OpenVPN vs WireGuard: 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 WireGuard 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
WireGuard
Fast, simple, and secure VPN protocol
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (OpenVPN requires payment)
| At a Glance | OpenVPN | WireGuard |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $7/mo, billed monthly Growth plan | Free 100% free |
Category | VPN Security | VPN Security |
Rating | 4.3/5 G2 4.5 · Capterra 4.5 · Trustpilot 2.7 574 reviews | 4.4/5 G2 4.8 · Trustpilot 3.6 17 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose OpenVPN or WireGuard?
Choose OpenVPN if
- You want industry standard VPN
- You want self-hostable
Choose WireGuard if
- You want a fully free tool (OpenVPN requires payment)
- You want fast and modern VPN protocol
- You want simple configuration
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
WireGuard
Fast, simple, and secure VPN protocol
WireGuard's pricing is exceptionally generous, as it is entirely free and open-source.
Strengths
- Pro: Fast and modern VPN protocol
- Pro: Simple configuration
- Pro: Low overhead
- Pro: Built into Linux kernel
- Pro: Free and open source
Weaknesses
- Con: Requires manual setup
- Con: No built-in user management
- Con: IP addresses not dynamic
- Con: Less features than OpenVPN
- Con: Key management manual
Key features
Plans and prices: OpenVPN vs WireGuard
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| OpenVPN |
| openvpn.net/pricing read Nov 1, 2026 |
| WireGuard |
| wireguard.com read Oct 1, 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 WireGuard pricing.
Key Takeaways
OpenVPN
- Choose if you want open-source VPN protocol and software
WireGuard
- Choose if you want fast, simple, and secure VPN protocol
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, 4.4/5 from 17 reviews for WireGuard; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides).
- OpenVPN starts at $7/mo, billed monthly; WireGuard has no public paid plan price on file.
- 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
What Users Say
WireGuard Reviews
Lovely service!
Speed of getting started up, solo vs small business etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do OpenVPN and WireGuard 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, 4.4/5 from 17 reviews for WireGuard; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides). OpenVPN starts at $7/mo, billed monthly; WireGuard has no public paid plan price on file. Both have a free plan.
What are OpenVPN and WireGuard used for?
OpenVPN: Open-source VPN protocol and software. WireGuard: Fast, simple, and secure VPN protocol.
What does OpenVPN cost vs WireGuard?
OpenVPN's cheapest paid plan is Growth at $7/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. WireGuard is free. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Nov 1, 2026.
What's the main difference between OpenVPN and WireGuard?
OpenVPN's main strength: industry standard VPN. WireGuard's main strength: fast and modern VPN protocol.