Citrix Gateway vs OpenVPN Access Server comparison

Citrix and OpenVPN are both solutions in the Enterprise Infrastructure VPN category. Citrix is ranked #9 with an average rating of 8.4, while OpenVPN is ranked #1 with an average rating of 8.9. Citrix holds a 3.6% mindshare in EIV, compared to OpenVPN’s 13.3% mindshare. Additionally, 92% of Citrix users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 98% of OpenVPN users who would recommend it.

Citrix Gateway

Read 40 Citrix Gateway reviews

2,533 Views
2,077 Comparison Views

92% willing to recommend

OpenVPN Access Server

Read 57 OpenVPN Access Server reviews

7,471 Views
7,172 Comparison Views

98% willing to recommend

Citrix Gateway

OpenVPN Access Server

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Mar 15, 2026

Citrix Gateway and OpenVPN Access Server compete in the remote access and connectivity domain. Citrix appears to have an upper hand due to its comprehensive feature set despite its higher costs.

Features: Citrix Gateway provides robust features such as load balancing, security, and integration with cloud solutions like Azure and AWS. Its security and authentication capabilities are particularly valued. OpenVPN Access Server is known for its straightforward setup, strong encryption, and compatibility across platforms, emphasizing ease of use and open-source flexibility.

Room for Improvement: Citrix Gateway users often indicate a need for a more user-friendly interface, reduced costs, and enhanced integration with other applications for better cloud capabilities. OpenVPN Access Server could improve the usability of its interface, offer centralized management, and increase scalability for more complex network setups.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Citrix Gateway allows flexible deployment options but usually requires advanced expertise for implementation. Technical support experiences vary, with some users facing delays. OpenVPN Access Server offers simpler deployment and depends heavily on community support and forums, appealing to those seeking a DIY approach with the option for paid enterprise support.

Pricing and ROI: Citrix Gateway is often seen as expensive but delivers high ROI for security-focused organizations. Pricing structures are flexible but still a concern. OpenVPN Access Server's open-source model offers cost-effective solutions, especially beneficial for startups and smaller businesses looking to scale up without substantial upfront costs.

To learn more, read our detailed Citrix Gateway vs. OpenVPN Access Server Report (Updated: March 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Citrix Gateway vs. OpenVPN Access Server

March 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:

ROI

Sentiment score

5.5

Citrix Gateway offers cost-effective security, protecting against breaches and ransomware, enhancing ROI compared to traditional laptop deployment.

Sentiment score

3.4

OpenVPN Access Server enhances remote work efficiency with secure connectivity, despite initial costs, offering significant operational benefits.

Citrix Gateway secures our environment from potential threats, which can save substantial financial resources, especially in preventing data breaches or ransomware attacks.

VivekKumar10

Co-Founder at Virajo

For more quotes and insights, download the Citrix Gateway report

No quotes available

For more quotes and insights, download the OpenVPN Access Server report

Customer Service

Sentiment score

6.1

Citrix Gateway's customer service is generally satisfactory with fast responses, knowledgeable staff, but concerns about delays and inconsistency.

Sentiment score

4.6

Users appreciate OpenVPN Access Server for its community and documentation, often eliminating the need for technical support.

Very experienced engineers contact you in order to troubleshoot the problem.

PEDRO FONSECA

Citrix VDI & Windows Virtualization Specialist at ATOS

While there are multiple support tiers with priority response times of around 30 minutes, there appears to be a limitation in the number of technical teams who can immediately understand and resolve issues.

Siva Kuppala

Enterprise Architect at Wipro Limited

For more quotes and insights, download the Citrix Gateway report

I would rate the technical support an eight on a scale of one to ten.

Emmanuel Chebukati

DevSecOps Engineer at a tech company with 51-200 employees

Any issue was solved in five to ten minutes.

MYKOLA CHEBAN

System Network Administrator at a consultancy with 201-500 employees

The documentation was absolutely fine for me; it was well-structured, and I did not have any difficulties with this solution.

Fedir Plotnikov

Senior Cloud Infrastructure Engineer at Globant

For more quotes and insights, download the OpenVPN Access Server report

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score

7.3

Citrix Gateway offers scalable, adaptable solutions for diverse deployments, with experiences varying on deployment size and requirements.

Sentiment score

6.4

OpenVPN Access Server's scalability varies; some face challenges, while others achieve seamless scaling, influenced by infrastructure and regional factors.

The solution features high availability, supporting both active-passive and active-active deployments to ensure constant product availability.

Siva Kuppala

Enterprise Architect at Wipro Limited

I believe that the scalability of Citrix Gateway depends on the project's requirements, as it can vary from simple load balancing to extensive Web Application Firewall implementations.

VivekKumar10

Co-Founder at Virajo

Citrix Gateway is not for small companies; it's for medium companies because the pricing is better for more users.

PEDRO FONSECA

Citrix VDI & Windows Virtualization Specialist at ATOS

For more quotes and insights, download the Citrix Gateway report

When we deploy and install OpenVPN Access Server, the principle is to install and forget.

