⚡ Quick Verdict:
- Preisgestaltung: OpenVPN has a free tier and a Growth plan at $7/month. AdGuard VPN starts at $2.40/month on a 2-year plan.
- Ideal für: OpenVPN for teams and tech users who want control. AdGuard VPN for beginners who want ads gone.
- Hauptunterschied: OpenVPN is an open source VPN protocol plus Geschäft software. AdGuard VPN is a consumer app with a proprietary protocol.
- Our pick: OpenVPN for most users. Its code is public, and the free edition has no time limit.
OpenVPN and AdGuard VPN both promise secure connections.
But they aren’t really the same kind of product.
OpenVPN is a tunneling protocol that powers many virtual private networks.
AdGuard VPN is a consumer app built by an ad blocker company.
One gives you control. The other gives you convenience.
The best VPN for you depends on how much setup you can handle.
Überblick
This OpenVPN vs AdGuard VPN comparison covers Sicherheit, speed, privacy, pricing, and ease of use.
We reviewed documentation, pricing pages, and independent reviews for both tools.
Our writers also spent hands-on time with each one.
Those notes appear in the “What Our Team Noticed” sections below.
By the end, you’ll know which VPN service fits your needs.
Was ist OpenVPN?
OpenVPN is an open source VPN protocol first released in 2001.
It builds a secure tunnel that carries Daten traffic between two points.
The name also belongs to OpenVPN Inc., the OpenVPN company once called OpenVPN Technologies.
That company sells OpenVPN software like Access Server and a cloud remote access service.
The free OpenVPN Community Edition lets anyone run their own OpenVPN server.
Most VPN providers still offer it inside their apps.
In 2026, it’s still a go-to pick for online security and flexibility.
The review below shows how OpenVPN works in practice.
🏆 Winner: OpenVPN
Open source security you can inspect yourself. Pick UDP for speed or TCP for reliability. A strong fit for teams that need remote access.
OpenVPN-Preise
Here’s what OpenVPN costs in 2026. The plans scale with your team.
| Planen | Preis | Am besten geeignet für |
|---|---|---|
| Frei | $0 | Testing and small personal setups |
| Wachstum | $7/monat | Small teams that want managed remote access |
| Unternehmen | Brauch | Large organizations with strict compliance needs |
Pricing verified September 2026.
Kostenlose Testversion: Yes. The free tier and the Community Edition let you test with no time limit.
Geld-zurück-Garantie: Refund terms vary by product. Check them at checkout before you upgrade.
📌 Notiz: OpenVPN free really means free if you self-host. You only pay for your own server. The catch: you get just a few server locations, the ones you run. The OpenVPN Connect client software costs nothing too.
⚠️ Warnung: Business plans are priced by the number of OpenVPN connections. Costs climb as more VPN connections join your network.
Wichtigste Vorteile von OpenVPN
Here’s what makes OpenVPN worth considering:
- Open-Source-Code: Anyone can inspect the code for flaws. A global developer community reviews it and ships fixes fast.
- Flexible Encryption: It supports AES, Blowfish, and other encryption algorithms. You pick the encryption ciphers and the length of your encryption keys.
- TCP or UDP Choice: OpenVPN UDP favors speed. OpenVPN TCP favors complete, in-order delivery.
- Firewall Friendly: It passes through firewalls and NAT gateways well. That helps on strict office or Hotel Netzwerke.
- Breite Kompatibilität: It runs on most operating systems, from Windows to iOS. It even works on Tomato and Solaris.
- Raum für Wachstum: It scales from one laptop to full site-to-site networks. It also handles IPv4 and IPv6 traffic.
What Our Team Noticed
Unser Schriftsteller installed OpenVPN Connect and explored the free tier. Here’s what stood out from that hands-on time:
OpenVPN: Vorteile und Nachteile
✅ Vorteile
- Open source code anyone can inspect
- Free Community Edition with no time limit
- Funktioniert unter Windows, macOS, Linux. Androidund iOS
- Strong encryption with Perfect Forward Secrecy
- Gets past firewalls and NAT gateways
❌ Nachteile
- Langsamer als neuere Protokolle wie WireGuard
- Manual configuration takes technical skill
- Less user-friendly on mobile than on desktop
- No built-in ad blocking
Was ist AdGuard VPN?
AdGuard VPN is a VPN service from the team behind the AdGuard ad blocker.
It hides your real location by sending traffic through a remote server.
That server gives you a different IP address while the app encrypts your traffic.
The network has 800+ servers in 65 locations across 53 countries.
