# OpenVPN Access Server vs Tailscale Comparison
---
## AI Generated Summary
- **G2 reviewers report** that Tailscale excels in its **ease of setup** , with users highlighting how quickly they can create a private network between devices. One user mentioned it fundamentally changed their development workflow, allowing secure access to internal resources effortlessly.
- **Users say** OpenVPN Access Server provides a robust user experience, particularly praising its **exceptional IT support**. Reviewers appreciate the simple initial setup, especially on mobile devices, which makes it accessible for users of all technical levels.
- **According to verified reviews** , Tailscale stands out for its **multi-device usage** , with users noting the seamless connectivity across various platforms. This flexibility is a significant advantage for those who need to access resources from different devices.
- **Reviewers mention** that OpenVPN Access Server offers **unlimited bandwidth** and stable connections, which are crucial for users who require reliable performance across multiple locations. This feature has been highlighted as a key differentiator in ensuring online privacy.
- **G2 reviewers report** that both products have similar scores for **ease of use** , but Tailscale's interface is often described as more intuitive and familiar, making it easier for users to navigate and manage their networks.
- **Users say** Tailscale's commitment to **product direction** is impressive, with a perfect score in this area. This indicates a strong alignment with user needs and ongoing improvements, which is a significant factor for those looking for long-term solutions.



---
## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is the difference between Tailscale vs OpenVPN Access Server?

Tailscale stands out for its higher Ease of Setup and Quality of Support scores, while OpenVPN Access Server is more widely reviewed and shares similar strengths in ease of use.

| [Tailscale](https://www.g2.com/products/tailscale/reviews) | [OpenVPN Access Server](https://www.g2.com/products/openvpn-access-server/reviews) |
| --- | --- |
| 4.6/5 (32 reviews) | 4.5/5 (358 reviews) |
| Small-Business | Small-Business |
| 9.3 | 8.6 |
| 9.3 | 8.7 |
| Ease of Use (8 all-time mentions) | Ease of Use (36 all-time mentions) |



### How do the pricing models of Tailscale and OpenVPN Access Server compare?

Tailscale is rated higher for value, with reviewers expressing greater satisfaction with its pricing compared to OpenVPN Access Server.

- **Tailscale:** In recent reviews, several users highlight that the free tier is sufficient for small business needs, but note that costs can rise quickly as user count increases.
- **OpenVPN Access Server:** Reviewers frequently mention that while the solution is cost-effective for small deployments, pricing can become a concern as the number of users grows, and some consider it expensive compared to alternatives.
- **Switching-reason:** Recent Tailscale reviewers cite switching from OpenVPN due to easier setup and lower ongoing management effort.



### What are the best alternatives to Tailscale and OpenVPN Access Server?

The top 3 alternatives to Tailscale and OpenVPN Access Server are Netgate pfSense, Twingate, and OpenVPN CloudConnexa.

| Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Tailscale](https://www.g2.com/products/tailscale/reviews) | 4.6/5 (32) | Small-Business | Free tier praised for small teams; costs rise with user count | Ease of Use |
| [OpenVPN Access Server](https://www.g2.com/products/openvpn-access-server/reviews) | 4.5/5 (358) | Small-Business | Cost-effective for small deployments; can be expensive at scale | Ease of Use |
| [Netgate pfSense](https://www.g2.com/products/netgate-pfsense/reviews) | 4.7/5 (326) | Small-Business | — | Comprehensive firewall and VPN features |
| [Twingate](https://www.g2.com/products/twingate/reviews) | 4.6/5 (78) | Mid-Market | — | Zero trust network access |
| [OpenVPN CloudConnexa](https://www.g2.com/products/openvpn-cloudconnexa/reviews) | 4.6/5 (130) | Small-Business | — | Cloud-based VPN management |



### Which Business VPN features should I prioritize when comparing Tailscale and OpenVPN Access Server?

Buyers comparing Tailscale and OpenVPN Access Server should prioritize Ease of Setup, Quality of Support, Security, Integrations, and Pricing.

- **Ease of Setup:** Tailscale scores 9.3, OpenVPN Access Server 8.6.
- **Quality of Support:** Tailscale scores 9.3, OpenVPN Access Server 8.7.
- **Security:** Security is cited as a strength in 4 Tailscale reviews and 27 OpenVPN Access Server reviews.
- **Integrations:** OpenVPN Access Server has 10 all-time integration mentions, including Android.
- **Pricing:** Recent reviews for both products mention pricing as a consideration, with Tailscale's free tier praised for small teams and OpenVPN Access Server noted as cost-effective for small deployments but expensive at scale.



