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.
| Feature | Docker OpenVPN | Wirehole |
|---|---|---|
| Deploy effort | Under-an-hour setup | Under-an-hour setup |
| Health score | 28 · At risk | 87 · Excellent |
| 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 | ★ 9,091 | ★ 4,968 |
| First released | 2014 | 2020 |
| Replaces | NordVPN | NordVPN |
What are Docker OpenVPN and Wirehole?
Docker OpenVPN
Docker OpenVPN packages an OpenVPN server with helper scripts for easy certificate generation and client provisioning. It is a popular way to run a personal VPN with minimal effort.
- Containerized OpenVPN
- Scripted client provisioning
- Data volume persistence
- Easy to back up
Wirehole
WireHole combines WireGuard, Pi-hole, and Unbound into a single Docker Compose project for a private VPN with network-wide ad blocking and DNS resolution. It is a popular home-lab bundle.
- VPN with ad blocking
- Pi-hole and Unbound bundled
- Single compose file
- Home-lab friendly
Docker OpenVPN vs Wirehole: key differences
Both projects are written in Shell. Docker OpenVPN is the lighter option, starting around 128 MB of RAM against 256 MB for Wirehole. Docker OpenVPN is the more established project (first released 2014), while Wirehole arrived in 2020.
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.
Which is lighter on resources, Docker OpenVPN or Wirehole?
Docker OpenVPN has the smaller minimum footprint at 128 MB of RAM, compared to about 256 MB for Wirehole. Real-world usage depends on library size, user count, and enabled features.