Aruba Remote Access Points vs OpenVPN Access Server comparison

Aruba Remote Access Points vs. OpenVPN Access Server

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

Aruba Remote Access Points

Ranking in Enterprise Infrastructure VPN

13th

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

6.2

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

OpenVPN Access Server

Ranking in Enterprise Infrastructure VPN

1st

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

6.4

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of June 2026, in the Enterprise Infrastructure VPN category, the mindshare of Aruba Remote Access Points is 1.1%, up from 0.8% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of OpenVPN Access Server is 11.9%, down from 13.3% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Enterprise Infrastructure VPN Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
OpenVPN Access Server	11.9%
Aruba Remote Access Points	1.1%
Other	87.0%

Enterprise Infrastructure VPN

Featured Reviews

Theesula Majuwanagamage

Head Of ELV and ICT at Intec Systems Solution Pvt Ltd

Efficient Setup and Strong Performance Highlight Versatile Capabilities

In terms of areas for improvement in Aruba Remote Access Points, when planning for the customer's end, you need to highlight the precautions against EMF emissions and environmental emissions, as well as power management limitations. If the user is in one direction and you're transmitting everywhere, that's not good power management. Currently, all access points provide the same power requirement to the client, but we should explore what extra mile we can go. We are facing energy crises and climate issues, along with GHG and SDGs protocols. If we highlight the alignment with these protocols, it can enhance the product quality as an environmentally friendly option. Apart from that, service-wise, every unit is the same. Users can only distinguish those requirements using spectrum analyzers; otherwise, minor data delays of one or two seconds do not matter, but for high-security or high-speed needs, it becomes significant.

Read full review

Fedir Plotnikov

Senior Cloud Infrastructure Engineer at Globant

User management has simplified internal VPN access and now provides clear visibility and control

I do not use any role defining features because it is a really small organization, so it wasn't required, but it is there if needed. I have seen OpenVPN Access Server integrations such as LDAP, RADIUS, PAM, and SAML, but again, due to the size of the company, it wasn't necessary and we didn't have it inside the company. However, it was nice that it is already embedded inside. We haven't used much in terms of integrations with OpenVPN Access Server, so it's hard to say. We only used basic features there. My advice for others looking to implement OpenVPN Access Server is that it is at least worth trying if you need a fast and easy implementation solution without technical overhead and you just need VPN access, which is supported by all operating systems and mobile operating system vendors. It is definitely worth a try. OpenVPN Access Server was purchased directly from the website, not on the AWS marketplace or through a partner purchase. I would rate this product an overall eight out of ten.

Read full review

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"The solution is very stable, I haven’t heard about any failure of the access points, it seems to be reliable and the performance is good, there are no bugs or glitches, and it doesn’t crash or freeze."

"Aruba works well in large spaces, especially for manufacturing. That's when you start seeing the effectiveness of Aruba."

"The Aruba Remote Access Points are simple, not expensive, and very intuitive for management and configuration."

"Aruba Remote Access Points provide a level of protection for our IPs."

"What I like best about Aruba Remote Access Points is that it's pretty easy to set up."

"It provides good Spectrum Analysis and troubleshooting."

"It’s very light."

"Once configured and operational, they tend to function reliably, with few reported issues from clients or customers."

More Aruba Remote Access Points pros

"It is open-source and free to use."

"Its most valuable feature is that it is open source."

"The setup is easy."

"The core VPN functionality is reliable and relatively easy to administer once it is deployed."

"The solution is secure and user-friendly."

"The most valuable feature of OpenVPN is that it is open source. I can do anything with the solution, such as change, build, and collect. Additionally, it is safe to use the solution and there are frequent updates."

"The most valuable thing about OpenVPN Access Server is its ease of use."

"The product has strong encryption and scalability features. It provides security for private network connections."

More OpenVPN Access Server pros

Cons

"But the hardware needs to be revamped when we compare the Meraki solution."

"I don't really have any critiques at this time."

"One thing that would be beneficial is for the Aruba Central mobile app to work more effectively. Currently, it does not function as expected when I really need it."

"The product is not user-friendly."

"The solution's technical support has some shortcomings that need improvement."

"The product needs an increased level of security for the end user."

"To make the solution better, the cloud solution should be more integrated as it has too many different menus, and it would be preferable to have it more cohesive in one solution."

"It would help if the remote APs had some kind of SoHo environment with built-in firewall features. That way it could connect directly in a client-to-site type of environment, or a site-to-site VPN environment. That way users could have a complete office setup without coming to the private cloud."

More Aruba Remote Access Points cons

"When there are too many concurrent users trying to connect at the same time, there may be a bit of a bottleneck."

"We occasionally have internet issues which affect stability."

"For an infrastructure product, that is not acceptable."

"There is always room for more security features."

"I think right now the GUI part of it is locked out behind the pay wall. It could use something that gives it a very basic, minimal, graphic interface for logging in, for the community version. That would probably be a good step forward."

"Regarding scalability, I find OpenVPN Access Server scalable with some caveats. However, sometimes your license disappears or gets wiped out when you scale the infrastructure, which can be quite annoying and requires reaching out to support to get set up again."

"The logs should be made easier to read."

"I would like to see continued advanced security implementation."

More OpenVPN Access Server cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"You require no separate licensing to convert an access point to RAP."

"Price-wise, Aruba Remote Access Points is in the middle, so my rating for its pricing is three out of five."

"The price of Aruba Remote Access Points could be better. It is a little expensive."

"There are no other expenses than standard licenses for the product."

"Aruba pricing is not very high. They offer competitive pricing for what they provide."

