OpenVPN vs Proton VPN: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for OpenVPN and Proton VPN side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
OpenVPN
Open-source VPN protocol and software
Best for you if:
- • You want industry standard VPN
Proton VPN
Swiss privacy protection with unlimited bandwidth
Best for you if:
- • You want secure VPN
| At a Glance | OpenVPN | Proton VPN |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $7/mo, billed monthly Growth plan | Free plan, paid from $6.99/mo, billed yearly VPN Plus plan |
Category | VPN Security | VPN Security |
Rating | 4.3/5 G2 4.5 · Capterra 4.5 · Trustpilot 2.7 574 reviews | 4.3/5 G2 4.3 5 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Watch out for | n/a | Monthly pricing ($9.99/month) is 3.3x more expensive than the 2-year rate. Casual users testing the service for a few months pay a significant premium. |
Choose OpenVPN or Proton VPN?
Choose OpenVPN if
- You want industry standard VPN
- You want self-hostable
Choose Proton VPN if
- You want secure VPN
- You want swiss-based
In-Depth Analysis
OpenVPN
Open-source VPN protocol and software
OpenVPN offers a very generous entry point with its free Community and Access Server tiers, making it highly accessible.
Strengths
- Pro: Industry standard VPN
- Pro: Self-hostable
- Pro: Good security
- Pro: Open source
- Pro: Wide compatibility
Weaknesses
- Con: Complex setup
- Con: Performance vs WireGuard
- Con: Learning curve
- Con: Manual management
- Con: UI dated
Key features
Proton VPN
Swiss privacy protection with unlimited bandwidth
Proton VPN is the strongest privacy-first VPN on the market, and the 2-year plan at $2.99/month makes it one of the cheapest premium options too.
Watch out
Monthly pricing ($9.99/month) is 3.3x more expensive than the 2-year rate. Casual users testing the service for a few months pay a significant premium.
Strengths
- Pro: Secure VPN
- Pro: Swiss-based
- Pro: Good privacy
- Pro: Free tier
- Pro: Active development
Weaknesses
- Con: Slower than some
- Con: Limited free servers
- Con: Expensive premium
- Con: Server availability
- Con: Better alternatives exist
Key features
Plans and prices: OpenVPN vs Proton VPN
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| OpenVPN |
| openvpn.net/pricing read Nov 1, 2026 |
| Proton VPN |
| protonvpn.com/pricing read Oct 15, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on OpenVPN pricing and Proton VPN pricing.
Key Takeaways
OpenVPN
- Choose if you want open-source VPN protocol and software
Proton VPN
- Choose if you want swiss privacy protection with unlimited bandwidth
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- User ratings rest on too few reviews to rank (4.3/5 from 574 reviews for OpenVPN, 4.3/5 from 5 reviews for Proton VPN; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides).
- Entry prices are not ranked, they are charged on different bases: OpenVPN $7/mo, billed monthly; Proton VPN $6.99/mo, billed yearly.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do OpenVPN and Proton VPN compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. User ratings rest on too few reviews to rank (4.3/5 from 574 reviews for OpenVPN, 4.3/5 from 5 reviews for Proton VPN; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides). Entry prices are not ranked, they are charged on different bases: OpenVPN $7/mo, billed monthly; Proton VPN $6.99/mo, billed yearly. Both have a free plan.
What are OpenVPN and Proton VPN used for?
OpenVPN: Open-source VPN protocol and software. Proton VPN: Swiss privacy protection with unlimited bandwidth.
What does OpenVPN cost vs Proton VPN?
OpenVPN's cheapest paid plan is Growth at $7/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. Proton VPN's cheapest paid plan is VPN Plus at $6.99/mo, billed yearly; it also has a free plan. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Nov 1, 2026.
What's the main difference between OpenVPN and Proton VPN?
OpenVPN's main strength: industry standard VPN. Proton VPN's main strength: secure VPN.