It uses its own proprietary protocol instead of OpenVPN or WireGuard.
AdGuard puts ad and tracker blocking right next to the VPN.
That combo is the main reason people choose it.
Watch our AdGuard VPN review for a quick tour.
🥈 Runner Up: AdGuard VPN
A simple VPN with ad blocking built in. Start on the free plan with 3 GB each month. AdGuard VPN’s apps cover phones, desktops, and Android TV.
AdGuard VPN-Preise
An AdGuard VPN subscription gets cheaper the longer you commit. Here’s the breakdown.
| Planen | Preis | Am besten geeignet für |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Monat | 11,99 $/Monat | Short trips or trying paid features |
| 1 Jahr | 3,99 €/Monat | Regular users who want a lower rate |
| 2 Jahre | 2,40 €/Monat | Langzeitnutzer mit knappem Budget |
Pricing verified September 2026.
Kostenlose Testversion: The free version gives you 3 GB of data every month. Speeds are capped at 20 Mbps.
Geld-zurück-Garantie: The yearly and 2-year plans come with a 30-day money back guarantee.
📌 Notiz: The yearly plan is billed at $47.88 up front. You can pay by credit card, PayPal, or Kryptowährungen.
⚠️ Price check: Some review sites list the 2-year plan at $119 up front. Confirm the final price at checkout.
Wichtigste Vorteile von AdGuard VPN
Here’s what makes AdGuard VPN worth a look:
- Ad Blocking Built In: Pick AdGuard DNS servers to block ads and trackers. In the desktop apps, integrated mode links the VPN with the AdGuard ad blocker.
- Kostenloser Plan: You get 3 GB every month at no cost. That’s enough to test the apps risk free.
- 10 Geräte: Paid plans allow up to 10 simultaneous connections. That covers most households.
- Not-Aus-Schalter: It cuts your internet if the VPN drops. Your real IP stays hidden.
- Split-Tunneling: Choose which apps or certain websites skip the VPN. Your banking app can run outside it.
- Cyprus Headquarters: AdGuard Software Limited is based in Cyprus. That’s outside the 5/9/14 Eyes and under GDPR.
- Censorship Resistance: The protocol disguises VPN traffic as normal HTTPS. That helps on restrictive networks.
What Our Team Noticed
Our writer signed up for AdGuard VPN and started on the free plan. Here’s what stood out:
AdGuard VPN: Vor- und Nachteile
✅ Vorteile
- Ad and tracker blocking through DNS
- Free plan with 3 GB of data each month
- Up to 10 devices on paid plans
- Kill switch and split tunneling included
- Based in Cyprus, outside the 14 Eyes
❌ Nachteile
- No OpenVPN or WireGuard support
- Keine Drittanbieter Prüfung of its claims
- Auf entfernten Servern sinken die Geschwindigkeiten rapide.
- No 24/7 customer support
Funktionsvergleich
Let’s put OpenVPN vs AdGuard VPN side by side. We’ll cover nine key areas, then finish with pricing.
| Besonderheit | OpenVPN | AdGuard VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Startpreis | $0 (paid from $7/month) | 2,40 €/Monat |
| Kostenloser Plan | ✅ | ✅ (3 GB/Monat) |
| Open Source Code | ✅ | ❌ |
| TCP & UDP Modes | ✅ | ❌ |
| Ad & Tracker Blocking | ❌ | ✅ |
| Split-Tunneling | ✅ | ✅ |
| Standortvernetzung | ✅ | ❌ |
| Third-Party Code Review | ✅ | ❌ |
| Am besten geeignet für | Tech users and teams | Beginners who hate ads |
1. Tunneling Protocol & Encryption
OpenVPN: The OpenVPN protocol runs a custom security protocol built on SSL/TLS. That’s the secure sockets layer family. It pulls its crypto from the OpenSSL library. The two-way authentication OpenVPN runs relies on a public key infrastructure and certificates. Perfect Forward Secrecy means one leaked key can’t unlock every past session.
AdGuard VPN: The AdGuard VPN protocol is proprietary and uses AES-256 encryption. It makes VPN traffic look like regular HTTPS to slip past censorship. But nobody outside AdGuard has audited it. That raises real transparency questions.
⚠️ Warnung: AdGuard VPN doesn’t support OpenVPN or WireGuard. You can’t switch to a protocol you trust more.
OpenVPN also adds an extra lock called TLS auth. It signs every handshake packet with a hash message authentication code. This HMAC firewall drops fake packets before they touch the server.
