Algo VPN vs OPNsense
Algo VPN
github.com
OPNsense
opnsense.orgSide by side
| Figure | Algo VPN | OPNsense |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 6 |
| Spec score · Virtual Private Network Software | 9.1 (#3) | 9.0 (#10) |
| Spec score · Business VPN Software | 8.4 (#33) | 8.8 (#17) |
| Founded | 2012 | 2014 |
| Headquarters | New York, New York, United States | Middelharnis, the Netherlands |
| License | Algo is distributed under the AGPLv3, and the project says closed-source modifications or services may require a license exception. | OPNsense is available under the Open Source Initiative approved 2-clause BSD license. |
| Maker | Trail of Bits describes Algo VPN as one of its public-good products and says the company was founded in 2012. | Deciso B.V. is identified as the founder and sustaining company behind OPNsense. |
| Support | The README directs users with further questions to GitHub Discussions and accepts code contributions through pull requests. | Commercial support offers network-design advice, issue solving, and custom development for an annual fee. |
| What it does | Algo is a set of Ansible scripts for setting up a personal WireGuard and IPsec VPN. | OPNsense is a FreeBSD-based open-source firewall and routing platform administered through a web interface. |
Plans
OPNsense
- Business EditionPrice not published
- Business Edition 3YrPrice not published
- Community EditionFree
- OPNsense Business Edition 1yr subscription€149 a year
- OPNsense Business Edition (3Yr)€399, paid once
- OPNsense Business Edition 3Yr€399 a year
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.
OPNsense
OPNsense is an open-source firewall and routing platform based on FreeBSD, available for self-hosted, web, and API use. Its stateful firewall supports IPv4 and IPv6 and provides live views of passed and blocked traffic. VPN integrations include IPsec, OpenVPN, Tinc, and WireGuard. CARP supports automatic hardware failover with state synchronization, and inline intrusion prevention uses Suricata with Proofpoint Emerging Threats Open rules. The modular Model View Controller framework supports extensions and API functionality. Authentication options include LDAP, Active Directory, RADIUS, captive portal authentication, and 802.1X through a plugin. Community Edition is free at free under the 2-clause BSD license, and installation is limited to x86-64 architecture. Official setup guides cover AWS images, OVA images, and an Azure Virtual Appliance. Business subscriptions add commercial features and support; listed prices are €149 a year or €399 a year for three years. The project began in 2014 as a fork of pfSense and m0n0wall, with its first official release in January 2015.