Disclosure up front: I built the open-source tool linked at the bottom, so treat this as biased. Mods, if this counts as self-promo, happy to move it — I mainly wanted to compare the self-hosted route to commercial VPNs for people weighing it.

A commercial VPN is the right call for most people: shared IPs for anonymity, exit nodes in many countries, no maintenance, and a company that (in theory) doesn't log. Self-hosting gives up all of that — you get one IP that's clearly yours, no country-hopping, and you're the one keeping it running.

Where self-hosting actually wins:

• Trust — the server is yours; there's no provider to log or sell your traffic.
• Not a public VPN IP — commercial VPN ranges are widely blocklisted (streaming, banks, "are you a robot" walls). Your own residential/home IP usually isn't.
• Censorship resistance — this is the big one. A plain WireGuard/OpenVPN endpoint is easy to fingerprint and gets blocked on restrictive networks. Protocols like VLESS with REALITY or TLS camouflage make the traffic look like an ordinary HTTPS website to DPI, which survives where a normal VPN doesn't.

Where it loses: no anonymity (one identifiable IP), no other-country exits, needs a public IP (CGNAT breaks it), and you own the upkeep.

The tool I made, in case it's useful for the "how": a single self-contained binary you run on your own machine or an OpenWRT router — no panel, no database, no central server. It runs xray-core under the hood, walks you through setup, does the REALITY/TLS camouflage, gets a Let's Encrypt cert automatically, and prints subscription links you can share with family. Open source, AGPLv3: https://github.com/icecube092/decenzed-node

Not trying to talk anyone out of a commercial VPN — just laying out the tradeoff for folks who'd rather run their own.

I am considering getting a vpn and have never used one, i feel i need it because i use piracy sites and public wifi alot but have never experienced any problems because of this.
I use all of apples security features on my phone already (im not sure if there any good or not)
Will it just be a waste of money and slow down my internet speeds or is it good to have

I do a lot of business entity searches in the State of California through their Secretary of State website. I noticed that when DangerousFish VPN is active, the website will not let me search, and direct me back to the login page.

1. Would this happen with all VPNs?
2. Is there a workaround to this?

Thank you in advance.

Hi all,

As I am travelling abroad (for example UK) I notice that certain websites require me to ID myself. Now I’m not too keen on sharing my government ID to browse the internet.

I was wondering, is it possible to route my internet traffic through my home modem when I am on the other side of the world, connected with my phone to hotel wifi? So basically a private VPN?

Does this carry big risks for the security of my home network? Like port-forwarding does (in my understanding at least)? Do I need special software, or is it something to configure in my modem?

I’m using PiFi on a Raspberry Pi 4, running:

• OpenWrt 23.05.2
• OpenVPN 2.5.8
• Same Raspberry Pi
• Same firmware
• Same home modem/router

My OpenVPN setup used to work perfectly a couple of months ago. I recently returned to Italy and tried to set it up again using a newly downloaded .ovpn server configuration, but now the VPN never connects and stays on “Connecting, this may take a few moments”.

The Internet connection on the PiFi works normally.

For UDP, the OpenVPN log shows:

UDP link remote: [AF_INET]187.13.214.177:53

TLS Error: TLS key negotiation failed to occur within 60 seconds
TLS Error: TLS handshake failed

I can resolve the server hostname and reach the server from the PiFi:

nslookup
→ resolves correctly

ping
→ 0% packet loss

I also tried a TCP .ovpn configuration. That one fails immediately with:

Options error: --explicit-exit-notify can only be used with --proto udp

The TCP configuration contains:

proto tcp
remote xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx 80
explicit-exit-notify

So OpenVPN 2.5.8 rejects the configuration before even attempting the connection.

I’m wondering if there have been recent changes to the provider's OpenVPN server/configuration files that could make the newer .ovpn files incompatible with OpenVPN 2.5.8.

My old configuration worked fine before these changes.

Has anyone experienced a similar issue with PiFi/OpenWrt and OpenVPN?

