Highest-Rated Free VPN Self-Hosted Solutions

• Architecture Mode: Typical client-server architecture deployable on any computer or VPS for server, other devices install client to connect.
• Installation Setup: Simple server configuration (only edit configuration files), one-click client connection, overall simplest setup.
• Performance: Codebase only 4000 lines, fast speed with low latency, suitable for gaming and streaming.
• Cross-Platform: Full coverage of Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android with abundant official and community clients.
• Router Penetration: Native support for NAT-PMP and UPnP, can automatically open router ports or manual port forwarding configuration.
• Security: Uses modern cryptography (Curve25519, ChaCha20), code has undergone security audits.
• Community and Documentation: Open-source project with complete documentation, numerous Chinese tutorials, active community.

💰 Completely free, open-source, no restrictions. Can be deployed on personal VPS or home network.

• Architecture Mode: Complete client-server architecture with server running on Linux, Windows, macOS; clients support all platforms.
• Installation Setup: More complex server installation (requires certificate and key configuration), but automation scripts simplify the process; simple client configuration.
• Performance: Mature and stable but slightly heavier compared to WireGuard, suitable for long-term stable operation.
• Cross-Platform: All platforms (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android) supported with numerous official and third-party clients.
• Router Penetration: Supports UPnP and manual port forwarding with strong traversal capability across complex NAT.
• Security: Uses TLS/SSL encryption, proven in production environments for many years, secure and reliable.
• Community and Documentation: Veteran open-source project with complete documentation, most tutorials available, abundant problem-solving resources.

💰 Completely free open-source with no restrictions, deployable on any operating system.

• Architecture Mode: Complete client-server architecture simultaneously supporting multiple protocols (SoftEther, L2TP/IPSec, OpenVPN, SSTP).
• Installation Setup: Server supports Windows and Linux with GUI management interface, user-friendly configuration, one-click client connection.
• Performance: Stable and efficient, supports load balancing and failover, suitable for enterprise-level deployment.
• Cross-Platform: All platforms (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android) supported with browser access and VPN Gate public service.
• Router Penetration: Built-in UPnP and NAT traversal with strongest adaptability to complex networks, can penetrate multi-layer NAT.
• Security: Supports multiple encryption algorithms and authentication methods, hides traffic through HTTPS, strong firewall penetration ability.
• Community and Documentation: Good Chinese support with complete documentation and active Japanese community support.

💰 Completely free open-source with unlimited functionality, usable for both enterprises and individuals.

• Architecture Mode: Peer-to-peer (P2P) architecture supplemented with central server, automatic hole-punching and routing, no complex configuration needed.
• Installation Setup: Simplest and most user-friendly, automatic connection after installation, virtually zero configuration, suitable for beginners and rapid deployment.
• Performance: Direct peer-to-peer connection with low latency and fast speed, superior to traditional client-server architecture.
• Cross-Platform: Full coverage of Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, also supports Docker and Raspberry Pi.
• Router Penetration: Automatic UDP hole-punching and TCP penetration with smart NAT traversal, almost no manual configuration needed.
• Security: Based on WireGuard using Tailscale cloud control plane for key exchange with end-to-end encryption.
• Community and Documentation: Clear official documentation supporting self-built control servers (Headscale), abundant community resources.

💰 Free version unlimited devices and traffic, free only for personal and small team use; enterprise version is paid.

• Architecture Mode: Completely decentralized virtual network supporting peer-to-peer direct connection and relay, can self-build controllers.
• Installation Setup: Simple installation, flexible configuration, can be completely self-built without official service dependency.
• Performance: Peer-to-peer priority with fewer hops and low latency, superior performance to pure central server architecture.
• Cross-Platform: Full coverage of Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, also supports Raspberry Pi and embedded devices.
• Router Penetration: Automatic P2P hole-punching with manual relay configuration support, strong traversal capability.
• Security: End-to-end encryption with access control list (ACL) support, thorough privacy protection.
• Community and Documentation: Open-source project with complete documentation, highest freedom, suitable for advanced users to self-build.

💰 Free version limited to 100 nodes, sufficient for individuals and small teams; paid version unlimited expansion.

