OpenVPN Access Server vs Perimeter 81 comparison

Cancel
You must select at least 2 products to compare!
Netgate Logo
49 views|24 comparisons
OpenVPN Logo
16,498 views|13,961 comparisons
Perimeter 81 Logo
1,997 views|1,181 comparisons
Comparison Buyer's Guide
Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between OpenVPN Access Server and Perimeter 81 based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out in this report how the two Enterprise Infrastructure VPN solutions compare in terms of features, pricing, service and support, easy of deployment, and ROI.
To learn more, read our detailed OpenVPN Access Server vs. Perimeter 81 Report (Updated: March 2024).
765,386 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Featured Review
Quotes From Members
We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use.
Here are some excerpts of what they said:
Pros
"The solution has good performance.""It's an ideal gateway solution for small and medium businesses, i.e., around 300 devices can be easily handled."

More Netgate TNSR Pros →

"OpenVPN Access Server provides remote secure access.""The compatibility with almost any Linux operating system, and how easy it is to write scripts and generate keys for people to use and log in. I found it easy to deploy quickly.""Provides privacy and cryptography for my network communication.""It is much easier to scale and troubleshoot compared to regular Windows-based VPN solutions or PPTP daemon.""The most valuable feature of OpenVPN is that it is open source. I can do anything with the solution, such as change, build, and collect. Additionally, it is safe to use the solution and there are frequent updates.""It is open-source and free to use.""The product has strong encryption and scalability features. It provides security for private network connections.""I have set the default routes to the VPN server so that all traffic is encrypted."

More OpenVPN Access Server Pros →

"It has provided a seamless gateway to much-needed platforms.""SD-WAN is one of the primary solutions offered by Perimeter 81.""Our operators can work from home without any problems.""The feature that I have found to be most valuable is the reputation that the company has regarding privacy. Nowadays, this is critical, especially when you do all of your work online.""Distributing the agent was very simple, allowing us to enforce security posture on our devices (i.e. S1, Disk-encryption, etc.).""It keeps us all accountable and ensures secure internet connections while we all work remotely.""Scaling Perimeter 81 was easy to do.""Logging back into Perimeter 81 is relatively user-friendly as I just need to re-type my Windows credentials in to access the VPN."

More Perimeter 81 Pros →

Cons
"There must be a more easy-to-use GUI."

More Netgate TNSR Cons →

"​There was one annoying feature where we had to disable and enable the user. I cannot remember what it was exactly, but I think it was for a password lockout. It would be nice if there was a checkbox, or something, in the web interface to allow you to unlock a user whose password was locked.""Working on a faster connection might be a good idea for the product's next release.""I want the tool to be faster. We have experienced connectivity issues while using OpenVPN and FortiClient.""The server configuration file needs to be improved, it's the biggest problem in the configuration process.""The high availability deployment is not very straightforward. They can make it simpler. OpenVPN does not support some of the additional protocols that Pulse Secure and Cisco AnyConnect support. They can include support for these additional protocols.""You do need expertise in implementation if you do the initial setup yourself.""It could include a configuration wizard so that users who do not follow instructions well can configure a connection.""I would be more happy with the idea of licensing to have a reduced price with longer, grouped, annual fees. We have a lot of other software that does the same thing. It's a little higher price if you're going with a shorter stint, but there's a reduction in price for three- and five-year contracts."

More OpenVPN Access Server Cons →

"It would be nice to have a notification sound when Perimeter81 disconnects, as I sometimes don't notice when the icon shows that it's disconnected, and I end up wasting time waiting for my browser to load a page that shows an error, usually error 404.""The overall UI could be improved and updated to bring a simpler feel to the application.""I don't know if it is technically feasible, however, if the Desktop App could be used as a Web App or a Chrome Extension it would be very nice.""The solution's speed of upload and download is an area where it lacks""What would be useful would be a notification/warning that a session is due to timeout after exceeding the default connection limit.""I would suggest adding more networking and security features that allow more customization within their platform.""One of the more negative experiences using Perimeter 81 is the fact that I am logged off after a pre-determined amount of time which cuts off access to some of my company's resources.""Offering in-app explanations detailing what each feature does, its benefits and potential use cases can help users better understand and utilize the tool to its full potential."