That’s why security experts list OpenVPN with the safest VPN protocols. It beats older encryption protocols like PPTP and offers better security than most VPN protocols. Some even prefer the open source OpenVPN protocol over WireGuard for its flexibility. Other VPN protocols may be faster, but few get checked this hard.
2. Geschwindigkeit und Leistung
OpenVPN: OpenVPN UDP uses the user datagram protocol. It skips delivery checks, so it’s faster but less reliable. OpenVPN TCP uses the transmission control protocol, which confirms every packet arrives in order. It’s steadier but slower. Newer tunneling protocols like WireGuard are faster. Still, it handles browsing and video calls fine.
AdGuard VPN: AdGuard VPN’s performance is fine for everyday browsing on nearby servers, with drops around 20%. Long-distance links hurt more. Reviewers who tested AdGuard VPN saw connection speeds drop from 65 to about 10 Mbps. Paid users fare better, with one test averaging 58.73 Mbps. Some users also report connection drops.
⚠️ Warnung: Slow speeds hurt online gaming and data intensive tasks. Run speed tests on a US server first. Check upload speed before you buy AdGuard VPN.
3. Ad & Tracker Blocking
OpenVPN: The protocol itself has no ad blocker. Business plans add DNS filtering, but that targets threats, not pop-up ads. To block ads, you’ll need a separate tool.
AdGuard VPN: This is where AdGuard shines. Can AdGuard VPN block ads on its own? Yes, once you choose its filtering DNS. Blocking ads this way also speeds up page loads on heavy sites.
4. DNS Security & Content Filtering
OpenVPN: OpenVPN’s cloud service filters DNS and blocks malicious domains before they load. Admins set one rule set for the whole team. That keeps sensitive data safer on every device.
AdGuard VPN: You can pick a DNS server that filters ads, trackers, and shady sites. It’s personal filtering, not team-wide policy. Home users win here. IT teams get little control.
5. Remote Access & Zero Trust
OpenVPN: Remote access is OpenVPN’s home turf. Companies use it so staff can reach private networks from anywhere. OpenVPN Access Server adds user rules and zero trust checks on top.
AdGuard VPN: AdGuard connects you to its own VPN servers, not your office network. You can’t reach a private company system through it. It’s built for personal online privacy instead.
Here’s how OpenVPN applies zero trust rules to each user.
6. Site-to-Site & IoT Networking
OpenVPN: OpenVPN links whole offices together by creating VPN tunnels between sites. It also secures IoT gear like sensors and cameras. The same tool scales from one user to large organizations.
AdGuard VPN: There’s no site-to-site option here. It protects individual devices only, up to 10 per plan. That works for families, but it lacks all the features branch offices need.
The IoT side of OpenVPN looks like this.
7. SaaS Access & Protection
OpenVPN: OpenVPN can put SaaS apps behind the VPN connection. It shows who touches which cloud app and blocks the rest. That helps IT teams stop data leaks.
AdGuard VPN: AdGuard doesn’t manage app access. Every site gets the same treatment, apart from your split tunneling list. Think of it as a privacy tool, not an access gate.
And here’s OpenVPN’s SaaS protection view in action.
8. Privacy, Logging & Trust
OpenVPN: Open code means anyone can hunt for backdoors. Privacy depends on who runs the OpenVPN servers: you, your employer, or a VPN provider. Self-host it, and no third party sees your logs. The tunnel also hides your browsing from your internet service provider.
AdGuard VPN: It has a strict no logs policy. It skips IP addresses, browsing history, and connection timestamps. It collects minimal technical data to fix bugs and shares nothing with third parties. Still, no audit has confirmed any of this.
AdGuard offers Temp Mail too, for extra privacy when you sign up for things.
💡 Profi-Tipp: Audits matter. Until AdGuard publishes one, treat its privacy promises as unverified security measures.
9. Apps, Devices & Ease of Use
OpenVPN: OpenVPN Connect is the official OpenVPN client. On a Windows PC, the OpenVPN GUI is another option. Connections run from .ovpn Text files you can edit or load into other VPN clients. You can install OpenVPN on unlimited devices, but manual setup takes skill. It also feels less smooth on mobile devices than on desktops.
AdGuard VPN: AdGuard has easy to use apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and Android TV. Browser extensions cover Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. Setup takes minutes, with no config files. The Windows version also supports integrated mode.
