AWS Direct Connect vs OpenVPN Access Server comparison

Amazon Web Services (AWS) and OpenVPN are both solutions in the Enterprise Infrastructure VPN category. Amazon Web Services (AWS) is ranked #11 with an average rating of 8.9, while OpenVPN is ranked #1 with an average rating of 8.2. Amazon Web Services (AWS) holds a 1.7% mindshare in EIV, compared to OpenVPN’s 11.7% mindshare. Additionally, 100% of Amazon Web Services (AWS) users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 96% of OpenVPN users who would recommend it.

AWS Direct Connect

Read 12 AWS Direct Connect reviews

1,595 Views
1,563 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

OpenVPN Access Server

Read 71 OpenVPN Access Server reviews

11,709 Views
11,241 Comparison Views

96% willing to recommend

AWS Direct Connect

OpenVPN Access Server

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Mar 15, 2026

OpenVPN Access Server and AWS Direct Connect are competing products in secure network connections. OpenVPN Access Server holds the advantage for cost-effectiveness and user-friendliness, whereas AWS Direct Connect is superior in performance, appealing to enterprises with significant AWS investments.

Features: OpenVPN Access Server offers easy VPN setup with dynamic configuration options, supports multiple platforms, and allows two-factor authentication for enhanced security. AWS Direct Connect provides a dedicated private connection to AWS services, offering consistent network performance, reduced data transfer costs, and high-volume data handling.

Room for Improvement: OpenVPN Access Server could improve by enhancing integration features, increasing the bandwidth limits, and reduce complexity in large-scale deployments. AWS Direct Connect could benefit from a simplified setup process, more affordable pricing tiers, and expanded support for small-medium businesses.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: OpenVPN Access Server excels in easy deployment and flexible licensing, which suits small to medium businesses. AWS Direct Connect, while requiring more technical expertise to deploy, offers robust support tailored for enterprises using AWS extensively.

Pricing and ROI: OpenVPN Access Server is favored for lower setup costs and a higher potential ROI in small to medium-sized deployments, due to its subscription flexibility. AWS Direct Connect justifies its higher initial costs with better ROI for businesses with significant data transfer needs to the AWS cloud, thanks to its efficient, dedicated bandwidth and long-term cost savings on data transfer.

To learn more, read our detailed AWS Direct Connect vs. OpenVPN Access Server Report (Updated: August 2026).

Buyer's Guide

AWS Direct Connect vs. OpenVPN Access Server

August 2026

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

AWS Direct Connect

Ranking in Enterprise Infrastructure VPN

11th

Average Rating

8.8

Reviews Sentiment

6.2

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

OpenVPN Access Server

Ranking in Enterprise Infrastructure VPN

1st

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

6.8

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

ZTNA (9th)

Mindshare comparison

As of August 2026, in the Enterprise Infrastructure VPN category, the mindshare of AWS Direct Connect is 1.7%, down from 2.0% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of OpenVPN Access Server is 11.7%, down from 13.1% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Enterprise Infrastructure VPN Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
OpenVPN Access Server	11.7%
AWS Direct Connect	1.7%
Other	86.6%

Enterprise Infrastructure VPN

Featured Reviews

reviewer2231871

Product Manager at a comms service provider with 201-500 employees

Offers secure high-bandwidth connectivity without internet-related risks

Regarding the benefits from the multiple virtual interfaces in the product, there is no interface for the product; it is just a connection that we have. It is an ethernet connection we offer. The customer, from the customer side to AWS, receives an ethernet point-to-point connection, and that is it. The interface and everything along with the communication with AWS, the customer has to do by themselves to build the routes and everything. The connection speed that our clients are using ranges from 100 megabits up to 10 gigabits. The main concern is the port costs. Clients do not report technical problems, so it is mainly always an issue of money. The solution is nice, but sometimes they avoid it because the port costs are high. This is not a problem AWS has exclusively; Azure has the same costs, and these port costs are quite expensive. I would rate this review as an 8 out of 10.

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AithaShashikanth

Network operation center engineer at a computer software company with 10,001+ employees

Secure remote access has protected critical data and now simplifies role-based user management

An area for improvement is the pricing model. The concurrent user licenses get expensive pretty quickly as your organization grows, so more flexible pricing options would be a huge plus. Another area is configurational disconnect. While the admin web UI handles about 90% of what you need, the moment you have to do deep, advanced routing customization, you still have to drop back to the command line interface to make those changes. It would be great to see those deeper configurations completely integrated into the web portal. Lastly, it would be awesome to see native support for newer, lighter protocols through WireGuard built straight into the platform alongside standard OpenVPN for better performance efficiency.

Read full review

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"The platform's most valuable feature for us is its robust network performance."

"It is a highly scalable solution."

"Overall, I rate the solution ten out of ten."

"AWS VPN is cost-effective and affordable; it has the security regulation with 3DES protocol, and they have the security protocol required to encrypt the information in the link."

"AWS Direct Connect is highly secure and much faster compared to normal network infrastructure."

