Head-to-head · Virtual Private Network Software
Citrix Gateway vs OpenVPN Access Server
Citrix Gateway leads on 2 checks, OpenVPN Access Server on 1, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreCitrix Gateway · 8.5/10
- Free planboth
- Most featuresCitrix Gateway · 2 of 3
Citrix Gateway scores higher on our rubric for virtual private network software: 8.5 against 8.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #7 and #8.
Citrix Gateway offers remote access vpn; OpenVPN Access Server doesn't publish it. OpenVPN Access Server offers site-to-site vpn; Citrix Gateway doesn't publish it. Citrix Gateway offers sso support; OpenVPN Access Server doesn't publish it.
Citrix Gateway is the better fit for enterprise SSL VPN and application access. OpenVPN Access Server is the better fit for organizations self-hosting managed remote-access VPN.
- Citrix Gateway fits best
Enterprise SSL VPN and application access
- OpenVPN Access Server fits best
Organizations self-hosting managed remote-access VPN
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Side by side
| Feature | Citrix Gateway 8.5/10 Visit ↗ | OpenVPN Access Server 8.4/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 8.5 | 8.4 |
| Ranking | #7 in Virtual Private Network Software | #8 in Virtual Private Network Software |
| Best for | Enterprise SSL VPN and application access | Organizations self-hosting managed remote-access VPN |
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid | Free plan + paid |
| Starting price | Not published | Not published |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted | Cloud, Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Linux, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android |
| Support | Community, Docs | Tickets, Community, Docs · 24/7 |
| Integrations | 9 integrations | 17 integrations |
| Built for | Mid-market, Enterprise | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features Citrix Gateway 2/3 · OpenVPN Access Server 1/3 | ||
| Remote access VPN | ✓ (best) | Not published |
| Site-to-site VPN | Not published | ✓ (best) |
| SSO support | ✓ (best) | Not published |
| Specs | ||
| Supported VPN protocols | SSL VPN, TLS, DTLS, EDT, ICAProxy, clientless VPN (cVPN) | Not published |
| Client platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, HTML5/web | Not published |
| Concurrent sessions | Not published | Not published |
| Deployment model | Hybrid | Not published |
| Our review | ||
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | Citrix Gateway provides remote access to virtual, SaaS, web and on-premises applications and networks. Its full SSL VPN tunnels, clientless browser access and ICA proxying address different corporate access needs, while single sign-on… Read the review → |
OpenVPN Access Server provides remote access to private networks and resources, along with site-to-site VPN networking. It is aimed at organizations that want administrators to manage VPN settings, users, authentication, certificates, and… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Citrix Gateway — where it wins
- Offers full SSL VPN tunnels alongside clientless browser and ICA proxy access
- Combines SSO with broad authentication and federation integrations
- Supports endpoint policy controls and active-passive high availability
Where it doesn't
- Sales-led purchasing makes price comparisons less straightforward
- Features are geared to corporate access, not consumer VPN use
- Customer-managed appliance deployments require gateway administration
OpenVPN Access Server — where it wins
- Supports remote-access and site-to-site VPN networking
- Offers varied authentication methods and granular access controls
- Includes PKI, connection logs, clustering, and REST API automation
Where it doesn't
- Self-hosted administration adds operational work
- Free plan allows only 2 simultaneous connections
- Growth pricing scales with simultaneous connections
- Citrix Gateway8.5/10 · Free plan · pricing on request
A customer-managed gateway for secure access to enterprise apps and networks.
Visit CitrixFull verdict → - OpenVPN Access Server8.4/10 · Free plan · paid from $7/mo · 14-day trial
A configurable business VPN for organizations that can manage self-hosted infrastructure.
Visit OpenVPNFull verdict →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update