| Updated: January 15, 2025
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SoftEther is an open-source VPN protocol known for high-speed data transfer and robust security features. It supports multiple VPN protocols (like SSL-VPN, OpenVPN, and IPsec), making it flexible and ideal for both enterprise and personal use.
SoftEther’s encryption is strong, including AES-256 and RSA-4096, and it also has advanced features such as firewall evasion and NAT traversal, ensuring secure connections even in restricted environments.
SoftEther is a highly secure and versatile VPN protocol, but its setup can be complex, requiring technical skills.
SoftEther—Software Ethernet is an open-source VPN protocol specifically designed for secure data transition at a fast speed. It facilitates a secure connection between the client and server and offers multiple VPN protocols for secure communication.
SoftEther supports multiple VPN protocols like SSTP, OpenVPN, SSL VPN, etc, and has a user-friendly interface. This article will discuss everything you need to know about SoftEther protocol, how it works, its advantages, and whether you should use it.
Daiyuu Nobori developed it as part of his master’s thesis research at the University of Tsukuba. SoftEther is considered a complete VPN protocol delivering secure client-to-server communication with data encryption.
Just like WIreGurad and OpenVPN, it establishes a secure connection between client and server using SoftEther VPN protocol, and the SoftEther VPN server creates a secure tunnel encrypting data using encapsulation and AES-256 encryption.
SoftEhter is considered one of the most secure VPN protocols and is the only VPN software that combines support for SSL-VPN, OpenVPN, L2TP, EtherIP, L2TPv3, and IPsec within a single solution.
Just like any other VPN protocol, SoftEther VPN protocol creates a secure connection between the client and server and ensures secure data transportation through the encrypted tunnel. However, this VPN protocol is multifaced and supports IPsec and L2TP for secure data encryption.
At first, SoftEther establishes a secure connection between the client and server by authenticating through a handshake, which leads to creating an encrypted tunnel between them. Once the authentication process is done, the data is encrypted using encapsulation and AES-256 encryption for secure transit. Additionally, the RSA-4096 bit keys prevent it from decryption if the secured tunnel is breached.
Deep packet inspection, NAT traversal capabilities, and dynamic DNS are some of the security features offered by SoftEther. Another distinct feature is its user-friendly GUI, which enables network admin to manage VPN servers and Bridges easily.
SoftEther VPN protocol is considered one of the most reliable and secure VPN protocols available today. The encryption, decryption, and authentication process utilizes SSL and TSL protocols. Additionally, it supports a wide range of encryption ciphers like AES, RC4, DES, Triple-DES, SHA, and MDS, making it super secure.
The architecture of the SoftEther VPN protocol is designed to provide the best security. It authenticates users before establishing a connection, and only authorized users can access the network. Previously, some vulnerabilities were found in it but were fixed with updates.
SoftEther VPN protocol is 100%, and you can use it without worrying about data breaches. However, you should seek expert advice while configuring it on your network. There had been a few SoftEther breaches in the past, but they were fixed later.
SoftEhter is one of the best VPN protocols for secure data transfer. Here are its pros and cons.
SoftEther VPN is a versatile, open-source VPN software that supports multiple protocols, including SSL-VPN, OpenVPN, and IPsec. It is best known for its high-security standards and the ability to bypass firewalls.
The SoftEther VPN provides high-speed data transfer, making it a viable option for both corporate and personal use.
SoftEther VPN operates as a comprehensive VPN solution, combining both server and client software into a single package. This setup enables secure and flexible networking, supporting a range of protocols like SSL-VPN, L2TP/IPsec, and others to create both site-to-site and remote access VPNs.
Its design prioritizes high throughput and stability, ensuring reliable performance for users who require secure, scalable access across different network types.
SoftEther is one of the most secure and fastest VPN protocols available today. However, due to its complex integration, most VPN providers use alternatives like WireGurad and OpenVPN. Here is the head-to-head comparison of SoftEther with others.
