OpenAltFinder

Best Self-Hosted Virtual Private Network in 2026

Tools for creating encrypted VPN connections to protect internet traffic and maintain online privacy.

The top-rated pick is Headscale with 36,891 GitHub stars.

2 self-hosted virtual private network — ranked by GitHub stars. Browse all

Headscale

Headscale

An open source, self-hosted implementation of the Tailscale control server

Alternative to:
ExpressVPNExpressVPN
OpenVPN

OpenVPN

OpenVPN is an open source VPN daemon

Alternative to:
ExpressVPNExpressVPN

Why self-host?

Self-hosting puts you in control. You own your data, avoid vendor lock-in, and eliminate recurring subscription costs. For teams handling sensitive data or operating under strict compliance requirements, running your own infrastructure is often the only viable option.

Want to compare all open source options including cloud-hosted ones? See the best open source virtual private network →