OpenVPN Access Server vs NetBird

OAOpenVPN Access Server9.2Visit NetBird8.8Visit

Higher score OA OpenVPN Access Server #2 in Business VPN Software 9.2/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 3 of 4 features Visit OpenVPN

vs

NetBird #5 in Business VPN Software 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit NetBird

• OpenVPN Access Server fits best

  Organizations needing full-featured self-hosted VPN

• NetBird fits best

  Open-source teams seeking affordable hybrid VPN

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Side by side

Feature	OAOpenVPN Access Server 9.2/10 Visit ↗	NetBird 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.2	8.8
Ranking	#2 in Business VPN Software	#5 in Business VPN Software
Best for	Organizations needing full-featured self-hosted VPN	Open-source teams seeking affordable hybrid VPN
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	$7/unit/mo	€6/user/mo
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	14 days	—
Deployment	Cloud, Self-hosted	Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms	Linux, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support	Tickets, Community, Docs · 24/7	Email, Tickets, Community, Docs
Compliance	SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA	GDPR, ISO 27001
Integrations	17 integrations	20 integrations
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features OpenVPN Access Server 3/4 · NetBird 4/4
SSO / SCIM	✓	✓
Device posture	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
Site-to-site networking	✓	✓
Audit logs	✓	✓
Specs
Admin control level	Enterprise	Advanced
Access model	Hybrid	Hybrid
Supported platforms	Linux server; Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and ChromeOS clients; Docker; VMware ESXi; Microsoft Hyper-V; AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, IBM Cloud, DigitalOcean, Oracle Cloud, and Vultr	Linux, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Android TV, tvOS, Docker, routers
Our review
Pros	Remote-access and site-to-site VPN support Extensive authentication and role-based access controls Self-hosting, cloud deployment, clustering, and REST API support	Free plan includes encrypted P2P networking, access controls, and private DNS Supports WireGuard, site-to-site connectivity, segmentation, and posture checks Self-hosting, API automation, and broad identity and device integrations
Cons	Free plan supports only 2 simultaneous connections Growth licensing is based on simultaneous connections Enterprise & IoT pricing is custom	Advanced device and traffic controls begin with the €12 Business plan Enterprise pricing and terms are custom rather than published Free-plan support is limited to community support
Our verdict	OpenVPN Access Server is a self-hosted business VPN for organizations that need remote access to private networks and resources. It runs on Linux servers, virtual machines, containers, on-premises infrastructure, or public clouds, with… Read the review →	NetBird is an open-source Zero Trust networking platform for organizations and home users that need encrypted connections between users, devices, servers, cloud workloads, and private networks. It combines peer-to-peer WireGuard networking… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• OpenVPN Access Server — where it wins

  • Remote-access and site-to-site VPN support
  • Extensive authentication and role-based access controls
  • Self-hosting, cloud deployment, clustering, and REST API support

  Where it doesn't

  • Free plan supports only 2 simultaneous connections
  • Growth licensing is based on simultaneous connections
  • Enterprise & IoT pricing is custom

• NetBird — where it wins

  • Free plan includes encrypted P2P networking, access controls, and private DNS
  • Supports WireGuard, site-to-site connectivity, segmentation, and posture checks
  • Self-hosting, API automation, and broad identity and device integrations

  Where it doesn't

  • Advanced device and traffic controls begin with the €12 Business plan
  • Enterprise pricing and terms are custom rather than published
  • Free-plan support is limited to community support

• OAOpenVPN Access Server9.2/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

  A flexible self-hosted VPN for organizations needing deep access and authentication controls.

  Visit OpenVPNFull verdict →
• NetBird8.8/10 · Free plan

  A flexible hybrid VPN with a free tier, self-hosting, and identity-based controls.

  Visit NetBirdFull verdict →