Which is better, OpenVPN or NordVPN?

OpenVPN edges out NordVPN based on user ratings across 315 reviews. That said, the best pick depends on your workflow — NordVPN may be a stronger fit for specific team sizes or use cases. Review the full comparison to decide.

What are the main differences between OpenVPN and NordVPN?

Key differences between OpenVPN and NordVPN include pricing (OpenVPN starts at $75 vs NordVPN at $3.29). Use the Spotsaas comparison table to evaluate each dimension before deciding.

Do both OpenVPN and NordVPN offer a Free trial?

Neither OpenVPN nor NordVPN offers a free trial.

Who are the typical users of OpenVPN?

OpenVPN is designed for Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business.

Who are the typical users of NordVPN?

NordVPN is designed for Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business.

What is the starting price of OpenVPN and NordVPN?

Pricing for OpenVPN starts at $75/Month, whereas NordVPN starts at $3.29/Month.

What are the best alternatives to OpenVPN?

Some top alternatives to OpenVPN include PureVPN, FastestVPN, NordVPN, Private Internet Access VPN, PrivateVPN.

What are the best alternatives to NordVPN?

Some top alternatives to NordVPN include TunnelBear, PureVPN, CyberGhost VPN, FastestVPN, OpenVPN.

OpenVPN vs NordVPN vs Private Internet Access VPN Comparison

Last updated: May 21, 2026

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…

View Pricing Read Reviews

NordVPN

4.3(23,082 reviews)

Starting at $3.29 /Month

Freelancers / Consultants
Large Enterprises

NordVPN is a personal virtual private network (VPN) service provider offering security and privacy for the Internet user. It makes accessing world wide web quick and reliable by providing an easy way to change IP address…

View Pricing Read Reviews

Private Internet Access VPN

4.5(8,097 reviews)

Starting at Contact for pricing

Freelancers / Consultants
Small Business

Private Internet Access VPN service offers you more security and privacy. This VPN software protects your Internet connection and helps to hide your personal information, identity, IP address. It also encrypts all of you…

View Pricing Read Reviews

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

OpenVPN vs NordVPN vs Private Internet Access VPN — at a glance

Feature	OpenVPN	NordVPN	Private Internet Access VPN
Rating	4.4 / 5	4.3 / 5	4.5 / 5
Reviews	315	23,082	8,097
Starting price	$75 /Month	$3.29 /Month	Contact for pricing
Free trial	No	No	No
Free version	No	No	No
Best for	Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business	Freelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium Business	Freelancers / Consultants, Small Business
Category	VPN Software	VPN Software	VPN Software
Platforms	SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac	SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac	SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac
API	Available	—	—
Support modes	Business Hours, Online	24/7 (Live rep), Online	Online
Certifications	GDPR	GDPR, ISO 27001	GDPR
Data residency	—	Global	Global

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.

Compare OpenVPN vs NordVPN vs Private Internet Access VPN — and walk away knowing which one fits.

Which tool fits your team best

Which is actually cheaper for your team size

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.

Biggest differences

Features

Pricing

Buying details

Security

Buyer feedback

Integrations

Product tour

Other options

	OpenVPN (150) Talk to an expert Talk to an expert	NordVPN (11737) Talk to an expert Talk to an expert	Private Internet Access VPN (3535) Talk to an expert Talk to an expert

Free PDF comparison

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Biggest differences

Affiliate Disclosure

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.

Private Internet Access VPN

Best VPN for small teams needing reliable, fast, and secure internet connections.

Choose if

You are a freelancer or small business prioritizing strong online privacy and encryption.
You want a VPN with a simple setup and user-friendly interface for quick deployment.
You need a VPN that maintains internet speed without noticeable slowdowns during use.

Consider alternatives if

You require advanced VPN features and extensive customer support for enterprise needs.
You depend on VPN compatibility with all streaming platforms and cryptocurrency services.