WireGuard is more secure and adaptable than SoftEther. Here is the comparison table.
| Feature | SoftEther | WireGuard |
| Encryption | Supports multiple encryption methods, including SSL-VPN, providing strong security | Uses ChaCha20 encryption for lightweight, fast security |
| Protocol Type | Multi-protocol support (SSL-VPN, L2TP, OpenVPN, IPsec) for flexibility | Single protocol with a streamlined, lightweight design |
| Platform Compatibility | Widely compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and legacy systems | Compatible with most modern platforms (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android), but limited legacy support |
| Speed | High speed due to optimized code, comparable to or faster than WireGuard | Very fast, lightweight design optimized for high-speed performance |
| Firewall Evasion | Excellent, operates over multiple ports and can mimic HTTPS traffic | Good, but limited to UDP, which may be easier to block in restrictive networks |
| Network Stability | Highly stable, designed for enterprise environments | Stable, optimized for quick reconnections and low latency |
| Transparency | Open-source, offering public code review and high transparency | Open-source, allowing public scrutiny and collaborative development |
| Setup & Ease of Use | More complex, extensive features for enterprise use | Simple and lightweight, easy to configure and use |
OpenVPN is considered more secure than SoftEhter. Here is a head-to-head comparison between the two.
| Feature | SoftEther | OpenVPN |
| Encryption | Supports multiple encryption protocols, including SSL-VPN | Uses strong SSL/TLS encryption, ensuring high-level security |
| Protocol Flexibility | Multi-protocol support (SSL-VPN, L2TP, IPsec, OpenVPN) | Single protocol, focusing on SSL/TLS security over UDP and TCP |
| Platform Compatibility | Widely compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android | Broad compatibility across all major platforms |
| Speed | High speed, optimized for efficient performance | Good speed but may be slower than SoftEther on high-latency connections |
| Firewall Evasion | Excellent, can mimic HTTPS traffic to bypass firewalls | Good, operates over port 443 and bypasses most firewalls |
| Network Stability | Stable, designed for enterprise and remote access | Highly stable with “float” command for seamless switching |
| Transparency | Open-source, allowing for public scrutiny and trust | Open-source, trusted by experts with public code review |
| Setup & Ease of Use | More complex, extensive features for enterprise use | Relatively easy to set up, widely supported by VPN providers |
SSTP was released by Microsoft and is a closed-sourced VPN protocol. Here is its comparison with SoftEther.
| Feature | SoftEther | SSTP |
| Encryption | Supports multiple encryption protocols, including SSL-VPN | Strong SSL encryption over HTTPS, proprietary to Microsoft |
| Protocol Type | Multi-protocol support (SSL-VPN, L2TP, IPsec, OpenVPN) | Proprietary protocol, uses TCP over port 443 |
| Platform Compatibility | Compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android | Primarily compatible with Windows, with limited support on other platforms |
| Speed | High speed due to optimized design | Moderate speed, impacted by SSL encryption overhead |
| Firewall Evasion | Excellent, can mimic HTTPS traffic to bypass firewalls | Good, operates over TCP port 443 to bypass most firewalls |
| Network Stability | Stable, designed for high performance in enterprise environments | Stable on Windows but less resilient to network changes |
| Transparency | Open-source, allowing public code review | Closed-source, proprietary to Microsoft |
| Setup & Ease of Use | More complex, suitable for enterprise use | Easy setup, especially within Windows environments |
PPTP was also released by Microsoft and Cisco but was later discontinued and replaced by SSTP. Here is the comparison between PPTP and SotfEther.
