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Security engineer at ARCEP Togo
Real User
Issue free and open source with good connectivity
Pros and Cons
  • "The setup is easy."
  • "I'd like to have more control over the users when they are accessing the network."

What is our primary use case?

We are primarily using the solution to access the local networks. It allows colleagues who work from home to access the network.

What is most valuable?

It works well. The performance has been good. It's stable. 

It's been issue-free since we deployed it.

It helps ensure access for remote colleagues. You can gain access wherever you are. 

The connectivity is very good. 

It is scalable.

The setup is easy.

This solution is open-source. 

What needs improvement?

We'd like the solution to continue to improve security. We'd like security over the network lists related to OpenSense. 

I'd like to have more control over the users when they are accessing the network. I'd like to know everything they've done while they are on the network. 

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been using the solution for three years. I've used it for a while now. 

Buyer's Guide
OpenVPN Access Server
April 2025
Learn what your peers think about OpenVPN Access Server. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: April 2025.
849,686 professionals have used our research since 2012.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution is stable and offers good connectivity. There are no bugs or glitches, and it doesn't crash or freeze. It is reliable. The performance has been good.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It is very scalable. We have 50 people on the solution. 

We do not have plans to increase usage at this time. 

How are customer service and support?

We do not really need technical support assistance. 

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We have used other solutions in the past. We did have Cisco AnyConnect and saw that OpenVPN was open-source and free, which is why we prefer it. 

How was the initial setup?

The solution is very easy to set up. It is not a complex process. It's also very easy to configure. There are some tutorials to help you along. 

It took us about half a day to deploy the solution. 

We did the deployment three years ago, and since it was so long ago, I cannot recall the exact steps. 

We have about nine people that handle maintenance tasks as needed. There are managers, two developers, and network engineers that can handle the job.

What about the implementation team?

We can handle the setup of the solution in-house. We did not need any outside help.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

This is an open-source solution. 

What other advice do I have?

I'm not sure if we are using the latest version of the solution. I'd recommend the solution to others.

This is a great solution for small businesses. 

I'd rate the solution eight out of ten. 

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Engineer at Bit 2 Bit Communication SRL
Real User
Stable, scalable, and easy to deploy
Pros and Cons
  • "The most valuable feature is stability."
  • "There is always room for more security features."

What is our primary use case?

The solution is a VPN installed at the customer's headquarters, with three small offices connecting to the main server to open the application and access a specific database.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable feature is stability.

What needs improvement?

There is always room for more security features.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using the solution for five years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution is stable. I was able to apply almost the same configuration without having to monitor the connection daily. Thus, the solution is stable and does not require more bandwidth or a more complex configuration. It is simply a link to connect to the specific application on the server and that is all.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The scalability for the four locations is good.

How are customer service and support?

The technical support was satisfactory as I found a lot of information on the network and on the Internet. 

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is straightforward, provided we have done our preparation. When we attempt to install the solution for the first time, we need to research how to configure it, check the parameters, assess whether other software is more suitable for the customer, and consider the cost.

The deployment took one week.

I first installed the server for the deployment, created the key for the client, and tested it on the external line to check if connecting was possible. Then, I went to different remote sites and deployed their information.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The solution was free of charge.

What other advice do I have?

I give the solution a nine out of ten.

We tested and discussed with the new vendor an application that is almost the same, but it is cloud-based and all upgrades are done on the data center. This means that their new solution does not require any installation on the remote side, just an internet connection to connect to the cloud and they don't have to worry about security as everything is stored on the server. This is the future.

We have ten people using the solution in our organization.

The number of people required for maintenance depends on the scale on which the solution is being used. On a small scale, only one person is required for maintenance.

There may be other solutions that are better than OpenVPN Access Server, but we must assess what we will receive after installation and our requirements in order to find the best solution to meet our needs.

When deploying the solution, we strive to work with it as much as possible. We must consider the possibility of updates and, if the customer has configured the solution, we must make the necessary adjustments. In this case, it is important to involve and attempt to comprehend the situation.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
OpenVPN Access Server
April 2025
Learn what your peers think about OpenVPN Access Server. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: April 2025.
849,686 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Enterprise Architect at a tech services company with 201-500 employees
Real User
Easy to set up and use, offers multi-factor authentication, and technical support is good
Pros and Cons
  • "There is support for multi-factor authentication."
  • "The security needs to be improved because it was a complaint that our customers had."

