium VPN service provider. As one of the first movers in the cybersecurity network, we provide you with the tools, services and knowledge to be the best version of yourself online.

Hotspot Shield - Hotspot Shield is a software application developed by AnchorFree, Inc.

Tor Browser - Tor is free software for enabling anonymous communication.

NordVPN - NordVPN offers VPN technology that encrypts data twice.