More Perimeter 81 Cons →

Pricing and Cost Advice
  • "There is not a license required for this solution but the price should be less expensive."
  • More Netgate TNSR Pricing and Cost Advice →

  • "It is free, you buy support."
  • "The Pro Edition has a reasonable price per user."
  • "I would say the product's pricing is a good value. I would recommend to other companies to implement it. I've seen other software, in tandem with the service, to be very expensive."
  • "The product's pricing is good value, definitely. It is one of the best features, I would say. Evaluate the product before seeing which type of licensing is good for you. I think there is a good evaluation method available for OpenVPN, so you can just evaluate if it meets your needs. Then go forward with the right licensing policy."
  • "Begin with the community version and upgrade to paid one if the need arises."
  • "At one point I had to purchase addition connection licenses. I was very pleased with the pricing and licensing; so much easier than navigating the confusing jungle of Microsoft and Cisco licensing and pricing. That alone made the product a delight to manage."
  • "With regard to setup cost, pricing and/or licensing, the simple answer is that you'll need to set aside some time to learn it and experiment with it."
  • "It is an open-source solution, so we don't pay for anything."
  • More OpenVPN Access Server Pricing and Cost Advice →

  • "Overall I am very happy with the solution’s flexibility and pricing."
  • "The cost of the solution's licenses depends on the particular use cases."
  • "The solution is priced appropriately considering its uses. For an essential license, a user pays only 30 USD per month. For an enterprise version, the prices can be negotiated with the company."
  • "Perimeter 81 charges separately for gateways and VPN connectivity, but compared to Azure, it seemed more reasonable."
  • More Perimeter 81 Pricing and Cost Advice →

    report
    Use our free recommendation engine to learn which Enterprise Infrastructure VPN solutions are best for your needs.
    765,386 professionals have used our research since 2012.
    Questions from the Community
    Top Answer:It's an ideal gateway solution for small and medium businesses, i.e., around 300 devices can be easily handled.
    Top Answer:The product is very cost-effective and has no requirement for additional licenses. The setup is not easy. Users need… more »
    Top Answer:THe solution is used as a primary gateway with two lease lines of 450 Mbps total. Around 200 users are under it. There… more »
    Top Answer:Fortinet FortiClient is a feature-rich solution that is easy to use and deploy without sacrificing safety and security… more »
    Top Answer:The most valuable thing about OpenVPN Access Server is its ease of use.
    Top Answer:Licensing for OpenVPN is generally hassle-free. Server-side access is usually included, and there is flexibility with… more »
    Top Answer:Even after restarting, it tries to quickly reestablish connection which is very helpful.
    Top Answer:It's essential to consider the organization's specific requirements and budget. Here are some general recommendations: *… more »
    Top Answer:In terms of improvement, Perimeter 81 could enhance its reporting and analytics capabilities to provide more detailed… more »
    Comparisons
    Also Known As
    TNSR
    OpenVPN
    Learn More
    Overview

    TNSR is an advanced open source-based secure networking software platform with highly-scalable packet processing, manageability, and service expansion capabilities. This video provides a high-level introduction. that address a number of commonly asked new product questions - in just a couple of minutes.

    OpenVPN Access Server is a comprehensive VPN solution that enables secure remote access and site-to-site connectivity. It uses the open-source OpenVPN protocol with added encryption and authentication for robust security. The web-based admin interface simplifies setup and centralized management of users, devices, and access controls.

    OpenVPN Access Server's ease of setup, comprehensive security features, and professional support make it a viable option for businesses looking to facilitate secure remote access and inter-office connectivity. However, potential users should be mindful of the technical requirements for setup and the possibility of network performance issues in specific scenarios.

    Based on over 30 independent peer reviews, OpenVPN garners consistently positive feedback for its stability, security, and free open-source licensing. The most common complaints relate to initial setup complexity and occasional connection drops. Despite these drawbacks, most reviewers highly recommend OpenVPN Access Server due to its robust encryption standards, flexible access options, and scalability across organization sizes.

    Versatile Installation and Client Support:

    • OpenVPN Access Server can be installed on various Linux OS platforms, offering flexibility to adapt to different network environments. This includes popular distributions like Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS, and Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
    • OpenVPN Access Server supports a comprehensive range of VPN clients, ensuring broad compatibility and user accessibility. This includes clients for Microsoft Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux, enabling users to connect securely from various devices.

    User Authentication and Security:

    • OpenVPN Access Server incorporates a built-in user authentication system, which can be managed via a web-based interface. This allows administrators to manage user accounts, passwords, and access permissions easily.
    • For enhanced security, OpenVPN Access Server supports integration with external authentication systems like PAM, LDAP, RADIUS, and SAML. This allows you to leverage your existing authentication infrastructure for VPN access.
    • The solution provides the flexibility to implement custom Python programming for advanced authentication methods, catering to specific security requirements.
    • OpenVPN Access Server utilizes the OpenVPN protocol, renowned for its robust encryption and security. VPN tunnels are secured with TLS authentication, credentials, certificates, and optional MAC address lock, ensuring a high level of protection for data transmission.

    Flexible Access Control and Tunneling Options:

    • OpenVPN Access Server provides comprehensive access control rules, allowing administrators to specify user or group access to IP addresses and subnets. This enables granular control over network access and resource utilization.
    • OpenVPN Access Server supports both full-tunnel and split-tunnel redirection. Full-tunnel mode routes all VPN client internet traffic through the VPN tunnel, while split-tunnel mode allows selective routing of specific traffic.

    OpenVPN offers professional support for Access Server, with a global team of experts available through an online ticket system. This ensures that users have timely access to assistance when needed.

