OpenVPN

OpenVPN review

Flexible Zero Trust VPN for business — self-hosted or cloud-delivered, from $7 per connection.

OpenVPN costs from $7/mo · 4 plans · Free plan available · prices checked Oct 13, 2026

By Ciroapp Editorial Team · Updated Sep 16, 2026

Commission may apply at no extra cost

OpenVPN homepage screenshot

At a glance

Quick overview for OpenVPN: rating, pricing summary, key features, and highlights.
Pricing verified Oct 13, 2026

Ciroapp score

4.1/ 5

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

  • 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
  • Pros: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
  • Pros: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

  • 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
  • Cons: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
  • Cons: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
Best for
  • Businesses securing remote and hybrid employees
  • IT teams that want full control through a self-hosted VPN server
  • Companies that prefer a managed, cloud-delivered service with no server upkeep
Free trial
Yes
This section is a summary. Detailed sections about features, use cases, pricing, and reviews follow below.

What is OpenVPN?

Remote access shouldn't keep you up at night. Yet unsecured connections put company data at real risk — Verizon attributes most breaches to a human element. OpenVPN answers with encrypted tunnels, Zero Trust access controls, and flexible pricing.

Self-host for full control, or let OpenVPN manage the cloud side.

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. Both secure remote access for employees, branch offices, and IoT devices. It's aimed at small teams through large enterprises — more than 20,000 organizations have trusted it for over two decades.

Should you choose OpenVPN?

Quick buyer guidance before you compare plans or click through.

Choose it if

  • You want Zero Trust controls — identity, device, and IP verification — on a VPN foundation
  • You need compliance backing: SOC 2 Type 2, ISO/IEC 27001:2022, HIPAA, and GDPR
  • You want flexible deployment across AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, DigitalOcean, Oracle, IBM Cloud, Docker, and Linux
  • You prefer predictable pricing that starts at $7 per connection per month
  • You need client software for all major operating systems and mobile devices, as reviewers highlight

Skip it if

  • You want a simple consumer VPN — this is business-focused, with admin setup and user management to handle
  • You're not comfortable managing servers — self-hosting Access Server takes real technical skill, though CloudConnexa avoids it
  • You have a very large workforce — per-connection pricing means you should model total costs before committing
  • You expect instant refunds — unused funds are credited to your account, and refunds require contacting sales

Next steps before buying

  1. 1Decide between self-hosted control (Access Server) and a managed service (CloudConnexa) — the site's product comparison page can help you choose
  2. 2Use the pricing page to estimate costs based on your team size and number of concurrent connections
  3. 3Start free: get 2 free connections on Access Server or up to 5 free seats on CloudConnexa, with full functionality
  4. 4Confirm your deployment target is supported — IaaS providers, Docker, Linux, Hyper-V, or VMware ESXi for self-hosting
  5. 5Book a demo or review the compliance and support pages if regulatory or integration questions matter for your purchase

Ease of use

Customer feedback on the site consistently describes setup as simple. One reviewer calls configuring and updating his own server 'no-nonsense,' and another praises the ready-to-use AWS image. Access Server ships with deployment templates, and CloudConnexa removes server work entirely. Free tiers let you test full functionality before paying, and support is available 24/7.

OpenVPN Key Features

🛡️ Zero Trust access, built in

Access isn't all-or-nothing here. OpenVPN enforces Zero Trust controls that verify a user's identity, their device, and their IP address before granting entry. You can also apply least-privilege access, so people only reach the apps and resources their jobs require.

That shrinks your attack surface and helps stop lateral movement if a credential leaks.

✨ Self-hosted control or fully managed

OpenVPN comes in two forms. Access Server is self-hosted software for your own cloud or hardware. CloudConnexa is cloud-delivered, with no server upkeep for your team. Pick whichever fits your management style.

  • Deploy Access Server on IaaS providers, Docker, Linux, Hyper-V, or VMware ESXi
  • Ready-to-use templates speed up setup
  • CloudConnexa links networks using OpenVPN or IPsec

✨ Encrypted tunnels that travel with your data

Every connection runs through an encrypted tunnel, so data stays protected on untrusted networks like café or airport Wi-Fi. Traffic can route through your VPN server, masking users' real IP addresses. CloudConnexa adds content filtering and IDS/IPS, plus domain-based routing rules that keep things simple.

✨ Connect from anywhere, on any device

Connecting shouldn't depend on the device. OpenVPN provides client software for all major operating systems and mobile devices. You can allow connections on common ports too, so people get in from almost anywhere.

With Data Channel Offload (DCO), OpenVPN says its protocol is now the fastest VPN protocol available.