MYKOLA CHEBAN

System Network Administrator at a consultancy with 201-500 employees

It's not very easy to expand, and it would be beneficial if the process were simpler.

reviewer2711823

Chief Cloud Architect at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees

It is scalable on AWS because it is a matter of increasing the instance size and increasing the number of licenses.

Emmanuel Chebukati

DevSecOps Engineer at a tech company with 51-200 employees

For more quotes and insights, download the OpenVPN Access Server report

Stability Issues

Sentiment score

7.9

Citrix Gateway is reliable with positive user feedback, though some suggest improvements in setup and connection flow.

Sentiment score

6.8

OpenVPN Access Server is stable and reliable, with minor issues resolved and consistently positive ratings for stability.

I find Citrix products to be very stable.

VivekKumar10

Co-Founder at Virajo

We used the EPA agent for client certificate authentication and gathered information for the Smart Access feature, but we are no longer using it.

Onurcan Yahyaoglu

Technical Manager at Migros Ticaret A.Ş.

For more quotes and insights, download the Citrix Gateway report

Regarding stability, I have not had any crashes, performance issues, or stability issues with OpenVPN Access Server.

Emmanuel Chebukati

DevSecOps Engineer at a tech company with 51-200 employees

I find it very stable.

MYKOLA CHEBAN

System Network Administrator at a consultancy with 201-500 employees

For more quotes and insights, download the OpenVPN Access Server report

Room For Improvement

Citrix Gateway needs better load balancing, security, user interface, integration, and cost-efficiency, along with enhanced support and automation.

Users seek an improved OpenVPN GUI with enhanced security, speed, scalability, flexible licensing, and better configuration and notification systems.

At this time it costs 35% more than other solutions.

Jorge Alberto Martinez Gallego

Docente De Planta- Programa Ingeniería Física at Universidad del Cauca

The main purpose of Citrix Gateway is to enforce the appropriate level of access to the correct user on the proper device under the correct conditions.

Siva Kuppala

Enterprise Architect at Wipro Limited

The monitoring site could be much better because monitoring NetScaler and Citrix Gateway is too difficult with just SNMP traps available.

Onurcan Yahyaoglu

Technical Manager at Migros Ticaret A.Ş.

For more quotes and insights, download the Citrix Gateway report

If they had a one-click setup where you provide credentials instead of manually running commands, that would be beneficial.

reviewer2711823

Chief Cloud Architect at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees

If there was a dedicated plan for startups, it would be really helpful.

Girraj Godia

Devops Engineer at Emergent

You can see who can access what resources from the user view, but you can also see the reverse, which is which resource can be accessed by what users.

Emmanuel Chebukati

DevSecOps Engineer at a tech company with 51-200 employees

For more quotes and insights, download the OpenVPN Access Server report

Setup Cost

Citrix Gateway is a high-priced, premium network solution with various licensing options, attracting customers willing to invest in quality.

OpenVPN Access Server is cost-effective, offering free and subscription plans; evaluate needs as support costs can arise.

I consider Citrix Gateway to be an expensive solution, generally ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 yearly, depending on the model.

VivekKumar10

Co-Founder at Virajo

The price is one aspect, but technically it is complete.

PEDRO FONSECA

Citrix VDI & Windows Virtualization Specialist at ATOS

For more quotes and insights, download the Citrix Gateway report

My experience with pricing is excellent as the pricing is free.

reviewer2620536

Service Delivery Manager at CasCom

The experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing for OpenVPN Access Server is really good, not that expensive.

Girraj Godia

Devops Engineer at Emergent

My experience with the pricing, setup cost, and licensing cost of OpenVPN Access Server is that the licensing is fair for the value provided.

Emmanuel Chebukati

DevSecOps Engineer at a tech company with 51-200 employees

For more quotes and insights, download the OpenVPN Access Server report

Valuable Features

Citrix Gateway provides secure, scalable connectivity with load balancing, VPN, and dual-factor authentication for efficient remote access.

OpenVPN Access Server offers easy setup, strong security, multi-platform compatibility, scalability, and cost-effective remote connectivity with user-friendly management.

The product effectively helps me protect the organization's network from potential threats, thereby securing our environment from hackers and ransomware attacks.

VivekKumar10

Co-Founder at Virajo

It's easy to scale and easy to implement.

Jorge Alberto Martinez Gallego

Docente De Planta- Programa Ingeniería Física at Universidad del Cauca

Secure SaaS access is particularly valuable as it ensures that SaaS-based applications are delivered securely.

Siva Kuppala

Enterprise Architect at Wipro Limited

For more quotes and insights, download the Citrix Gateway report

The most valuable features of OpenVPN are its ease of use, client familiarity, end-user familiarity, operating system integration, and price points.

reviewer2620536

Service Delivery Manager at CasCom

The main benefits I have seen from using OpenVPN Access Server include secure access to private resources over the public internet.

Emmanuel Chebukati

DevSecOps Engineer at a tech company with 51-200 employees

OpenVPN Access Server has positively impacted my organization by allowing access to our private services, enhancing security, and enabling remote work from anywhere.

