OpenVPN Access Server / Self-Hosted VPN (BYOL)
OpenVPN Inc.External reviews
337 reviews
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External reviews are not included in the AWS star rating for the product.
Simple, Reliable VPN with Easy Management
What do you like best about the product?
What I like best about OpenVPN Access Server is how quickly it lets you deploy a secure remote-access VPN without getting lost in complex configuration. The web-based UI is clean and intuitive, so even when managing users, certificates, or access control, everything is centralized and easy to navigate. Compared to traditional VPN setups, it saves a lot of time during initial deployment and ongoing maintenance.
From a workflow perspective, the integration with directory services (like LDAP/Active Directory) is a big win—it simplifies user management and avoids the need to maintain separate credentials. The client provisioning is also very smooth; users can download pre-configured clients, which reduces support overhead significantly.
Performance-wise, it’s stable and reliable for day-to-day operations, even with multiple concurrent users. I’ve also found the flexibility in routing (split tunneling vs full tunnel) useful depending on the use case.
Another strong point is its balance between cost and value. You can start small and scale as needed, which makes it practical for both lab environments and production use. Plus, the documentation and community support are solid, so troubleshooting or expanding setups doesn’t feel overwhelming.
Overall, it has improved my workflow by reducing setup time, minimizing manual configuration, and making remote access management much more efficient.
From a workflow perspective, the integration with directory services (like LDAP/Active Directory) is a big win—it simplifies user management and avoids the need to maintain separate credentials. The client provisioning is also very smooth; users can download pre-configured clients, which reduces support overhead significantly.
Performance-wise, it’s stable and reliable for day-to-day operations, even with multiple concurrent users. I’ve also found the flexibility in routing (split tunneling vs full tunnel) useful depending on the use case.
Another strong point is its balance between cost and value. You can start small and scale as needed, which makes it practical for both lab environments and production use. Plus, the documentation and community support are solid, so troubleshooting or expanding setups doesn’t feel overwhelming.
Overall, it has improved my workflow by reducing setup time, minimizing manual configuration, and making remote access management much more efficient.
What do you dislike about the product?
One drawback of OpenVPN Access Server is that some advanced configurations still require CLI access, even though the web UI is generally user-friendly. For network engineers who want fine-grained control (routing tweaks, policy-based behavior, or deeper troubleshooting), switching between GUI and CLI can slow down workflows.
Another limitation is the licensing model. While it’s easy to start, costs can increase quickly as the number of concurrent users grows, which may not be ideal for larger deployments compared to some alternative VPN solutions.
Performance tuning options are somewhat limited in the UI as well. For example, optimizing throughput or handling high-load scenarios often requires manual adjustments and deeper knowledge, rather than being guided through the interface.
Additionally, logging and monitoring could be improved. The built-in logs are useful but not always detailed or easy to analyze for complex issues, especially without integrating external monitoring tools. More advanced analytics or built-in visualization would make troubleshooting faster.
Overall, while it’s reliable and easy to deploy, improving advanced configuration visibility, scaling cost efficiency, and enhancing monitoring features would make it even more powerful.
Another limitation is the licensing model. While it’s easy to start, costs can increase quickly as the number of concurrent users grows, which may not be ideal for larger deployments compared to some alternative VPN solutions.
Performance tuning options are somewhat limited in the UI as well. For example, optimizing throughput or handling high-load scenarios often requires manual adjustments and deeper knowledge, rather than being guided through the interface.
Additionally, logging and monitoring could be improved. The built-in logs are useful but not always detailed or easy to analyze for complex issues, especially without integrating external monitoring tools. More advanced analytics or built-in visualization would make troubleshooting faster.
Overall, while it’s reliable and easy to deploy, improving advanced configuration visibility, scaling cost efficiency, and enhancing monitoring features would make it even more powerful.
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
Before using OpenVPN Access Server, we struggled with providing secure remote access to internal systems, especially for users working from different locations. The setup process with traditional VPN solutions was time-consuming, required complex manual configuration, and often led to inconsistent user experiences. Supporting end users (client setup, credential issues, connectivity problems) also took a significant amount of time.
After implementing OpenVPN Access Server, we were able to centralize and simplify remote access. The web-based UI made it much easier to manage users, assign permissions, and monitor connections. Integration with directory services (like LDAP/Active Directory) allowed us to reuse existing credentials, which reduced administrative overhead and improved security consistency.
One major benefit is the reduction in deployment and support time. What previously took hours to configure per user can now be done in minutes with auto-generated client profiles. This has significantly reduced the number of support tickets related to VPN access. From a performance standpoint, the solution has been stable and reliable, allowing users to securely access internal resources without frequent disconnects.
In terms of ROI, it has helped minimize operational effort while maintaining strong security. We didn’t need to invest heavily in additional infrastructure or specialized training, which made onboarding faster. Overall, it solved our remote access challenges by making VPN deployment simpler, user management more efficient, and day-to-day operations more reliable.
After implementing OpenVPN Access Server, we were able to centralize and simplify remote access. The web-based UI made it much easier to manage users, assign permissions, and monitor connections. Integration with directory services (like LDAP/Active Directory) allowed us to reuse existing credentials, which reduced administrative overhead and improved security consistency.