✨ Admin that doesn't slow you down

Day-to-day admin stays light. You can add users, set access policies, and turn on built-in two-factor authentication without fuss. Single sign-on support through SAML, LDAP, and SCIM simplifies user management, while a public API and Terraform support handle automated provisioning.

And if questions come up, support runs 24/7 through the support portal.

Use Cases

🏠 Secure Remote and Hybrid Work

Your team works from homes, coffee shops, and airports. OpenVPN wraps their traffic in an encrypted tunnel, so company data stays safe on any network. Identity, device, and IP checks keep access limited to the right people.

Expected outcome: Employees connect securely from anywhere.

🔗 Connect Offices, IoT, and Cloud Apps

Branch offices, IoT devices, and SaaS apps don't need separate tools. Site-to-site connections link your locations, while domain-based routing sends traffic where it belongs. Everything runs under one Zero Trust policy.

Expected outcome: One secure network for every site and device.

🏥 Meet Healthcare and Finance Compliance

Healthcare teams protect patient data under HIPAA. Financial firms meet PCI-DSS with application-level controls. OpenVPN supports both, with SOC 2 Type 2, ISO/IEC 27001:2022, and GDPR compliance built in.

Expected outcome: Faster, easier answers for your auditors.

☁️ Self-Host or Go Fully Managed

Want full control? Deploy Access Server on AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, Docker, or Linux with ready-made templates. Hate server upkeep?

CloudConnexa runs everything for you. Expected outcome: A deployment style that matches your team's skills. > Tip: Test full functionality free before you pay.

OpenVPN pricing

From$7/mo

  • 4 plans
  • Free plan available

Prices checked on Oct 13, 2026 from OpenVPN's pricing page

OpenVPN pricing page screenshotView pricing page screenshot
PlanBilled monthlyBilled annuallyIncludes
Starter
Free
—
1 device per user, 2 Connectors, 10 applications, 10 IP Services, 2 Access Groups, 7-day log retention
  • No credit card required
  • 1 device per user
  • 2 Connectors
  • 10 applications for domain-based routing
  • Multi-factor authentication
  • +1
Essential
per user
$7/mo
—
3 devices per user, 500 Connectors, 200 applications, 200 IP Services, 10 Access Groups, 500k daily log streaming events
  • Annual billing saves up to 20%
  • 3 devices per user
  • 500 Connectors and 200 applications
  • LDAP, SAML, and SCIM support
  • Public API and Terraform support
  • +1
Premium
per user
$9.50/mo
—
5 devices per user, 1,000 Connectors, 500 applications, 500 IP Services, 50 Access Groups, 10M daily log streaming events
  • Annual billing saves up to 20%
  • 5 devices per user
  • 1,000 Connectors and 500 applications
  • 180-day audit logs
  • Dedicated account manager
  • +1
Enterprise & IoT
See vendor page
See vendor page
5 devices per user, custom Connectors, custom networking scale determined with OpenVPN's team
  • Custom Connectors
  • 1,000 applications and 1,000 IP Services
  • Up to 100 Access Groups and 100 device policies
  • 365-day audit logs and 50M daily streaming events
  • Talk to an expert for a tailored quote

Price history

Tracking prices since Oct 1, 2026. No price change detected yet.

Pricing types: Free plan, Free trial, Monthly subscription, Yearly subscription, Per seat pricing

Pricing notes

OpenVPN's CloudConnexa offers four plans: a free Starter tier, Essential at $7/seat/month, Premium at $9.50/seat/month, and custom-priced Enterprise & IoT. Both paid tiers advertise annual billing discounts of up to 20%.

OpenVPN's CloudConnexa costs between $0 and $9.50 per seat per month with four plans: Starter (Free), Essential ($7/seat/mo), Premium ($9.50/seat/mo), and Enterprise & IoT (custom pricing).

Here's what each tier includes, so you can match one to your team's size and security needs.

Starter

Price: Free Best For: Small teams and anyone testing CloudConnexa Other Features:

  • No credit card required
  • 1 device per user
  • 2 Connectors and 10 domain-based routing applications
  • Multi-factor authentication and web filtering included

Starter is a genuinely useful free plan. You get core Zero Trust features — encryption, MFA, and intrusion prevention — without paying a cent. It's the right pick if you want to prove the value of a cloud VPN before spending anything.

Essential

Price: $7/seat/mo (save up to 20% with annual billing) Best For: Small to mid-sized teams that need centralized management Other Features:

  • 3 devices per user
  • 500 Connectors and 200 applications
  • LDAP, SAML, and SCIM support for single sign-on
  • Public API, 24/7 support, and priority support

Essential fits growing teams that have outgrown basic device limits. Single sign-on through SAML makes user management far easier, and the public API lets you automate provisioning. If your admins want around-the-clock help, this tier delivers it.

