VPN Provider Apps vs Open Source VPN Clients

VPN provider apps vs Open source VPN clients – Which are safer, easier, faster, and more secure to use? The software of the open source type is a great favorite with power users because of their flexibility and transparency. The question that now arises is: Do any VPN clients of the open source type be compared with the popular VPN apps that come from premium providers such as ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and IPVanish?

The right answer is not exact. It also needs to be seen what your technical know-how levels and patience are going to be in future and where you put your trust in the long run.

Open Source VPN Clients: An Introduction

Open Source VPN clients are based on OpenVPN protocols, an open source by itself and has been subject to audit a number of times. These are generally acknowledged as highly secure VPN protocols. Even a majority of VPN clients of the closed source type use OpenVPN as their default protocol for VPN.

It, however, needs to be borne in mind that these apps are only for providing the software for the VPN client. Unless you press the button for a manual setup, you’ll need the services of a VPN services provider to get your connection going.

Open Source VPN Clients – Pros and Cons

VPN clients of the open source type have their respective source codes on display perpetually so that they can be inspected and audited. So far no major security backdoors or vulnerabilities have been reported.

This transparency constitutes a great advantage over any proprietary VPN app. The reality is that when you are unable to inspect the source code of a VPN app, there is no guarantee how your privacy is being protected. You certainly should be in a position to interpret the appropriate and relevant code, and deliberately planted loopholes may escape your scrutiny.

Thus, theoretically, you can’t be fully sure of your privacy protection with any proprietary app. On the practical side, however, should you distrust your VPN service provider when it comes to protecting your own privacy in its app, it would be wise not to send your traffic to its servers.

That’s why it’s absolutely vital that you check out your VPN service provider’s goodwill and reputation in the market before you sign up with him. If you don’t trust any VPN service provider, you can even set up your own personal VPS or virtual private server through any reliable provider of a cloud service.

However, this process is much more tedious and takes much longer than keying in a couple of IP addresses into the client settings of your VPN. Moreover, if you don’t really know how to use the command line properly, this may not be a viable option for you. Additionally, you can also make mistakes, thus ruining your attempts to remain anonymous online.

Best Open Source VPN Clients

Here’s a list of the most popular Open source VPN clients you can use:

• OpenConnect
• OpenVPN
• LibreSwan
• TCPcrypt
• strongSwan

VPN Provider Apps

The greatest advantage of any VPN provider app is that it is easy to use. Any VPN service provider to which you subscribe has the know-how for streamlining its software and gives you a great user experience. It also designs its apps to work absolutely seamlessly with its typical VPN service. This saves you a great amount of time doing manual configurations or keying in addresses of server IPs.

VPN apps that come from the more well-known providers also have greater features to enhance privacy than VPN clients of the open source type and these include: leak protection, kill switches that cut off the Internet connection should your VPN disconnect and switching server location and VPN protocol.

Also, if the VPN app is developed by the party that manages the server network you hook up with, you are ensured that any critical network changes will get immediately reflected in its app.

For example and moreover, if the server location placed in the economically struggling state of New York becomes dysfunctional, it will get erased from the app. If a server cluster is added in any other city, the app will show it as a fresh option. With open source clients, you need to load the provider’s newly configured files manually, which of course, will take much longer. Take a look at the best premium VPN Provider apps below.

• ExpressVPN
• BulletVPN
• NordVPN
• IPVanish
• VyprVPN

VPN Provider Apps vs Open Source VPN Clients – The Final Verdict

An open source VPN client has a lengthier setup process with greater chances of more time being consumed in future if manual upgrades are done. That’s why it is advisable to stick to the app provided by your VPN service provider. However, should the VPN provider be unable to develop an app for your own device, or you would want to have your personal cloud-based VPN server, an open source VPN client will be a reliable backup.

Both ways, the balance is evenly tilted. It’s for you to choose depending on your circumstances.