### What are the pros and cons of Tailscale vs OpenVPN Access Server?

Tailscale's headline strength is ease of setup and use, while OpenVPN Access Server is recognized for its robust security and broad compatibility.

- **Tailscale strengths:** Ease of Use (8 all-time mentions), Device Connectivity (5), Easy Installation (4), Security (4), User Interface (3), Deployment Ease (2), Documentation (2).
- **Tailscale trade-offs:** Access Issues (3), Expensive (2), Complex Configuration (1), Connectivity Issues (1), Firewall Issues (1).
- **OpenVPN Access Server strengths:** Ease of Use (36), Easy Setup (31), Security (27), Easy Installation (22), VPN Services (20), Customer Support (14), Secure Access (13), Integrations (10), Cross-Platform Compatibility (8).
- **OpenVPN Access Server trade-offs:** Complex Configuration (16), Expensive (15), Lack of Features (9), VPN Issues (6).



### Is Tailscale or OpenVPN Access Server better for small businesses?

Tailscale is the better fit for small businesses, with a higher Ease of Setup score and strong small-business reviewer sentiment.

- **Tailscale:** Largest segment is Small-Business; reviewers highlight its easy setup, free tier suitability, and rapid onboarding for small teams.
- **OpenVPN Access Server:** Largest segment is Small-Business; reviewers note its cost-effectiveness for small deployments and broad compatibility, but mention that complexity and pricing can increase with scale.



### Which Business VPN platform has better integrations?

OpenVPN Access Server is favored for integrations, with more reviewer-cited integration mentions than Tailscale.

- **Tailscale:** Recent reviews mention integration with PFSENSE and AWS, but no all-time integration counts are supplied.
- **OpenVPN Access Server:** Android integration is cited in 12 all-time reviews, and reviewers mention compatibility with a wide range of operating systems and identity providers.



### How do Tailscale and OpenVPN Access Server compare on customer support?

Tailscale and OpenVPN Access Server are rated in near-parity for Quality of Support, with Tailscale at 9.3 and OpenVPN Access Server at 8.7, a difference below the materiality threshold.

- **Tailscale:** Reviewers describe support as responsive and helpful, with several citing positive experiences and productive feedback sessions.
- **OpenVPN Access Server:** Many reviewers highlight strong support, noting helpful, patient, and knowledgeable staff, with 14 all-time mentions of customer support as a strength.



### Which is easier to implement, Tailscale or OpenVPN Access Server?

Tailscale leads on Ease of Setup with a 0.7-point advantage over OpenVPN Access Server, making it easier to implement according to reviewer scores.

- **Tailscale:** Reviewers consistently praise its fast, straightforward setup, with many citing successful onboarding in under 15 minutes and minimal configuration required.
- **OpenVPN Access Server:** Reviewers note that setup is generally easy and the web interface is intuitive, but some mention that advanced configurations can require command-line access and more technical knowledge.



### Which product has better Unlimited Bandwidth?

OpenVPN Access Server is most frequently cited for Unlimited Bandwidth among both products.

- **Tailscale:** No all-time mention count or feature-specific score for Unlimited Bandwidth is supplied.
- **OpenVPN Access Server:** Reviewers explicitly mention unlimited bandwidth as a key benefit, with recent reviews highlighting stable connections and no drop in download speed when connecting to servers.



| | OpenVPN Access Server | Tailscale | 
|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.5 out of 5 | 4.6 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 358 | 31 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Small-Business (47.3% of reviews) | Small-Business (65.5% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | Free 2 Free With One-Time Purchase | Free 6 Monthly Active Users Per Month | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### OpenVPN Access Server

Pros:
- Ease of Use (36 reviews)
- Easy Setup (31 reviews)

Cons:
- Complex Configuration (16 reviews)
- Expensive (15 reviews)

### Tailscale

Pros:
- Ease of Use (8 reviews)
- Device Connectivity (5 reviews)

Cons:
- Access Issues (3 reviews)
- Expensive (2 reviews)

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | OpenVPN Access Server | Tailscale | 
|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 9.2 (318 reviews) | 9.0 (24 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 8.7 (325 reviews) | 8.7 (26 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 8.6 (251 reviews) | 9.4 (26 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 8.7 (202 reviews) | 9.2 (13 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 8.7 (244 reviews) | 9.2 (13 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 8.8 (178 reviews) | 9.2 (8 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 8.6 (314 reviews) | 10.0 (20 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### OpenVPN Access Server

#### Entry-Level Pricing

Plan: Free

Price: Free 2 Free With One-Time Purchase

Description: Instant access to all features - no card required - use it free forever!

