OpenVPN is one of the most trusted and versatile VPN protocols, known for its balance of security, flexibility, and reliability. It uses robust encryption standards and supports multiple ports and configurations, making it an ideal choice for secure, stable connections across a wide range of devices and networks.
OpenVPN is an open source VPN protocol that establishes secure, encrypted connections using the SSL/TLS framework. It supports both UDP and TCP ports, giving users the choice between faster speeds or greater stability depending on their needs. Built for adaptability, OpenVPN works across most operating systems and devices, making it one of the most widely used VPN technologies in use today.
OpenVPN establishes an encrypted tunnel between your device and the VPN server, securing all traffic that passes through it. Here’s how it works:
Your VPN client contacts the OpenVPN server and exchanges configuration details such as IP addresses and supported encryption settings to prepare the connection.
Both the client and server verify each other’s identity using digital certificates, credentials, or a pre-shared key, so only trusted devices can connect.
Once authentication succeeds, OpenVPN uses SSL/TLS protocols to create a secure VPN tunnel that protects your data as it travels through the internet.
All data transmitted through this tunnel is encrypted using strong algorithms like AES-256, making it unreadable to hackers, ISPs, or other third parties..
Your encrypted data is sent through the tunnel to the VPN server, which decrypts and forwards it to the target website or service. Responses are encrypted and sent back to your device through the same secure tunnel.
OpenVPN has long been the gold standard for secure, flexible, and reliable VPN connections. Here’s why:
Using SSL/TLS for authentication and encryption, OpenVPN offers stronger protection than legacy protocols. It supports modern ciphers and perfect forward secrecy, keeping your online activity private even on shared or public networks.
OpenVPN maintains a steady connection across unstable networks and can switch between TCP and UDP ports to adapt when conditions change. This flexibility makes OpenVPN ideal for travel, remote work, or restricted environments.
OpenVPN supports AES-256 encryption, which is the same standard used by banks and governments worldwide. It protects your data from eavesdropping, tampering, and interception, providing peace of mind during browsing or file transfers.
L2TP can carry different kinds of traffic and adapt to both personal and enterprise networks. Its flexibility made it a popular choice for remote access and private corporate communication before newer options emerged.
The open source nature of OpenVPN means its code is fully transparent and reviewed by security experts worldwide, building long-term trust, and encouraging faster fixes. It also benefits from constant improvements through active community collaboration and peer review.
OpenVPN is powerful, but it comes with a few trade-offs that make it less convenient for some users. Here’s where it falls short:
Because OpenVPN uses strong encryption and runs on multiple layers of security, it can be slower than lightweight protocols like WireGuard or IKEv2, especially on devices with limited processing power.
Manual configuration requires installing certificates, keys, and server files, all of which can be confusing for non-technical users. While most VPN providers simplify this in-app, OpenVPN still remains more complex to set up than most modern protocols.
Since OpenVPN relies on intensive encryption and complex tunneling processes, it can use more CPU power and battery life, especially on mobile or older hardware. During long sessions, this extra load may slightly impact device performance or connection stability.
Some networks block OpenVPN connections on specific ports. Although switching to TCP or UDP can help bypass these restrictions, it still makes OpenVPN less flexible than protocols with built-in obfuscation.
Setting up OpenVPN with PureVPN is simple and can be done in just a few steps:
Get the PureVPN app for your device from the official website or app store.
Launch the PureVPN app and sign in using your registered credentials.
Go to settings, open the protocol list, and choose OpenVPN (TCP or UDP) depending on your needs.
Choose your preferred server location and your OpenVPN connection will be established automatically.
OpenVPN’s strength lies in its balance of security and flexibility, but every VPN protocol has its own edge. Here’s how OpenVPN stacks up against the rest:
WireGuard is faster and lighter, using modern cryptography and fewer lines of code. However, OpenVPN offers broader compatibility, mature features, and proven stability, making it the more established choice for complex or enterprise-grade networks.
IKEv2 is quicker to reconnect and ideal for mobile users switching between networks. OpenVPN, while slightly slower, delivers stronger cross-platform support and more flexible configuration options across different devices and operating systems.
SSTP integrates natively with Windows and uses SSL over port 443, helping it bypass most firewalls. OpenVPN provides the same firewall evasion advantage but works across more platforms, making it a better all-round solution.
L2TP/IPSec offers decent security but struggles with speed and firewall restrictions. OpenVPN is faster, harder to block, and offers far superior encryption, making it the natural upgrade for users still relying on older tunneling methods.
PPTP prioritizes speed over safety and uses outdated encryption that can be cracked within minutes. OpenVPN provides military-grade protection and modern reliability, making PPTP obsolete for anyone concerned about privacy or data security.
OpenVPN is used to create secure tunnels between your device and a private network or VPN server. It’s widely used by individuals and businesses for secure remote access, data privacy and security, bypassing censorship, and more.
Yes. OpenVPN is open-source software, meaning it’s completely free to use, modify, and distribute. Many VPN providers, including PureVPN, have built OpenVPN into their apps to deliver secure and reliable connections.
A VPN is the service that protects your connection, while OpenVPN is the protocol that powers it. OpenVPN handles how your data is encrypted, transferred, and verified between your device and the VPN server.
Yes. OpenVPN is considered one of the safest VPN protocols available. It uses strong encryption, authentication through SSL/TLS, and Perfect Forward Secrecy so your data remains private and protected from eavesdropping or interception.
OpenVPN can run on both TCP and UDP. TCP prioritizes reliability and is ideal for browsing or downloads, while UDP favors speed and lower latency, making it better for streaming, gaming, and video calls.
Yes. OpenVPN operates using the SSL/TLS framework for encryption and authentication. This ensures data integrity, secure key exchange, and protection against tampering during transmission.
Yes. OpenVPN supports AES-256-bit encryption. It’s one of the most secure ciphers available and a key reason for OpenVPN’s continued trust and widespread use.
It depends on your needs. UDP is faster and better for activities that rely on real-time data, like streaming or gaming. TCP is more stable and reliable, making it better for general browsing or file downloads.
Yes. OpenVPN is fully supported across all PureVPN apps and platforms. You can choose between UDP for faster performance or TCP for more stable connections, both providing strong encryption and reliable privacy protection.
An OpenVPN server is a network endpoint configured to accept OpenVPN connections. It authenticates users, encrypts and decrypts data, and routes traffic securely between the VPN client and the wider internet.
