OpenVPN Community Edition

Spec sheet

Purpose

OpenVPN is an SSL VPN for secure Layer 2 or Layer 3 network extension using SSL/TLS.Read 11 Oct 2026 · openvpn.net

Intended users

OpenVPN describes Community Edition as a fit for hobbyists, developers, and small projects that want hands-on control.Read 11 Oct 2026 · openvpn.net

Free plan

YesRead 22 Sep 2026 · openvpn.net

Security

The tls-auth directive adds an HMAC signature to TLS handshake packets to help protect against denial-of-service attacks, port scanning, and unauthorized handshake attempts.Read 11 Oct 2026 · openvpn.net

Support

Community support resources include IRC, a user mailing list, forums, a wiki, and GitHub issues.Read 11 Oct 2026 · openvpn.net

Access control

It allows user- or group-specific access policies using firewall rules on the VPN virtual interface.Read 11 Oct 2026 · openvpn.net

Access model

vpnRead 22 Sep 2026 · openvpn.net

Admin control level

basicRead 22 Sep 2026 · openvpn.net

Authentication

It supports authentication using certificates, smart cards, and username/password credentials.Read 11 Oct 2026 · openvpn.net

Authentication integrations

Authentication plugins can connect to PAM, which can in turn use shadow passwords, RADIUS, or LDAP.Read 11 Oct 2026 · openvpn.net

Client and server

OpenVPN 2.x supports a scalable client/server mode in which multiple clients connect to one server process over a TCP or UDP port.Read 11 Oct 2026 · openvpn.net

Management limitation

The Community Edition comparison describes it as manually set up and CLI-only, with no web GUI or API listed.Read 11 Oct 2026 · openvpn.net

Package verification

Official Community Edition source packages and Windows installers are signed using the project's security mailing list GPG key.Read 11 Oct 2026 · openvpn.net

Related clients

The Community page links to an open-source Android client and an open-source macOS client, Tunnelblick.Read 11 Oct 2026 · openvpn.net

Routing

The project documentation covers routed and bridged VPNs, routing traffic through the VPN, and client-specific rules.Read 11 Oct 2026 · openvpn.net

Supported platforms

Windows,Linux,macOSRead 22 Sep 2026 · openvpn.net

Windows availability

The Community Edition Windows installer includes OpenVPN GUI client software and a system service daemon, and supports Windows 10 onward, including Windows Server editions.Read 11 Oct 2026 · openvpn.net

Plans and prices

Every OpenVPN Community Edition plan and price →

Where Specifiction places it

• Business VPN Software#41 of 948.1