Run a Private VPN Server Using WireGuard with Firezone UI or Outline VPN on a VPS

Today’s article delves into WireGuard with Firezone UI and Outline VPN — two powerful, open-source platforms that make it easy to set up your own secure and private VPN server on a VPS.

What is WireGuard?

WireGuard is a next-generation VPN protocol known for its speed, simplicity, and robust security. With a small codebase and modern encryption, it’s perfect for running your own VPN on Linux servers.

What is Firezone?

Firezone is an open-source VPN server management tool that provides a modern web-based interface for WireGuard, a high-performance VPN protocol known for its speed and security. Firezone makes it simple to deploy and manage a VPN without manually editing complex configuration files.

Designed with ease of use and security in mind, Firezone is ideal for developers, teams, and privacy-conscious users who want full control over their network access and traffic.

What is Outline VPN?

Outline VPN is an open-source VPN solution built by Jigsaw (a subsidiary of Google) that lets you deploy a censorship-resistant VPN server in minutes. With its user-friendly Outline Manager and intuitive access key system, Outline is perfect for users looking to bypass restrictions or create a private VPN with minimal setup effort.

Key Features of WireGuard with Firezone UI:

Web-Based Dashboard – Manage VPN users, devices, and access rules from a clean, intuitive browser-based interface. No command line required.
WireGuard Integration – Built directly on WireGuard — a next-gen VPN protocol known for its speed, simplicity, and strong encryption (ChaCha20, Curve25519).
User Management – Add or remove users in seconds. Automatically generate WireGuard configs, or connect easily using QR codes and profile downloads.
Access Control – Assign network access on a per-user or per-group basis. Segment your internal networks for improved security (e.g., devs vs. admins).
SSO & 2FA – Supports Single Sign-On (SSO) integration and TOTP-based Two-Factor Authentication (2FA), allowing secure user authentication.
Firewall Management – Customize which private IP ranges or ports users can reach. Prevent lateral movement inside the network by isolating access.
Logging & Monitoring – Built-in telemetry shows connection durations, data transfer stats, user sessions, and system activity logs — useful for auditing and troubleshooting.
Self-hosted & Open Source – Full control over your infrastructure, with no third-party dependencies. Auditable source code available on GitHub.
Cross-Platform Support – Use with any WireGuard-compatible client on Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS, and even routers with WireGuard support.

Key Features of Outline VPN:

Simple Deployment via Outline Manager – A user-friendly GUI tool that allows you to quickly set up your Outline VPN server on CrownCloud with just a few clicks.

Multi-Platform Clients – Official Outline clients available for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Chrome OS, and browser extensions.

Censorship-Resistant by Design – Uses the Shadowsocks protocol under the hood, enabling reliable connections even in highly restrictive environments (e.g., China, Iran).

Access Keys for Sharing – Create and revoke individual connection keys, controlling who gets access and when. Each key is unique and encrypted.

Low Maintenance Overhead – Once set up, Outline VPN needs minimal attention. It’s designed for stability, even across long-term deployments.

Privacy-First Architecture – Traffic is fully encrypted, and Outline doesn’t log user activity, IP addresses, or DNS queries.

Advantages of Using WireGuard VPN with Firezone UI or Outline VPN:

Full Data Ownership – Unlike commercial VPN services, self-hosted options give complete control over logs, encryption keys, and server access.

Bypass Geo-Restrictions – Securely access content that’s blocked in your region — such as streaming platforms, social media, or VoIP services.

Cost-Effective Solution – Run your VPN on a low-cost VPS (~$5/month), instead of paying for premium VPN subscriptions.

Open-Source & Transparent – Both Firezone and Outline are open source, meaning their code is auditable, secure, and community-reviewed.

Public Wi-Fi Protection – Use your VPN when connected to untrusted networks (cafes, airports, hotels) to prevent data theft or session hijacking.

User-Friendly Management – Whether it’s the Firezone dashboard or Outline Manager, both tools remove complexity and make VPN management simple for individuals and teams alike.

Recommended System Requirements

Operating System: WireGuard VPN with Firezone UI → Ubuntu 22.04 or Debian 11/12 (64-bit)
Outline VPN → Debian 12 or Ubuntu 22.04 / 24.04 or Alma Linux 9/10 or RockyLinux 9/10
CPU: 1 core (2+ recommended for Outline)
RAM: Minimum 512 MB for WireGuard, 1 GB+ for Outline
Disk: At least 2 GB of available storage
Network: Public IP address with open ports