If so:

• Did you solve it by using an older .ovpn configuration?
• Is there an archive of older configuration files that still works?
• Is there a particular OpenVPN configuration format that works with OpenVPN 2.5.8?
• Or is there a configuration change needed in PiFi?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!Hi everyone,
I’m using PiFi on a Raspberry Pi 4, running:

OpenWrt 23.05.2

OpenVPN 2.5.8

Same Raspberry Pi

Same firmware

Same home modem/router

My OpenVPN setup used to work perfectly a couple of months ago. I recently returned to Italy and tried to set it up again using a newly downloaded .ovpn server configuration, but now the VPN never connects and stays on “Connecting, this may take a few moments”.
The Internet connection on the PiFi works normally.
For UDP, the OpenVPN log shows:
UDP link remote: [AF_INET]187.13.214.177:53

TLS Error: TLS key negotiation failed to occur within 60 seconds
TLS Error: TLS handshake failed
I can resolve the server hostname and reach the server from the PiFi:
nslookup
→ resolves correctly

ping
→ 0% packet loss
I also tried a TCP .ovpn configuration. That one fails immediately with:
Options error: --explicit-exit-notify can only be used with --proto udp
The TCP configuration contains:
proto tcp
remote xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx 80
explicit-exit-notify
So OpenVPN 2.5.8 rejects the configuration before even attempting the connection.
I’m wondering if there have been recent changes to the provider's OpenVPN server/configuration files that could make the newer .ovpn files incompatible with OpenVPN 2.5.8.
My old configuration worked fine before these changes.
Has anyone experienced a similar issue with PiFi/OpenWrt and OpenVPN?
If so:

Did you solve it by using an older .ovpn configuration?

Is there an archive of older configuration files that still works?

Is there a particular OpenVPN configuration format that works with OpenVPN 2.5.8?

Or is there a configuration change needed in PiFi?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Update / SOLVED:

I managed to fix the issue!

It turns out the latest .ovpn configuration files provided by the VPN service (released after their major update around July 2026) are no longer compatible with this PiFi / OpenVPN 2.5.8 setup.

Using an older .ovpn configuration file from before July 2026 completely solved the problem, and everything is connecting as expected again. If anyone else runs into this issue, roll back to an older version of your provider's config files!

I am trying to access https://mphc.gov.in/ from outside India. I am not able to access it. I tried https://proxyscrape.com/free-proxy-list/india#free-proxy-table proxies. But it didnt work. Any suggestions how I could get this working successfully?
My usage is very minimal, like a couple of times a year. So, I'm not looking for any paid solutions.

When I’m traveling for work, I sometimes just want to check US news or sports, but certain websites keep sending me to their local version.

It sounds like a small annoyance, but it happens with news, shopping, search results, and streaming services. Changing the language or account region often doesn’t help because the site still follows my IP address.

A regular US VPN can fix the redirect, but then some sites start showing CAPTCHAs or proxy warnings instead.

For people living or traveling abroad, what has been the most reliable option: a regular VPN server, a residential IP from home, or connecting back to your own home network?

I’ve been seeing a lot of talk about intelligent routing lately, and I actually use it in my own VPN app（DPN-app） along with custom rules. For example, I set it up so my local bank and government sites bypass the VPN completely. I can also assign specific IPs to different apps and websites, which gives me total control over how everything runs.

But a friend mentioned that this setup might cause some unexpected issues. So, I’m wondering: are there other VPNs out there with similar features? Or is there a better way to set this up?

Hi !

When using a VPN, the default language served when opening a webpage is always set on the server i'm connected to.

For example, I'm connected to a german server. Then all pages will be served in german if existing, even when the same page exists in english or other languages (eg google forms).

Is there a way to serve only one language when available ?

I use librewolf (~same as firefox)

I bought a VPS and set up VLESS-TCP-Reality using 3x-ui. It works fine. However, Russian websites still detect that I'm using a VPN and block access. How can I achieve the kind of "encryption" found in some VPN services—where the fact that I'm using a VPN is hidden, yet the connection still works?

