OpenVPN Review: Secure & Private VPN Service in 2025?

Are you frustrated with slow VPNs that throttle your connection?

OpenVPN promises blazing-fast speeds without compromising security.

But does it live up to the hype?

In this review, we’ll examine OpenVPN‘s features, pricing, and performance to determine whether it’s the right VPN for you.

What is OpenVPN?

Imagine a secret tunnel for your internet connection.

That’s what OpenVPN is! It’s like a unique set of rules, a protocol, that creates a safe and private connection for your computer.

This “tunnel” protects your information as it travels between your device and the VPN server.

OpenVPN can send your data in different ways. One method is the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), which is like sending a package with a tracking number.

TCP is reliable because it ensures that all the data arrives correctly.

OpenVPN can also use the User Datagram Protocol (UDP). UDP is faster and more efficient, like sending a quick letter without tracking.

Some information might get lost, but it’s not a big deal for things like streaming or gaming.

OpenVPN’s special feature is that it uses the OpenVPN protocol. This open-source protocol means anyone can review the code and find problems.

This makes it very trustworthy and secure.

Who Created OpenVPN?

OpenVPN was created by James Yonan back in 2001.

His vision was to make a secure and reliable way for people to connect to the internet.

He wanted to create a VPN protocol that was open-source and available to everyone.

Today, OpenVPN is one of the most trusted VPN protocols many VPN providers use.

It’s even used in businesses to create secure connections for employees to access servers and work remotely.

OpenVPN continues to be a popular choice among VPN providers and individuals because of its strong security and flexibility.

Top Benefits of OpenVPN

OpenVPN offers many advantages, making it a popular choice for securing your internet connection.

Here are some of its top benefits:

• Strong Security: OpenVPN is known for its robust security features. It uses strong encryption keys to protect your data, making it very difficult for anyone to snoop on your online activity. This is especially important when using public Wi-Fi.
• Flexibility: OpenVPN can work with different protocols, such as TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) and UDP (User Datagram Protocol). OpenVPN TCP is more reliable, while OpenVPN UDP is generally faster. This flexibility lets you choose the best option for your needs.
• Open Source: The OpenVPN software is open source, meaning its code is publicly available. This allows security experts to constantly review and improve it, ensuring it remains secure and reliable.
• Wide Compatibility: OpenVPN can be used on various devices, such as computers, smartphones, and tablets. This makes it easy to secure your VPN connection, no matter your device.
• Bypass Restrictions: A Virtual Private Network (VPN) like OpenVPN can help you bypass internet restrictions and censorship. This is helpful if you’re in a country with limited internet freedom or want to access geo-blocked content.
• Remote Access: Businesses often use OpenVPN to provide secure remote access to their employees. This allows employees to connect to company networks and resources from anywhere, just like in the office.
• Free Option: OpenVPN offers a Community Edition that’s completely free to use. This makes it an excellent option for individuals who want a secure VPN without any cost.
• Large Community: OpenVPN has a large and active community of users and developers. This means you can easily find support, tutorials, and resources if you need help with the Software.
• Multiple Server Locations: Many VPN providers using OpenVPN offer a wide range of VPN servers around the world. You could choose a server in a specific location to access content or improve your connection speed.
• Easy to Use: While setting up OpenVPN might initially seem technical, many VPN providers offer user-friendly apps that make it easy to connect to a VPN server with just a few clicks, even on mobile devices.

Best Features of OpenVPN

OpenVPN is about more than just basic VPN protection.

It offers a whole range of features that make it a powerful tool for individuals and businesses alike.

Let’s explore some of its most impressive capabilities:

1. Secure Remote Access

Need to access your work computer from home? OpenVPN excels at providing secure remote access.

It creates an encrypted tunnel between your home computer and your company’s network, ensuring that all data transmitted remains private and protected from prying eyes.

This is essential for employees who work remotely or need to access sensitive company resources from outside the office.

2. Secure IoT Communication

The Internet of Things (IoT) is growing very fastly, with more and more devices connecting to the internet.

But these devices often lack strong security measures, making them vulnerable to hacking.

OpenVPN can help secure your IoT communication by encrypting the data transmitted between your devices and the internet.