What is our primary use case?

We are a solution provider and the OpenVPN Access Server was one of the products that we used for our customers. It is used to create remote desktop connections into the cloud network, where people who are working from home can share resources with people in the office. When people are working in an office then they have a local network, and OpenVPN expands the network for use externally.

We are no longer using this solution because of complaints raised by our customers about security vulnerabilities. The server is now shut down.

How has it helped my organization?

This server allows you to connect to a network that does not have any public IP addresses. You first dial-up the OpenVPN to get onto the network, then directly use the private IP for the local device. Once the connection is made, we can do development work, maintenance, or whatever is required.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable feature is the remote connection capability.

It is easy to use.

There is support for multi-factor authentication.

What needs improvement?

We would like to be able to access the parts of the network that belong to other virtual LANs, which is not currently possible. For example, if an organization has different VLANs for sales, developers, and production, then we can only connect and view one of these segments. If you can access sales then you will have visibility of that particular subnet and not be able to see the developer VLAN resources.

The security needs to be improved because it was a complaint that our customers had. I'm not sure exactly what the specific issue is, other than they told us that it was not compliant with their organizational policies.

It is not possible to scale this solution horizontally, which is something that should be improved. They could allow multiple instances to run in different zones, synchronizing with each using a round-robin scheduler.

It would be great if they added intrusion prevention and detection (IPS/IDS) features. If they had these then there would be less need to use other products, such as firewalls. It would allow everything to run under one umbrella with centralized control.

For how long have I used the solution?

We were using OpenVPN for about one year and we migrated away from it about three months ago.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Horizontally, this solution is definitely not scalable. Vertically, it is possible but there will be some downtime. Scaling requires that we stop the server, upscale it, select a different instance, and then restart it. The downtime is approximately five minutes.

How are customer service and technical support?

I have been in contact with technical support and the experience was good. They have knowledgeable people.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We have migrated to Fortinet because of security vulnerabilities.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is easy. Once we go to the marketplace for the license, we can install and start using it. This involves selecting an image, then selecting a VM, and deploying on that. You then install the certificate and create the users. Creating users is also easy to do.

 One person is enough for this task and it will take between 15 and 30 minutes to deploy.

What about the implementation team?

Our in-house team deploys OpenVPN for our customers. After the deployment is complete, users will log in, download their profile, and then they can connect.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

Before migrating to Fortinet, we looked at other vendors including Cisco. We found that based on the sizing we needed, the pricing of Cisco AnyConnect was not as competitive.

Personally, I have not found any differences between these products that affect what I need to do.

What other advice do I have?

Personally, I like this product and our decision to shut down the server is in response to decisions made by our customers. I have not found any issues with it, myself.

I would rate this solution a nine out of ten.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
SeniorSy43b9 - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior System Engineer
Real User
Allows us to see and use the new Citrix server as a local server within the company
Pros and Cons
  • "A valuable feature for us is its ability to see the new Citrix server as a local server within the company. And it allows us to test abroad."
  • "I would like to see a simpler interface, so that we can make the connection between the local network using the LAN IP."
  • "I would be more happy with the idea of licensing to have a reduced price with longer, grouped, annual fees. We have a lot of other software that does the same thing. It's a little higher price if you're going with a shorter stint, but there's a reduction in price for three- and five-year contracts."

What is our primary use case?

This was a test bed in which to use a virtualized Citrix server to be connected with the downtown Tacoma site. We needed that to be able to not only access the local network over there, but also to use thin clients there to virtualize the work stations on our test location.

How has it helped my organization?

It allows us to actually use the Citrix server, just that simple.

What is most valuable?

A valuable feature for us is its ability to see the new Citrix server as a local server within the company.

And it allows us to test abroad. We have a couple other sites that we want to try to get people to remote into. Having that feature really helped.

What needs improvement?

The user interface that we had to implement. I would like to see a simpler interface, so that we can make the connection between the local network using the LAN IP.

