Compare software

strongSwan vs Libreswan: catalog facts
strongSwanLibreswan
Free

Free under GPLv2, with commercial licensing available as an option.

Free

Free software under GPLv2.

Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, Self-hosted, Command line macOS, Linux, Command line
  • Thorough IKEv2 implementation with many IETF extensions
  • Runs on Linux, Android, FreeBSD, macOS and Windows
  • Standards-based IPsec with IKEv1 and IKEv2
  • Packaged in Fedora, RHEL/EPEL and Arch Linux
  • Configuration requires solid IPsec knowledge
  • Mainly configured through files and the command line
  • IPsec configuration has a steep learning curve
  • No graphical interface
Downloadable app, Self-hosted Downloadable app
Open source Open source
License: GPL-2.0 License: GPL-2.0
No account needed No account needed
Not stated if it works offline Not stated if it works offline

Checked September 23, 2026

Checked September 23, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.