Your options for protecting your online privacy are growing, and open-source VPNs are gaining popularity. Of course, the promise of complete transparency and user control can be alluring. The open-source technology enables you to adapt VPN programs to meet your specific needs. But does this mean that open-source VPNs are the safer choice?

What Is an Open-Source VPN?

An open-source VPN is a technology that creates a secure connection over the internet, encrypted for added security. At their core, open-source VPNs achieve the same goals as proprietary VPNs, just without hiding the code. Such software offers you a peek under the “hood” to suggest new features and identify vulnerabilities. The idea is that this type of model builds a strong community of trust and quality control.

Open-source software is built on key principles like:

• Source code that is publicly accessible
• Transparent updates
• Free use and redistribution

Open-source software is everywhere, from privacy software and operating systems to web browsers. You can also customize open-source VPNs to securely share files and protect your Internet of Things (IoT) devices from security threats.

Three popular open-source VPN protocols are OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IPsec/IKEv2. OpenVPN is the Swiss army knife version of VPNs. It’s flexible, reliable, and works across different platforms. Many tech-savvy users and experts consider OpenVPN to be the most secure VPN protocol. Some closed-source VPN users prefer OpenVPN as their default protocol due to its reliability and security.

WireGuard may only have a codebase of 4,000 lines compared to OpenVPN’s, but it is fast software. You’ll enjoy using this VPN if you’re looking for near-zero latency! IPsec/IKEv2 is a corporate favourite that is great for connecting remote office employees.

Open-Source vs. Proprietary VPNs

While both types of software have the same goal at their core, they go about it in different ways.

Transparency

The biggest difference between the two software programs is transparency. Proprietary or closed-source VPNs keep their source code hidden away. Transparency is a matter of trust. You may question how you can trust a VPN to keep you safe if you can’t see the code. If you understand the inner workings of something, you’re more likely to trust it. Whereas, with a closed system, you will need to trust that your VPN provider is acting in good faith. Of course, sticking with a reputable proprietary provider that uses protocols like OpenVPN can give peace of mind.

Development

Transparency isn’t the only area where open-source and proprietary VPNs differ. Unlike open-source software, proprietary platforms rely on in-house development rather than a collaborative approach. Open-source software is often maintained by a community of tech-savvy users, developers and contributors. The software will often undergo public audits, and bugs are fixed collaboratively.

Flexibility

Customisation and flexibility differ between the two software programs. Open-source offers greater opportunity for flexibility. You can modify open-source software according to your needs to build your custom VPN setup.

Cost

Proprietary VPNs often require payment and subscriptions, while open-source software is free to use.

The Pros and Cons of Open-Source VPNs

One of the biggest advantages of using an open-source VPN is transparency. You don’t have to worry about shady data practices or hidden functions that have vulnerabilities. Open-source codes allow you to audit the code to root out any hidden loopholes.

The ability to customize open-source software according to your needs is another great advantage. By using open-source software, you avoid being locked into a single vendor. Protocols like WireGuard and OpenVPN allow you complete control over your network configurations.

While transparency and flexibility are impressive benefits, they do come with some trade-offs, specifically in terms of security. Just because the code is openly visible doesn’t mean the software is automatically safer. A famous example of this is the Heartbleed bug. The bug was caused by poorly written code in OpenSSL software. It led to a long exposure of normally protected information. Attackers used the bug to steal data, impersonate services and eavesdrop on communications. The code was introduced in 2012 and only disclosed in April 2014. The Heartbleed bug is a great example of why timely patching of vulnerabilities is important.

Open-source software is a prime target for cybersecurity threats. This is becoming more concerning in 2025 with an increase in cyberattacks targeting VPNs. LinuxInsider reports that 86% of codebases harbour vulnerabilities. Software with a smaller community has a higher chance of privacy-violating mechanisms going unnoticed. Without proper maintenance, open-source code leaves the door open to security risks.

It’s not just security risks that are a downside of using open-source software. Even for experienced tech users, working with open-source code requires a higher level of technical expertise. Even the smallest mistakes can leave you exposed online while you troubleshoot issues.

How To Use Open-Source VPNs Safely

If you’re going to use open-source code, you need to be aware of the security risks and know how to protect yourself. You need to regularly update your open-source VPN with the latest patches and always use strong encryption. Stay ahead of potential security risks by carrying out regular audits and enabling strict access control policies.

Other best safety practices include:

• Penetration testing
• Creating backups of your VPN configurations
• Ensuring that the devices you are using have antivirus software
• Setting strong authentication tools like multi-factor authentication (MFA)

Whether you’re a coder or a non-coder, you can review open-source code by looking for:

• Encrypted data handling
• Third-party tracking liabilities
• Functions that are clear and well-documented

What’s The Verdict?

Open-source code provides greater visibility, allowing anyone to inspect and contribute to its improvement. For privacy-conscious people, the ability to examine and customize the source code is a major advantage over proprietary software. However, transparency doesn’t automatically mean the software is safer. Poorly maintained, out-of-date, and misconfigured code can put you at risk for cybersecurity threats.

Of course, the security risks of the software don’t mean you have to avoid open-source software. Open-source VPNs are not inherently safer than proprietary VPNs, but they can still be a safe option if you know what you’re doing.