Also, I would be more happy with the idea of licensing to have a reduced price with longer, grouped, annual fees. We have a lot of other software that does the same thing. It's a little higher price if you're going with a shorter stint, but there's a reduction in price for three- and five-year contracts.

For how long have I used the solution?

Less than one year.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It's been more of a hardware issue with us. The VPN has been working fine, but on our side, where our test bed is, we've just been trying to get it fine-tuned. But, no, OpenVPN hasn't had any problems.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Not yet. 

How are customer service and technical support?

It's been pretty good. We only had one question when we were first implementing it. My crew and I were answered very quickly. The technical support was responsive.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We didn't have a previous solution. We had done a little research and we went with OpenVPN as the first option. It wasn't that we went through several before it.

How was the initial setup?

It was pretty straightforward. We've seen terrible things with Citrix, so nothing compared to that.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

I would say the product's pricing is a good value. I would recommend to other companies to implement it. I've seen other software, in tandem with the service, to be very expensive.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

We were attempting to do a closed VPN between the two sites, but it really doesn't work with the local IPs that we wanted people's Citrix agents to be able to get in. We wanted it to emulate the IP of it being local because eventually we were going to move the Citrix server to the Tacoma site.

What other advice do I have?

Do your homework, and make sure that your test site where you're going to be setting this up has a good, solid connection with your ISP. That was the issue we ran into. We actually had to get our ISP out here to fix the modem that we were having issues with.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Abhishek Kini - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior Software Engineer at Retail Insights
Real User
Good security, but the UI is not user-friendly
Pros and Cons
  • "Security is the most valuable feature."
  • "The stability had room for improvement."

What is our primary use case?

The solution is used to connect to the server or network when working remotely.

What is most valuable?

Security is the most valuable feature.

What needs improvement?

The interface can be more user-friendly.

The stability had room for improvement.

The scalability has room for improvement.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using the solution for two years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I give the stability a five out of ten.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I give the scalability a six out of ten.

What about the implementation team?

The implementation was completed in-house.

What other advice do I have?

I give the solution a seven out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud

If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?

Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
reviewer2093079 - PeerSpot reviewer
Enterprise Solutions Consultant at a computer software company with 201-500 employees
Real User
Easy to set up and deploy with good compatibility
Pros and Cons
  • "It is very easy to look at the quality of the connection and the bandwidth and do an investigation if there are problems on the network."
  • "There sometimes is an incompatibility between some VPNs."

What is our primary use case?

This is an enterprise infrastructure VPN solution. 

What is most valuable?

It is very stable and reliable. It's a useful device. 

It is very easy to look at the quality of the connection and the bandwidth and do an investigation if there are problems on the network.

It is simple to set up and deploy. 

It's compatible with WatchGuard. 

What needs improvement?

There sometimes is an incompatibility between some VPNs. 

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been using the solution for two or three years. It hasn't been a long time. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

We have found the stability to be good. It is reliable. here are no bugs or glitches. It doesn't crash or freeze. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I'm not sure of the scalability. I've never tried to scale the product. 

We have three customers on the solution right now. 

How are customer service and support?

We are able to manage the support of the solution and troubleshoot for clients. However, I have never dealt with the solution's technical support services in the past. 

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

As solutions providers, we deal with a lot of VPN technology. For example, I have worked with FortiClient. 

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is pretty straightforward. For example, I find it easier to implement than FortiClient.

The deployment is fast. It takes five to ten minutes. After that, you can put in the customer's configurations. 

If the customer gives you the HTTP link for the certificate and the configuration, you enter everything on that site, and automatically, you are good to go.

We handle the maintenance for our clients. 

What about the implementation team?

We've been able to implement the solution for clients for a while now. 

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

I don't have details related to licensing. The customer typically deals with that directly. 

What other advice do I have?

We sell software solutions. 

I'd recommend the product to other users. 

I would rate the solution nine out of ten. 

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
PeerSpot user
Ali Toksoy - PeerSpot reviewer
General Manager at Ekinoks Software
Real User
Easy to deploy, simple to use, and offers good performance
Pros and Cons
  • "It can scale well."
  • "The interface could be a little bit better in future iterations."

What is our primary use case?

