OpenVPN Access Server is usually the better fit when a company wants a classic self-hosted VPN with tight control, while Tailscale is often cheaper and faster for teams that want simple identity-based private access. The real pricing question is not only the license fee. It is the cost of servers, admin time, troubleshooting, compliance work, and how many people actually need access at the same time.
TLDR: OpenVPN Access Server includes a small free tier for 2 concurrent VPN connections, then charges based on connection capacity. Tailscale usually prices by user, with common business plans around $6 to $18 per user per month, depending on features. For example, a 40-person company with only 10 staff connected at once may find OpenVPN cheaper on license math, but Tailscale may save several admin hours each month because setup and device onboarding are faster. If an engineer costs $75 per hour and saves 4 hours monthly, that is a hidden $300 monthly operational difference.
How OpenVPN Access Server Pricing Works
OpenVPN Access Server is the commercial version of OpenVPN built for companies that want a managed VPN server with a web admin panel, user management, logging, and client configuration tools. Its pricing model is based on concurrent VPN connections, not purely named users.
That matters. A company may have 100 employees, but only 25 connected at the same time. In that case, OpenVPN Access Server can be cost-efficient. The free tier supports 2 simultaneous connections, which is useful for testing, labs, or a tiny admin team. Paid plans expand that limit through subscription licensing.
The catch is that the license is only one part of the bill. The company still runs the VPN server. That means cloud compute, storage, patching, backups, firewall rules, monitoring, and failover planning. If the server sits in AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, or a private data center, those costs still exist.
OpenVPN Access Server Strengths
- Connection-based billing: Good for teams where many users exist, but only a smaller group connects at once.
- Self-hosted control: The company decides where the VPN endpoint lives.
- Mature protocol support: OpenVPN is widely trusted and supported across platforms.
- Good for legacy networks: It fits traditional subnet access, static routing, and data center setups.
- Free test tier: The 2-connection limit helps teams test before buying.
OpenVPN Access Server Weaknesses
OpenVPN Access Server can feel old-school next to newer zero trust tools. Admins often need to manage routes, certificates, client profiles, updates, DNS behavior, and split tunneling rules. Honestly, it feels like some routine tasks take 30 seconds longer than they should because the admin has to check five places instead of one.
Scaling also takes planning. A single VPN server can become a bottleneck. High availability is possible, but it adds design work. If the company has staff in multiple countries, one VPN gateway may create poor latency for faraway users.
Tailscale Pricing and Positioning
Tailscale takes a different approach. It is built on WireGuard and creates a private mesh network between devices. Instead of sending every connection through one central VPN gateway, devices can often connect directly. Access is tied to identity providers such as Google Workspace, Microsoft Entra ID, Okta, or GitHub.
Tailscale commonly offers a free plan for personal or small use, then paid business plans priced per user. Public business pricing has often sat around $6 per user per month for starter business use and around $18 per user per month for premium features. Enterprise pricing is usually custom.
This model is easier to predict when every employee needs access. A 25-person team can estimate cost quickly. No one has to guess peak concurrent connections. The tradeoff is that user-based billing may cost more when only a few people need VPN access at the same time.
OpenVPN Access Server vs Tailscale
| Category | OpenVPN Access Server | Tailscale |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Concurrent connections | Per user |
| Hosting | Company-managed server | Managed control plane with device mesh |
| Best for | Traditional VPN access and controlled gateways | Remote teams, developers, and identity-based access |
| Setup effort | Moderate | Low to moderate |
| Admin burden | Higher | Lower |
When OpenVPN Access Server Is Cheaper
OpenVPN Access Server often wins when VPN usage is concentrated. For example, a business with 150 employees but only 20 support engineers who connect daily may prefer connection-based licensing. It can also be a good fit when the company already has cloud infrastructure skills and wants traffic to enter through a known gateway.
It is also attractive for regulated setups where administrators want direct control over logs, routing, firewall policy, server location, and upgrade timing. Some security teams simply prefer owning the VPN endpoint.
When Tailscale Is the Better Buy
Tailscale can be the stronger choice when staff are remote, devices are spread out, and setup speed matters. It works well for engineering teams that need access to internal apps, SSH hosts, Kubernetes clusters, staging servers, and databases without opening broad network ranges.
The per-user price may look higher at first. Still, the lower admin workload can offset the difference. If a small IT team spends less time fixing client profiles, expired certificates, and routing issues, the total cost may be lower.
Other Business VPN Alternatives
OpenVPN and Tailscale are not the only options. Several alternatives fit different budgets and risk profiles.
- WireGuard self-hosted: Very low software cost, but it needs manual management or extra tooling.
- Pritunl: A business VPN platform with OpenVPN and WireGuard support. It suits teams that want more control than Tailscale but easier management than raw WireGuard.
- NordLayer: A cloud-managed business VPN with simple user billing and security features for small and midsize firms.
- Cisco Secure Client: Strong fit for large enterprises already using Cisco security products.
- Check Point Perimeter 81: A secure access platform aimed at companies moving from classic VPN to zero trust access.
- Zscaler Private Access: Enterprise-grade private app access, often used by larger companies with strict security needs.
Cost Factors Many Teams Miss
Sticker price can mislead buyers. A VPN that looks cheap can become expensive when it needs constant care. A pricier SaaS option can be cheaper if it removes maintenance work.
- Cloud server fees: OpenVPN Access Server needs compute capacity and bandwidth.
- High availability: Redundant gateways add cost and setup time.
- Support time: Client setup issues can eat hours every month.
- Security reviews: Logs, MFA, device posture, and access rules may affect plan choice.
- Growth: Pricing can change sharply when a team crosses a user or connection threshold.
Best Choice by Company Type
- Small technical team: Tailscale is often the easiest pick.
- Traditional office network: OpenVPN Access Server remains a solid choice.
- Cost-sensitive team with only a few active VPN users: OpenVPN may be cheaper.
- Developer-heavy remote company: Tailscale or Pritunl may feel smoother.
- Large enterprise: Zscaler, Cisco, Check Point, or custom OpenVPN deployments may fit better.
FAQ
Is OpenVPN Access Server free?
It has a free tier for 2 concurrent VPN connections. Larger deployments need paid licensing.
Is Tailscale cheaper than OpenVPN Access Server?
Sometimes. Tailscale can be cheaper when lower admin time matters. OpenVPN can be cheaper when only a small number of users connect at once.
Does OpenVPN charge per user?
OpenVPN Access Server pricing is mainly based on concurrent connections, not named users.
Which is better for remote teams?
Tailscale is often better for remote teams because onboarding is quick and access rules connect well with identity providers.
Which is better for full control?
OpenVPN Access Server is usually better when the company wants to host and control the VPN gateway itself.
What is the best business VPN alternative?
For simple teams, Tailscale or NordLayer may work well. For technical teams, Pritunl or WireGuard may fit. For enterprises, Cisco, Check Point, or Zscaler are common choices.
