NEWJoin 2M+ software buyers|Get Weekly Insights, Trends & Expert PicksSubscribe free →

Spotsaas logo

OpenVPN vs NordVPN Comparison

Last updated:

OpenVPN

4.4(315 reviews)

Starting at $75 /Month

  • Freelancers / Consultants
  • Large Enterprises

OpenVPN is an open-source software application that implements virtual private network (VPN) techniques for creating secure point-to-point or site-to-site connections in routed or bridged configurations and remote access…

NordVPN

4.3(23,082 reviews)

Starting at $3.29 /Month

  • Freelancers / Consultants
  • Large Enterprises

NordVPN is a personal VPN service for individuals and remote workers who need reliable, encrypted internet connections across multiple devices. It routes traffic through a large server network spanning 60+ countries, ena…

OpenVPN leads on user satisfaction with a 4.4-star rating across 315 reviews.

Spotsaas Analysis

OpenVPNNordVPN

The core difference between OpenVPN and NordVPN lies in their target audience and complexity; OpenVPN is ideal for businesses that require customizable and secure VPN solutions with a capable IT team, while NordVPN caters to small to medium-sized businesses seeking user-friendly and reliable VPN services. OpenVPN is best suited for companies needing robust security configurations, whereas NordVPN is perfect for teams prioritizing ease of use and quick setup.

- Best for secure, customizable VPNs - Strong SSL/TLS encryption - Suitable for small businesses and large enterprises - Ideal for remote workforce or site-to-site connections - Requires IT team for medium complexity setups - Price: $75

- Best for reliable, user-friendly VPN - Strong privacy features - Targeted at SMBs and remote teams - Offers fast, stable connections - Intuitive interface with low-complexity setup - Price: $3.29

OpenVPN vs NordVPN — at a glance

FeatureOpenVPNNordVPN
Rating4.4 / 54.3 / 5
Reviews31523,082
Starting price$75 /Month$3.29 /Month
Free trial No No
Free version No No
Best forFreelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium BusinessFreelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business
CategoryVPN SoftwareVPN Software
PlatformsSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - MacSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac
APIAvailable
Support modesBusiness Hours, Online24/7 (Live rep), Online
CertificationsGDPRGDPR, ISO 27001
Data residencyGlobal

Key differences between OpenVPN and NordVPN

  • Pricing: OpenVPN starts at $75 /Month, while NordVPN starts at $3.29 /Month.
  • User satisfaction: OpenVPN scores higher with a 4.4-star average.
  • Deployment: OpenVPN supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac; NordVPN supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac.

OpenVPN vs NordVPN — find the better fit before you commit.

01

Which tool fits your team best

02

Which is actually cheaper for your team size

03

Where each product wins, per real buyers

Most VPN Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.

OpenVPN - VPN Software
Talk to an expert
Talk to an expert
NordVPN - VPN Software
Talk to an expert
Talk to an expert

Free PDF comparison

Download this OpenVPN vs NordVPN comparison

Get the full side-by-side as a PDF — these picks plus the top VPN Software tools, with verified ratings, pricing and features.

  • Side-by-side on pricing, features & ratings
  • Plus the category top 10, scored & ranked
  • Emailed to you — no on-screen download

No file downloads on screen — we email it to you. One-click unsubscribe anytime.

Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

OpenVPN

Best for secure, customizable VPNs with strong SSL/TLS encryption.

Choose if
  • You need secure remote workforce or site-to-site VPN connections.
  • Your IT team can handle medium complexity setups and configurations.
  • You want an open-source VPN that supports NAT and firewall traversal.
Consider alternatives if
  • You require a plug-and-play VPN for non-technical users.
  • You need extensive built-in compliance and enterprise process management.

NordVPN

Best for reliable, user-friendly VPN with strong privacy for SMBs and remote teams.

Choose if
  • You need fast, stable VPN connections with a wide server selection.
  • Your team values an intuitive interface with simple, low-complexity setup.
  • You require strong privacy protections against government surveillance.
Consider alternatives if
  • Your organization demands phone-based customer support for urgent issues.
  • You need highly customizable VPN configurations beyond standard offerings.

OpenVPN: Best for secure, customizable VPNs with strong SSL/TLS encryption. NordVPN: Best for reliable, user-friendly VPN with strong privacy for SMBs and remote teams.

Description

OpenVPN is an open-source software application that implements virtual private network (VPN) techniques for creating secure point-to-point or site-to-site connections in routed or bridged ... Read More about OpenVPN

NordVPN is a personal VPN service for individuals and remote workers who need reliable, encrypted internet connections across multiple devices. It routes traffic through a large server ... Read More about NordVPN

Entry Level Pricing

  • Starts from $75
  • Starts from $3.29

Free Trial Availability

  • No free trial
  • No free trial

SpotScore

What's this? ↗

9.2/10

9.8/10

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

Best Company Size

Small BusinessLarge Enterprises
1-50 employees51-500 employees
Get pricing help
Get pricing help

Software Demo

Demo

Need a second opinion?