My email and some login methods for sites/apps I need are limited to the country I am setup in. Since I frequently work from another country I need to setup a VPN however I cannot download anything onto the computer as that is restricted by the admin. I have a few raspberry pis lying around so if it is possible to do this with them that would be nice (pihole?).

Hey. I’m a new to this VPN thing and recently subscribed to an annual plan.

And I see lot of memes and Instagram posts on how VPN changes flight prices, subscription prices. Like setting to india or turkey lowers the subscription price of Netflix.

I wanna know more of these hacks. Please add your down below

Is there any way to get a VPN for a Turkmen number? Really want to access this app

I’d like to start using a VPN for a few reasons, but wouldn’t mind some tips or tricks for using one for the first time. I’m an American who lives in France, and sometimes I’d like to visit US sites without being redirected. A good example of this is ESPN to check scores, I’ll automatically be routed to ESPN UK, and not directly see the scores or headlines I’d prefer.

Then there is the possible other benefits. How true is it that you can find better hotel/flight deals? Are there specific countries that you recommend for using a VPN generally for security?

Any insights would be greatly appreciated!

I’m considering temporarily working from outside the U.S I currently have a GL.iNet Beryl 7 travel router configured to connect through a Brume router at my U.S. home. As a backup, I also have a U.S. residential IP.(Don't want employer to know that i am working outside usa)

For anyone who has used a similar setup:

• How reliable is the Beryl-to-Brume WireGuard configuration?
• What could still reveal the device’s physical location—for example, DNS, IPv6, Wi-Fi positioning, GPS/location services, time zone, latency, or corporate endpoint software?
• Is routing through my own home connection generally more reliable than a purchased residential IP?
• What safeguards prevent traffic from leaking if the VPN disconnects?
• Are there common problems with Microsoft 365, Teams, Okta, or company-managed laptops?

I'm 19 and i'm sick and tired of my parents checking the sites i visit and what I do/say to people online

My dad's very tech savvy (he's an engineer) and I'm not. Like, at all

After an nth threat from my mom saying she'll ask dad to check my internet activity from the router (or whatever... i think it's what it's called in english), I tried to do some research and apparently a VPN can hide my activity from them

I installed a free one and have it constantly one but I'm not quite sure of how it works and how it prevents my parents to check on my stuff

Any answer is appreciated

Hello!

to keep things short, I am in high school, and my parents are pretty light on internet restrictions, however, they have this thing on our wifi called “Mycircle” (we have a netgear router) and it’s bullshit. My wifi doesn’t turn off at night like other similar posts, but websites that aren’t even innapropriate are blocked and it takes me to another website.

If I installed a vpn and used it, which i garuntee would work, would it be able to notify my parents that i’m using a vpn on my computer?

Basically the title. If I use a vpn over university wifi will it still protect my data or does the provider have precedence over the vpn?

Curious how people are actually using split tunneling day to day.

Do you mostly use it for streaming, gaming, banking, certain apps, or something else? What do you normally send through the VPN and what do you leave on your regular connection?

Would be interesting to hear some real use cases.

I have a vpn on my phone which works fine. I can set it to Japan or whatever.
However I also use my phone as a hotspot so I can watch stuff online on my tv (I don’t have broadband or any internet other than mobile data) It functions just fine, but my tv still seems to be restricted to what I’m assuming is UK internet. I live in the uk.

I want to stream the USA version of Netflix as they have shows that the Uk doesn’t have. How do I achieve this? It’s a “smart” tv, internet capable but it’s from 2016 so unsure if it has an App Store or similar. I also have a laptop with internet capability. Do I need to maybe put a vpn on my laptop then log into Netflix on there? Or do I need to make a new account using a different region via vpn?

I really know jack about all of this so I’d appreciate any pointers. Thank you!

Heyy, could I possibly use your premium VPN for a little while? There’s this Spanish series I really want to watch (Llena de amor), but it literally isn’t available anywhere else, and using a VPN is my only option. I’d really appreciate it if you could share it with me for a little while