One major benefit is the reduction in deployment and support time. What previously took hours to configure per user can now be done in minutes with auto-generated client profiles. This has significantly reduced the number of support tickets related to VPN access. From a performance standpoint, the solution has been stable and reliable, allowing users to securely access internal resources without frequent disconnects.
In terms of ROI, it has helped minimize operational effort while maintaining strong security. We didn’t need to invest heavily in additional infrastructure or specialized training, which made onboarding faster. Overall, it solved our remote access challenges by making VPN deployment simpler, user management more efficient, and day-to-day operations more reliable.
Super Easy Setup
What do you like best about the product?
I use OpenVPN Access Server to connect to servers provisioned in AWS. I find the user management and custom scripts to be great features. We developed a script that uses the user's MAC ID to let them log in only using the device with that MAC ID. The initial setup of OpenVPN Access Server was super easy for me.
What do you dislike about the product?
nothing much
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
I use OpenVPN Access Server to keep all my production resources private and connect to them securely without worrying about attacks in a public subnet.
Easy Multi-Cloud Provisioning with Best-in-Class OpenVPN Support
What do you like best about the product?
It's easy to provision the server from multiple public/private cloud providers. There are a lot of documents available included step by step guides. The OpenVPN support is the best one.
What do you dislike about the product?
It would be great for OpenVPN to add Geo blocking to the AS server.
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
It's resolving the secure remote access that increase productivity by enabling working from home.
A Decade of Reliable, Easy-to-Admin OpenVPN Access Server
What do you like best about the product?
We have been using OpenVPN for over a decade. OpenVPN is easy for our users, simple to administrate, and has been reliable. Most importantly, in the last couple of years, the amount of effort being put into the product has really reflected on the administration side.
What do you dislike about the product?
With all the recent updates, I find it difficult to find anything I dislike about OpenVPN Access Server.
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
OpenVPN provides us the ability to keep our proprietary and sensitive data inside our domain and allows our users access to this information. We are not a cloud-using company, and need our data kept on-premise, so OpenVPN ensures we can do this.
Secure and Confidence-Boosting Protection with OpenVPN
What do you like best about the product?
It gives me an extra layer of protection and helps me feel confident that I’m working securely.
What do you dislike about the product?
I don’t dislike anything about OpenVPN. I just wish they would improve the connection speed when using it.
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
Insecure Remote Access: It protects sensitive data with 256-bit AES encryption and applies zero-trust controls to help prevent unauthorized access to internal systems.
Effortless Setup, Essential for Remote Access
What do you like best about the product?
I like that OpenVPN Access Server is simple to set up and simple to use, making its simplicity the best part. I appreciate being able to set up groups and control their access to different places, which is key for me. It also integrates well with our Microsoft products, and the SAML authentication with profile locked configuration is super nice. Setting it up was super easy, just requiring an Ubuntu machine and some basic steps before installation.
What do you dislike about the product?
I guess if it had a little bit smaller price for self hosted version, maybe it could be even more appealing to a larger crowd.
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
I use OpenVPN Access Server to connect and access the office’s internal network easily. It's simple to set up and use. I like setting up groups and their access, which is key.
Smooth Setup, Spot-On Documentation, and Easy to Use
What do you like best about the product?
The setup process is smooth, the documentation is on point, and the software is straightforward and easy to use.
It is very easy to integrate at my end with our multiple vendors and with their software.
The feature is amazing. Implementation is super easy.
It is very easy to integrate at my end with our multiple vendors and with their software.
The feature is amazing. Implementation is super easy.
What do you dislike about the product?
During my usage tenure with multiple licenses, I have not received any complaints at my end and from my team. Also, if I need any help support team assist quickly.
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
In our environment, we had challenges connecting the public network with the private network, and OpenVPN has resolved this issue for us.
Simple, Easy-to-Use VPN Agent with Backup Connection
What do you like best about the product?
Simple VPN agent, easy to use with ablity to have backup VPN connection instead of only one
What do you dislike about the product?
Design is a bit old fashion like the majority of profesional VPN
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
Main usage is remote work enabling access to company internal apps and intranet
Okta SSO Made Easy: Fast Deployment, Simple Configuration, Great Support
What do you like best about the product?
Okta SSO, easy to deploy and configuation, documentation and support is the best.
What do you dislike about the product?
Lack of feature such as block traffic by countries.
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
Secure access to the systems.
Effortless Server Setup That Simplifies Our Business
What do you like best about the product?
The server is very simple to set up and get working with a few clicks. This made it really easy for us as a business. The support was top notch; receiving daily updates of how to do certain things and then an optional meeting to go through any questions I had where they explained a lot of the key services and points of information.
What do you dislike about the product?
I can't think of anything I dislike about the server.
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
The OpenVPN solution was beneficial to us in two important ways. During our building transition, it was essential for our employees to have reliable access to our network, and OpenVPN made this possible. Furthermore, as we were testing a business application hosted in the cloud, the VPN provided us with the secure access we needed.
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