Open-source VPN protocol and software
Visit WebsiteThe Bottom Line
Entry price
From $5/mo (free plan available)
Biggest pro
Industry standard VPN
Biggest con
Complex setup
TL;DR - OpenVPN
- OpenVPN is an open-source VPN solution for secure remote access
- It creates encrypted tunnels for private network connectivity
- Offers a free community edition and paid options
What is OpenVPN?
Available on: Web, Linux, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Industry standard VPN
- Self-hostable
- Good security
- Open source
- Wide compatibility
Cons
- Complex setup
- Performance vs WireGuard
- Learning curve
- Manual management
- UI dated
Ratings Across the Web
What people say
“I never experienced a lag in internet speed while using OpenVPN.”via G2
“OpenVPN Access Server license price is too high”via Capterra
“It provides a stable server network and updates rarely cause any disruption in the service.”via SourceForge
Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more
Key Features
Pricing Plans
Free TrialPricing checked Jul 31, 2026
Community
Free
Self-hosted
- Open source
- Self-managed
- Community support
- Basic features
Access Server
Free
2 free connections
- 2 VPN connections
- Admin portal
- Cloud deployment
- Basic support
Cloud
$7/per connection/month
Managed VPN
- Fully managed
- Auto-scaling
- Global regions
- 24/7 support
Connect
$5/per connection/month
Business VPN
- Cyber Shield
- SSO integration
- Policy management
- Dedicated support
Is OpenVPN worth the price?
OpenVPN offers a very generous entry point with its free Community and Access Server tiers, making it highly accessible.
The Cloud tier at $7 per connection/month is fair for a fully managed solution, while the Connect tier at $5 per connection/month is competitively priced for business features. This pricing structure is best for a wide range of users, from individuals and small teams needing basic VPN access to businesses requiring advanced security and management.
Hidden Costs & Gotchas
Self-managed tiers require significant technical expertise
Cloud/Connect tiers are per connection, costs scale rapidly
Advanced features like SSO are only in higher paid tiers
How OpenVPN Compares to Competitors
Compared to NordLayer, which starts around $7-9 per user/month, OpenVPN Connect's $5 per connection/month is more competitive for similar business features. While Tailscale offers a free tier for up to 20 devices, OpenVPN's free Access Server with 2 connections is more limited but still valuable for basic needs.
How OpenVPN's pricing compares
At $5/mo, OpenVPN is mid-range of its 5 direct competitors ($3.39 to $5/mo across the set).
Entry paid plan, monthly. Pricing checked Jul 31, 2026.
Reviews
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Across 446 verified user reviews on G2, SourceForge, Capterra
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Best OpenVPN Alternatives
Top alternatives based on features, pricing, and user needs.
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Still deciding?
Most buyers shortlist 2 or 3 tools before committing. Pull a side-by-side comparison or browse the full alternatives shortlist below.
Explore More
OpenVPN FAQ
How does OpenVPN facilitate secure network connections?
Which teams would benefit most from using OpenVPN?
How is OpenVPN priced?
What kind of trade-offs should users consider with OpenVPN?
Can OpenVPN be self-hosted for private network infrastructure?
How does OpenVPN compare to WireGuard in terms of performance?
Does OpenVPN offer broad compatibility across different systems?
Source: openvpn.net