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 virtual private network (VPN) service provider offering security and privacy for the Internet user. It makes accessing world wide web quick and reliable by providing ... Read More about NordVPN	Private Internet Access VPN service offers you more security and privacy. This VPN software protects your Internet connection and helps to hide your personal information, identity, IP ... Read More about Private Internet Access VPN
Entry Level Pricing	Starts from $75	Starts from $3.29	Not Available
Free Trial Availability	No free trial	No free trial	No free trial
Spotsaas Score What's this? ↗	9.2/10	9.8/10	9.6/10
User Ratings Based on verified Spotsaas reviews	4.4 (315)	4.3 (23082)	4.5 (8097)
Best Company Size	Small BusinessLarge Enterprises	1-50 employees51-500 employees	1-50 employees51-200 employees
	Get pricing help	Get pricing help	Get pricing help

Software Demo

Demo

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

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How do OpenVPN, NordVPN and Private Internet Access VPN Compare on Features?

Total Features	6 Features	8 Features	8 Features
Unique Features	No unique features	No unique features	No unique features
	Get Quote	Get Quote	Get Quote

Compare OpenVPN, NordVPN and Private Internet Access VPN 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	Not Available
Pricing Plans	Not Available	Not Available	Not Available
Pricing Page
	View detailed pricing	View detailed pricing	View detailed pricing

Other Details

Organization Types supported	Large Enterprises Medium Business Small Business Freelancers Individuals	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)	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	24/7 (Live rep) Business Hours Online
API Support	Available	Not Available	Not Available
	Get help choosing	Get help choosing	Get help choosing

Security & Compliance

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

HIPAA	—	✗ No	✗ No
GDPR	✓ Yes	✓ Yes	✓ Yes
ISO 27001	—	✓ Yes	—
Single Sign-On (SSO)	✓ Yes	✗ No	✗ No
Multi-Factor Auth (MFA)	✓ Yes	✓ Yes	✓ Yes
Data Encryption	✓ Yes	✓ Yes	✓ Yes
Audit Logs	✓ Yes	✗ No	✗ No
Data Residency	—	🌐 Global	🌐 Global

OpenVPN vs NordVPN User Reviews & Rating Comparison

User Ratings	4.4 (based on 315 reviews)	4.3 (based on 23082 reviews)	4.5 (based on 8097 reviews)
Rating Distribution	102 40 7 1 0	11079 124 44 96 394	3247 85 30 33 140
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	Buyer sentiment Overall, users express strong satisfaction with PIA's reliability, speed, and security, though some note support and compatibility limitations. What buyers like Reliability Speed Ease of use Common complaints Customer support responsiveness Service compatibility issues
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	Reliable and consistent VPN connection with strong security features User-friendly interface with minimal setup effort Maintains internet speed without noticeable slowdowns Customer support can be difficult to reach with occasional delays Compatibility issues with some services like cryptocurrency exchanges
Positive Reviews	No reviews available for the product	No reviews available for the product	No reviews available for the product
	Read reviews	Read reviews	Read reviews

List of Customers

Customers	No Customers information available.	Forbes TEDx BBC	Forbes Business Insider Wired

Media and Screenshots

Screenshots	2 Screenshots	No screenshots available.	No screenshots available.
Videos	3 Videos	3 Videos	1 Videos

Alternatives

Alternatives	PureVPN 4.6 FastestVPN 4 NordVPN 4.3	TunnelBear 3.7 PureVPN 4.6 CyberGhost VPN 4.6	TunnelBear 3.7 PureVPN 4.6 CyberGhost VPN 4.6

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.

OpenVPN vs NordVPN vs Private Internet Access VPN Comparison

OpenVPN

NordVPN

Private Internet Access VPN

OpenVPN vs NordVPN vs Private Internet Access VPN — at a glance

Key differences between OpenVPN and NordVPN

Compare OpenVPN vs NordVPN vs Private Internet Access VPN — and walk away knowing which one fits.

OpenVPN

NordVPN

Private Internet Access VPN

Download this OpenVPN vs NordVPN vs Private Internet Access VPN comparison

Biggest differences

Description

Entry Level Pricing

Free Trial Availability

Spotsaas Score

User Ratings

Best Company Size

Software Demo

Demo

Get shortlist help from a software advisor

How big is your team?

How do OpenVPN, NordVPN and Private Internet Access VPN Compare on Features?

Compare OpenVPN, NordVPN and Private Internet Access VPN on pricing

Other Details

Organization Types supported

Platforms Supported

Modes of support

API Support

Security & Compliance

OpenVPN vs NordVPN User Reviews & Rating Comparison

List of Customers

Customers

Media and Screenshots

Screenshots

Videos

Alternatives

Related Blogs and Articles for Vpn Software

Frequently asked questions