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SPECIFICTION
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strongSwan

strongswan.org

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Spec score 8.4 #32 of 94 in Business VPN Software

Spec sheet

Purpose
strongSwan implements Internet Key Exchange protocols to secure IP traffic in policy-based and route-based IPsec VPN scenarios.Read 8 Oct 2026 · strongswan.org
Platforms
The project says it runs on Linux and has been ported to Android, FreeBSD, macOS, iOS, and Windows.Read 8 Oct 2026 · strongswan.org
Free plan
YesRead 22 Sep 2026 · strongswan.org
Integrations
A NetworkManager plugin integrates strongSwan with Linux desktops, and an Android app is available.Read 8 Oct 2026 · strongswan.org
Support
Free support includes documentation, GitHub Discussions, and an IRC channel; commercial support is also available from listed providers.Read 8 Oct 2026 · strongswan.org
Founded
2005Read 28 Sep 2026 · strongswan.org
Access model
vpnRead 22 Sep 2026 · strongswan.org
Admin control level
advancedRead 22 Sep 2026 · strongswan.org
Audit logs
YesRead 22 Sep 2026 · strongswan.org
Authentication
Authentication options include EAP methods, X.509 certificates, pre-shared keys, and IKEv2 multiple authentication exchanges.Read 8 Oct 2026 · strongswan.org
Cryptography
It supports NIST elliptic-curve groups, X25519, Ed25519, and multiple classic and post-quantum key exchanges, including ML-KEM.Read 8 Oct 2026 · strongswan.org
Device posture
YesRead 22 Sep 2026 · strongswan.org
Distribution
The download page links to distribution binary packages, source archives, a Docker image for trying the software, and the Android app.Read 8 Oct 2026 · strongswan.org
IKE protocols
It supports IKEv2 and IKEv1, IPv6 tunnel and transport connections, MOBIKE, NAT traversal, and IKEv2 message fragmentation.Read 8 Oct 2026 · strongswan.org
Key protection
Private keys and certificates can be stored on smartcards through PKCS #11 or protected by a TPM 2.0.Read 8 Oct 2026 · strongswan.org
Modularity
Its plugin system can add cryptographic algorithms, credentials, authentication methods, configurations, and access to IPsec and network stacks.Read 8 Oct 2026 · strongswan.org
Notable support limit
The listed core developer offers development work and licensing, but not commercial configuration support.Read 8 Oct 2026 · strongswan.org
Ownership
The project page says secunet Security Networks AG acquired strongSwan's intellectual property rights in June 2022.Read 8 Oct 2026 · strongswan.org
Project history
strongSwan launched in 2005 as a fork of the discontinued FreeS/WAN project.Read 8 Oct 2026 · strongswan.org
Release signing
The project says releases and security patches are signed with its published PGP key.Read 8 Oct 2026 · strongswan.org
Security advisories
The project publishes vulnerability advisories and machine-readable OSV records, with patches linked from advisories.Read 8 Oct 2026 · strongswan.org
Site-to-site networking
YesRead 22 Sep 2026 · strongswan.org
Supported platforms
Linux,Android,FreeBSD,macOS,iOS,WindowsRead 22 Sep 2026 · strongswan.org

Plans and prices

GPLv2 open-source license Free Open-source GPLv2; most components also have an optional commercial non-GPL license Read 8 Oct 2026 · strongswan.org
Commercial license and support Priced on request Commercial non-GPL license available for most components; optional support has two response-time/SLA levels Read 8 Oct 2026 · strongswan.org

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