"Aruba Remote Access Points' pricing is good and affordable."

"In terms of pricing, we've found Aruba's offerings to be very competitive."

"The solution is free of cost."

"One of the valuable features of OpenVPN is that it is free for a single user."

"With regard to setup cost, pricing and/or licensing, the simple answer is that you'll need to set aside some time to learn it and experiment with it."

"The licensing has a fixed pricing."

"It is an open-source solution, so we don't pay for anything."

"I don't need to pay for its license since it is an open-source tool."

"Open VPN Access Server is open-source and free of charge."

"At one point I had to purchase addition connection licenses. I was very pleased with the pricing and licensing; so much easier than navigating the confusing jungle of Microsoft and Cisco licensing and pricing. That alone made the product a delight to manage."

More OpenVPN Access Server pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Manufacturing Company

17%

Construction Company

14%

Financial Services Firm

Government

Comms Service Provider

12%

Computer Software Company

11%

Financial Services Firm

University

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	8
Midsize Enterprise	5
Large Enterprise	8

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	36
Midsize Enterprise	9
Large Enterprise	17

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Aruba Remote Access Points?

We do not use Zero Touch Provisioning with Aruba Remote Access Points because the Aruba device being expensive compared to cheaper Cisco options holds us back.

What needs improvement with Aruba Remote Access Points?

The device requires reconfiguration if we use a standalone setup because the battery fault leads to all configurations resetting. This is a significant area for improvement, especially when the dev...

What is your primary use case for Aruba Remote Access Points?

We have a solution that is completely Aruba, including the controller, access point, and switch. We deploy ClearPass from Aruba in our company on VMware, which integrates well and works without iss...

How does Fortinet FortiClient compare with Open VPN Access Server?

Fortinet FortiClient is a feature-rich solution that is easy to use and deploy without sacrificing safety and security. It has a very fast connection rate and has a built-in VPN. With this solution...

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for OpenVPN Access Server?

Regarding pricing for OpenVPN Access Server, I don't remember all the details exactly, but I believe it is really flexible and even provides something like free trials, so anyone can try it. It was...

What needs improvement with OpenVPN Access Server?

I find that connection speed with OpenVPN Access Server loses in comparison to WireGuard, which is very fast. However, compared to any other solution, they are pretty much the same, and they do not...

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Product Reports

Aruba Remote Access Points

Download Aruba Remote Access Points product report

OpenVPN Access Server

Download OpenVPN Access Server product report

Also Known As

Aruba RAP

OpenVPN

Overview

Aruba Remote Access Points provide seamless connectivity and secure remote access for distant sites, ensuring efficient management and reliable performance.

Offering ease of configuration and scalable deployment, Aruba Remote Access Points guarantee private remote office environments. Utilizing advanced filtering and centralized management, these access points deliver flexible integration and strong security. Despite needing improvements in web UI simplicity and enhanced AI capabilities, they stand out in cost-effectiveness and customer support excellence. Enhancements in cloud features, monitoring tools, and power management could further enhance its performance.

What are the key features of Aruba Remote Access Points?

Secure Connectivity: Ensures safe remote access to corporate networks
Centralized Management: Simplifies oversight and control
Scalable Integration: Adapts to growing enterprise needs
Seamless Deployment: Facilitates quick and easy setup

What benefits and ROI should users look for?

Cost-Effectiveness: Affordable with consolidated expenses
Intuitive Scaling: Easily accommodate expanding connections
Reliable Performance: Consistently high network stability
Comprehensive Support: Access to excellent customer service

Aruba Remote Access Points are widely implemented across industries such as construction, warehousing, and government facilities. They provide essential VPN and ERP connectivity, enhancing remote work capabilities and managing office networks through centralized controllers, making them indispensable for secure communication and network management.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise

OpenVPN Access Server Enterprise provides secure, scalable remote access with strong encryption and cross-platform compatibility, leveraging open-source flexibility for cost-effectiveness. It's ideal for connecting remote workers, maintaining privacy, and securing network communications.

OpenVPN Access Server Enterprise is renowned for its ease of setup and adaptability, supporting Linux and different operating systems, which ensures robust security and seamless integration across network scenarios. With features like two-factor authentication and customizable installers, it emphasizes privacy and remote connectivity. While it offers robust documentation and community support, there are challenges with user management due to the lack of a simple GUI. Users note stability issues under heavy traffic, and improvements in security features and configuration automation are desired. Despite these areas for enhancement, it remains a reliable choice for secure remote access.

What are the key features?

Easy Setup: Hassle-free installation process facilitates quick deployment
Cross-Platform Compatibility: Supports Linux and different operating systems for widespread utility
Strong Encryption: Secures data with advanced encryption technologies
Two-Factor Authentication: Enhances security through additional authentication layer
Customizable Installers: Allows personalized installation process to suit organizational preferences

What benefits and ROI should users seek?

Cost-Effectiveness: Open-source nature reduces licensing costs
User-Friendliness: Comprehensive documentation and community support ease the implementation
Scalability: Adapts to growing connectivity and bandwidth needs
Enhanced Security: Provides secure access to network resources and data

In industries such as finance and healthcare, OpenVPN Access Server Enterprise secures sensitive data while enabling remote access across LANs and VPCs. It's utilized for encrypted traffic protection, facilitating site-to-site VPNs, and connecting mobile workers securely, thus maintaining data integrity in interoffice communications and IoT platforms.

OpenVPN

Sample Customers

Trafford Metropolitan Borough

Verizon, Amazon, Disney, HP, Microsoft, IBM, Samsung

Aruba Remote Access Points vs. OpenVPN Access Server