OpenVPN Access Server

OpenVPN Access Server is a business VPN that runs in a customer-controlled environment, including Linux systems, virtual appliances, containers, or public clouds. It supports site-to-site networking, hybrid access, SSO and SCIM, and enterprise-level administration. Administrators can use a Web UI, self-service client UI, command-line tools, REST API, and automation templates. Authentication options include PAM, RADIUS, LDAP, SAML, local, and custom methods. User- and group-level role controls and protocol and port restrictions are available; identity, device, and location context can also guide application access. OpenVPN Connect clients support Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and ChromeOS. Deployment options include Docker, VMware ESXi, Hyper-V, Kubernetes Helm, Terraform, CloudFormation, and public cloud marketplaces. The free plan includes all features, lasts indefinitely, requires no card, and permits up to two simultaneous connections. Growth is listed at $7 a month per connection, with capacity for up to 2,000 connections; Enterprise & IoT pricing is custom. The maker is based in Pleasanton, California, and was founded in 2001.

OpenVPN Access Server combines self-hosting options with centralized administration and access controls. Its free plan covers small connection needs; Growth and Enterprise & IoT address higher capacity.

It suits organizations that want to host VPN access in their own environment and manage access centrally. The free tier is limited to two simultaneous connections, while larger connection counts are available on paid plans.

Overview

OpenVPN Access Server is business VPN software that organizations deploy in their own environment to connect users and networks to private resources. It suits IT teams that need centralized administration and access controls across a self-hosted deployment. The permanent free tier is unusually capable for a small setup, while paid capacity is priced per connection and requires customers to operate the service.

Key features

Access Server combines site-to-site networking with controls that use identity, device, and location context to govern application access and prevent lateral movement. This makes it a better match for protecting organizational resources and network links than for someone seeking a personal VPN.

Authentication supports PAM, RADIUS, LDAP, SAML, local, and custom methods. Administrators can assign role-based access at user and group level, restrict protocols and ports, and manage the service through a Web UI, self-service client UI, CLI, REST API, or automation templates. That range accommodates established identity and administration workflows; it also puts the product squarely in the hands of an IT team, not a buyer looking for a provider-managed service.

OpenVPN DCO uses kernel-powered encryption and decryption for near-wire-speed performance. Access Server lists SOC 2 Type 2, ISO/IEC 27001:2022, HIPAA, and GDPR compliance. Its deployment choices span Linux servers, virtual appliances, containers, and public clouds, with integrations including Docker, Kubernetes Helm, CloudFormation, and Terraform. This flexibility helps fit existing infrastructure, but leaves hosting and operational responsibility with the customer.

Pricing

Free costs free, lasts indefinitely, includes all features, and requires no credit card. Its ceiling of two simultaneous connections makes it useful for evaluation or a very small deployment, not a growing team.

Growth costs $7 a month, billed monthly at $7 per connection per month, and supports up to 2,000 simultaneous connections. The example total is $70 per month billed yearly. It is the practical step up for teams that have outgrown the free cap, though per-connection pricing means capacity can become a meaningful recurring cost.

Enterprise & IoT has custom pricing and volume discounts based on business requirements, with unlimited connections. It is aimed at organizations whose scale exceeds Growth or whose needs call for a negotiated arrangement.

A 14-day trial provides access without blocked features or hidden costs and requires five or more connections. Subscriptions can be canceled anytime; unused funds are credited for future usage, with refunds handled by sales.

Platforms

Access Server can run on Linux, Docker, VMware ESXi, Microsoft Hyper-V, Kubernetes Helm, or public clouds including AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, IBM Cloud, DigitalOcean, Oracle Cloud, and Vultr. OpenVPN Connect clients support Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and ChromeOS. This broad deployment and client coverage suits mixed environments, provided the organization can host and administer the server.

Who it's for

Access Server is best for organizations that want control over where their VPN server runs, need site-to-site connectivity or detailed identity-based access, and have staff to manage infrastructure. User- and group-level controls, audit logs, and multiple authentication options are valuable in centrally administered environments. Buyers who want a turnkey service without hosting responsibility should look elsewhere.

Pros and cons

• Pro: The free plan includes all features forever and allows two simultaneous connections, so a small deployment can use the full toolset without a subscription.
• Pro: Multiple authentication methods, role-based controls, and protocol and port restrictions support detailed organizational access policies.
• Pro: Linux, virtual appliance, container, and cloud deployment options give IT teams room to fit Access Server into their environment.
• Con: The free plan's two-connection limit is restrictive for teams, even though it has no feature restrictions.
• Con: Growth charges per connection, so larger deployments face rising costs; Enterprise & IoT requires custom pricing.
• Con: Customers host the server themselves, which makes it a poor fit for organizations that do not want to manage VPN infrastructure.

Alternatives

For other business VPN options, see Business VPN Software. NetBird is another freemium option, with a free plan for up to five users and 100 machines. Cloudflare Access offers a free plan for under 50 users and a $7 a month Pay-as-you-go plan. GoodAccess has a free Starter plan for secure internet access and online threat protection for business teams. Tailscale has a free Personal plan for up to six users and unlimited user devices. OpenVPN CloudConnexa has a Starter plan with five seats included and no credit card required. Twingate offers a free Starter plan for up to five users and 50 resources. F5 BIG-IP APM is a paid alternative with a perpetual license available. ZeroTier offers a Personal plan for 10 devices on one network.

Verdict

Choose OpenVPN Access Server if your organization needs self-hosted VPN access with centralized identity, network, and administration controls—and has the team to run it. Its all-features free tier and broad deployment support make it compelling for small deployments and established IT environments. Look elsewhere if you need a provider-managed service or a predictable per-team price as connection counts rise.