Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Pritunl Client VS OpenVPN

Compare Pritunl Client VS OpenVPN and see what are their differences

Pritunl Client logo Pritunl Client

Simple OpenVPN Client and GUI. Additional integration available when connecting to a Pritunl server.

OpenVPN logo OpenVPN

OpenVPN - The Open Source VPN
  • Pritunl Client Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-27
  • OpenVPN Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-19

Pritunl Client features and specs

  • Open Source
    Pritunl Client is open-source software, which means its code is publicly available for review and collaboration, ensuring transparency and potential for community-driven improvements.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    The client supports multiple operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux, providing flexibility and ease of integration across different environments.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    Pritunl Client offers a straightforward and intuitive user interface that simplifies the process of connecting to VPNs, catering to users of all skill levels.
  • Security and Privacy
    The software provides secure communication using OpenVPN protocols, which are known for their strong encryption and reliability in safeguarding user data.
  • Integration with Pritunl Server
    It's designed to work seamlessly with Pritunl Server, allowing for efficient management and configuration in a server-client setup.

Possible disadvantages of Pritunl Client

  • Limited Standalone Features
    While it integrates well with Pritunl Server, standalone features compared to other VPN clients might be limited, requiring the server for full functionality.
  • Configuration Complexity
    Some users may find the initial configuration process challenging, especially if they are not familiar with network configurations or VPN setups.
  • Dependency on Pritunl Server
    To maximize the client’s potential, it often relies on a Pritunl Server setup, which may not be available or practical for all users.
  • Limited Advanced Features
    For users seeking advanced VPN features, such as split tunneling or enterprise-level customizations, Pritunl Client may not offer as many capabilities compared to other specialized VPN software.

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.

Pritunl Client videos

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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 Pritunl Client and OpenVPN)
VPN
4 4%
96% 96
Cloud VPN
3 3%
97% 97
Security & Privacy
3 3%
97% 97
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 Pritunl Client and OpenVPN

Pritunl Client Reviews

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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 Pritunl Client. 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.

Pritunl Client mentions (4)

  • OpenVPN Client that doesn't require local admin rights to connect on Windows
    The only one I've found so far is https://client.pritunl.com/ so I will try that later today to see if it works with our server version and doesn't need admin rights to connect. But are there any other suggestions for third party clients? Source: over 2 years ago
  • I built an open source deployment pipeline of Pritunl to Digital Ocean using Github Actions and Atlantis. User-friendly, open source, VPN on Kubernetes at under $60/month!
    Https://github.com/autotune/pritunl-k8s-tf-do/blob/master/README.md is the repo. The README should answer any questions about how the pipeline works but the end result is a pritunl webgui listening on port 80 with an ingress route for https, a SERVICE load balancer that listens for VPN connections, and the ability to connect to said service load balancer over Pritunl VPN client. Note this is missing a few things,... Source: about 3 years ago
  • OpenVPN linuxserver GUI - How to add NordVPN
    You could try https://client.pritunl.com/ if you need a gui :). Source: almost 4 years ago
  • Pritunl VPN not working on Ubuntu 20.04
    For work we use a VPN server/client called Pritunl. The client used is this one. In the beginning it used to work fine. When I turned it on, my IP address would change but for some reason sites that were blocked by my ISP remained blocked (this was unexpected since the VPN server is in a different country). Source: almost 4 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 Pritunl Client and OpenVPN, you can also consider the following products

WireGuard - Fast, Modern, Secure VPN Tunnel

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

Viscosity - Viscosity is a VPN client for Mac OS X and Windows.

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

Tunnelblick - free software for OpenVPN on OS X and macOS

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