Oleksii Pavliuk

DevOps and Site Reliability Engineer at Honey Insurance

For more quotes and insights, download the OpenVPN Access Server report

Categories and Ranking

Citrix Gateway

Ranking in Enterprise Infrastructure VPN

9th

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

6.4

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Universal Access Gateways (1st), SSL VPN (2nd)

OpenVPN Access Server

Ranking in Enterprise Infrastructure VPN

1st

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

6.6

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of March 2026, in the Enterprise Infrastructure VPN category, the mindshare of Citrix Gateway is 3.6%, up from 3.0% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of OpenVPN Access Server is 13.3%, down from 14.3% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Enterprise Infrastructure VPN Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
OpenVPN Access Server	13.3%
Citrix Gateway	3.6%
Other	83.1%

Enterprise Infrastructure VPN

Featured Reviews

Siva Kuppala

Enterprise Architect at Wipro Limited

Strong security and versatile features drive positive experience, but support responsiveness can improve

The main purpose of Citrix Gateway is to enforce the appropriate level of access to the correct user on the proper device under the correct conditions. This is enabled through Citrix Gateway combined with endpoint analysis and optional Citrix analytics for security. Regarding improvements, implementing adaptive access policies on Citrix Gateway could be enhanced, particularly in security posture. Although it enforces real-time contextual access control based on device, user network risk, certain aspects can be improved. Other areas for improvement include BYOD access control and risk-based decision-making. Additionally, there is potential for reducing administrative overhead by applying policies dynamically based on context rather than static rules. Incident response speed is another area that could be enhanced.

Read full review

Fedir Plotnikov

Senior Cloud Infrastructure Engineer at Globant

User management has simplified internal VPN access and now provides clear visibility and control

I do not use any role defining features because it is a really small organization, so it wasn't required, but it is there if needed. I have seen OpenVPN Access Server integrations such as LDAP, RADIUS, PAM, and SAML, but again, due to the size of the company, it wasn't necessary and we didn't have it inside the company. However, it was nice that it is already embedded inside. We haven't used much in terms of integrations with OpenVPN Access Server, so it's hard to say. We only used basic features there. My advice for others looking to implement OpenVPN Access Server is that it is at least worth trying if you need a fast and easy implementation solution without technical overhead and you just need VPN access, which is supported by all operating systems and mobile operating system vendors. It is definitely worth a try. OpenVPN Access Server was purchased directly from the website, not on the AWS marketplace or through a partner purchase. I would rate this product an overall eight out of ten.

Read full review

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

13%

Manufacturing Company

Computer Software Company

Comms Service Provider

Computer Software Company

13%

Comms Service Provider

11%

University

Manufacturing Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	15
Midsize Enterprise	9
Large Enterprise	17

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	36
Midsize Enterprise	8
Large Enterprise	16

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Citrix Gateway?

The price is one aspect, but technically it is complete. Technically, it is really complete.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Citrix Gateway?

I see room for improvement in several areas. The monitoring site could be much better because monitoring NetScaler and Citrix Gateway is too difficult with just SNMP traps available. Improving the ...

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Citrix Gateway?

I am on the customer side using Citrix products, specifically Citrix CVAD for Virtual and Desktop virtualization. I am using Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service. We are using Citrix Gateway an...

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 do you like most about OpenVPN Access Server?

OpenVPN Access Server is a simple and easy-to-use solution that I can use myself without anybody's help.

See all answers

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

I find it not cost-effective. It is not worth the money from a pricing perspective. However, it is a good investment for security and company information security. It is a good investment overall.

See all answers

Comparisons

Ivanti Connect Secure vs Citrix Gateway

Compared 8% of the time

SonicWall SMA vs Citrix Gateway

Compared 8% of the time

Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) vs Citrix Gateway

Compared 7% of the time

F5 BIG-IP Access Policy Manager (APM) vs Citrix Gateway

Compared 7% of the time

Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks vs Citrix Gateway

Compared 7% of the time

More Citrix Gateway Competitors

Fortinet FortiClient vs OpenVPN Access Server

Compared 15% of the time

Check Point Remote Access VPN vs OpenVPN Access Server

Compared 6% of the time

Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway vs OpenVPN Access Server

Compared 6% of the time

Ivanti Connect Secure vs OpenVPN Access Server

Compared 6% of the time

Tailscale vs OpenVPN Access Server

Compared 4% of the time

More OpenVPN Access Server Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Citrix Gateway

March 2026

Download Citrix Gateway product report

Buyer's Guide

OpenVPN Access Server

March 2026

Download OpenVPN Access Server product report

Also Known As

Citrix NetScaler Unified Gateway

OpenVPN

Overview

Citrix Gateway is a customer-managed solution that can be deployed on premises or on any public cloud, such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform. Citrix Gateway provides users with secure access and single sign-on to all the virtual, SaaS and web applications they need to be productive.

Citrix

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

Aeronamic, Avianca, Bechtel Corporation, Betfair UK, Catholic University Leuven (K.U. Leuven), Centene Corporation, Cerner, Charityshare, City of High Point, Clark Builders

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

Buyer's Guide

Citrix Gateway vs. OpenVPN Access Server

March 2026

Free Report: Citrix Gateway vs. OpenVPN Access Server

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