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Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway vs OpenVPN Access Server comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Apr 20, 2025

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
7.9
Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway improved connectivity and cost efficiency, enhancing user satisfaction and supporting cloud migration and scalability.
Sentiment score
3.8
OpenVPN Access Server enhances remote work with essential VPN connectivity, reducing errors despite challenges in quantifying financial benefits.
The solution provides significant cost savings, transitioning expenses from CapEx to OpEx.
 

Customer Service

Sentiment score
5.1
Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway's support varies widely, with premium praised but basic often criticized for slow, uncoordinated responses.
Sentiment score
7.5
OpenVPN Access Server's support is praised for high responsiveness, effectiveness, and comprehensive documentation, with strong community resources.
Prioritization of tasks can also be challenging, impacting the timely resolution of problems.
It was very good, and I would rate it an eight.
I have not dealt with support or customer service, however, the documentation is good, and I would rate it a seven out of ten.
 

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score
8.9
Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway is scalable, cost-effective, and supports business growth but faces limitations in higher performance SKUs.
Sentiment score
7.0
OpenVPN Access Server is scalable but experiences vary with environment and configuration, involving challenges in horizontal and vertical scaling.
The process was very efficient to scale the solution, which supports a high level of scalability.
It's not very easy to expand, and it would be beneficial if the process were simpler.
I would give OpenVPN a six out of ten for scalability, as it's usually a single user or single device.
 

Stability Issues

Sentiment score
8.2
Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway is generally stable and reliable, but some users experience occasional inconsistencies requiring adjustments.
Sentiment score
8.6
OpenVPN Access Server is stable, reliable, with high ratings, though some note minor performance and update handling issues.
Azure VPN Gateway is very stable due to reliance on Microsoft's own network.
 

Room For Improvement

Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway needs better deployment, connectivity, support, and pricing to improve user satisfaction and streamline workflows.
OpenVPN Access Server needs UI improvements, simpler user management, enhanced security, better upgrades, scalability, and configuration processes.
The instructions on how to integrate P2N and P2S type networks into Azure VPN Gateway could be improved, though it is a constantly evolving process.
It doesn't matter if it's Windows, Apple, Mac, or Linux - they're all very easy.
OpenVPN could improve in centralized management.
 

Setup Cost

Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway’s pricing is seen as cost-effective by some, despite mixed reviews, for replacing physical network equipment.
OpenVPN Access Server offers flexible licensing with competitive pricing, combining a free community version with affordable paid options.
The pricing is somewhat high but acceptable, considering it replaces the need for physical network equipment, leading to cost savings.
The price of Azure VPN Gateway should be rated five from a purely invoice aspect.
My experience with pricing is excellent as the pricing is free.
 

Valuable Features

Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway offers robust networking, high performance, security, scalability, and seamless connectivity with global accessibility and redundancy.
OpenVPN Access Server is open-source, secure, and user-friendly, offering cross-platform support, strong encryption, and seamless remote access.
The primary function of Azure VPN Gateway allows for designing subnets from existing networks, whether they are physical or virtual networks within Azure or other cloud instances.
It's cost-effective by eliminating the need for firewall and networking equipment purchases.
The most valuable features of OpenVPN are its ease of use, client familiarity, end-user familiarity, operating system integration, and price points.
What I appreciate the most about OpenVPN Access Server is that it's very easy to set up.
 

Categories and Ranking

Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway
Ranking in Enterprise Infrastructure VPN
4th
Average Rating
8.4
Reviews Sentiment
7.4
Number of Reviews
26
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
OpenVPN Access Server
Ranking in Enterprise Infrastructure VPN
2nd
Average Rating
8.4
Reviews Sentiment
7.2
Number of Reviews
48
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of June 2025, in the Enterprise Infrastructure VPN category, the mindshare of Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway is 6.6%, down from 8.2% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of OpenVPN Access Server is 13.3%, down from 15.5% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Enterprise Infrastructure VPN
 

Featured Reviews

MatsHagberg Olsson2 - PeerSpot reviewer
Designs subnets with high security while navigating evolving integration processes
The primary function of Azure VPN Gateway allows for designing subnets from existing networks, whether they are physical or virtual networks within Azure or other cloud instances. You can configure these networks using IP numbers and connect them using certificates or SaaS strings. It also requires Entra ID for privileged access groups, resulting in high security.
Bertrand Moutault - PeerSpot reviewer
An easy-to-use tool with which its users can access networks from home or external locations
Sometimes OpenVPN Access Server is difficult to connect to, and in our company, we don't know why it is difficult. The product may not connect if we lose connection at times. There are certain shortcomings in the product's stability that need improvement. In general, I want to improve the connect connectivity of the solution since I sometimes face stability issues.
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Use our free recommendation engine to learn which Enterprise Infrastructure VPN solutions are best for your needs.
856,873 professionals have used our research since 2012.
 

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
17%
Financial Services Firm
10%
Government
7%
Manufacturing Company
6%
Computer Software Company
18%
Comms Service Provider
9%
Educational Organization
8%
University
7%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

What needs improvement with Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway?
The instructions on how to integrate P2N and P2S type networks into Azure VPN Gateway could be improved, though it is a constantly evolving process. The instructions should have been more accessibl...
What advice do you have for others considering Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway?
I would advise comparing Azure VPN Gateway with other market leaders in this segment and referencing sources like Forrester and Gartner. It's crucial to look at which competitors in this spectrum h...
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...
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.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for OpenVPN Access Server?
My experience with pricing is excellent as the pricing is free.
 

Also Known As

MS Azure VPN Gateway
OpenVPN
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Information Not Available
Verizon, Amazon, Disney, HP, Microsoft, IBM, Samsung
Find out what your peers are saying about Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway vs. OpenVPN Access Server and other solutions. Updated: June 2025.
856,873 professionals have used our research since 2012.