• Architecture Mode: Modular client-server architecture supporting multiple transport protocols and masquerade methods.
• Installation Setup: Requires some technical foundation, but abundant scripts can simplify deployment, flexible configuration file format.
• Performance: Efficient and stable, supports multi-connection multiplexing and connection pooling, excellent performance.
• Cross-Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux fully supported; iOS (Shadowrocket), Android (v2rayNG) supported.
• Router Penetration: Supports multiple forwarding and proxy methods, combined with scripts can achieve automatic traversal and port mapping.
• Security: Supports TLS, XTLS, VLESS and other modern encryption and stealth protocols, difficult to identify and block.
• Community and Documentation: Active community with abundant scripts, rich Chinese resources, but steep learning curve.

💰 Completely free open-source with complete functionality, suitable for users with technical foundation.

• Simplest: Tailscale (zero-configuration automatic connection) > WireGuard (concise configuration) > SoftEther (has GUI)
• Medium: ZeroTier (automatic penetration but needs concept understanding) > OpenVPN (requires certificate configuration)
• Most Complex: V2Ray/Xray (requires writing configuration files)

• Best: WireGuard (4000 lines of code) > Tailscale (P2P direct connection) > ZeroTier (peer-to-peer priority)
• Medium: V2Ray/Xray (flexible protocols) > SoftEther (comprehensive functionality)
• Worse: OpenVPN (traditional architecture)

• Strongest Penetration: SoftEther (multi-layer NAT penetration) > Tailscale (automatic hole-punching) > ZeroTier (P2P priority)
• Medium: WireGuard (NAT-PMP/UPnP support)
• Manual Configuration Required: OpenVPN, V2Ray/Xray

• Strongest Stealth: V2Ray/Xray (multiple masquerade protocols) > SoftEther (HTTPS hiding)
• Strongest Security: WireGuard (modern cryptography) > ZeroTier (end-to-end encryption) > Tailscale (TLS + WireGuard)
• Traditional Security: OpenVPN (mature and reliable)

• Best Versatility: Tailscale (official global service) > SoftEther (VPN Gate public relay)
• Self-Built Effective: WireGuard (simple and reliable) > ZeroTier (flexible customization)
• Firewall Adaptation: V2Ray/Xray (multiple protocol options) > OpenVPN (multiple port support)

• First Choice: Tailscale
• Advantages: Install and use, automatic penetration, friendly interface, no need to understand technical details.
• Disadvantages: Depends on official cloud service (can self-build Headscale to avoid).
• Second Choice: SoftEther (provides GUI server, slightly more complex but feature-complete).

• First Choice: WireGuard
• Advantages: Few lines of code with fast speed, lowest latency, concise configuration.
• Disadvantages: Relatively basic functionality, advanced features need supplementation.
• Second Choice: Tailscale (good P2P direct connection performance) or ZeroTier (peer-to-peer priority).

• First Choice: SoftEther VPN
• Advantages: Strongest penetration capability, supports multiple protocols, built-in UPnP and relay.
• Disadvantages: Many configuration options, slightly complex initial learning.
• Second Choice: Tailscale (automatic intelligent penetration) or ZeroTier (multiple relay support).

• First Choice: V2Ray/Xray
• Advantages: Multiple masquerade protocols, difficult to identify, industry's strongest stealth.
• Disadvantages: Steep learning curve, complex configuration, requires technical foundation.
• Second Choice: SoftEther (strong HTTPS hiding capability) or WireGuard (modern and concise).

• First Choice: ZeroTier
• Advantages: Supports completely self-built controllers, no official dependency, optimal privacy.
• Disadvantages: Requires understanding virtual network concepts, initial configuration has learning curve.
• Second Choice: Self-built Headscale (open-source Tailscale controller) or OpenVPN.

• First Choice: OpenVPN
• Advantages: Over a decade of production environment testing, stable and reliable, abundant troubleshooting documentation.
• Disadvantages: Complex configuration, performance inferior to modern solutions.
• Second Choice: SoftEther (enterprise-grade functionality and reliability) or WireGuard (modern and concise).