OpenVPN Review 2024: Before You Buy, Is It Worth It?

Decent Connection Speeds on Locals Servers

OpenVPN, although not the fastest VPN tunneling protocol available, still offers a sufficient connection speed for most casual VPN users. By testing a variety of free third-party servers from the Community Forum, located on different continents, it was determined that the connection quality is optimal when the server is in close proximity to the user. Long-distance servers did not perform as well in these tests, with many failing to connect or having a download speed too slow for practical use. It is possible that there may be dependable long-distance servers available, but none were identified that met the necessary standards for privacy during the testing process.

Speed Test Results

I conducted a test to evaluate the internet speeds when using the OpenVPN protocol with free servers. My base internet speed is 9.8mbps and I am located in the North-West region of the United States. To provide a comprehensive understanding, I ran the test using servers from three different continents including North America, Europe, and Australia.

When utilizing local servers, the speed decrease with OpenVPN connected was minimal with a mere 8% reduction in download speed and no significant change in ping. However, when I attempted to use OpenVPN with distant servers, I encountered high latency and much slower downloads.

For instance, when utilizing a UK server that is approximately 4.5K miles away, I experienced an 18% drop in download speed. Additionally, there was a significant increase in my ping from 2ms to 499 ms. Although this was one of the fastest free servers I found for the UK, it unfortunately did not unblock most streaming services.

The best Australian server I found, which is approximately 8K miles away, was almost unusable for anything except basic web browsing with a 43% decrease in download speeds. The ping was slightly better than the UK server, but the speeds were not suitable for streaming or more intensive tasks such as online gaming.

When it comes to utilizing OpenVPN, the speeds obtained may not align with personal expectations. However, it is important to consider this option when engaging in activities such as torrenting or streaming. If you’re seeking increased speeds, ExpressVPN is a highly recommended alternative as it supports OpenVPN and consistently ranks among the fastest VPN services on the market.

Server Network — Unofficial Servers Only

OpenVPN, as a protocol, does not offer any official servers for you to connect to. However, there are various third-party servers available that can be accessed through the protocol. These servers can be found in various online communities and discussion forums, such as the OpenVPN community, Macrumors, and Blackhatworld.

It is important to note that these third-party servers are not officially endorsed by OpenVPN as they may have different privacy policies, speeds, and abilities to unblock content, and may also come with potential risks. As an alternative, OpenVPN offers a premium cloud-based VPN service called Cyber Shield, which provides official servers for users to connect to. Another option to consider is Cyberghost, which is known for its large network of servers in 100 countries, with over 11,800 servers available.

Security — Top-of-the-Line Features

OpenVPN is a secure and reliable solution for protecting your data from unauthorized access. This is achieved through the use of advanced encryption techniques, such as asymmetrical cryptography, and regular updates to ensure maximum security. The encryption process utilizes a variety of ciphers, including AES, Camellia, 3DES, CAST-128, and Blowfish, which makes it extremely difficult for cybercriminals to access or steal your information.

Additionally, OpenVPN utilizes its own custom protocol, based on SSL and TLS, to secure the transfer of information between devices. This method, known as asymmetrical cryptography, uses a public key to encrypt data and a private key to decrypt it, ensuring that only authorized devices have access to the data.

In terms of data transfer, OpenVPN uses both UDP and TCP protocols. UDP is faster but sacrifices reliability, while TCP ensures accurate and reliable data transfer. The default protocol used by OpenVPN is UDP, but if the connection becomes unstable, it will automatically switch to TCP to maintain a stable connection without compromising security.

The open-source community regularly updates and patches the protocol, ensuring that any known vulnerabilities are fixed and the security of the protocol is continuously evaluated. This makes OpenVPN a reliable and secure option for protecting your data.

Privacy — User Discretion Advised

Although I had my doubts about using a free program like OpenVPN at first, I soon realized that I had nothing to worry about. Its data collection system is highly restrictive, and in fact, one could utilize the protocol with only the provision of an email address. No financial information or personal details are necessary. This feature is a clear indication of the software’s commitment to user privacy.

The security of OpenVPN is a well-established fact, however, the problem arises when using third-party servers. OpenVPN does not take responsibility for how these servers handle user data and there are no restrictions on what server owners can do with it. It is important to be aware of this potential vulnerability and take appropriate measures, such as thoroughly researching the server before connecting to it.

To ensure the security of the protocol, QuarksLab and Cryptography Engineering conducted independent tests on OpenVPN from December 2016 to April 2017. Two minor security issues related to remote service delivery were identified, but were promptly resolved.

In conclusion, while OpenVPN is a safe option, it is important to carefully review the privacy policy of any VPN service you use to ensure the protection of your data. For a more comprehensive VPN solution that utilizes OpenVPN as one of its protocols and does not collect any data, I highly recommend ExpressVPN.

Editors' Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.

Torrenting — Depends On Server

When using OpenVPN for torrenting, the performance and security of your connection will depend on the VPN server you are connected to. However, OpenVPN is a strong option for those looking to safely share P2P files, as it offers both high speeds and advanced security features.

It is important to note that my team and I do not support illegal torrenting, and we advise all users to familiarize themselves with the laws and regulations regarding torrenting in their country. Additionally, it is crucial to ensure that any torrents you download are legally obtained and do not violate copyright laws for your own protection.

Does OpenVPN Work in China? Yes, When Used With the Right VPN Service!

One specific use case of OpenVPN is to access content that is restricted in China. By using OpenVPN to encrypt and send data through the TCP port, you can bypass Chinese internet censorship and access restricted content.

When using TCP, OpenVPN performs multiple verification checks to ensure a reliable connection. This is beneficial for situations where a consistent and secure connection is needed. However, if speed is a priority, UDP may be a better option as it transmits data without verifying if the receiving computer received it. This means that data can be sent and received faster, but with the trade-off of potentially less reliability..

It is worth mentioning that unapproved VPNs are considered illegal in China, but there haven’t been any documented incidents of tourists facing penalties for utilizing them. The Chinese government mainly tackles VPNs by technological methods, like blocking them, instead of targeting the individuals who employ them.

OpenVPN is an open-source protocol that does not provide traditional support options such as live chat or email. However, it offers a comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section on its main page. This section includes step-by-step guides on how to set up OpenVPN to meet your specific needs.

For more personalized support or for issues not addressed in the guides, there is a large community of OpenVPN professionals who use the protocol regularly. They are available to offer support and assistance. Additionally, OpenVPN offers support through an online ticket system, but it is only accessible to members.