Alternatives · VPNs
Viscosity alternatives
As of Nov 13, 2026, the highest-graded Viscosity alternative is OpenVPN (2.8 GPA). It's also the best free one.
Viscosity compared with 4 alternatives: Tunnelblick, OpenVPN, WireGuard and SoftEther VPN.
Viscosity is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $16 one-time, per license. All 4 alternatives are free or have a free plan.
Listings checked up to Nov 13, 2026 · Where the facts come from
Black Friday: is there a Viscosity sale?
At a glance
| Tool | Price | Free plan | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|
| ViscosityThis tool | Free trial · from $16 one-time | Trial only | macOS, Windows |
| Tunnelblick | Free | Free | macOS |
| OpenVPN | Free plan · from $7/mo | Yes | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| WireGuard | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
| SoftEther VPN | Free | Free | macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android |
How each one differs from Viscosity
Tunnelblick
Free open-source OpenVPN client for macOS
- Tunnelblick is free.
- Tunnelblick has a free plan, which Viscosity lacks.
- Tunnelblick lists no Windows app, which Viscosity has.
- Tunnelblick is open source, according to its own site.
Suits: Mac users whose employer or VPN provider supplies OpenVPN files
OpenVPN
Open-source VPN protocol plus business VPN products built on it
- OpenVPN starts at $7 per connection or seat / month, billed annually.
- OpenVPN has a free plan, which Viscosity lacks.
- OpenVPN also lists Linux, iOS and Android apps.
- OpenVPN is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
- OpenVPN does not cover menu bar app, which Viscosity does.
Suits: IT teams giving employees and contractors remote access to company apps
WireGuard
Free, open-source VPN protocol and tunnel software
- WireGuard is free.
- WireGuard has a free plan, which Viscosity lacks.
- WireGuard also lists Linux, iOS and Android apps.
- WireGuard is open source, according to its own site.
- WireGuard does not cover menu bar app, which Viscosity 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 has a free plan, which Viscosity lacks.
- SoftEther VPN also lists Linux, iOS and Android apps.
- SoftEther VPN is open source and self-hostable, according to its own site.
- SoftEther VPN does not cover menu bar app, which Viscosity does.
Suits: Administrators who want one self-hosted server to accept many VPN protocols
Limits worth knowing in Viscosity
- It is only a client and includes no servers or VPN service.
- Supports OpenVPN, and runs on macOS and Windows only.
- A license includes free updates for 1.x versions only; the store lists upgrades separately.
Common questions
What are the alternatives to Viscosity?
The alternatives to Viscosity in this directory are Tunnelblick, OpenVPN, WireGuard and SoftEther VPN. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Viscosity.
Is there a free alternative to Viscosity?
Yes. Tunnelblick, WireGuard and SoftEther VPN are free to use. OpenVPN has a free plan alongside paid ones.
Which Viscosity alternatives work on Linux?
The Viscosity listing does not include a Linux app. OpenVPN, WireGuard and SoftEther VPN list one.
Which Viscosity alternatives work on Android?
The Viscosity listing does not include an Android app. OpenVPN, WireGuard and SoftEther VPN list one.
Is there an open-source alternative to Viscosity?
Tunnelblick, OpenVPN, WireGuard and SoftEther VPN are described as open source on their own sites.
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.