OpenVPN Access Server usually fits teams that want a traditional self-hosted VPN with direct server control, while Tailscale fits teams that want fast setup, device identity, and less maintenance. Price alone rarely decides the winner. The real cost comes from admin time, cloud hosting, user support, access rules, and how often the VPN breaks at the worst possible moment.
TLDR: OpenVPN Access Server can be cheaper for teams that need a small number of concurrent VPN connections, especially when only 10 to 20 people connect at once. For example, a 50-person company with 15 active VPN users may pay less with OpenVPN than with a per-user service. Tailscale often wins when setup speed matters; many teams can connect laptops, phones, and servers in under an hour. For larger businesses, Cloudflare Zero Trust, NordLayer, Perimeter 81, and self-hosted WireGuard may also be worth comparing.
How OpenVPN Access Server Pricing Works
OpenVPN Access Server is a commercial VPN server product built around OpenVPN. It includes a web admin portal, user management, access controls, client profiles, and support for common identity providers.
The pricing model is the key point. OpenVPN Access Server has typically charged based on concurrent connections, not total named users. A small free tier is usually available for very limited use, often enough for testing or a tiny lab. Paid plans start once the company needs more simultaneous connections.
This model can be attractive. A company may have 80 employees, but only 20 may use VPN at the same time. In that case, paying for 20 concurrent connections can beat paying for 80 named users.
The catch is that OpenVPN Access Server is not just a subscription line item. The business also needs a server. That may be a cloud VM, a firewall appliance, or an internal host. Someone must patch it, monitor it, renew certificates, review logs, and handle client issues.
OpenVPN Access Server vs Tailscale
Tailscale uses WireGuard and a mesh-style model. Instead of pushing all traffic through one central VPN gateway, devices can connect directly when allowed by policy. It is built around identity, device trust, and simple onboarding.
OpenVPN Access Server feels more familiar to network administrators. It works well for hub-and-spoke remote access, office networks, and private subnets. It also offers strong control over routing, authentication, and server placement.
Tailscale feels easier for small teams and engineering groups. Users install the app, authenticate with an identity provider, and join a private network. Admins can define access rules with ACLs. No one has to spend a morning explaining profile imports to three different operating systems.
- OpenVPN Access Server: best for central VPN gateways, regulated environments, and teams that want server-level control.
- Tailscale: best for device-to-device access, quick setup, private app access, and reduced VPN maintenance.
- OpenVPN pricing: often based on concurrent connections.
- Tailscale pricing: usually based on users, with higher tiers for advanced controls.
For a clear example, consider a 30-person software company. If all 30 users need access, Tailscale’s per-user pricing may be simple and fair. If only 8 users connect to VPN during a normal workday, OpenVPN Access Server may cost less on licensing. But that saving can disappear if the IT team spends several hours each month fixing client errors, routing issues, or certificate problems.
Where OpenVPN Access Server Still Makes Sense
OpenVPN Access Server remains strong when a business needs a classic VPN. Some companies prefer one gateway into the corporate network. Others have legacy tools that expect traffic from a fixed VPN subnet. OpenVPN handles that pattern well.
It also suits teams with in-house network skills. If an admin already manages firewalls, DNS, public cloud routing, and MFA, OpenVPN Access Server is not hard to run. It gives that admin control over where data flows and how users connect.
Common use cases include:
- Remote employee access to internal systems.
- Site access to cloud-hosted private networks.
- Contractor access with limited permissions.
- Admin access to servers, databases, and control panels.
- Compliance-focused setups where traffic must pass through approved infrastructure.
Where Tailscale Has the Edge
Tailscale is often better when the company wants fewer moving parts. It removes much of the VPN server burden. There is no need to expose a central VPN appliance for every connection. Device identity does much of the heavy lifting.
Honestly, it feels like traditional VPN tools make simple access take five extra steps. Tailscale cuts that down. For many teams, the difference is not subtle. New developer laptop access can take minutes instead of a ticket, a profile file, a troubleshooting call, and a reset.
Tailscale also works well for distributed teams. It can connect laptops, cloud servers, home lab machines, containers, and private services. Access controls can be written by group, tag, user, or device role.
Business VPN Alternatives to Compare
OpenVPN Access Server and Tailscale are not the only options. The best choice depends on company size, compliance needs, identity provider, and internal network design.
- Cloudflare Zero Trust: strong for app-level access, browser-based protection, DNS filtering, and replacing some VPN use cases.
- NordLayer: simple business VPN with gateways, user management, and security features for small and mid-sized teams.
- Perimeter 81: business-focused secure access platform with private gateways and broader network security features.
- ZeroTier: flexible virtual networking for technical teams that want mesh networking with lower cost options.
- Self-hosted WireGuard: fast and cheap, but admin-heavy unless paired with a management layer.
- Cisco AnyConnect or Secure Client: common in larger enterprises with established Cisco security stacks.
- Palo Alto GlobalProtect: strong for companies already using Palo Alto firewalls and security policy tools.
Cloudflare Zero Trust deserves special attention. It may remove the need for a full VPN if employees mainly access web apps, SaaS tools, SSH, or internal dashboards. Rather than placing users on the network, it grants access to specific apps. That model can reduce risk.
Total Cost: Subscription Is Only One Piece
OpenVPN Access Server can appear cheaper on paper. That is especially true when concurrent use is low. But the full cost includes hosting, maintenance, backups, logging, security reviews, and support time.
Tailscale and similar platforms move more of that work into the service. The monthly fee may be higher for some teams, but it can save hours. For a company paying an IT admin $60 per hour, even four hours of VPN maintenance per month equals $240 in labor. That can change the math fast.
Businesses should compare:
- License cost per user or connection.
- Server cost for cloud hosting or hardware.
- Admin time for setup and support.
- MFA and SSO support requirements.
- Audit logs and compliance reporting.
- Access granularity for apps, devices, and networks.
- User experience during travel, home office use, and mobile work.
Which Option Should a Business Choose?
A business should choose OpenVPN Access Server when it wants central control, predictable concurrent connection pricing, and a proven VPN model. It is also a good fit when the internal team already knows networking and wants to host the gateway itself.
A business should choose Tailscale when speed, identity-based access, and low maintenance matter more than owning every server component. It is especially useful for startups, engineering teams, remote-first companies, and firms with mixed cloud resources.
A business should consider Cloudflare Zero Trust or similar platforms when app-level access is more useful than full network access. This can reduce broad network exposure and simplify access to internal web tools.
FAQ
Is OpenVPN Access Server free?
OpenVPN Access Server usually includes a small free tier for limited connections. It is useful for testing, labs, or very small deployments. Larger teams need a paid license.
Is OpenVPN Access Server cheaper than Tailscale?
It can be cheaper when few users connect at the same time. Tailscale may cost more for larger user counts, but it often reduces setup and maintenance work.
Does Tailscale replace OpenVPN?
For many teams, yes. Tailscale can replace traditional VPN access for servers, private apps, and internal tools. Some companies still prefer OpenVPN for central gateway control.
What is the best business VPN alternative?
There is no single best option. Tailscale is strong for mesh access. Cloudflare Zero Trust is strong for app access. OpenVPN Access Server is strong for self-hosted VPN control.
Should a small business use OpenVPN Access Server?
A small business can use it if someone can maintain it. If the team has no network admin, Tailscale or a managed zero trust service may be easier and safer.