In our country, there is a problem with accessing some sites. Therefore, we need to use OpenVPN. We also use it to access our server.

What is most valuable?

The solution is very easy to use. It's very direct. It always just works when we need it to. The performance is good. 

The solution is stable.

It can scale well.

The initial setup is fast and easy.

What needs improvement?

The interface could be a little bit better in future iterations. 

For how long have I used the solution?

I can't remember how long I've used the solution. It's likely been around six years. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution offers good performance. It is stable and reliable. There are no bugs or glitches. It makes access simple. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The product can scale well. 

We have 40 or 50 people using the product at this time. 

As remote work increases, we likely will expand usage. 

How are customer service and support?

We haven't needed any additional support so far. 

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We did not previously use any other services similar to this product. 

How was the initial setup?

It is easy to set up. It just works right away. 

It takes a very short amount of time to deploy it. I found the process to be quite fast. We deployed in minutes, as I recall. 

A company would only need one person to handle the deployment process. 

What about the implementation team?

We did not need any outside assistance or support for the implementation process. 

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

I'm unsure of the exact licensing costs. 

What other advice do I have?

I'm not sure which version of the solution I'm using. 

I'd recommend this product to other users and companies. 

I would rate the solution eight out of ten. 

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
it_user847161 - PeerSpot reviewer
Software Engineer II at a tech vendor with 201-500 employees
Real User
Compatible with almost any Linux system, and easy to write scripts and generate keys
Pros and Cons
  • "The compatibility with almost any Linux operating system, and how easy it is to write scripts and generate keys for people to use and log in. I found it easy to deploy quickly."
  • "If someone's key is not working, or if we had to remove someone's permission from it, or maybe an employee left the company and we had to take their key out, that seemed a little bit more complicated than it had to be."
  • "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."
  • "If we had to create something for someone who was not necessarily tech savvy, I had to set that up on their computer, I had to write "read me's" and other things so that they could install their client and then connect to the VPN by themselves. So it was hard to set up for people who are not tech savvy."

What is our primary use case?

Interoffice connections. We had offices in India and the US. To connect both of them to the same environment, we were using OpenVPN for that. It was so we could maintain a file store, exchange files and documents securely through our own proprietary mechanism, instead of having to rely on Dropbox and the like. 

How has it helped my organization?

Interoperability between different offices. We didn't have to keep exchanging documents via email and other tech. We were able to maintain a common file store because of the complete VPN setup we had using OpenVPN.

What is most valuable?

The compatibility with almost any Linux operating system, and how easy it is to write scripts and generate keys for people to use and log in. I found it easy to deploy quickly.

What needs improvement?

Some of the issues we faced were things like, if someone's key is not working, or if we had to remove someone's permission from it, or maybe an employee left the company and we had to take their key out. That seemed a little bit more complicated than it had to be.

Also, 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.

For how long have I used the solution?

Three to five years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

We did not encounter any stability issues in our scope.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Our use case was less complex than most. We did not come across any issues with scalability.

How are customer service and technical support?

I usually found support online, so I didn't have to use tech support.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We started off with OpenVPN when we were evaluating what we could use for our needs and we ended up with OpenVPN. I have used other VPN solutions at other offices, but in the cases that I've dealt with, OpenVPN was the choice.

How was the initial setup?

If we had to create something for someone who was not necessarily tech savvy, I had to set that up on their computer, I had to write "read me's" and other things so that they could install their client and then connect to the VPN by themselves. So it was hard to set up for people who are not tech savvy. I had to actively provide assistance and walk them through the whole process.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

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.

What other advice do I have?

OpenVPN is a good option for kick-starting any kind of interoperability between offices. It doesn't have a huge setup time, so it's a quick way to start experimenting with how the organization would work with its VPN requirements. Even if your requirements are very small, it's a very convenient to start off with this solution.

I rate it at eight out of 10 because it gives value for what it provides. You need technical know-how to get started on it, but it is also very swift. It has all the right features but it's technically challenging if you're not tech savvy. Providing clients with keys is not that straightforward.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Download our free OpenVPN Access Server Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
Updated: April 2025
Buyer's Guide
Download our free OpenVPN Access Server Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.