In a world where online privacy is increasingly under threat, and content is being blocked based on geo-location, many of us turn to paid VPNs for help.

But what if I told you there's a better way?

Paid VPN services promise security and anonymity, but they come with their own set of problems.

You're entrusting your data to a third party, often with unclear logging policies and potential vulnerabilities.
Not to mention the recurring costs that can add up over time

Enter AlgoVPN, an open-source solution that puts you in control.

Open-source VPNs like Algo are game-changers.

Here's what I learned about setting up your own VPN:

1. It's easier than you think.
   With tools like AlgoVPN, you can deploy a secure VPN server in minutes using cloud providers like AWS or DigitalOcean. The installation process leads you, hand-in-hand, through the options and choices and establishes the infrastructure for you.
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2. It's cost-effective. Running your own VPN can cost as little as $3-$7 per month, depending on usage. This is just the "on-demand" price. With different clouds, even the expensive AWS, you can get 12 months free trier where a small t3.micro can cost $0.
   You'd be paying a little for an IP address and some traffic, but if you turn the instance off when done, and use it sparingly, it'll cost way, WAY less than other paid services.
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3. You have full control. You decide where your server is located, who has access, and what data is logged (if any). This doesn't mean, you're 100% protected from law enforcements (if that's what you're after this is the wrong place 😅).
   If you're unsure, Algo lists its anti-features​

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Ready to take action? Here's how to get started:

1. Clone the AlgoVPN project from GitHub
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2. Choose a cloud provider (Hetzner is by far you most cost-effective option if you go for a long living server)
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3. Run the AlgoVPN setup script, which will guide you through the process.
   Personally, I opted for the docker option, instead of installing a bunch of dependencies but that's up to you.
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4. Install the WireGuard client on your devices and import the generated profiles.
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Don't settle for overpriced, potentially compromised VPN services.

Especially if you need a one-off, or a short-lived server to bypass geo-location protected content!

It's simpler than you think, more secure than you imagined, and it might just save you a few bucks along the way.

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