Premium

Price: $9.50/seat/mo (save up to 20% with annual billing) Best For: Larger or fast-growing organizations that need more scale Other Features:

  • 5 devices per user
  • 1,000 Connectors and 500 applications
  • 180-day audit logs and 10M daily streaming events
  • Dedicated account manager and guided implementation

Premium is OpenVPN's recommended plan, and the upgrade makes sense once your workforce relies on several devices each. You get bigger network limits, longer log retention for compliance, and a dedicated account manager. Skip it if your team is small and your logging needs are light.

Enterprise & IoT

Price: Custom Best For: Large organizations and IoT-heavy deployments Other Features:

  • Custom Connectors
  • Up to 1,000 access groups and 100 device policies
  • 365-day audit logs and 50M daily streaming events
  • Talk to an expert for a tailored quote

Enterprise & IoT exists for companies with complex networks or fleets of connected devices. Because pricing is quoted rather than listed, you'll work directly with OpenVPN's team to shape the deployment. If you need long retention windows and custom infrastructure, this is the tier to discuss.

Bottom line: You can start free on Starter, or try CloudConnexa with a free trial — the free tier needs no credit card. If you cancel a paid subscription, unused funds are credited back to your account, and refunds are handled through OpenVPN's sales team. One tip: confirm your seat count and annual discount details at checkout, since they drive your final price.

Cost calculator

Estimate what OpenVPN costs for your team.

Billing
Per month
$35
Per year
$420

Essential is priced per user: price × 5 seats. Estimate based on published list prices, before taxes, add-ons and discounts.

How to pay less for OpenVPN

  • Start on the free plan and upgrade only when you hit its limits.
  • A free trial is available: test it before you pay.
  • Some plans are priced per user: only pay for seats people actually use.
  • Cheaper tools in this category start at $1/mo.
Start free trial

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Why use OpenVPN?

Choosing a VPN comes down to trust. You're handing a vendor the keys to your company's network traffic. OpenVPN makes that easier to justify — it's been securing business connections for over two decades, and its customers and rankings back that up.

  • Pick your deployment model. Self-host Access Server on AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, Docker, or Linux — or let OpenVPN run everything for you with CloudConnexa.
  • Compliance comes built in. SOC 2 Type 2, ISO/IEC 27001:2022, HIPAA, and GDPR compliance help you answer auditor questions faster.
  • Zero Trust, less complexity. Enforce identity, device, and IP verification so people only reach what they need.
  • Low-cost entry. Plans start at $7 per connection per month, and free tiers give small teams full functionality before they pay.
  • Proven at scale. 20,000+ organizations and 4 million-plus users rely on it, and G2 ranks it the #1 Business VPN.
  • Help is always on. Technical support runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through the support portal.

If you want enterprise-grade security without enterprise-grade friction, OpenVPN deserves a spot on your shortlist.

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OpenVPN FAQ

How much does OpenVPN cost?

OpenVPN's cheapest paid plan, Essential, costs $7 per month. Paid plans range from $7 to $9.50 per month. Prices checked on Oct 13, 2026 from the vendor's pricing page.

Does OpenVPN have a free plan?

Yes. OpenVPN has a free plan (Starter); paid plans start at $7 per month.

Does OpenVPN offer a free trial or a money-back guarantee?

OpenVPN offers a free trial.

Has OpenVPN's price changed recently?

No. We have not detected a price change since we started tracking on Oct 1, 2026.

Which identity and automation tools does CloudConnexa integrate with?

Essential and higher plans support LDAP, SAML, and SCIM single sign-on, plus a public API and Terraform. Starter sticks to local credentials and MFA. Check the plan comparison to confirm what your setup needs.

What support can I expect on each plan?

Starter includes standard support. Paid plans add 24/7 support with priority response, and Premium adds guided implementation plus a dedicated account manager. If guaranteed response times matter, confirm SLA terms with sales before buying.

How long does CloudConnexa keep my logs?

Retention grows with your plan: 7 days on Starter, 90 on Essential, 180 on Premium, and 365 on Enterprise & IoT. Daily log-streaming caps run from 500k to 50M events. If compliance matters, weigh retention before you pick.

How does per-seat billing work, and can I cancel?

CloudConnexa charges a flat rate per seat each month — $7 Essential or $9.50 Premium — not per usage. Annual billing saves up to 20%. You can cancel anytime; unused funds credit your account, and refunds go through [email protected].

Ready to try OpenVPN? Check out the official site or pricing.

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