We are primarily using the solution to access the local networks. It allows colleagues who work from home to access the network.
Security engineer at ARCEP Togo
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?
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
December 2024
Learn what your peers think about OpenVPN Access Server. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: December 2024.
824,067 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.
Engineer at Bit 2 Bit Communication SRL
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.
Buyer's Guide
OpenVPN Access Server
December 2024
Learn what your peers think about OpenVPN Access Server. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: December 2024.
824,067 professionals have used our research since 2012.
System Integrator IT Manager at Tecnimex S.r.l.
Reliable and versatile, offers a user-friendly interface for easy configuration
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable thing about OpenVPN Access Server is its ease of use."
- "One improvement I would like to see in OpenVPN is better adaptability in certain geographical areas."
What is our primary use case?
I use OpenVPN Access Server for remote maintenance, enabling secure access to systems. It is also my choice for smart working, providing a reliable and encrypted connection for remote employees. Additionally, I deploy it for site-to-site VPNs, ensuring secure communication between our headquarters and branch offices.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable thing about OpenVPN Access Server is its ease of use. The user-friendly interface simplifies configuration, and features like reversibility and scalability enhance its flexibility.
What needs improvement?
One improvement I would like to see in OpenVPN is better adaptability in certain geographical areas, like Asia, where the traffic can face blocks. Addressing this issue would enhance the overall performance, especially for data transfer in those regions.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using OpenVPN Access Server for many years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I would rate the stability of the solution as a nine out of ten.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
OpenVPN is generally scalable, but in certain regions like China, where deep packet inspection is widespread, there are certain challenges. The scalability holds up well, but consideration is needed for environments with stringent stateful inspection, especially in cases like China. Overall, I would rate the scalability of the solution as an eight out of ten.
How was the initial setup?
Setting up OpenVPN is generally quick, both from the client and server sides. The connection setup is speedy. The more time-consuming part is implementing traffic policies, but overall, the initial setup is efficient.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Licensing for OpenVPN is generally hassle-free. Server-side access is usually included, and there is flexibility with features. I haven't encountered licensing issues on the user side either, as proprietary solutions or OpenVPN's built-in options are commonly used without problems.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
Currently, we are evaluating solutions from Barracuda, Sophos, and Fortinet.
What other advice do I have?
My advice for those starting with OpenVPN is to ensure you are using the latest version, as the trend is to refine encryption algorithms. Being up-to-date with the software ensures you benefit from the latest improvements and security measures. Overall, I would rate OpenVPN Access Server as a nine out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Systems engineer at Expleogroup
A self-hosted VPN solution that is user-friendly and easy to manage
Pros and Cons
- "I like that it's easy to use, easy to download, and not hard to manage."
- "The connections could be faster and more stable."
What is our primary use case?
I used OpenVPN Access Server to get into a special network and used some keys to access virtual machines. We also used it to try and run some pen tests.
What is most valuable?
I like that it's easy to use, easy to download, and not hard to manage.
What needs improvement?
The connections could be faster and more stable.
For how long have I used the solution?
I used OpenVPN Access Server briefly, probably for a week or two.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
OpenVPN Access Server is a stable solution. But sometimes, it would crash if the connection was left on for too long. But this wasn't a problem for us.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
OpenVPN Access Server was scalable for ten users in my team. I don't know how it will be beyond that.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup was straightforward. It took about 15 minutes to deploy this solution.
What about the implementation team?
I implemented this solution.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
OpenVPN Access Server was free for students. I don't know if you have to pay for an advanced version.
What other advice do I have?
On a scale from one to ten, I would give OpenVPN Access Server a nine.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Enterprise Solutions Consultant at a computer software company with 201-500 employees
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
Senior Software Engineer at Retail Insights
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.
Head of Quality Assurance at Auxenta Inc.
Good solution with a straightforward setup
Pros and Cons
- "I would recommend this solution to other people."
- "This solution should improve the connection speed and the user interface. The stability of this solution should be improved as well."
What is our primary use case?
Our primary use case for this solution is connecting to multiple servers.
What is most valuable?
This solution is good overall.
What needs improvement?
This solution should improve the connection speed and the user interface. The stability of this solution should be improved as well.
In the next release, I would like to see the user interface become more user-friendly.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using this solution for about one year.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I would rate this solution's stability an eight, on a scale from one to 10, with one being the worst and 10 being the best.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
My impression is that this is a scalable solution.
How was the initial setup?
My impression is that the initial setup is straightforward. It took about 15 minutes to deploy this solution.
What about the implementation team?
The implementation was done by our IT department.
What other advice do I have?
Overall, I would rate this solution an eight, on a scale from one to 10, with one being the worst and 10 being the best.
I would recommend this solution to other people.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
IT System Administrator at Malomatia
Secure and good for small firms but is complex to set up
Pros and Cons
- "The best thing is that it is open source and free of cost."
- "You do need expertise in implementation if you do the initial setup yourself."
What is our primary use case?
Initially, we implemented this OpenVPN client. We have Google Authenticator with OpenVPN, so we have multifactor authentication for the users.
What is most valuable?
The best thing is that it is open source and free of cost.
It's secure.
It's a good solution for small firms.
What needs improvement?
You do need expertise in implementation if you do the initial setup yourself. As it is open-source, if you run into issues, there is nobody available to help you.
We can have more interfaces with the Active Directory. For example, if you want to integrate, it's not really working very well as an authentication method.
Security-wise it's using good protocols like SecureONE, similar to AnyConnect. However, implementation-wise for the interfacing to the AD and interfacing to the Authenticators, it's a bit difficult. We had updated this a year before, and we had to revert it back to work with Google Authenticator.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been using the solution for about five years or so.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
While it is stable, I would warn that while doing the updates, there is a concern. If you are doing an update, you should have a full backup and consider the functionality so that it runs as expected. You might have to redeploy the product again in order to do a proper update.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
We have maybe 50 to 100 users on the solution. It's a small server. It might be able to scale a bit more, however, we haven't really tried to do that.
How are customer service and support?
We have the free version installed. We don't have a support contract.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is complex.
We tried initially with Centaurus and it was not really working.
The deployment itself took about three weeks. It was a bit time-consuming.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
It's free to use. We have an open-source version.
You would need to pay extra for support. It's not as costly as Cisco or Fortinet, and therefore investing a bit extra in support may be worth it.
What other advice do I have?
The solution is at a client location. I'm not sure which version they're on.
It's critical to understand the solution if you decide to use it, and if it is a necessary solution that you need to depend on, you should have some sort of support contract in place.
I'd rate the solution six out of ten.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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Updated: December 2024
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