Top 5 alternatives to Hamachi

In this post we are going to talk about the main ones alternatives to Hamachi that exist today. LogMeIn Hamachi has been the application of virtual private network (VPN) most popular free of charge in recent times, reaping great success among video game fans. But it is no longer the only one.

First, what is Hamachi?

First of all, it must be explained that Hamachi is a practical tool that allows you to create small virtual local area networks (LAN). Its users can connect their devices and thus share files or play multiplayer video games.

The main virtue of Hamachi is to make use of VPNs to emulate local networks. In its free version can be connected up to five different devices in each of the networks created.

These specific characteristics are especially valued by players. Up to five people located in different locations anywhere in the world can be connected and join together to enjoy an exciting gaming session, AND without having to pay anything.

But it's not just about games: users interconnected through Hamachi can carry out any other activity, as well as share all kinds of resources and files. Exactly as if they were connected to a local network and without having to make configuration adjustments of any kind.

This is for the free version of the software. On the other hand there is the payment option, more oriented to companies and large organizations, which allows connecting up to 256 users per network, without a maximum network limit.

Last but not least, another fundamental aspect of Hamachi must be mentioned: connection security. In addition, the program supports packet traffic and communication configurations, which gives it greater stability.

Still, many Hamachi users are not quite satisfied. There are many reports and complaints regarding time delays, so annoying when one is immersed in the game. These latency spikes, which can sometimes reach 100 ms (and that occur even after forming a direct tunnel with the application), are together with the limitation of only 5 devices in connection, the main reasons why many users have decided to search alternatives to Hamachi.

These are some of the best:

FreeLan

Among the alternatives to Hamachi most valued by users is listed in the first place FreeLan. It is an open source software licensed under the GNU General Public License Version 3 that can be used on Windows, Linux and Mac OSX. In addition, it is completely free.

A specific feature of FreeLAN is that it uses the OpenSSL library for the encryption of both data and control channels. The advantage of this is that the software can use all the ciphers that are available in the OpenSSL package.

In addition to its adaptability and ease of use, among the many points in FreeLan's favor it is necessary to highlight its high standards of fullfilment of security requirements and Privacy. Its installation is very simple and offers many configuration possibilities. This particular point is the one that advanced users like the most.

For example, the virtual network can be configured based on three different modes:

• Client server (Client-Server).
• Peer-to-Peer (Pair by pair).
• Hybrid (Hybrid).

Download link: FreeLan

GameRanger

Here is one of the most reliable gaming LAN solutions available today. GameRanger emerged in 1999 as a project for macOS to expand later expanded to the field of PC games, in the fall of 2008.

It must be said that it is not an "off-road" software like others that appear in this list, but it is undoubtedly the best in terms of security and stability. Why? The key is in the use of a single own controller to establish the private network. This is an incomparable feature of GameRanger (the name gives it away) and one that obviously dazzles gamers.

However, other not so positive aspects must be taken into account. For example, while Hamachi can be used to play any game, GameRanger only works with a limited list of supported games. Of course, if your favorites are on your list, you will not find a better option.

Download link: GameRanger

NetOverNet

Sometimes the simplest solution is the best. NetOverNet It has the virtue of simplicity: a simple but powerful tool that allows you to connect multiple devices through the Internet.

Most of the alternatives to Hamachi that currently exist are geared towards the world of gaming. Instead, it is limited to fulfilling its function of simple VPN emulator, which of course can also be used by gamers for their multiplayer gaming sessions. Its performance in this field is quite good, judging by the opinions that can be read in specialized forums.

With NetOverNet, each device has its own username and password to secure the connection. Access to the virtual network is done through an IP address defined in the private area. You couldn't ask for more in terms of security and discretion. 

However, this option does not improve much one of the critical points of Hamachi: the maximum allowed number of connected devices. The maximum that NetOverNet offers is 16, a figure that remains in half in its free version.

Download link: NetOverNet

RadminVPN

RadminVPN it is also a totally free option, very easy to use and packed with cool features, that's why we have included it in our list of alternatives to Hamachi. It is available for Microsoft Windows operating systems to create a VPN and provide the ability to securely connect multiple computers between computers within a LAN.

It is true that compared to other options, the possibilities offered by Radmin may seem more limited. However, it provides a much brighter result in certain applications. Without going any further, it is an excellent alternative for gaming, thanks to a connection of high speed and privacy.

In addition to being fast, the connection of the private networks created with Radmin is distinguished by its stability and security. To these virtues we must also add his easy use and installation, which only require basic technical knowledge.

Radmin's main drawback is that it can only be used on Windows. On the other hand, it also does not allow the creation of PC-mobile and mobile-mobile links. Not even between PCs that work with different operating systems. This is what we referred to above when we talked about limitations.

Download link: Radmin

SoftEtherVPN

Another free, cross-platform software that was created in the University of Tsukuba (Japan) in 2014 with the GPLv2 license (later replaced by Apache License 2.0). It can work on Windows, Linux and Mac OSX, but also on FreeBSD and Solaris.

Its installation and configuration process is very simple, but it stands out above all for its ability to have several powerful features such as ability to run VPN servers that are protected behind  firewalls. All thanks to the use of HTTPS to "camouflage" the connection.

Like FreeLan, SoftEther can not only be used for recreational purposes (although it is one of the preferred solutions for gamers to create their gaming networks). In reality, there are many large corporations that use this software, which among other things allows your workers to use their own personal computers to work, including Android mobile phones, iPhone and iPad. It is the BYOD philosophy (Bring Your Own Device). SoftEther can be configured in such a way that it can connect with the corporate VPN without problems and with all the guarantees of security and privacy.

On the other hand, the function of IP access control it is especially interesting to limit the connection of users who connect from different IP addresses. In this sense, different policies or access levels can be applied for different users.

Download link: SoftEther

After analyzing these five options, here are our conclusions:

• Hamachi has been around for quite some time and still boasts a legion of satisfied multiplayer game users today, but its prime is likely past. That is why more and more people are looking for other options such as the five that we offer in this post.
• The competition is fierce. Without a doubt, the list of alternatives to Hamachi could be even much longer. Cacti, OpenVPN, Wippien, WireGuard o Zero Tier They are for example some of the names that have remained in the inkwell, in addition to many other payment options.
• Regardless of the solution for which each one finally decides, there is one point that is clear: there is a wide range of free options that can cover almost all the needs and demands of both players and companies.