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Editors’ Review

Download.com staff

SoftEther VPN Server is a robust and user-friendly security software, offering a comprehensive suite of features for both individuals and businesses. Developed as an academic research project at the University of Tsukuba, Japan, this open-source freeware provides high-speed, secure, and flexible VPN connectivity

While there are many VPN solutions available, such as NordVPN and ExpressVPN, SoftEther VPN differentiates itself with its unique VPN over HTTPS technology that can bypass restrictive firewalls and NATs. Alongside its comprehensive protocol support and impressive performance metrics, this makes it particularly appealing for users in environments where traditional VPN protocols struggle. 

Unparalleled connectivity and security

SoftEther VPN Server offers an impressive array of features designed to ensure powerful connectivity, strong security, and high reliability. It supports Layer-2 Ethernet-based VPNs, meaning it virtualizes Ethernet devices to create flexible remote-access and site-to-site VPNs. This architecture, featuring Virtual Hubs and Virtual Network Adapters, allows for seamless communication across geographically dispersed networks, effectively bridging LANs or connecting individual clients to a corporate network.

The software boasts robust security measures, including AES 256-bit and RSA 4096-bit encryptions. This ensures that all data transmitted through the VPN tunnel is highly secure. It also includes sufficient security features like logging and an inner VPN tunnel firewall. A significant advantage is its VPN over ICMP and VPN over DNS capabilities, allowing it to bypass even highly restricted firewalls—a common pain point with older IPsec-based VPNs. 

Moreover, it delivers 1Gbps-class high-speed throughput performance while maintaining low memory and CPU usage, making it an efficient solution for demanding network environments. It also promises broad interoperability with support for a wide range of operating systems and VPN protocols. However, the complexity of initial setup and configuration can be daunting for users without a strong networking background, requiring a learning curve to fully leverage its advanced capabilities.

Enlarged image for SoftEther VPN Server
SoftEther VPN Server 0/12
  • Pros

    • Excellent firewall penetration
    • High-speed performance
    • Cross-platform compatibility
  • Cons

    • Not beginner-friendly

Bottom Line

Robust, all-around alternative

Overall, SoftEther VPN Server provides a versatile and cost-effective solution for anyone needing a secure and flexible VPN. Whether for personal use, creating an ad-hoc VPN for a small group of computers, or building complex cloud-to-LAN or cloud-to-cloud bridges for enterprises, it caters to diverse needs. Its built-in Dynamic DNS and NAT traversal features are particularly beneficial for users without static IP addresses.

What’s new in version 4.44-build-9807-rtm

  • Protection feature against TunnelCrack
  • Bug fixes


Explore More


Full Specifications

GENERAL
Release
Latest update
Version
4.44-build-9807-rtm
OPERATING SYSTEMS
Platform
Windows
Operating System
  • Windows 2003
  • Windows 2000
  • Windows 98
  • Windows 7
  • Windows Vista
  • Windows XP
  • Windows NT
  • Windows ME
  • Windows 10
  • Windows 8
  • Windows Server
POPULARITY
Total Downloads
79,701
Downloads Last Week
90

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Last Updated


User Reviews

3/5

2 User Votes


Developer’s Description

Set up cross-platform multi-protocol VPN Server supporting SSL-VPN/OpenVPN/L2TP and SSTP.
SoftEther VPN Server ("SoftEther" means "Software Ethernet") is powerful and easy-to-use multi-protocol VPN server software. It runs on Windows, Linux, Mac, FreeBSD and Solaris. SoftEther VPN Server implements SSL-VPN (Ethernet over HTTPS) protocol for very fast throughput, low latency and firewall resistance. Built-in NAT-traversal penetrates your network admin's troublesome firewall for overprotection. You can setup your own VPN server behind the firewall or NAT in your company, and you can reach to that VPN server in the corporate private network from your home or mobile place, without any modification of firewall settings. Any deep-packet inspection firewalls cannot detect SoftEther VPN's transport packets as a VPN tunnel, because SoftEther VPN uses Ethernet over HTTPS for camouflage. Easy to imagine, design and implement your VPN topology with SoftEther VPN. It virtualizes Ethernet by software-enumeration. SoftEther VPN Client implements Virtual Network Adapter, and SoftEther VPN Server implements Virtual Ethernet Switch. You can easily build both Remote-Access VPN and Site-to-Site VPN, as expansion of Ethernet-based L2 VPN. Of course, traditional IP-routing L3 based VPN can be built by SoftEther VPN. SoftEther VPN has strong compatibility to today's most popular VPN products. It has the interoperability with OpenVPN, L2TP, IPsec, EtherIP, L2TPv3, Cisco VPN Routers and MS-SSTP VPN Clients. SoftEther VPN is the world's only VPN software which supports SSL-VPN, OpenVPN, L2TP, EtherIP, L2TPv3 and IPsec, as a single VPN software. SoftEther VPN is an optimum alternative to OpenVPN and Microsoft's VPN servers. SoftEther VPN has a clone-function of OpenVPN Server. You can integrate from OpenVPN to SoftEther VPN smoothly. SoftEther VPN is faster than OpenVPN. SoftEther VPN also supports Microsoft SSTP VPN for Windows Vista / 7 / 8. No more need to pay expensive Windows Server license-fee for Remote-Access VPN function. SoftEther VPN can be used to realize BYOD (Bring your own device) on your business. If you have smartphones, tablets or laptop PCs, SoftEther VPN's L2TP/IPsec server function helps you to establish a remote-access VPN from remote to your local network. SoftEther VPN's L2TP VPN Server has strong compatible with Windows, Mac, iOS and Android.

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