Alternatives · VPNs
Tunnelblick alternatives
As of Nov 13, 2026, the highest-graded Tunnelblick alternative is OpenVPN (2.8 GPA). It's also the best free one.
Tunnelblick compared with 4 alternatives: OpenVPN, Viscosity, WireGuard and SoftEther VPN.
Tunnelblick is free to use. 3 of the 4 alternatives are free or have a free plan. One more offers a free trial.
Listings checked up to Nov 13, 2026 · Where the facts come from
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| TunnelblickThis tool | Free | Free | macOS |
| OpenVPN | Free plan · from $7/mo | Yes | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Viscosity | Free trial · from $16 one-time | Trial only | macOS, Windows |
| WireGuard | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| SoftEther VPN | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
Price against what you get
Tunnelblick has no paid plan and scores 1.0 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. None of the 3 alternatives on this chart both scores higher and starts lower.
OpenVPN, WireGuard and SoftEther VPN score higher without starting lower.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
How each one differs from Tunnelblick
OpenVPN
Open-source VPN protocol plus business VPN products built on it
- OpenVPN starts at $7 per connection or seat / month, billed annually.
- OpenVPN also lists Windows, Linux, iOS and Android apps.
- OpenVPN is self-hostable, according to its own site.
- OpenVPN does not cover menu bar app, which Tunnelblick does.
Suits: IT teams giving employees and contractors remote access to company apps
Viscosity
OpenVPN client for Mac and Windows, bought once
- Viscosity starts at $16 one-time, per license.
- Viscosity has no free plan, only a free trial, unlike Tunnelblick.
- Viscosity also lists a Windows app.
- Viscosity can be bought with a one-time purchase.
Suits: Mac and Windows users who connect to OpenVPN servers
WireGuard
Free, open-source VPN protocol and tunnel software
- WireGuard is free.
- WireGuard also lists Windows, Linux, iOS and Android apps.
- WireGuard does not cover menu bar app, which Tunnelblick does.
Suits: Administrators who want to run their own VPN between machines
SoftEther VPN
Free multi-protocol VPN server and client from a Japanese university
- SoftEther VPN is free.
- SoftEther VPN also lists Windows, Linux, iOS and Android apps.
- SoftEther VPN is self-hostable, according to its own site.
- SoftEther VPN does not cover menu bar app, which Tunnelblick does.
Suits: Administrators who want one self-hosted server to accept many VPN protocols
Limits worth knowing in Tunnelblick
- It is only a client: it does not include servers, so you need a VPN service or your own server.
- Supports OpenVPN only, and runs on macOS only; the current builds need macOS 13 or later.
- The project does not accept donations of money and is maintained by volunteers.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Tunnelblick?
The alternatives to Tunnelblick in this directory are OpenVPN, Viscosity, WireGuard and SoftEther VPN. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Tunnelblick.
Is there a free alternative to Tunnelblick?
Yes. WireGuard and SoftEther VPN are free to use. OpenVPN has a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which Tunnelblick alternatives work on Windows?
The Tunnelblick listing does not include a Windows app. OpenVPN, Viscosity, WireGuard and SoftEther VPN list one.
Which Tunnelblick alternatives work on Linux?
The Tunnelblick listing does not include a Linux app. OpenVPN, WireGuard and SoftEther VPN list one.
When were these prices checked?
Every listing on this page was checked on Nov 13, 2026, against the pages it cites. Vendors change prices without notice, so confirm on their site before you buy.