Key Features:
- Self-hosted OpenVPN server
- Self-hosted cluster configuration for high scale and redundancy
- Administration and User Web Portals

[Browse all 2 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/openvpn-access-server/pricing)

#### Free Trial

Yes

### Tailscale

#### Entry-Level Pricing

Plan: Personal

Price: Free 6 Monthly Active Users Per Month

Description: For individuals who want to securely connect devices, servers, or software. Access nearly all of Tailscale's offerings and products for free, indefinitely.

Key Features:
- Users: Up to 6
- Unlimited user devices
- Up to 3 ACL groups

[Browse all 4 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/tailscale/pricing)

#### Free Trial

Yes

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### Network Security

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **OpenVPN Access Server** | N/A | N/A |
| **Tailscale** | N/A | N/A |

#### Additional Functionality

| Feature | OpenVPN Access Server | Tailscale | 
|---|---|---|
| **Penetration Testing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Alerts/Notifications** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Audit Trail** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Anti Virus** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Vulnerability Scanning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Remote Monitoring & Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **VPN** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Behavior Analytics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Reporting/Analytics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Real-Time Notifications** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Access Controls/Permissions** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **SSL Security** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Patch Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Event Logs** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Anomaly/Malware Detection** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **DNS Leak Protection** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Third-Party Integrations** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Server Monitoring** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Real-Time Monitoring** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Compliance Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Network Provisioning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **API** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Email Alerts** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Security Auditing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Intrusion Detection System** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Visualization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Two-Factor Authentication** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Generative AI** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Firewalls** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **AI Copilot** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Anti Spam** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Threat Response** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Activity Monitoring** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Risk Alerts** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Loss Prevention** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Single Sign On** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Intrusion Prevention System** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Secure Login** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Policy Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Activity Dashboard** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Business VPN

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **OpenVPN Access Server** | 8.2/10 | 317 |
| **Tailscale** | 9.0/10 | 16 |

#### Usage

| Feature | OpenVPN Access Server | Tailscale | 
|---|---|---|
| **Multi-Device Usage** | 9.1 (277 reviews) | 9.9 (16 reviews) | 
| **Multiple Concurrent Connections** | 8.8 (270 reviews) | 9.8 (14 reviews) | 
| **Protocol Choices** | 8.2 (270 reviews) | 8.3 (11 reviews) | 
| **Unlimited Bandwidth** | 8.7 (276 reviews) | 9.7 (13 reviews) | 
| **No Log Storage** | 7.4 (200 reviews) | 8.0 (11 reviews) | 
| **Varied Server Locations** | 7.9 (231 reviews) | 9.1 (11 reviews) | 
| **Unlimited Server Switches** | 8.0 (226 reviews) | 9.3 (10 reviews) | 
| **Event Logs** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Miscellaneous

| Feature | OpenVPN Access Server | Tailscale | 
|---|---|---|
| **Live Customer Support** | 7.7 (208 reviews) | 8.3 (7 reviews) | 
| **Open Source Code** | 8.1 (231 reviews) | 8.9 (11 reviews) | 
| **Multiple Payment Methods** | 7.8 (216 reviews) | 8.3 (5 reviews) | 
| **Activity Dashboard** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Additional Functionality

| Feature | OpenVPN Access Server | Tailscale | 
|---|---|---|
| **Two-Factor Authentication** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **DNS Leak Protection** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Web Inspection** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **API** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Uptime Reporting** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **AI Copilot** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Compliance Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Multi-Language** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Real-Time Monitoring** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Remote Monitoring & Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Security Auditing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Remote Access/Control** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Kill Switch** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Access Controls/Permissions** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Policy Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **User Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **VPN Tunneling** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **No-log VPN** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Encryption** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Firewalls** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Secure Browsing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Mobile Alerts** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Anonymous Browsing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Generative AI** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Single Sign On** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Secure Login** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Anomaly/Malware Detection** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Third-Party Integrations** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Rules-Based Workflow** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Reporting & Statistics** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Ad Blocker** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Authentication** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Mobile Access** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **SSL Security** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **IP Masking** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Geo-spoofing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Data Storage Management** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Performance Testing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

---
## Categories
**Shared Categories (1):** [Business VPN Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/business-vpn)