10. Preisgestaltung & Kosten
Lasst uns die Pläne nebeneinander vergleichen.
| Planen | OpenVPN | AdGuard VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Frei | Kostenlos: 0 € | Free version (3 GB/month) |
| Eintritt bezahlt | Growth: $7/month | 1 Month: $11.99/month |
| 1-Year Term | — | 1 Year: $3.99/month |
| 2-Year Term | — | 2 Years: $2.40/month |
| Unternehmen | Unternehmen: Benutzerdefiniert | — |
OpenVPN: It’s cheapest if you can self-host the Community Edition. The Growth plan suits small teams that want everything managed. Bigger companies get custom quotes.
AdGuard VPN: It’s the cheaper consumer VPN over two years. The monthly plan is steep, so commit longer if you’ll stay. Light users can stick with the free tier.
Verschiedene Szenarien
| Falls Sie Folgendes benötigen: | Wählen | Warum |
|---|---|---|
| Remote access for a team | OpenVPN | Access Server and zero trust tools |
| Ads blocked while you durchsuchen | AdGuard VPN | Built-in DNS ad filtering |
| Full control over settings | OpenVPN | Open code and custom ciphers |
| Easy setup as a beginner | AdGuard VPN | Simple apps, no config files |
| Ready-made streaming servers | AdGuard VPN | Entsperrt Netflix und Disney+ |
| Maximum transparency | OpenVPN | Public code anyone can audit |
💰 Ihr Budget
If you can run a server, OpenVPN costs you nothing but hosting. If you want zero setup, AdGuard’s longer plans are the cheaper path.
🔌 Dein Tech-Stack
OpenVPN plugs into company networks, SaaS tools, and third-party apps, scripts, and plugins. AdGuard VPN fits a personal setup, especially alongside other AdGuard products.
🎮 Your Daily Use
AdGuard unblocks BBC iPlayer and Netflix but struggles with Amazon Prime and Peacock. Some streaming platforms may also buffer. For gaming, OpenVPN over the UDP protocol on a nearby server is the smoother bet.
🎓 Dein Erfahrungslevel
Most VPN users will find AdGuard simpler from day one. OpenVPN rewards people who are comfortable with config files and certificates.
✓ Wurde auf 3 echten E-Commerce-Kundenkonten verwendet Reisen and Censorship
AdGuard VPN struggles with China’s Great Firewall, unlike ExpressVPN or NordVPN. OpenVPN gets past firewalls well, but only if your provider’s servers aren’t blocked.
🆓 Kostenlose Testversionen und Demos
Try OpenVPN’s free tier and AdGuard’s 3 GB plan side by side. Both let you test before spending anything.
🛟 Supportoptionen
AdGuard has no 24/7 live chat. You file through a ticketing system and wait for the support team. OpenVPN offers paid support, while free users lean on community forums.
Umstellungsleitfaden
Nutzen Sie bereits eines dieser Tools? Hier erfahren Sie, was Sie beim Wechsel erwartet.
🔄 Switching from OpenVPN to AdGuard VPN?
✅ Was Sie davon haben:
- Integrierte Werbe- und Trackerblockierung
- One-tap mobile apps with no config files
- Ready-made servers in 65 locations
❌ Was Sie verlieren werden:
- Open, auditable code
- The choice between TCP and UDP
- Business tools like site-to-site and zero trust
📋 So wechseln Sie:
- Back up your .ovpn profiles in case you return.
- Create an AdGuard account and pick a plan.
- Install the AdGuard VPN app and turn on DNS filtering.
🔄 Switching from AdGuard VPN to OpenVPN?
✅ Was Sie davon haben:
- A transparent, open protocol
- Full control over ciphers and key lengths
- Remote access to private company networks
❌ Was Sie verlieren werden:
- DNS-based ad blocking
- Beginner-friendly, one-tap setup
- Integration with the AdGuard ad blocker
📋 So wechseln Sie:
- Cancel AdGuard within 30 days if your plan qualifies for a refund.
- Sign up for OpenVPN’s free tier or any OpenVPN compatible service, like Privater Internetzugang.
- Install OpenVPN Connect, import your profile, and connect.
What Our Review Didn’t Cover
This comparison focused on individual users and small teams. We didn’t run our own speed tests across countries. We also didn’t test OpenVPN at large enterprise scale or AdGuard inside China. Our notes reflect September 2026 versions, so features may change.
