VPN Gate
VPN Gate is a volunteer-run VPN relay network tied to an academic research project in Japan. People use it when they need a quick connection without creating an account, especially on filtered networks.
Service Country:Japan
Updated:December 22, 2025
Overview
VPN Gate is part of a university research effort that studies public VPN relay servers. The servers are provided by volunteers, so the network can change from day to day.
It is often used for getting around blocks on school, work, or travel Wi‑Fi. Many users treat it as a backup option when other connections fail.
You can connect with common clients using OpenVPN or L2TP. Setup usually means picking a public relay from a list and trying another if one is slow.
Privacy is not the main selling point here. The project states it keeps logs, so it is a better fit for access and testing than for sensitive activity.
Features
Pricing & Payments
- Free
Privacy & Security
- No registration requiredAllows you to use the service without providing an email address or personal details. It is the highest level of anonymity for a VPN user.
- AES-256 EncryptionThis is the highest level of data encryption available, utilizing a 256-bit key to scramble your internet traffic. It is the gold standard used by security experts and government agencies to ensure your private data remains unreadable to hackers and ISPs.
VPN Protocols
- OpenVPNThe industry’s most trusted and versatile protocol, known for its incredible security and ability to bypass even the toughest firewalls. Because it is open-source, it is constantly being audited and improved by security experts worldwide.
- L2TP/IPSecA robust protocol that combines the tunneling of L2TP with the heavy-duty encryption of IPSec to provide a highly secure connection. It is widely supported across many platforms and serves as a trusted middle-ground for users seeking both privacy and compatibility.
Network & Advanced Features
- Obfuscation / Stealth ModeAdvanced technology that disguises VPN traffic as regular HTTPS web browsing to bypass deep packet inspection. This is the best way to use a VPN in highly censored countries like China or on restrictive networks like schools and workplaces.
VPN Gate Alternatives
Hide.me
Hide.me is built for people who want strong privacy controls without a noisy app experience. It keeps the focus on no-logs use, modern VPN protocols, and tools that help prevent leaks during everyday browsing.
ZoogVPN
ZoogVPN is often used for streaming and basic privacy, with a simple app that gets you connected quickly. It also offers an ad-free free tier with a small monthly data cap, which suits light, occasional use.
PortalsVPN
PortalsVPN is a decentralized VPN that routes traffic through independent peer-to-peer nodes instead of a single company’s server fleet. It is mainly used by people who want less reliance on provider trust, including for P2P activity.
ZenVPN
ZenVPN is a straightforward VPN service that leans on WireGuard for modern connections. People often use it to keep some apps on the VPN while letting others use their normal network.
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