    Perimeter 81 is a cloud-based network security and software-defined perimeter (SDP) solution designed to provide secure access to resources in the cloud, data centers, and on-premises environments. It offers a unified platform for organizations to manage and secure their network infrastructure, regardless of the location or type of resources.  

    Perimeter 81 Benefits:

    • Easy to use
    • Flexible access policies
    • Strong encryption and authentication protocols
    • Scalable
    • Compatible with various devices and platforms

    Perimeter 81 Features:

    • Secure Network Access: Perimeter 81 provides secure access to internal resources and cloud-based applications through its client applications and gateways.
    • Software-Defined Perimeter (SDP): SDP is a security framework that focuses on dynamically creating secure connections between users and resources on a need-to-know basis. 
    • Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA): Perimeter 81 follows the Zero Trust security model, which assumes that no user or device can be inherently trusted. 
    • Multi-Cloud and Hybrid Cloud Support: Perimeter 81 is designed to secure access to resources across multi-cloud and hybrid cloud environments.
    • User and Device Management: The solution offers centralized user and device management capabilities, allowing administrators to define access policies, manage user roles, and enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) for enhanced security. 
    • Network Segmentation: Perimeter 81 enables organizations to segment their network resources, creating isolated environments based on logical groupings. 
    • Centralized Management and Analytics: Perimeter 81 provides a centralized management console where administrators can configure and monitor their network security settings.

    Reviews from Real Users

    PeerSpot user, Frontend Developer at Limelight Networks, states that "We use some VPN solutions, and Perimeter 81 has the best user experience for desktop or mobile".

    Daniel Goldfeld, Vice President of Customer Success at Mine - The All-in-One Privacy Suite, says that Perimeter 81 has "Great SAML and SCIM support with the ability to deploy site-2-site tunnels with specific IP restrictions".

    Another PeerSpot user, Accounts Payable Specialist at Simera, writes that "The feature that I have found to be most valuable is the reputation that the company has regarding privacy. Nowadays, this is critical, especially when you do all of your work online."

      Sample Customers
      UCLA, COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY, shopify
      Verizon, Amazon, Disney, HP, Microsoft, IBM, Samsung
      Aqua Security, Cognito, Multipoint, Kustomer, Postman, Meredith
      Top Industries
      VISITORS READING REVIEWS
      Computer Software Company17%
      Comms Service Provider11%
      Manufacturing Company7%
      Retailer6%
      REVIEWERS
      Comms Service Provider25%
      Financial Services Firm13%
      Educational Organization13%
      Computer Software Company13%
      VISITORS READING REVIEWS
      Computer Software Company17%
      Comms Service Provider12%
      Educational Organization7%
      Government7%
      REVIEWERS
      Computer Software Company58%
      University8%
      Media Company8%
      Construction Company8%
      VISITORS READING REVIEWS
      Computer Software Company22%
      Financial Services Firm8%
      Manufacturing Company7%
      Government6%
      Company Size
      VISITORS READING REVIEWS
      Small Business27%
      Midsize Enterprise16%
      Large Enterprise57%
      REVIEWERS
      Small Business57%
      Midsize Enterprise17%
      Large Enterprise26%
      VISITORS READING REVIEWS
      Small Business31%
      Midsize Enterprise17%
      Large Enterprise52%
      REVIEWERS
      Small Business48%
      Midsize Enterprise30%
      Large Enterprise22%
      VISITORS READING REVIEWS
      Small Business34%
      Midsize Enterprise19%
      Large Enterprise47%
      Buyer's Guide
      OpenVPN Access Server vs. Perimeter 81
      March 2024
      Find out what your peers are saying about OpenVPN Access Server vs. Perimeter 81 and other solutions. Updated: March 2024.
      765,386 professionals have used our research since 2012.

      OpenVPN Access Server is ranked 1st in Enterprise Infrastructure VPN with 43 reviews while Perimeter 81 is ranked 7th in Enterprise Infrastructure VPN with 22 reviews. OpenVPN Access Server is rated 8.4, while Perimeter 81 is rated 9.2. The top reviewer of OpenVPN Access Server writes "An easy-to-use tool with which its users can access networks from home or external locations". On the other hand, the top reviewer of Perimeter 81 writes "Great SAML and SCIM support with the ability to deploy site-2-site tunnels with specific IP restrictions". OpenVPN Access Server is most compared with Fortinet FortiClient, Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client, Microsoft Azure VPN Gateway, Check Point Remote Access VPN and Zscaler Private Access, whereas Perimeter 81 is most compared with Zscaler Private Access, Cato SASE Cloud Platform, Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks, Cloudflare Access and Menlo Security Remote Browser Isolation. See our OpenVPN Access Server vs. Perimeter 81 report.

      See our list of best Enterprise Infrastructure VPN vendors.

      We monitor all Enterprise Infrastructure VPN reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.