This adds an extra layer of protection for your smart home devices, wearables, and other IoT gadgets.

3. Create Secure Access to SaaS Applications

Many businesses rely on Software as a Service (SaaS) applications like Salesforce, Google Workspace, and Microsoft 365.

However, accessing these applications over the public internet can pose security risks.

OpenVPN allows you to create secure access to SaaS applications by routing your connection through an encrypted tunnel.

This ensures that your login credentials and sensitive data remain protected from unauthorized access.

4. Site-to-Site Networking

For businesses with multiple locations, OpenVPN can be used to establish site-to-site networking.

This creates a secure connection between different office networks, allowing employees to access resources and collaborate across locations seamlessly.

It’s like creating a virtual private network that links all your offices together, ensuring secure and efficient communication.

5. Enforce Zero Trust Access

Zero Trust is a security framework that assumes no user or device could be trusted by default.

OpenVPN can enforce Zero Trust access by requiring users to authenticate their identity before accessing any network resources.

This adds an extra layer of security, preventing unauthorized access even if a device is compromised.

This is crucial for businesses that handle sensitive data & want to minimize the risk of security breaches.

Pricing

Plan	Price (per month)	Key Features
Free	$0	Install access to all features, No card required
Growth	$14	Install access to all features, No card required
Enterprise	Contact Sales	Customize and manage your network

Pros and Cons

Every tool has its strengths and weaknesses.

Let’s take a balanced look at what makes OpenVPN shine and where it might fall short.

Alternatives of OpenVPN

While OpenVPN is a solid choice, exploring alternatives is always a good idea.

Here are a few other popular VPN protocols and services:

• WireGuard: This newer protocol is gaining popularity for its speed and simplicity. It’s known for being easier to configure than OpenVPN and often boasts faster connection speeds.
• IPsec: Another widely used protocol, IPsec, is often used in business settings for site-to-site connections. It’s known for its strong security and reliability.
• IKEv2: This protocol is popular for its ability to reconnect when your internet connection drops quickly. It’s a good choice for mobile devices that frequently switch between Wi-Fi and cellular networks.
• NordVPN: A popular VPN provider that prefers a user-friendly app & a wide range of servers. They support OpenVPN and other protocols like NordLynx (based on WireGuard).
• ExpressVPN: Another excellent alternative is ExpressVPN, which is known for its fast speeds & strong security features. It also supports OpenVPN alongside its own Lightway protocol.

Remember it, that the “best” alternative depends on your needs and priorities.

Consider factors like speed, security, ease of use, and price when deciding.

Personal Experience with OpenVPN

My team recently needed a secure way to access our office network while working remotely.

We decided to try OpenVPN, specifically the OpenVPN Community Edition, and it turned out to be a great solution.

We set up an access server in our office and configured it to allow connections from our team members‘ laptops.

Using the OpenVPN client software, we could establish secure connections to the office network from anywhere with an internet connection.

Here’s what we loved about OpenVPN:

• Strong security: The tunneling protocol encrypted our internet traffic, ensuring that our data remained private and protected from potential threats on public Wi-Fi networks.
• Easy setup: While OpenVPN can initially seem technical, we found the documentation and community support helpful. Setting up the server and client software was surprisingly straightforward.
• Reliable connections: Once connected, our VPN connections remained stable and reliable, allowing us to work seamlessly without interruptions.
• Cost-effective: The OpenVPN Community Edition is free to use, making it a budget-friendly option for our team.

Overall, OpenVPN provided a secure and reliable way for us to access our office network remotely.

It’s a powerful tool that we highly recommend for anyone needing to establish secure connections.

Final Thoughts

OpenVPN is a powerful & versatile VPN solution with a strong focus on security and flexibility.

Its open-source nature, broad compatibility, and advanced features make it an excellent choice for individuals & businesses.

However, it can be complex to set up and might require some technical know-how.

OpenVPN is worth considering if you’re looking for a secure and reliable VPN solution and are comfortable with some technical configuration.

Explore their website to learn more and choose the plan that best suits your needs.

Don’t compromise on your online security – take control with OpenVPN!

Frequently Asked Questions