What is OpenVPN and Is It Safe To Use in 2023?

There are a plethora of VPN options available to you at the present time. While this is a very good thing for those who make use of VPNs frequently, it also makes choosing the perfect VPN that you need more difficult.

VPNs differ significantly from one another on several parameters including the extent of security, paid or unpaid service, number of servers, other accompanying facilities, user-friendliness, and many more.

One of the VPNs available to you is OpenVPN. It has become a very popular name in recent times due to it being a completely free-of-cost service. However, the question is- is it safe to use?

We have done an in-depth study on how safe OpenVPN is. For this, we have tested this VPN on several parameters to find out how much coverage it provides as a VPN.

We recommend that you make use of a good and reliable VPN whenever you want to use it. This is because not every VPN is reliable with your personal data. Our topmost suggesstion is ExpressVPN.

What is OpenVPN?

OpenVPN is an open-source project known as a Community Edition. In basic words, OpenVPN Community Edition is an open-source VPN (Virtual Private Network) project.

It is designed for creating completely safe connections on the Internet. Secure connections are created through protocols of custom security that use SSL/TLS.

Numerous developers and collaborators from OpenVPN Inc. as well as the larger OpenVPN community support this OSS (Open Source Software) project that is maintained by the community and is released under the GPL license.

Deploying Community Edition is cost-free, although it does necessitate a command-line proficiency with Linux.

Data shared over the Internet is encrypted using AES-256 via the Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption protocol using the OpenVPN tunneling protocol.

Anyone can discover and solve problems since the code is open to auditing.

It is not only regarded as the fastest and most secure VPN tunneling protocol, but it can also get beyond most firewalls and provide speedier connections.

Is OpenVPN safe to use?

Let us begin by acknowledging that anything that is available for free becomes very appealing to the eye but does not necessarily mean that it will stick to its commitments.

Yes, it is safe but only to a certain extent. The security of your OpenVPN configuration mostly depends on how the VPN server administrator set it up. OpenVPN can be set up insecurely, or at the very least less securely. Public key infrastructure (PKI) is more secure, but static keys can also be used.

OpenVPN is completely open-source. This implies that everyone and anybody is free to examine, alter, and distribute the code for their own needs.

Due to the open-source nature of the code, this freedom also increases the security of the VPN protocol. Nothing is concealed. No trade secrets for coding. No backdoors either. Additionally, OpenVPN has undergone numerous audits over the years.

And even though the security audit did find several flaws, they were all afterward repaired.

Strong, contemporary open-source ciphers are supported by OpenVPN. the same encryption method that banks employ to protect online banking activities. When properly configured, OpenVPN offers robust cryptography to protect the privacy of your online activity.

The speed performance of OpenVPN

With so much functionality comes fairly bloated code, and OpenVPN is just unable to stay up with more cutting-edge protocols. While some providers, like ExpressVPN, improved OpenVPN speed even in our most recent round of testing, if you’re looking for a truly fast VPN, a more contemporary, streamlined protocol will produce the greatest results.

Additionally, well-known consumer VPNs make significant financial investments in their server network, removing any potential bottlenecks.

Therefore, using a consumer VPN service, like ExpressVPN, rather than setting up your own server would almost probably yield better results if you want to get the greatest OpenVPN speeds.

The mobile performance of OpenVPN

OpenVPN has poor speeds in addition to difficulties switching networks. Therefore, OpenVPN will probably need to disconnect and reconnect if you’re going between two network sources, such as if you use your mobile VPN at home on Wi-Fi and then leave the house and start using your mobile data.

Since OpenVPN has problems with unstable or erratic connections, most of the leading Android VPN and iPhone VPN companies have historically used IKEv2/IPsec.

However, next-generation protocols like Lightway and WireGuard have been created with mobile devices in mind.

Do I have to pay for OpenVPN?

No, OpenVPN does not require its users to pay even a single penny for the services that it offers. As can be inferred from the name, OpenVPN is open to all without charges.

This is one of the major factors that has made this VPN option a highly popular one among VPN users in today’s time.

