We primarily use the solution for a secure VPN connection.
ICT and Cyber Security Adviser at a educational organization with 201-500 employees
Open-source, easy to set up, and simple to expand
Pros and Cons
- "It is open-source and free to use."
- "When there are too many concurrent users trying to connect at the same time, there may be a bit of a bottleneck."
What is our primary use case?
What is most valuable?
Overall, it's okay and performance-wise it's fine.
It is easy to set up.
The solution is stable.
It can scale well.
It is open-source and free to use.
What needs improvement?
The performance could be a bit better. The stability could always be enhanced.
When there are too many concurrent users trying to connect at the same time, there may be a bit of a bottleneck. When all people would like to reconnect to the VPN at the same time, the performance and availability of the solution could be better.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been using the solution for almost a year.
Buyer's Guide
OpenVPN Access Server
May 2025

Learn what your peers think about OpenVPN Access Server. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: May 2025.
851,604 professionals have used our research since 2012.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is quite stable and has okay performance. However, it could be better. We'd like the performance to be more robust.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
It's a scalable product. If a company needs to expand it, it can do so.
We have around 2,000 users on the solution right now.
We're always open to increasing usage.
How are customer service and support?
I haven't dealt with technical support just yet. I can't speak to how helpful they would be.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We did not previously use a different solution.
How was the initial setup?
With OpenVPN, the amount of people you need to deploy and maintain it depends on how many nodes you would need and the number of users as well as whether you are operating 24/7 or operating only during work hours. Likely, you would need between three and six people.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
This is an open-source solution. We can use it for free.
What other advice do I have?
I'd recommend the solution to other users and organizations.
I would rate the product eight out of ten as I have been mostly pleased with its capabilities.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.

Infrastructure Administrator at a financial services firm with 51-200 employees
Has the easiest UX for end-users and greatest interoperability with all operating systems we used
Pros and Cons
- "Provided the easiest UX for our end-users and had the greatest interoperability with all the operating systems we used, including but not limited to: iOS, Android, OS X, Windows, and Linux."
- "The upgrade path from older versions was more difficult than we wanted to tackle, so we ran an older version of the software for longer than I wanted. Patching, updating, and migrating to newer versions was a problem for us. That said, we were on a rather old version that I inherited yet it worked rock solid."
What is our primary use case?
Our primary use case was to give mobile knowledge workers a secure connection across the Internet to our LAN, whether by laptop, mobile tablet or smart phone.
How has it helped my organization?
It allowed people to remotely access files from their mobile devices. It was so easy for end-users to use that they were able to work more efficiently no matter where they were, whether at a client’s campus, home, traveling – wherever they had a device and internet access.
What is most valuable?
This open-source solution provided the easiest UX for our end-users and had the greatest interoperability with all the operating systems we used, including but not limited to: iOS, Android, OS X, Windows, and Linux.
What needs improvement?
The upgrade path from older versions was more difficult than we wanted to tackle, so we ran an older version of the software for longer than I wanted. Patching, updating, and migrating to newer versions was a problem for us. That said, we were on a rather old version that I inherited yet it worked rock solid.
For how long have I used the solution?
Three to five years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
No issues.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
We more than doubled our staff at my previous company and our OpenVPN appliance handled it well.
How are customer service and technical support?
Tech support wasn’t needed during my 5 years administrating OpenVPN.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
OpenVPN was already implemented when I took over the IT department. I do know that there was also a Cisco VPN product in place, but it was finicky and many of our end-users had issues with the Cisco VPN. At the time, it also didn’t work on mobile devices and the required ports were blocked by certain ISPs (like some hotel internet connections, cellular providers, etc.)
What about the implementation team?
In-house expertise.
What was our ROI?
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
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.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
I didn’t purchase OpenVPN, but I have evaluated other products for other departments I managed at other companies. Cisco and Fortinet are the two I remember off hand.
What other advice do I have?
We did not use this product on AWS. We hosted the server on our network.
My advice would be, if OpenVPN fits your environment and needs, it’s a great solution. Do it.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Buyer's Guide
OpenVPN Access Server
May 2025

Learn what your peers think about OpenVPN Access Server. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: May 2025.
