Docker OpenVPN vs Wirehole
A side-by-side comparison of two self-hosted remote access & vpn options — licensing, setup difficulty, resource needs, and what each one replaces.
Not the right match-up?
Docker OpenVPN
OpenVPN server in a Docker container
VS
Wirehole
WireGuard, Pi-hole, and Unbound in one compose stack
| Feature | Docker OpenVPN | Wirehole |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Remote Access & VPN | Remote Access & VPN |
| License | MIT | MIT |
| Language | Shell | Shell |
| Setup difficulty | Medium | Easy |
| Min. RAM | 128 MB | 256 MB |
| Deployment | docker | docker |
| GitHub stars | ★ 9,088 | ★ 4,967 |
| First released | 2014 | 2020 |
| Replaces | NordVPN | NordVPN |
Why pick each one
Choose Docker OpenVPN if…
- Released under the MIT license
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Mature project with 9.1k GitHub stars
- Written in Shell
Choose Wirehole if…
- Released under the MIT license
- Easy to set up — beginner-friendly
- First-class Docker support for quick deployment
- Active community (5k GitHub stars)
Frequently asked questions
Is Docker OpenVPN or Wirehole better?
Neither is universally better. Docker OpenVPN has the larger community, while Wirehole is simpler to set up (easy difficulty). Choose based on the comparison table above and your own setup.
Are Docker OpenVPN and Wirehole free and open-source?
Yes. Docker OpenVPN is licensed under MIT and Wirehole under MIT. Both can be self-hosted at no software cost.
Can I run Docker OpenVPN and Wirehole with Docker?
Docker OpenVPN: yes. Wirehole: yes.