All you are required to do on OpenVPN is sign up for free, log in using the same credentials and enjoy uninterrupted use of the service.

Detailed steps to set up OpenVPN on your device from anywhere

If you would like to use OpenVPN for the purpose of using the web without any restrictions from anywhere around the world, you can simply follow the steps given below.

Step 1: First, since you need the VPN, start off by signing up for OpenVPN if you do not already have an account. If you already have an account, simply log in using the same credentials that you used while creating your OpenVPN account.

Step 2: Next, you are required to download the OpenVPN app and install it on your device. Then log in to your OpenVPN profile. You do not have to pay any amount of money to avail of the services of OpenVPN.

Step 3: Depending on which website/content you would like to access with the VPN, connect to a suitable server.

Step 4: Go to the website or content that you are interested in watching and start uninterrupted usage of the web.

Step 5: if you have any difficulty even after connecting to an Australian server, try switching between servers until you find the most suitable one.

Compatible devices/software

OpenVPN is great in this sense. It works perfectly with a wide range of devices and software that are most popularly used in today’s time. Given below is a list of the software that you can use OpenVPN on:

• Windows
• macOS
• Linux
• IOS
• Android

You must keep in mind that there is a lot of other software that does not work with OpenVPN. If you wish to use OpenVPN on software that does not allow OpenVPN to function as you would like it to, you will be required to download a third-party client for the same.

Pros of OpenVPN

Check below the pros of OpenVPN.

• OpenVPN does not cost you money and thus you can use all its features/services without having to pay a single cent.
• OpenVPN’s protocols and all features are updated regularly which ensures that users can make the best use of the service.
• The flexibility of OpenVPN to work with both TCP and UDP makes it simpler for this protocol to get past firewalls, especially when it is configured to use Port TCP 443. With this configuration, VPN traffic appears to be normal internet traffic.
• Numerous knowledgeable programmers, VPN providers, and customers who use OpenVPN on a daily basis constantly identify and fix the protocol’s flaws and mistakes. Any inquiries concerning OpenVPN can be answered by this community.
• OpenVPN is improved in numerous ways and is made more secure. You can select the network setups, encryption techniques, ciphers, and other parameters that work best for you. Your VPN experience may be enhanced if you have more control over your tunneling protocol.

Cons of OpenVPN

Check below the cons of OpenVPN.

• Slightly tough to install and use: even though the procedure of installing it on your device has been explained, it’s slightly tougher to install and use when compared to other VPNs. In case of not installed properly, it might cause security issues.
• Not supported by all servers: even though you can use OpenVPN with most servers, it is not supported by all. And thus there are various servers with which you will not be able to use it.
• OpenVPN might not be as quick as other VPN protocols, like WireGuard, depending on the level of encryption utilized and the computing capacity of your specific device. However, using OpenVPN over UDP rather than TCP will allow you to increase your connection speeds safely.
• Some protocols are simple to use since they are automatically installed on some platforms. Although there are no dedicated platforms for OpenVPN, you can install a VPN that supports the protocol.
• Despite being adaptable enough to run on a variety of different platforms, OpenVPN’s mobile service and support are not the best. On the other hand, VPNs like CyberGhost provide OpenVPN for both iOS and Android.
• Due to its widespread use, OpenVPN gets detected by some servers and systems, which therefore prohibits it. You may prevent this by using OpenVPN along with a VPN.

Conclusion

Of the plethora of VPN options available to you on the internet today, OpenVPN is one of the very popular ones. It has become a very attractive option due to the fact that its services can be availed completely free of cost.

However, what comes for free might look very appealing but does not necessarily mean that its services will be as appealing. If you do not make use of a good VPN service, you might land yourself in trouble.

While OpenVPN is considered safe, it is only to some extent that it maintains its security promises. Moreover, it’s speed performance and mobile performance are also not up-to-mark.

So, we strongly recommend that you make use of a good and reliable VPN service like ExpressVPN. Get ExpressVPN for guaranteed results!