"AWS Direct Connect allows me to connect our on-premise infrastructure directly with AWS infrastructure."

"It is a stable solution."

"AWS Direct Connect offers higher security options by avoiding internet-related problems such as DDoS attacks and provides stable bandwidth."

More AWS Direct Connect pros

"The best features OpenVPN Access Server offers is whitelisting members in my company who have joined recently; it is really easy to use, and it is really easy to set up OpenVPN Access Server as an internal app."

"The initial setup was easy."

"We have seen a return on investment with OpenVPN Access Server, as the overall cost of management has decreased; one engineer can now handle what previously required more personnel, equating to a 66% reduction in engineering hours."

"The most valuable feature is that I can access my local network remotely and avoid doing all the port forwarding and redirections, and so on."

"Provided the easiest UX for our end-users and had the greatest interoperability with all the operating systems we used, including but not limited to: iOS, Android, OS X, Windows, and Linux."

"It allows us to give access to our office network in a safe and secure way to users, no matter which computing platform they use. "

"OpenVPN Access Server has positively impacted my organization mainly through improved security for myself."

"Encrypted connections are, in all situations, better than unencrypted, so security is much better with OpenVPN."

More OpenVPN Access Server pros

Cons

"It would be good if we could connect AWS Direct Connect from different networks."

"One area that needs improvement is the cost of the ports, which is a concern as these charges are quite high."

"There is no room for improvement in Direct Connect right now."

"Having more locations could improve the convenience of using the service."

"AWS Direct Connect should support cross-cloud connections, such as migrations between Azure and AWS, for disaster recovery purposes on different cloud platforms."

"It can be difficult to configure compared to cloud-based GUIs."

"I would like to see better traffic visibility and higher throughput security, especially for organizations that require more than what the current limit allows."

"We encountered issues with the connection. The VPN was not connecting on multiple occasions."

More AWS Direct Connect cons

"There was one annoying feature where we had to disable and enable the user. I cannot remember what it was exactly, but I think it was for a password lockout. It would be nice if there was a checkbox, or something, in the web interface to allow you to unlock a user whose password was locked."

"I'd like the solution to have more access points and more speed."

"I think right now the GUI part of it is locked out behind the pay wall. It could use something that gives it a very basic, minimal, graphic interface for logging in, for the community version. That would probably be a good step forward."

"There is always room for more security features."

"OpenVPN does not have the ability to selectively terminate connections."

"Some advanced networking of OpenVPN Access Server requires Linux network expertise for a person to work on."

"OpenVPN Access Server needs to have fewer updates."

"The security needs to be improved because it was a complaint that our customers had."

More OpenVPN Access Server cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"It is an expensive solution."

"It has reasonable pricing in terms of the features offered."

"It is an open-source solution, so we don't pay for anything."

"I don't need to pay for its license since it is an open-source tool."

"The licensing has a fixed pricing."

"OpenVPN is an open-source solution. If the solution is used for personal use it is free. For non-personal use, the solution can be expensive."

"The product's pricing is good value, definitely. It is one of the best features, I would say. Evaluate the product before seeing which type of licensing is good for you. I think there is a good evaluation method available for OpenVPN, so you can just evaluate if it meets your needs. Then go forward with the right licensing policy."

"One of the valuable features of OpenVPN is that it is free for a single user."

"OpenVPN is a free and open-source solution."

"Begin with the community version and upgrade to paid one if the need arises."

More OpenVPN Access Server pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Comms Service Provider

15%

Outsourcing Company

10%

Computer Software Company

Financial Services Firm

Computer Software Company

12%

Comms Service Provider

12%

Financial Services Firm

University

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	3
Midsize Enterprise	7
Large Enterprise	3

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	44
Midsize Enterprise	14
Large Enterprise	25

Questions from the Community

What needs improvement with AWS Direct Connect?

One area that needs improvement is the cost of the ports, which is a concern as these charges are quite high. It is primarily a budget issue because while the solution is effective, the port costs ...

See all answers

What is your primary use case for AWS Direct Connect?

Our customers primarily use AWS Direct Connect for hybrid cloud solutions. They have parts of their equipment in their on-premise data center, while also using AWS infrastructure for backups, datab...

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What advice do you have for others considering AWS Direct Connect?

See all answers

How does Fortinet FortiClient compare with Open VPN Access Server?

Fortinet FortiClient is a feature-rich solution that is easy to use and deploy without sacrificing safety and security. It has a very fast connection rate and has a built-in VPN. With this solution...

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for OpenVPN Access Server?

In terms of specific outcomes or metrics with OpenVPN Access Server, we have saved time because otherwise, we need to purchase other software and their software takes a great deal of time in terms ...

See all answers

What needs improvement with OpenVPN Access Server?

OpenVPN Access Server can be improved by addressing the issue we faced with a single VPN server since it does not allow the creation of replicas without a load balancer, which we found to be an ava...

