The University of Tsukuba in Japan developed SoftEther VPN as an open-source academic project. It's a free, widely used alternative to OpenVPN that's been around for 15 years since its inception. It has withstood the test of time so far.

It's open source, cross-platform, multi-protocol, and fully free. This VPN offers a great deal of versatility, since users can even develop their own client. If you are interested in a free alternative to OpenVPN, SoftEther is a decent choice.

We put it to the test to see how it stacks up against other VPN services on the market. So here's our complete and detailed post on Softether VPN Review. 

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Note: VPN Gate is the child project of SoftEther. Although the two projects are related, SoftEther VPN is a protocol, whereas VPN Gate is a SoftEther VPN plug-in module.

Softether VPN Pros

Location of Servers:

We kept things simple and used VPN Gate, a SoftEther VPN child project, to connect to this protocol.

As previously stated, you have complete freedom in selecting which VPN clients or servers you want to import into the software. VPN Gate isn't the only option.

Another useful feature is the clone mode, which allows you to switch between OpenVPN and SoftEther VPN.

The possibilities are unlimited because you may choose any VPN client you want to use.

Here's what it looks like when you use VPN Gate to access SoftEther's protocol:

Pricing and Plans:

The project is absolutely free*.

*If you desire to use their child project, VPN Gate, keep in mind that their servers are entirely run by volunteers who donate their hardware and bandwidth to keep the VPN running. They do this to keep their services accessible to the general public.

Device Compatibility:

SoftEther is a highly compatible protocol that is known for its versatility and ease of usage. Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, Solaris and FreeBSD are all supported.

Of course, the number of devices you can use simultaneously depends on the client you are using. If you utilize VPN Gate, however, you can connect an unlimited number of devices because SoftEther does not require registration.

Sign-up Process:

SoftEther does not demand any extra information from you unless you want to access their forum to keep up with changes and community activities.

All of the download URLs may be found on their website. You will be required to enter your preferences and device information before they can give you with the optimal download link for your device.

IP & DNS Leak Test:

SoftEther VPN maintains its reputation as a secure and reliable protocol. Take a look at the results of our conducted tests below: 

To be clear, when we used these tools to run a leak test, neither our IP address nor our ISP were displayed.

It's spotless.

Encryption and Protocols:

The following protocols (as VPN tunneling underlay protocols) are supported by SoftEther VPN:

• VPN Protocol SoftEther (Ethernet over HTTPS)
• OpenVPN is a virtual private network (L3-mode and L2-mode)
• MS-SSTP L2TP/IPsec (Microsoft Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol)
• L2TPv3/IPsec \sEtherIP/IPsec

There's a lot of room for creativity here. You're covered with these six supported protocols.

Softether VPN Neutral Areas

Product Interface:

Their website appears to be focused on efficiency. It's set up like a Wiki page, so it's simple to find and use for techies who prefer function over form.

At first look, the same can be said for their software. It has a basic look, and their client manager makes it simple to keep track of your settings and connections.

While there are no eye-catching aesthetics, the layout is simple and easy to use, making it ideal for open-source applications.

Customer Support:

There is no official support for SoftEther because it is open-source software.

Instead, you can ask questions from the community in a public forum. It's a thriving community that users have been visiting since 2013. One board is in English, and the other is in Japanese.

To access their forum, you will have to register. If you're unsure how to utilise their forum, there's a FAQ available.

A knowledge library and easy tutorials are also available on the main website to help you get started with the protocol.

Kill Switch:

Because SoftEther VPN is a protocol, if a kill switch is required, you can use a VPN client. As this is a highly compatible protocol, selecting a client with a kill switch will not be a problem.

Softether VPN Cons

Speed and Performance:

For this set of testing, we were unable to connect to these servers. We'll update this section once we've figured out how to make it work!

Netflix Test:

Boo… Netflix detected our VPN usage and stopped our access to their material.

Conclusion: Even on the United States server, SoftEther VPN via VPN Gate is unable to access the streaming portal.

Torrenting:

Despite the fact that SoftEther's conditions prohibit torrenting, people have reported finding a way to do so. P2P traffic is not permitted on the volunteer network.

Logging Policy:

SoftEther keeps track of your VPN server connections and disconnections, as well as the sort of connection you make.

Unauthorized access and rules violations are identified via server logs. Security logs are saved in the server log at all times.

You can also adjust your settings and save all of your activities in packet logs. The Logging Service page talks over how to configure logs in great depth.

Jurisdiction:

SoftEther VPN is a VPN service based in Japan. The 14 Eyes Alliance does not include it.

They do, however, have a history of working closely with the US, which is a member of this huge monitoring network. As a result, there is a tiny chance that users' data will be shared.

Final Verdict

SoftEther VPN is a protocol that can be used in a variety of situations. It's building up speed as it tries to beat OpenVPN to the top of the open-source food chain.

Though it hasn't had as much time in the industry as OpenVPN, the project has been a success in its own right. The protocol can be just as good as OpenVPN when used correctly and tailored to the needs of the user.

SoftEtherVPN will do you a solid if you're feeling creative with your VPN protocol selections or you just don't want to settle for the common protocol.

This could be a fun way to learn about VPNs if you're new to them and want to take a more "hands-on" approach. We do hope you enjoyed reading our Softether VPN Review. Stay safe!