FastVPN vs OpenVPN
Features, use cases, pros and cons, and pricing side by side — and which one to pick.
Best for: Non-technical users who want one-click privacy protection without configuring protocols or servers, Frequent travelers and remote workers who regularly use café, airport, or hotel Wi-Fi and need encrypted traffic for shopping and logins
Read the full FastVPN reviewBest for: Businesses securing remote and hybrid employees, IT teams that want full control through a self-hosted VPN server
Read the full OpenVPN reviewCommission may apply at no extra cost
FastVPN vs OpenVPN: features compared
Compare key features side by side
Feature Comparison Summary
Which should you choose?
Choose FastVPN if
- You prefer choosing between monthly or yearly billing.
Choose OpenVPN if
- You need Zero Trust access plus SOC 2, HIPAA, or GDPR compliance.
- You want SSO, API, Terraform automation, and 24/7 support.
FastVPN vs OpenVPN: pros and cons
FastVPN
FastVPN keeps things refreshingly simple: one-click encryption, IP masking, a no-log commitment, and a free plan to try before paying. The trade-off is thin public evidence, with no independent audit, no speed or server details, and unclear paid-plan pricing. Overall, it's a reasonable starter VPN for casual privacy needs, not a tool for power users.
Pros
- Encrypts all internet traffic by default, so protection isn't limited to specific apps or browsers
- Strict no-log policy means the provider itself does not track or store your online activity
- Genuinely simple onboarding — download, connect, and browse, with no technical configuration required
Cons
- The service is positioned as a simple, no-frills VPN, so users needing advanced options (custom protocol selection, granular server controls) may find it limiting
- The no-log policy is a vendor statement; shoppers who want third-party audit verification should check for independent audits before trusting it fully
- Detailed performance figures such as server count, speed test results, and supported device limits are not published in the available materials, making comparison shopping harder
OpenVPN
OpenVPN gives you two ways in: run Access Server yourself for full control, or let CloudConnexa handle the servers. It's trusted by 20,000-plus organizations, includes compliance credentials, and offers a real free tier. Costs climb per seat, though, and key integrations sit behind the $7 plan. Overall, it's a solid pick for businesses that want security without lock-in.
Pros
- Two deployment paths in one product — self-hosted Access Server on AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, Docker, Linux, Hyper-V, or VMware ESXi, or the fully managed CloudConnexa service with zero server upkeep
- Zero Trust access controls verify user identity, device, and IP address on every connection, with least-privilege rules so users only reach the resources their jobs require
- Compliance credentials are built in — SOC 2 Type 2, ISO/IEC 27001:2022, HIPAA, and GDPR support — which speeds up auditor and regulatory questions for healthcare and financial firms
Cons
- Per-connection pricing scales up quickly for large workforces — a company with hundreds of users should model total costs against unlimited-seat competitors before committing
- Self-hosting Access Server requires real technical skill, including server management on your chosen cloud or hardware; CloudConnexa avoids this but removes the control self-hosters want
- The free Starter tier is tight — 1 device per user, only 2 Connectors, 10 applications, and just 7 days of log retention, which limits real-world testing for compliance use cases
FastVPN and OpenVPN in detail
FastVPN
FastVPN is a virtual private network application for consumers. When you connect, it encrypts all traffic leaving your device and routes it through FastVPN's servers, masking your IP address and shielding the contents of your connection. The practical effects are threefold: your data is protected on untrusted networks like public Wi-Fi, websites see the VPN server's location instead of yours, and the service itself claims not to record your activity thanks to its no-log policy. It offers a free plan alongside paid monthly and yearly subscriptions.
Standout features
- Full Traffic Encryption
- Strict No-Log Policy
- Anonymous Browsing
- Simple Setup
Use cases
- Staying Safe on Public Wi-Fi
- Everyday Private Browsing
- Protecting Sensitive Data on Shared Networks
OpenVPN
OpenVPN is a business VPN platform built on Zero Trust principles. It comes in two forms.
Access Server is self-hosted software you run on your own cloud or hardware. CloudConnexa is a managed, cloud-delivered service with no server upkeep.
Standout features
- Zero Trust access, built in
- Self-hosted control or fully managed
- Encrypted tunnels that travel with your data
- Connect from anywhere, on any device
- Admin that doesn't slow you down
Use cases
- Secure Remote and Hybrid Work
- Connect Offices, IoT, and Cloud Apps
- Meet Healthcare and Finance Compliance
- Self-Host or Go Fully Managed
Pricing compared
List prices from each vendor's pricing page, before taxes and add-ons. Costs are per month.
| Pricing compared | FastVPN | OpenVPN |
|---|---|---|
| From (cheapest paid plan) | $1/mo Choose your VPN plan | $7/mo Essential · per user |
| Free plan | No | Yes 1 device per user, 2 Connectors, 10 applications, 10 IP Services, 2 Access Groups, 7-day log retention |
| Free trial | Not stated | Yes |
| Money-back guarantee | Not stated | Not stated |
| Annual billing savings | — | — |
| Pricing model | Flat price | Per user |
| Cost for 1 user | $1/mo Choose your VPN plan plan, billed monthly | FreeCheaper Starter plan, billed monthly |
| Cost for 5 users | $1/mo Choose your VPN plan plan, billed monthly · price per account (user limit not stated) | $35/mo Essential plan, billed monthly |
| Cost for 10 users | $1/mo Choose your VPN plan plan, billed monthly · price per account (user limit not stated) | $70/mo Essential plan, billed monthly |
| Cost for 25 users | $1/mo Choose your VPN plan plan, billed monthly · price per account (user limit not stated) | $175/mo Essential plan, billed monthly |
| Plans | 2 | 4 |
| Prices checked | Checked Oct 12, 2026 | Checked Oct 13, 2026 |
| Price history | Tracking prices since Oct 1, 2026. No price change detected yet. | Tracking prices since Oct 1, 2026. No price change detected yet. |
- Cheapest plan that fits each team size. Per-user plans are multiplied by the number of users (respecting stated minimums and seat packs). Plans that include some users cost their base price plus the extra-user price for each user beyond those included. Flat-priced plans with no stated user limit are counted as one licence per user.
Cheaper for your team size
For 1 user (billed monthly), OpenVPN costs $0/mo vs FastVPN at $1/mo.
- Only OpenVPN has a free plan.
Computed from published list prices on the dates shown. Excludes taxes, add-ons and promotions.
More comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
Which tool is better for business compliance?
OpenVPN. It documents SOC 2 Type 2, ISO/IEC 27001:2022, HIPAA, and GDPR compliance, plus audit logs up to 365 days. FastVPN publishes no compliance details, so OpenVPN is the safer documented choice.