No, Outline is not a VPN. It allows anyone to set up and manage their own private VPN server.

Outline uses a handshakeless, look-like-nothing protocol that is hard to identify, unlike standard VPN protocols that are easy to identify and block.

Private distribution of access. Unlike public VPNs, where a censor can easily access and list the servers that it needs to block.

With Outline, it's easy to recreate a server if it gets blocked.

Access keys can only be generated from the Outline manager. Contact someone you know who has set up a server using the Outline manager or set up your own server and send yourself an access key.

Choose your cloud provider based on your specific needs and budget. Google and Amazon Web Services are both trusted names. Digital Ocean offers some of the least expensive plans per month and many users report that it is the easiest to set up.

You can share access keys directly from the manager. Clicking the share access key CTA will surface an invite with a pre-populated message that gives the recipient instructions on how to accept the key, download the Client and connect to your Outline server. You need to know your recipient's email address or phone number in order to send them an access key and connection instructions.

With many free VPNs, you don't know who has access to your data. Many free VPNs share or sell your data or track your online activity. Some security experts claim that many popular free VPNs allow backdoor access to governments or other surveillers. Most free VPNs are also vulnerable to blocking and detection.

In 2026, Outline ownership transitioned to the Outline Foundation, an independent non-profit organisation. Outline was launched in 2018 by Jigsaw, an incubator within Google. Outline continues to be a free, open-source project that thrives on community contributions.