openvpn-install vs WireGuard installer
Which should you use? A side-by-side look at what each one does, who it suits, what it costs, how hard it is to set up, and where each falls short.
Open source · MIT
A script that sets up your own OpenVPN server on a Linux machine in about a minute.
Open source · MIT
A bash script that sets up a WireGuard VPN server on a Linux machine with minimal questions.
The short answer
Choose openvpn-install if you need…
- People who want their own VPN server on a Linux machine they control
- Users who have not set up OpenVPN before and want a guided setup
- Anyone who needs to add or remove VPN users later with the same script
Choose WireGuard installer if you need…
- People who want their own personal VPN on a rented Linux server
- Users who want a WireGuard setup without writing the configuration by hand
- Anyone comfortable running a shell script as root on a server they manage
Side-by-side
| openvpn-install | WireGuard installer | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Dev tool | Dev tool |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 20.7k | 11.4k |
| Setup difficulty | Intermediate | Intermediate |
| How you get it | See the README | See the README |
| Main language | Shell | Shell |
| Last code update | 45 days ago | 6 months ago |
What each one is
openvpn-install
This is a shell script that installs and configures an OpenVPN server on supported Linux distributions such as Ubuntu, Debian, AlmaLinux, Rocky Linux, CentOS and Fedora. It is designed for a 'road warrior' setup, where you connect your own devices to a VPN from anywhere. Running it again lets you add users, remove them, or uninstall OpenVPN.
WireGuard installer
This is a bash script that installs and configures a WireGuard VPN on a Linux server you control. A VPN server like this sends your internet traffic through an encrypted tunnel, so websites see the server's IP address instead of yours. The script asks a few questions, sets up the software and a systemd service, and creates a client configuration file; you can rerun it later to add or remove clients.
Best for
openvpn-install
- People who want their own VPN server on a Linux machine they control
- Users who have not set up OpenVPN before and want a guided setup
- Anyone who needs to add or remove VPN users later with the same script
WireGuard installer
- People who want their own personal VPN on a rented Linux server
- Users who want a WireGuard setup without writing the configuration by hand
- Anyone comfortable running a shell script as root on a server they manage
Strengths
openvpn-install
- Short guided setup aimed at people new to OpenVPN
- Covers several common Linux distributions
- MIT license and a simple, single-script design
WireGuard installer
- Automates a WireGuard install that would otherwise be done by hand
- Supports both IPv4 and IPv6 according to the README
- Licensed under MIT and open to inspection since it is a single readable script
Not ideal for
openvpn-install
- People without a Linux server or VPS, since the script must run on one (the README suggests renting a VPS)
- Users on unsupported systems, because the README lists only the named distributions
- Anyone wanting a WireGuard setup, since the README points to a separate wireguard-install project for that
WireGuard installer
- People who need a VPN on a system the script does not support, since the README lists specific distributions only
- Users who prefer a graphical app for managing VPNs, because this is a command-line script
- Those who cannot use a Linux server, since the script targets Linux only
Trade-offs
openvpn-install
- Requires a Linux server you can administer, and the script changes system configuration
- The README is brief and does not detail the security choices or the resulting configuration
- The install command downloads and runs a script from a short link, so you should review it first
WireGuard installer
- Runs as a shell script that changes system configuration, so you should review it before running it
- The README lists supported distributions but gives no detailed guarantees beyond that list
- The README does not explain security hardening or ongoing maintenance responsibilities
Getting started
openvpn-install
Download and run the installer (from README)
wget https://git.io/vpn -O openvpn-install.sh && bash openvpn-install.shWireGuard installer
Download the script
curl -O https://raw.githubusercontent.com/angristan/wireguard-install/master/wireguard-install.shMake it executable
chmod +x wireguard-install.shFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between openvpn-install and WireGuard installer?
openvpn-install: A script that sets up your own OpenVPN server on a Linux machine in about a minute. WireGuard installer: A bash script that sets up a WireGuard VPN server on a Linux machine with minimal questions. openvpn-install suits people who want their own vpn server on a linux machine they control, while WireGuard installer suits people who want their own personal vpn on a rented linux server.
Are openvpn-install and WireGuard installer free?
openvpn-install: Free and open source. WireGuard installer: Free and open source.
Is openvpn-install or WireGuard installer more popular?
openvpn-install has more GitHub stars (20.7k) than WireGuard installer (11.4k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to openvpn-install and WireGuard installer?
Other options people compare them with include OpenVPN.
Keep comparing
Built from our catalogue entries for both products: open-source details come from each project's README (AI-assisted, refreshed weekly) and GitHub data; AI-tool details are editorial. Spotted something wrong? Let us know from either product's page.