Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience our own tag's counts — open to see them
–Visits
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · Connectivity Solutions

Cato SASE Platform vs OpenVPN Access Server

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Cato SASE Platform #3 in Connectivity Solutions 8.9/10 Pricing on request ✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Cato Networks
OpenVPN Access Server #7 in Connectivity Solutions 8.6/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 1 of 4 features Visit OpenVPN

Cato SASE Platform leads on 0 checks, OpenVPN Access Server on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreCato SASE Platform · 8.9/10
  • Free planonly OpenVPN Access Server
  • Free trialonly OpenVPN Access Server
  • Most featuresOpenVPN Access Server · 1 of 4

Cato SASE Platform scores higher on our rubric for connectivity solutions: 8.9 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #7.

Cato SASE Platform is the better fit for enterprise teams connecting global branches and users. OpenVPN Access Server is the better fit for self-hosted VPN with enterprise authentication.

  • Cato SASE Platform fits best

    Enterprise teams connecting global branches and users

  • OpenVPN Access Server fits best

    Self-hosted VPN with enterprise authentication

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Cato SASE Platform 8.9/10 Visit ↗ OpenVPN Access Server 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 8.6
Ranking #3 in Connectivity Solutions #7 in Connectivity Solutions
Best for Enterprise teams connecting global branches and users Self-hosted VPN with enterprise authentication
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price Pricing on request $7/unit/mo
Free plan Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Free trial — 14 days
Deployment Cloud Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Linux, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Support Docs Tickets, Community, Docs · 24/7
Compliance SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, PCI DSS SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA
Integrations 100+ integrations 17 integrations
Built for Enterprise, Mid-market Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Cato SASE Platform 0/4 · OpenVPN Access Server 1/4
SSO support Not checked yet Not checked yet
Private app access Not checked yet Not checked yet
Split tunneling Not checked yet Not checked yet
Audit logs Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Connectivity model Not checked yet Not checked yet
Device limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Gateway regions Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Combines SD-WAN, private backbone connectivity, and security services.
  • Connects branches through physical or virtual Sockets and cloud interconnects.
  • Centralizes policy, analytics, and event management with a GraphQL API.
  • Supports remote-access and site-to-site VPN connections.
  • Offers SAML, LDAP, RADIUS, MFA, and granular access controls.
  • Includes a free tier with all features and up to 2 simultaneous connections.
Cons
  • Pricing requires contacting sales.
  • The platform's breadth may exceed needs focused on one security or networking function.
  • Support channels listed include documentation only.
  • The free plan is limited to 2 simultaneous connections.
  • Growth pricing is per simultaneous connection, not per user.
  • Enterprise & IoT pricing is custom, with volume discounts.
Our verdict

Cato SASE Platform brings enterprise networking, security, and access into a cloud-delivered service. It is aimed at mid-market and enterprise IT and security teams connecting branches, data centers, cloud environments, and users. A…

Read the review →

OpenVPN Access Server is a self-hosted business VPN for organizations that need remote access to private networks or site-to-site connectivity. It can run on Linux servers, virtual machines, containers, on-premises infrastructure, or…

Read the review →
  1. Cato SASE PlatformConnectivity Solutions 8.9Pricing on request
  2. OpenVPN Access ServerConnectivity Solutions 8.6Free plan · 14-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Cato SASE Platform — where it wins

    • Combines SD-WAN, private backbone connectivity, and security services.
    • Connects branches through physical or virtual Sockets and cloud interconnects.
    • Centralizes policy, analytics, and event management with a GraphQL API.

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires contacting sales.
    • The platform's breadth may exceed needs focused on one security or networking function.
    • Support channels listed include documentation only.

  • OpenVPN Access Server — where it wins

    • Supports remote-access and site-to-site VPN connections.
    • Offers SAML, LDAP, RADIUS, MFA, and granular access controls.
    • Includes a free tier with all features and up to 2 simultaneous connections.

    Where it doesn't

    • The free plan is limited to 2 simultaneous connections.
    • Growth pricing is per simultaneous connection, not per user.
    • Enterprise & IoT pricing is custom, with volume discounts.
  • Cato SASE Platform8.9/10 · Pricing on request

    A unified cloud service for enterprise branch connectivity, network security, and private-app access.

    Visit Cato NetworksFull verdict →
  • OpenVPN Access Server8.6/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

    A self-hosted VPN with broad authentication options and connection-based pricing.

    Visit OpenVPNFull verdict →

More comparisons

All connectivity solutions comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update