Get shortlist help from a software advisor

Share your priorities, budget, and team needs, and we’ll help you narrow the options and understand the tradeoffs before you talk to vendors.

Spotsaas advisor
Get shortlist help from a software advisor
  • Independent advice — matched to your business
  • Understand the tradeoffs before you talk to vendors
  • Free 15-min call with a software advisor.

Step 1 of 4

How big is your team?

We tailor recommendations to companies your size.

Trusted by teams at

How do OpenVPN and NordVPN Compare on Features?

Total Features

6 Features

8 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

Get Quote
Get Quote

Compare OpenVPN and NordVPN on pricing

Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.

Pricing Option

      Starting From

      • $75
      • $3.29

      Pricing Plans

      • Not Available
      • Not Available

      Pricing Page

      OpenVPN pricing
      NordVPN pricing

      Other Details

      Organization Types supported

      • Large Enterprises
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Freelancers
      • Individuals
      • Large Enterprises
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Freelancers
      • Individuals

      Platforms Supported

      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - Android
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Mobile - Windows
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - Android
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Mobile - Windows
      • Browser Based (Cloud)

      Modes of support

      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online
      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online

      API Support

      • Available
      • Not Available
      Get help choosing
      Get help choosing

      Security & Compliance

      Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.

      HIPAA

      ✗ No

      GDPR

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      ISO 27001

      ✓ Yes

      Single Sign-On (SSO)

      ✓ Yes
      ✗ No

      Multi-Factor Auth (MFA)

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      Data Encryption

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      Audit Logs

      ✓ Yes
      ✗ No

      Data Residency

      🌐 Global

      OpenVPN User Reviews & Rating Comparison

      User Ratings

      Rating Distribution

      102

      40

      7

      1

      0

      11079

      124

      44

      96

      394

      Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

      Buyer sentiment

      Overall positive sentiment highlights OpenVPN's strong security, ease of deployment, and cross-platform compatibility, with some concerns about technical complexity.

      What buyers like

      • Ease of setup
      • Security and encryption
      • Cross-platform compatibility

      Common complaints

      • Technical complexity
      • Limited compliance features

      Buyer sentiment

      Users generally express strong satisfaction with NordVPN's reliability, ease of use, and privacy features, though some note occasional billing and support issues.

      What buyers like

      • VPN performance and connection speed
      • User-friendly interface
      • Responsive customer support

      Common complaints

      • Billing and subscription interruptions
      • Limited customer support channels

      Pros and Cons

      • Simplicity in setup and deployment

      • Robust security with SSL/TLS encryption

      • Compatibility across multiple operating systems and devices

      • May require technical knowledge for optimal configuration

      • Limited out-of-the-box compliance features

      • Reliable and consistent VPN performance with fast connections

      • Easy to use, intuitive interface

      • Excellent customer support with quick live chat responses

      • Occasional subscription or billing issues causing service interruptions

      • Customer service errors or misinformation requiring follow-ups

      Positive Reviews

      No reviews available for the product

      No reviews available for the product

      Used OpenVPN or NordVPN? Tell buyers what actually differs.

      List of Customers

      Customers

      No Customers information available.

      Forbes

      Forbes

      TEDx

      TEDx

      BBC

      BBC

      Media and Screenshots

      Screenshots

      2 Screenshots

      No screenshots available.

      Videos

      video-0

      3 Videos

      video-0

      3 Videos

      Top Alternatives to OpenVPN and NordVPN in 2026

      Expand your shortlist

      Add another option to compare side by side

      Search by product name to compare pricing, fit, and buyer feedback in one view.

      Compare similar software options

      Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].

      Frequently asked questions

      Which is better, OpenVPN or NordVPN?
      OpenVPN edges out the other on user ratings (4.4 vs 4.3). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
      Do OpenVPN and NordVPN offer a free trial?
      Neither OpenVPN nor NordVPN currently lists a free trial.
      What is the starting price of OpenVPN vs NordVPN?
      OpenVPN starts at $75 /Month. NordVPN starts at $3.29 /Month.
      What are the top alternatives to OpenVPN?
      Top alternatives to OpenVPN include PureVPN, FastestVPN, NordVPN, Private Internet Access VPN, PrivateVPN.
      What are the top alternatives to NordVPN?
      Top alternatives to NordVPN include TunnelBear, PureVPN, CyberGhost VPN, FastestVPN, OpenVPN.