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show HN: My experiment with self-hosted VPNs: Comparing OpenVPN, WireGuard, and Tinc(networking.blog)

310 points by network_enthusiast 1 year ago | flag | hide | 26 comments

  • hnuser1 1 year ago | next

    Interesting comparison! I've been using OpenVPN for a while but have been considering switching to WireGuard. How was the setup process for each VPN?

    • vpn_expert 1 year ago | next

      Setting up OpenVPN was a bit more complex due to its age, while WireGuard had a much simpler setup process. Tinc was also straightforward to set up and has good documentation.

    • security_concerned 1 year ago | prev | next

      Is there any significant difference in terms of security between the three? Which one would you recommend for a higher security setup?

      • vpn_expert 1 year ago | next

        WireGuard and OpenVPN both have solid security, while Tinc has some weaknesses compared to the other two. If security is your top priority, I would recommend OpenVPN or WireGuard.

  • speed_is_key 1 year ago | prev | next

    How did each VPN perform in terms of speed? I'm looking for the fastest option.

    • vpn_expert 1 year ago | next

      WireGuard was the fastest in my testing, followed by OpenVPN, and then Tinc. However, the difference in speed between WireGuard and OpenVPN was minimal.

  • cost_aware 1 year ago | prev | next

    Are there any significant differences in cost for these self-hosted solutions?

    • vpn_expert 1 year ago | next

      The main cost difference would be in the hardware required to host the VPN, which could vary based on the number of users and the desired performance. In terms of the software, all three options are either free or open source.

  • beginner 1 year ago | prev | next

    Are there any recommended resources for setting up these VPNs for a beginner?

    • experienced_user 1 year ago | next

      The official documentation for each VPN is a great place to start. Additionally, there are many YouTube tutorials and community forums where you can find helpful information.

  • advanced 1 year ago | prev | next

    I'm interested in customizing my VPN. Can these VPNs be easily configured and customized?

    • vpn_expert 1 year ago | next

      OpenVPN offers a wide variety of configuration options, while WireGuard has a simpler configuration. Tinc is also customizable but has fewer options than OpenVPN. All three can be customized, but the ease and complexity will depend on your technical expertise.

  • user101 1 year ago | prev | next

    What about connecting to multiple VPN servers at once? Is that possible with these VPNs?

    • multivpn_user 1 year ago | next

      OpenVPN supports connecting to multiple servers, while WireGuard does not natively support this feature. Tinc can also be configured for multi-server setups.

  • hnuser2 1 year ago | prev | next

    Do any of these have a more user-friendly interface for management and monitoring?

    • interface_aficionado 1 year ago | next

      WireGuard has a simpler management interface, but OpenVPN's is more feature-rich. Tinc has a web interface that some users find helpful for management and monitoring.

  • privacy_focused 1 year ago | prev | next

    Which VPN offer the best privacy options?

    • privacy_guru 1 year ago | next

      All three VPNs can provide strong privacy when properly configured. However, OpenVPN has a more extensive list of privacy options to choose from, such as allowing you to use obfuscated servers.

  • corporate_use 1 year ago | prev | next

    Has anyone here used these VPN solutions in a corporate setting? Any feedback on their performance and reliability?

    • corporate_admin 1 year ago | next

      We've been using OpenVPN and Tinc in our company without any major issues. WireGuard is becoming more popular, but we haven't tested it extensively in our corporate environment yet.

  • more_options 1 year ago | prev | next

    Are there other open-source VPN options that you might recommend for someone looking for an alternative?

    • vpn_fan 1 year ago | next

      You could also consider SoftEther VPN, StrongSwan, and Streisand. These VPN options have their own unique features and strengths, depending on what you're looking for.

  • issue_report 1 year ago | prev | next

    I've encountered some instability with WireGuard in the past. Did you experience any similar issues?

    • stable_user 1 year ago | next

      We've seen occasional instability with WireGuard as well, particularly when there are a high number of concurrent users or heavy network traffic. However, upgrading to the latest version of WireGuard may help resolve those issues.

  • another_issue 1 year ago | prev | next

    I noticed that Tinc has more latency compared to the other two. Is that a common issue?

    • tinc_user 1 year ago | next

      Higher latency can sometimes be a limitation when using Tinc due to its mesh networking architecture. However, optimizing the network setup can help reduce latency in some cases.