| Feature | SoftEther | PPTP |
| Encryption | Supports multiple strong encryption protocols, including SSL-VPN | 128-bit encryption, considered weak and outdated |
| Protocol Type | Multi-protocol support (SSL-VPN, L2TP, IPsec, OpenVPN) | Single protocol, primarily designed for dial-up connections |
| Platform Compatibility | Widely compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android | Supported across many platforms but largely obsolete |
| Speed | High speed, optimized for efficient performance | Faster due to lightweight encryption, but lacks strong security |
| Firewall Evasion | Excellent, can mimic HTTPS traffic to bypass firewalls | Limited, easily blocked by firewalls due to detectable TCP port 1723 |
| Network Stability | Highly stable, designed for enterprise environments | Generally stable, but may disconnect with IP changes |
| Security | High security with support for advanced protocols | Low security, susceptible to interception, and weak encryption |
| Transparency | Open-source, allowing public code review | Closed-source, proprietary to Microsoft |
| Setup & Ease of Use | More complex, suitable for enterprise and advanced use | Easy to set up, but lacks modern security features |
L2TP is commonly used paired with IPsec for secure data transmission. Here is its comparison with SoftEther.
| Feature | SoftEther | L2TP |
| Encryption | Supports multiple encryption protocols, including SSL-VPN | No encryption on its own; typically combined with IPSec for security |
| Protocol Type | Multi-protocol support (SSL-VPN, L2TP, IPsec, OpenVPN) | Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol, often used with IPSec |
| Platform Compatibility | Compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android | Widely compatible with major platforms, often used with IPSec |
| Speed | High speed, optimized for efficient performance | Moderate speed, slower than SoftEther due to additional overhead with IPSec |
| Firewall Evasion | Excellent, can mimic HTTPS traffic to bypass firewalls | Limited; may struggle with restrictive firewalls |
| Network Stability | Highly stable, designed for enterprise environments | Stable, but may not handle network switching as well as SoftEther |
| Security | High security with support for advanced protocols | Moderate security with IPSec, but less flexible than SoftEther |
| Transparency | Open-source, allowing public code review | Not open-source; limited transparency |
| Setup & Ease of Use | More complex, with extensive features for enterprise use | Relatively easy to set up, commonly paired with IPSec |
It depends on your use! I would not use it for personal communication because I have WireGuard and OpenVPN offered by top VPN providers like ExpressVPN and NordVPN.
However, for business use, I can go with SoftEther as long as I have the expert network team to deploy it for my company system.
SoftEther is one of the most secure and fastest VPN protocols, but due to its complex installation, most VPN providers avoid adopting it. However, it is still used in several corporate networks to create a secure internal communication system.
I have discussed everything about the SoftEther VPN protocol, including how it works and its advantages and disadvantages. I have also compared it with other VPN protocols so you can make an educated decision about which to use. For more information about VPN features like dedicated IP, split tunneling, etc., head over to VPN for What’s Homepage.
SoftEther is a versatile, open-source VPN protocol that supports multiple VPN protocols (such as SSL-VPN, L2TP, and OpenVPN) for secure and high-speed connections. It’s compatible with major platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, making it popular for both personal and enterprise use.
A VPN that uses the SoftEther VPN protocol for data encryption is referred to as a SoftEther VPN. While most commercial VPNs do not support SoftEther, it is often used in corporate VPN setups where it can be configured for enhanced functionality.
The SoftEther VPN Client is a software application that allows users to connect securely to a SoftEther VPN server.
SoftEther enables secure remote access and site-to-site connections through a client-server setup. Its adaptable design supports deployment in a wide range of network environments, making it ideal for flexible VPN configurations.
SoftEther is a secure VPN choice, providing strong encryption, advanced security features, and broad protocol support. However, like all VPNs, it can’t offer absolute security, as new vulnerabilities and cyber threats can emerge over time.
According to our research, CactusVPN offers the SoftEther VPN protocol. Leading VPN providers like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark do not offer SoftEther.
WireGuard is widely regarded as the best VPN protocol overall, offering exceptional speed, robust security, and advanced data encryption. However, SoftEther holds a distinct advantage when it comes to bypassing firewalls and overcoming restrictions.
Mustafa is a cybersecurity analyst and a co-founder of VPN for What. Since 2017, Mustafa has gained international experience, working with governments, NGOs, and the private sector as a cybersecurity and VPN expert and advisor.