See all answers

Comparisons

AWS PrivateLink vs AWS Direct Connect

Compared 10% of the time

Fortinet FortiClient vs AWS Direct Connect

Compared 9% of the time

Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks vs AWS Direct Connect

Compared 8% of the time

Cisco Meraki vMX vs AWS Direct Connect

Compared 8% of the time

IBM Secure Gateway Service vs AWS Direct Connect

Compared 7% of the time

More AWS Direct Connect Competitors

Fortinet FortiClient vs OpenVPN Access Server

Compared 11% of the time

Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks vs OpenVPN Access Server

Compared 6% of the time

Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) vs OpenVPN Access Server

Compared 6% of the time

Check Point Remote Access VPN vs OpenVPN Access Server

Compared 6% of the time

Check Point Harmony SASE (formerly Perimeter 81) vs OpenVPN Access Server

Compared 6% of the time

More OpenVPN Access Server Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Enterprise Infrastructure VPN

August 2026

Download AWS Direct Connect product report

Buyer's Guide

OpenVPN Access Server

August 2026

Download OpenVPN Access Server product report

Also Known As

No data available

OpenVPN

Overview

AWS Direct Connect offers low-latency, reliable connectivity with secure data transfers between on-premise infrastructures and AWS environments. It ensures high availability and cost-effectiveness for large data transfers, integrating seamlessly with existing systems.

AWS Direct Connect is recognized for its robust network and security, providing minimal latency and reliable connectivity. It seamlessly integrates with on-premise infrastructure, enabling secure and fast data transfers. Users benefit from its high availability and low maintenance, making it cost-effective for large data transfers. Multi-account environment support is a key feature. Despite a complex configuration process compared to cloud GUIs, it enhances security by avoiding public internet exposure. Room for improvement includes the setup of credentials and terminology, upgrade process, BGP configuration, multi-network connections, traffic visibility, stability, and throughput security. Expanding data center locations and cross-cloud connections can be advantageous. Promotion is necessary for awareness. Some report VPN connection issues while some are content with its performance.

What are the key features of AWS Direct Connect?

Secure Connectivity: Enhances security by avoiding public internet exposure
Low Latency: Provides minimal latency for fast data transfers
High Availability: Ensures continuous connectivity with low maintenance
Cost-Effective: Reduces costs for large data transfers and multi-account environments
Seamless Integration: Easily integrates with on-premise infrastructure

What benefits and ROI should users look for?

Reliability: Sturdy and consistent connectivity minimizes downtime
Efficient Data Transfers: Cost reduction and efficiency for large data volumes
Security: Avoids exposure to the public internet, enhancing data protection
Resource Integration: Facilitates hybrid cloud environments by integrating on-premises and cloud resources

In industries like finance, healthcare, and media, AWS Direct Connect is implemented to ensure secure and efficient connectivity between on-premises data centers and AWS environments. It supports operations like database management and application deployment, facilitating data and application migration while enabling hybrid cloud connectivity.

Amazon Web Services (AWS)

OpenVPN Access Server Enterprise provides secure, scalable remote access with strong encryption and cross-platform compatibility, leveraging open-source flexibility for cost-effectiveness. It's ideal for connecting remote workers, maintaining privacy, and securing network communications.

OpenVPN Access Server Enterprise is renowned for its ease of setup and adaptability, supporting Linux and different operating systems, which ensures robust security and seamless integration across network scenarios. With features like two-factor authentication and customizable installers, it emphasizes privacy and remote connectivity. While it offers robust documentation and community support, there are challenges with user management due to the lack of a simple GUI. Users note stability issues under heavy traffic, and improvements in security features and configuration automation are desired. Despite these areas for enhancement, it remains a reliable choice for secure remote access.

What are the key features?

Easy Setup: Hassle-free installation process facilitates quick deployment
Cross-Platform Compatibility: Supports Linux and different operating systems for widespread utility
Strong Encryption: Secures data with advanced encryption technologies
Two-Factor Authentication: Enhances security through additional authentication layer
Customizable Installers: Allows personalized installation process to suit organizational preferences

What benefits and ROI should users seek?

Cost-Effectiveness: Open-source nature reduces licensing costs
User-Friendliness: Comprehensive documentation and community support ease the implementation
Scalability: Adapts to growing connectivity and bandwidth needs
Enhanced Security: Provides secure access to network resources and data

In industries such as finance and healthcare, OpenVPN Access Server Enterprise secures sensitive data while enabling remote access across LANs and VPCs. It's utilized for encrypted traffic protection, facilitating site-to-site VPNs, and connecting mobile workers securely, thus maintaining data integrity in interoffice communications and IoT platforms.

OpenVPN

Sample Customers

Expedia, Intuit, Royal Dutch Shell, Brooks Brothers

Verizon, Amazon, Disney, HP, Microsoft, IBM, Samsung

Buyer's Guide

AWS Direct Connect vs. OpenVPN Access Server

August 2026

Free Report: AWS Direct Connect vs. OpenVPN Access Server

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