Algo VPN vs MikroTik RouterOS
Algo VPN
github.comMikroTik RouterOS
mikrotik.comSide by side
| Figure | Algo VPN | MikroTik RouterOS |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $45/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 12 |
| Spec score · Virtual Private Network Software | 9.1 (#3) | 9.1 (#5) |
| Spec score · Business VPN Software | 8.4 (#33) | 8.8 (#18) |
| Access model | vpn | vpn |
| Admin control level | basic | advanced |
| Audit logs | Yes | Yes |
| Headquarters | New York, New York, United States | Riga, Latvia |
| Self-hosting | Advanced users can deploy Algo on their own Ubuntu server, and local installation supports Ubuntu 22.04 LTS only. | x86 RouterOS can be installed from ISO or Netinstall, while CHR is a virtual-machine image usable locally or in cloud environments. |
| Supported platforms | Ubuntu 22.04 LTS server; iOS,macOS,Android,Windows,Linux,and OpenWrt clients | WebFig,Windows WinBox,Android,iOS,CLI,API,MikroTik hardware,x86 PCs,and virtual machines |
| What it does | Algo is a set of Ansible scripts for setting up a personal WireGuard and IPsec VPN. | RouterOS is a Linux-kernel network operating system for MikroTik routers, switches and wireless devices, and can turn a PC into a router. |
Plans
MikroTik RouterOS
- Free DemoFree
- Level 4 WISP$45 a month
- Level 4 WISP$45, paid once
- Level 5 WISP$95, paid once
- Level 5 WISP$95 a month
- Level 6 Controller$250, paid once
- Level 6 Controller$250 a month
- 60-day TrialFree
- Free CHRFree
- P1$45, paid once
In their own words
Algo VPN
Algo VPN is a set of Ansible scripts for creating a personal WireGuard and IPsec VPN. It can be deployed to listed cloud providers, including DigitalOcean, Amazon Lightsail and EC2, Microsoft Azure, Google Compute Engine, and others, or to an Ubuntu server managed by an advanced user. The listed server platform is Ubuntu 22.04 LTS. Algo supports IKEv2 and WireGuard, and generates WireGuard configuration files and QR codes for iOS, macOS, Android, and Windows clients, plus Apple profiles for IPsec. Helper scripts let administrators add or remove users after deployment. Optional features include ad blocking through a local DNS resolver and limited SSH users for tunneling. The project says it minimizes logging by default and automatically rotates and deletes logs after seven days. However, cloud providers may see network traffic metadata, and an ISP can see a connection to the VPN server. Algo does not claim to provide anonymity or censorship avoidance. It is free and distributed under the AGPLv3, but cloud infrastructure costs are separate. Its local installation guide warns that it overwrites firewall rules and has no uninstall option, so deployment is intended for a dedicated VPN server.
MikroTik RouterOS
MikroTik RouterOS is networking software with VPN access, site-to-site networking, audit logs and advanced administrative controls. It supports WebFig, Windows WinBox, Android, iOS, command line, API, MikroTik hardware, x86 PCs and virtual machines. The Free Demo costs nothing and operates in 24-hour trial mode before licensing. Level 4 WISP costs $45 a month and allows 200 PPPoE, PPTP, L2TP and OVPN tunnels each. Level 5 WISP costs $95, paid once, with 500 PPPoE, PPTP and L2TP tunnels and unlimited OVPN tunnels. Level 6 Controller costs $250 a month and allows unlimited tunnels for all four types. RouterOS is listed as having a free plan and a free trial. SSO/SCIM and device posture are not supported. MikroTik is headquartered in Riga, Latvia.