Headscale vs. OpenVPN Comparison


Headscale Juan Font	OpenVPN	+	+
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About Headscale is an open-source, self-hosted implementation of the control server used by the Tailscale network, enabling users to keep full ownership of their private tailnets while using Tailscale clients. It supports registering users and nodes, issuing pre-authentication keys, advertising subnet-routes and exit-node capabilities, enforcing access-control lists, and integrating with OIDC/SAML identity providers for user authentication. The server is deployable via Debian/Ubuntu packages or standalone binaries, configurable through a YAML file, and managed via its CLI or REST API. Headscale tracks each node, route, and user in its database, supports route approval workflows, and enables features such as subnet routing, exit node designation, and node-to-node mesh within the tailnet. Being self-hosted, it gives organizations and hobbyists full control over their private network endpoints, encryption keys, and traffic flows, rather than depending on a commercial control plane.	About Access Server gives you the ability to rapidly deploy a secure remote access solution with a web-based administration interface — all on general purpose computing hardware or virtual machines. Your team will have access to the built-in OpenVPN Connect App and bundled connection profiles. All without adding a ton of extra work to your IT to-do list. OpenVPN Access Server is a full-featured SSL self-hosted VPN software solution that integrates OpenVPN server capabilities, enterprise management capabilities, simplified OpenVPN Connect UI, and OpenVPN Client software packages that accommodate Windows, MAC, and Linux, mobile OS (Android and iOS) environments. OpenVPN Access Server supports a wide range of configurations, including secure and granular remote access to internal network and/ or private cloud network resources and applications with fine-grained access control. OpenVPN also has a cloud-delivered solution called CloudConnexa.
Platforms Supported Windows Mac Linux Cloud On-Premises iPhone iPad Android Chromebook	Platforms Supported Windows Mac Linux Cloud On-Premises iPhone iPad Android Chromebook
Audience System administrators and hobbyist self-hosters wanting a tool to build and control a secure, self-managed VPN/mesh network using Tailscale clients	Audience SMBs and Enterprises looking for a Zero Trust VPN as a foundation of their network security
Support Phone Support 24/7 Live Support Online	Support Phone Support 24/7 Live Support Online
API Offers API	API Offers API
Screenshots and Videos View more images or videos	Screenshots and Videos View more images or videos
Pricing Free Free Version Free Trial	Pricing Free Up to 3 Users Dependent on the number of connections - the price lowers the more connections are needed. Free up to 3 users. Free Version Free Trial
Reviews/Ratings Overall 0.0 / 5 ease 0.0 / 5 features 0.0 / 5 design 0.0 / 5 support 0.0 / 5 This software hasn't been reviewed yet. Be the first to provide a review: Review this Software	Reviews/Ratings Overall 5.0 / 5 ease 4.5 / 5 features 5.0 / 5 design 5.0 / 5 support 5.0 / 5 Read all reviews
	Pros & Cons from Real Users Pros Open Source. lots of customization options. Create your own VPN profile using free networks available on sites such as vpnbook. Also available as a service - pay as you go model. Cross Platform. The software made the process of setting up a Virtual Private Network so much easier. It has a lot of configuration options available including the use of DNS servers, user permissions and more. OpenVPN has support that will help with any issues needed. Cons Initial setup is difficult - creating profiles, installing certificate (at least on windows). It still requires a fair bit of work to actually set up the Virtual Private Network.
Training Documentation Webinars Live Online In Person	Training Documentation Webinars Live Online In Person
Company Information Juan Font Netherlands headscale.net/stable/	Company Information OpenVPN Founded: 2001 United States openvpn.net
Alternatives Pangolin	Alternatives Cloudbrink
HoneyWire	UTunnel VPN and ZTNA Secubytes LLC
Bitcoin Explorer	Private Internet Access (PIA) Private Internet Access
Chainstack	Smart DNS Proxy
Network Analyzer Master Master Internet View All	SoftEther VPN SoftEther Project View All
Categories Network Management	Categories IT Management IT Security IT admins & managers love Access Server - OpenVPN can help make network security and secure remote access easier — whether you have years of experience as an IT Admin or are just beginning your career. If you’re a Linux person, Access Server is for you. Access Server is an easy to deploy, cost-effective way to bolster your network security in a self-hosted environment. Network Security OpenVPN’s scalable, easy-to-deploy solutions are built on our time-tested, industry standard open source protocol. With the ability to split traffic and only tunnel sensitive data, you won’t sacrifice internet performance or speed for security. With OpenVPN, you can say goodbye to your legacy VPN and traditional hardware and architecture that made it difficult to scale and grow. You’ll be able to harness next-gen VPN technology that grows with you and protects your business no matter where your team is working, whether from a tablet at their kitchen table, a laptop in a coffee shop, or a mobile phone at their desk. Proxy Servers OpenVPN supports connections through an HTTP proxy, with the following authentication modes: no proxy authentication, basic proxy authentication, and NTLM proxy authentication. Secure Remote Access With OpenVPN’s multi-layered solution, you can ensure that your mobile workforce is logging into corporate networks and third-party cloud services safely and securely. Minimize your attack surface & increase internet security levels - only authenticated users and compliant devices get access to authorized applications. VPN OpenVPN business solutions provide secure, scalable, and flexible virtual private networking for organizations of all sizes. Built on the trusted OpenVPN protocol, they enable encrypted remote access, site-to-site connectivity, and seamless cloud integration. With centralized management, granular access controls, and support for modern authentication, businesses can protect sensitive data while ensuring employees and partners connect safely from anywhere. OpenVPN Access Server scales from small teams to enterprise deployments, offering reliability, strong encryption, and easy deployment across on-premises, cloud, or hybrid environments. Trusted worldwide, OpenVPN combines open-source transparency with enterprise-grade features. Zero Trust Security Transition to a Zero Trust framework with OpenVPN Access Server. Our self-hosted solution gives businesses of all sizes the ability to enforce zero trust essentials. Transition beyond protecting only what is inside of your corporate perimeter, and reduce your attack surface. With Access Server, you can protect workers using home and public WiFi networks, and SaaS applications, outside your network perimeter. We also provide all the tools and capabilities necessary for building a strong zero trust network to block or significantly mitigate attacks.
	Show More Features Network Security Features Access Control Analytics / Reporting Compliance Reporting Firewalls Internet Usage Monitoring Intrusion Detection System Threat Response VPN Vulnerability Scanning VPN Features Anonymous Browsing DNS Leak Protection For Digital Security For Financial Security For Gaming For Streaming Kill Switch Multi-Language Multi-Protocol Peer-to-Peer Policy Management Remote Access Web Inspection White Label
Integrations 1NCE AWS Directory Service AccessOwl AuthControl Sentry AuthPoint BitLaunch Centreon CloudConnexa ColonelServer IPFire It'sMe Kamatera Live Proxies Microsoft Authenticator NetThunder Skycloak SpendHound V-Key Smart Authenticator WLVPN YAML Show More Integrations View All 3 Integrations	Integrations 1NCE AWS Directory Service AccessOwl AuthControl Sentry AuthPoint BitLaunch Centreon CloudConnexa ColonelServer IPFire It'sMe Kamatera Live Proxies Microsoft Authenticator NetThunder Skycloak SpendHound V-Key Smart Authenticator WLVPN YAML Show More Integrations View All 59 Integrations
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