851,604 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Senior System Engineer
Allows us to see and use the new Citrix server as a local server within the company
Pros and Cons
- "A valuable feature for us is its ability to see the new Citrix server as a local server within the company. And it allows us to test abroad."
- "I would like to see a simpler interface, so that we can make the connection between the local network using the LAN IP."
- "I would be more happy with the idea of licensing to have a reduced price with longer, grouped, annual fees. We have a lot of other software that does the same thing. It's a little higher price if you're going with a shorter stint, but there's a reduction in price for three- and five-year contracts."
What is our primary use case?
This was a test bed in which to use a virtualized Citrix server to be connected with the downtown Tacoma site. We needed that to be able to not only access the local network over there, but also to use thin clients there to virtualize the work stations on our test location.
How has it helped my organization?
It allows us to actually use the Citrix server, just that simple.
What is most valuable?
A valuable feature for us is its ability to see the new Citrix server as a local server within the company.
And it allows us to test abroad. We have a couple other sites that we want to try to get people to remote into. Having that feature really helped.
What needs improvement?
The user interface that we had to implement. I would like to see a simpler interface, so that we can make the connection between the local network using the LAN IP.
Also, I would be more happy with the idea of licensing to have a reduced price with longer, grouped, annual fees. We have a lot of other software that does the same thing. It's a little higher price if you're going with a shorter stint, but there's a reduction in price for three- and five-year contracts.
For how long have I used the solution?
Less than one year.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It's been more of a hardware issue with us. The VPN has been working fine, but on our side, where our test bed is, we've just been trying to get it fine-tuned. But, no, OpenVPN hasn't had any problems.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Not yet.
How are customer service and technical support?
It's been pretty good. We only had one question when we were first implementing it. My crew and I were answered very quickly. The technical support was responsive.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We didn't have a previous solution. We had done a little research and we went with OpenVPN as the first option. It wasn't that we went through several before it.
How was the initial setup?
It was pretty straightforward. We've seen terrible things with Citrix, so nothing compared to that.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
I would say the product's pricing is a good value. I would recommend to other companies to implement it. I've seen other software, in tandem with the service, to be very expensive.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We were attempting to do a closed VPN between the two sites, but it really doesn't work with the local IPs that we wanted people's Citrix agents to be able to get in. We wanted it to emulate the IP of it being local because eventually we were going to move the Citrix server to the Tacoma site.
What other advice do I have?
Do your homework, and make sure that your test site where you're going to be setting this up has a good, solid connection with your ISP. That was the issue we ran into. We actually had to get our ISP out here to fix the modem that we were having issues with.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Senior Linux System Administrator at a media company with 51-200 employees
Two-factor authentication allows us to not force frequent password changes
Pros and Cons
- "It allows us to give access to our office network in a safe and secure way to users, no matter which computing platform they use. "
- "Two-factor authentication allows us to not force frequent password changes."
- "There was one annoying feature where we had to disable and enable the user. I cannot remember what it was exactly, but I think it was for a password lockout. It would be nice if there was a checkbox, or something, in the web interface to allow you to unlock a user whose password was locked."
How has it helped my organization?
It allows us to give access to our office network in a safe and secure way to users, no matter which computing platform they use.
What is most valuable?
- Easy to set up.
- Clients for multiple platforms
- It runs on Linux.
- It allows for two-factor authentication.
This makes it very easy to administer if it is running on a Linux server where you can do everything over CLI or a web-based interface. Some software only has clients for MAC and Windows, which is annoying. Two-factor authentication allows us to not force frequent password changes.
What needs improvement?
There was one annoying feature where we had to disable and enable the user. I cannot remember what it was exactly, but I think it was for a password lockout. It would be nice if there was a checkbox, or something, in the web interface to allow you to unlock a user whose password was locked.
For how long have I used the solution?
One to three years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
No issues. It is solid as a rock.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Never.
How are customer service and technical support?
I do not think we ever had to use technical support. I mainly found answers on the web forums.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
No.
How was the initial setup?
It was already set up when I got there.
However, I have set up OpenVPN elsewhere. The initial setup is very straightforward as long as you understand something about the way the OS works, and how the networking and certificates work.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
Not applicable.
