What is SoftEther VPN? A detailed guide to setting up SoftEther VPN

SoftEther VPN is one of the most powerful and flexible open-source VPN solutions available today, making it a top choice for businesses and individuals looking to establish a secure virtual private network. In this article, Hidemyacc will explain in detail what SoftEther VPN is, highlight its key advantages, and provide a comprehensive, step-by-step guide on how to use SoftEther VPN and set it up from A-Z. Discover more now!

1. What is SoftEther VPN? 

SoftEther VPN is an open-source, multi-protocol, cross-platform VPN software developed at the University of Tsukuba in Japan. Although "SoftEther" may imply "software," this VPN solution stands out as one of the most powerful available today, supporting a wide range of operating systems, including Windows, Linux, Mac, Solaris, and FreeBSD.

SoftEther VPN offers faster speeds than many other VPN protocols, such as OpenVPN, while also providing robust data encryption through AES 256-bit technology. Additionally, it integrates popular protocols like PPTP, L2TP, OpenVPN, and SSTP, enabling users to bypass firewalls and maintain security while accessing the network.

2. SoftEther VPN specifications

SoftEther VPN includes powerful security features that enhance and optimize the VPN experience. Below are the standout technical specifications of this software:

• License: Licensed under GNU GPL.

• Security Certificate: Supports RSA authentication and Deep Inspect Packet Logging.

• Multi-protocol compatible: Works with multiple protocols such as OpenVPN, EtherIP, L2TP, and Microsoft SSTP.

• IPv6: Supports IPv6 connectivity and packet filtering with dynamic DNS.

• Data encryption: Use international AES 256-bit encryption standard to protect data.

• Virtual network system: Use Virtual Network Adapter for client and Virtual Ethernet Switch for server.

• Other features: Integrated dynamic-DNS and NAT-traversal.

• Operating system compatibility: Supports Windows, Linux, FreeBSD, Solaris, iOS, Android, and MacOS.

• Multilingual interface: Supports languages ​​such as English, Japanese and Chinese.

3. Advantages and disadvantages of SoftEther VPN

Below is a breakdown of the pros and cons of SoftEther VPN, helps you have an overview of the strengths and limitations of this software.

4. When should you use SoftEther VPN?

SoftEther VPN is an ideal choice for users looking to optimize their VPN usage, especially when security and unrestricted internet access are priorities. Here are some specific scenarios where using SoftEther VPN is recommended:

• Security when accessing public networks: When connecting to public Wifi, SoftEther VPN helps encrypt data and protect personal information from theft risks.
• Circumvent firewalls or access restricted content: The software allows changing IP addresses, making it easier for you to access websites or services blocked by firewalls or regional restrictions.
• Browse anonymously: SoftEther VPN hides your real IP address, protects your privacy, and helps you browse the web without worrying about being tracked.
• Remote intranet access: The software allows secure connection to the company or school's internal network, convenient for remote working.

5. Compare SoftEther VPN and OpenVPN

When comparing two popular VPN protocols, OpenVPN and SoftEther VPN, it becomes clear that SoftEther VPN offers several advantages despite being a newer technology. Below is a detailed comparison table based on various criteria:

6. What is SoftEther VPN Client? How to install SoftEther VPN Client

SoftEther VPN Client is software that connects your computer to a VPN server to establish a virtual private network, enabling you to access data or network devices remotely, quickly, and securely. The client utilizes the SSL-VPN (Ethernet over HTTPS) protocol to bypass firewalls and enhance access speeds while providing robust encryption for data security. You can install SoftEther VPN Client by following these steps:

• Visit the official SoftEther VPN website and choose the version suitable for your operating system.
• Unzip the downloaded file and open the file to start the installation.
• Select "Next" to continue the installation process.

• Select SoftEther VPN Client in the list and continue clicking "Next".
• Accept the user terms by checking the box to agree and clicking "Next".

• Select the installation folder and continue in the Important Notices screen.
• Select the folder where you want to install SoftEther VPN Client, then click the Next button.
• Once the installation is complete, click "Finish" to complete the process.

7. Instructions for using SoftEther VPN Client Manager 

Below are detailed steps to help you easily set up and use SoftEther VPN Client Manager.

Step 1: Open SoftEther VPN Client Manager

Start the SoftEther VPN Client Manager application. On the main interface, click "Add VPN Connection". When the pop-up window appears, select Yes to continue.

Step 2: Create a VPN connection

Name the new VPN connection in the "Virtual Network Adapter Name" section, then click OK.

Step 3: Install VPN configuration

In the window "New VPN Connection Setting Properties", you need to fill in the following information:

• Setting Name: VPN connection name.
• Host Name: The server name or IP address provided by the VPN service provider.
• Port Number: Port number of VPN server.
• Virtual Hub Name: Virtual Hub name of the VPN server you want to connect to.
• Username and Password: VPN login information (not Client Area information).

After completing setup, Click OK.

Step 4: Reinstall the driver

Return to the SoftEther VPN Client Manager window. Right click on the newly created Virtual Network Adapter, select "Reinstall Driver". This helps avoid errors related to DNS queries.

Step 5: Connect to VPN

Right click on the created VPN connection and select "Connect" to start using VPN. To disconnect, do the same and select "Disconnect".

While VPNs offer the convenience of security and access to regionally restricted content, there are still some limitations. For instance, changing your IP address via VPN applies system-wide, meaning every application and browser will share the same IP. This can be inconvenient if you need to use multiple profiles with different IP addresses simultaneously.

In these cases, combining a proxy with the Hidemyacc Antidetect Browser tool provides an ideal solution. With Hidemyacc, you can create and customize browser fingerprint parameters for each profile and assign a unique proxy to change the IP address for each. This makes each profile appear as a distinct device with its own network connection.

SoftEther VPN stands out with its support for multiple protocols, high connection speeds, and robust security, making it easy for users to protect their privacy while browsing the internet. We hope this article has helped you gain a better understanding of SoftEther VPN and guided you in successfully installing the software. However, if you’re looking for a more comprehensive and convenient solution, try Hidemyacc to enhance security and manage multiple accounts simultaneously. Contact Hidemyacc today for consulting support!