---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | OpenVPN Access Server | Tailscale | 
|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 47.3% | 65.5% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 42.7% | 31.0% | 
| **Enterprise** | 10.0% | 3.4% | 

### By Industry

#### OpenVPN Access Server

- **Information Technology and Services:** 17.4%
- **Computer Software:** 15.7%
- **Consumer Services:** 7.3%
- **Financial Services:** 4.4%
- **Computer & Network Security:** 3.5%
- **Marketing and Advertising:** 2.9%
- **Telecommunications:** 2.6%
- **Internet:** 2.6%
- **Higher Education:** 2.6%
- **Consulting:** 2.0%
- **Other:** 39.0%

#### Tailscale

- **Information Technology and Services:** 24.1%
- **Computer Software:** 24.1%
- **Computer & Network Security:** 10.3%
- **Higher Education:** 6.9%
- **Telecommunications:** 3.4%
- **Renewables & Environment:** 3.4%
- **Marketing and Advertising:** 3.4%
- **Internet:** 3.4%
- **Industrial Automation:** 3.4%
- **Financial Services:** 3.4%
- **Other:** 13.8%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to OpenVPN Access Server

- [Netgate pfSense](https://www.g2.com/products/netgate-pfsense/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (326 reviews)
- [Absolute Secure Access](https://www.g2.com/products/absolute-secure-access/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (225 reviews)
- [Check Point SASE](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-sase/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (229 reviews)
- [Cisco Secure Client](https://www.g2.com/products/cisco-secure-client/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (348 reviews)
- [Twingate](https://www.g2.com/products/twingate/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (82 reviews)
- [LetsVPN](https://www.g2.com/products/letsvpn/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (24 reviews)
- [NordLayer](https://www.g2.com/products/nordlayer/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (127 reviews)
- [Windscribe](https://www.g2.com/products/windscribe/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (64 reviews)
- [GoodAccess](https://www.g2.com/products/goodaccess/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (166 reviews)
- [Pritunl](https://www.g2.com/products/pritunl/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (18 reviews)

### Alternatives to Tailscale

- [Twingate](https://www.g2.com/products/twingate/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (82 reviews)
- [OpenVPN CloudConnexa](https://www.g2.com/products/openvpn-cloudconnexa/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (129 reviews)
- [Check Point SASE](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-sase/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (229 reviews)
- [Netgate pfSense](https://www.g2.com/products/netgate-pfsense/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (326 reviews)
- [Cisco Secure Client](https://www.g2.com/products/cisco-secure-client/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (348 reviews)
- [AWS Client VPN](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-client-vpn/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (22 reviews)
- [Absolute Secure Access](https://www.g2.com/products/absolute-secure-access/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (225 reviews)
- [NordLayer](https://www.g2.com/products/nordlayer/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (127 reviews)
- [WireGuard](https://www.g2.com/products/wireguard/reviews) — 4.8/5 stars (14 reviews)
- [SoftEther VPN](https://www.g2.com/products/softether-vpn/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (17 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### OpenVPN Access Server

- Title: [Vpn require](https://www.g2.com/discussions/32731-vpn-require) — 2 comments, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Yes"
- Title: [Why should I use OpenVPN Access Sever?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/openvpn-access-server-features) — 2 comments, 1 upvote *(includes official response)*
  > **Top comment:** "BYOD REGARDLESS OF OPERATING SYSTEMS
OpenVPN Clients free your users to choose their favorite device with support for Android, iODS, Linux, macOS, and..."
- Title: [Why does OpenVPN use UDP and TCP?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/udp-and-tcp) — 1 comment, 1 upvote *(includes official response)*
  > **Top comment:** "The OpenVPN protocol itself functions best over just the UDP protocol. And by default the connection profiles that you can download from the Access Server..."
- Title: [If OpenVPN is open source, isn't the code free to use?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/openvpn-open-source-code) — 1 comment, 1 upvote *(includes official response)*
  > **Top comment:** "The OpenVPN open source project is free to use if you keep to the software license agreement, but the commercial OpenVPN Access Server product sold by..."
- Title: [How much does it cost to use your VPN software/Access Sever?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/pricing-ddf8d406-721f-4595-8129-749a986c36f0) — 1 comment, 1 upvote *(includes official response)*
  > **Top comment:** "We have two models - tiered and BYOL (Bring your Own License)

For BYOL:

It is a $15.00 License Fee Per Connected Device Per Year. Support & Updates are..."

### Tailscale

No discussions available for this product.

---
**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/openvpn-access-server-vs-tailscale)