What other advice do I have?
It is good stuff.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Student at Université Abdelmalek Essaâdi
It is a scalable solution and does not require licenses
Pros and Cons
- "Its most valuable feature is that it is open source."
- "They should make the solution more secure by adding some firewall functionalities."
What is our primary use case?
I used the solution to deploy a tunnel to limit lateral movement in a specific network.
What is most valuable?
The solution's valuable feature is that it is open source.
What needs improvement?
They should make the solution more secure by adding some firewall functionalities.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have used the solution for three months.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I rate the solution's stability a six and a half.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
It is a scalable solution. I rate its scalability as an eight.
How was the initial setup?
The solution's initial setup is of medium complexity. I deployed it to three ports to establish a tunnel between them. It took three weeks to deploy it to all the virtual machines.
What about the implementation team?
I implemented the solution myself.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The solution is free of cost.
What other advice do I have?
I highly recommend the solution to those who want to learn about VPN infrastructure and its deployment. But I wouldn't recommend it to any company. I rate it as a nine, as I have learned so much from it.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Owner at a outsourcing company with 1,001-5,000 employees
Very easy to set up users, but needs simpler high availability deployment and support for additional protocols
Pros and Cons
- "It was very easy to set up users."
- "The high availability deployment is not very straightforward. They can make it simpler. OpenVPN does not support some of the additional protocols that Pulse Secure and Cisco AnyConnect support. They can include support for these additional protocols."
What is most valuable?
It was very easy to set up users.
What needs improvement?
The high availability deployment is not very straightforward. They can make it simpler.
OpenVPN does not support some of the additional protocols that Pulse Secure and Cisco AnyConnect support. They can include support for these additional protocols.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using this solution for close to a year. I set it up and configured it. I also supported it from time to time and documented standard operating procedures because there were other people who were going to maintain it and operate it. We have about 15 users of this solution.
How was the initial setup?
It was not very complicated. I did it for the first time, and for somebody who was doing it for the first time, it was okay. I could do it.
What other advice do I have?
It is important to document the steps so that if one person is not available, another person can continue the work.
I would rate OpenVPN Access Server a seven out of ten.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Senior Information Security Consultant at a tech vendor with 11-50 employees
Reliable, easy to use, and open source
Pros and Cons
- "The solution is reliable, easy to use, and open source. It's free at no cost."
What is our primary use case?
We use the solution to access FTP pages and file sharing.
What is most valuable?
The solution is reliable, easy to use, and open source. It's free at no cost.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using OpenVPN Access Server as a user.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The product is stable. There are no interruptions, and it works smoothly.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution’s scalability is fine. It encompasses security advances and investments in the industry.
What was our ROI?
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The solution is free. It is worth the money.
What other advice do I have?
The tool works fine and doesn't bother me all day.
I recommend the solution.
Overall, I rate the solution a ten out of ten.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Penetration tester at a tech services company with 1-10 employees
Effective protection, flexible, and simple implementation
Pros and Cons
- "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 stability of the solution could improve."
What is our primary use case?
I used OpenVPN Access Server for personal use for VPN access, such as browsing the internet with the Brave Internet browser.
What is most valuable?
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.
What needs improvement?
The stability of the solution could improve.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have used OpenVPN Access Server within the last 12 months.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I rate the stability of the OpenVPN Access Server a nine out of ten.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I am using the solution only for myself.
How are customer service and support?
I have not contacted vendor support. I solve issues myself.
How was the initial setup?
Setting up the OpenVPN Access Server is a straightforward process that can be completed within minutes. As someone knowledgeable in technology, certain tasks come easily to me, whereas others may find them challenging. However, I found the implementation process to be effortless.
I use the command line interface to install the solution with a few commands.
What about the implementation team?
I did the deployment of the OpenVPN Access Server myself.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
OpenVPN is an open-source solution. If the solution is used for personal use it is free. For non-personal use, the solution can be expensive.
What other advice do I have?
The solution works well if you have a good internet connection. If the connection is not stable it is not the fault of the solution.
I would advise others to use this solution, it works well.
I rate OpenVPN Access Server a nine out of ten.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.

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