Endgültiges Urteil
| Kategorie | Gewinner |
|---|---|
| 💰 Preise & Gratis-Tarif | OpenVPN |
| 🔐 Sicherheit & Verschlüsselung | OpenVPN |
| ⚡ Geschwindigkeit & Leistung | OpenVPN |
| 🕵️ Privacy & Transparency | OpenVPN |
| 🏢 Business Networking | OpenVPN |
| 🚫 Ad & Tracker Blocking | AdGuard VPN |
| 👶 Benutzerfreundlichkeit | AdGuard VPN |
| 🌍 Streaming & Server Network | AdGuard VPN |
| 🏆 Gesamtsieger | OpenVPN |
🏆 WINNER: OPENVPN
OpenVPN wins 5 out of 8 categories.
Ideal für: Remote teams, privacy-minded tech users, custom VPN setups
These two tools solve different problems. OpenVPN is one part transparent protocol, one part business platform for secure connections. AdGuard VPN is a simple consumer VPN with ad blocking baked in.
AdGuard is a fair pick if you want fewer ads and no setup. Next to premium VPNs, though, it falls short. Missing audits, slow long-distance speeds, and no OpenVPN support hold it back.
If you value control, open code, and room to grow, OpenVPN is the better choice. Start on the free tier and upgrade only when your team needs it.
Mehr zu OpenVPN im Vergleich
Here’s how OpenVPN stacks up against other VPN services:
OpenVPN gewinnt in folgenden Bereichen: code you can audit yourself, a free self-hosted edition, and site-to-site links for offices.
NordVPN Siege bei: a huge ready-made server list, one-tap apps, and faster WireGuard-based speeds.
OpenVPN gewinnt in folgenden Bereichen: zero license cost, full cipher control, and access to private company systems.
ExpressVPN punktet in folgenden Kategorien: OpenVPN pre-configured in its apps, round-the-clock live chat, and wider streaming access.
OpenVPN vs Surfshark
OpenVPN gewinnt in folgenden Bereichen: office remote access, zero trust controls, and no subscription for self-hosters.
Surfshark gewinnt in: unlimited devices, OpenVPN plus WireGuard in one app, and a built-in ad blocker.
OpenVPN vs CyberGhost
OpenVPN gewinnt in folgenden Bereichen: self-hosting, SaaS protection for teams, and editable config files.
CyberGhost gewinnt in: an easy toggle to switch into OpenVPN, streaming-focused servers, and beginner-friendly apps.
Weitere AdGuard VPN-Vorteile im Vergleich
Here’s how AdGuard VPN compares with other VPN providers:
AdGuard VPN punktet in folgenden Bereichen: a free plan, DNS-level ad filtering, and a lower 2-year rate.
NordVPN punktet in folgenden Bereichen: OpenVPN and WireGuard support, more servers, 24/7 help, and better results in China.
AdGuard VPN vs Surfshark
AdGuard VPN punktet in folgenden Bereichen: a free 3 GB tier, integrated mode with its ad blocker, and extras like Temp Mail.
Surfshark gewinnt in: unlimited devices, audited no-logs claims, and faster speeds overall.
AdGuard VPN vs ProtonVPN
AdGuard VPN punktet in folgenden Bereichen: ad blocking as a core feature, a cheaper long plan, and a 10-device limit on paid plans.
ProtonVPN punktet bei: unlimited free data, open source apps with public audits, and Swiss privacy laws.
AdGuard VPN vs. Private Internet Access
AdGuard VPN punktet in folgenden Bereichen: a free plan, a simpler interface, and a Cyprus base outside the 14 Eyes.
PIA gewinnt in folgenden Bereichen: unlimited devices, OpenVPN with a choice of encryption levels, and audited no-logs claims.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
Ist OpenVPN kostenlos?
Yes. The Community Edition and the Connect app cost nothing. Paid business plans start at $7/month for managed features and more connections.
Ist die Nutzung von OpenVPN sicher?
Yes. Its open code gets constant public review. It also supports strong encryption with Perfect Forward Secrecy. Keep your software updated to stay protected.
Was sind die Nachteile von OpenVPN?
It’s slower than WireGuard and tricky to set up by hand. Mobile setup feels clunky, and there’s no built-in ad blocking.
Ist AdGuard VPN kostenlos?
Partly. The free plan gives you 3 GB of data each month at capped speeds. Unlimited paid plans start at $2.40/month on a 2-year term.
Ist die Nutzung von AdGuard VPN sicher?
It’s safe for everyday browsing. It uses AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, and a no-logs policy. But its protocol hasn’t been independently audited yet.
English 
Spanish 
Chinese 
German 
French 
Arabic 
Russian 
Portuguese 
Japanese 
Korean 
Italian 
Turkish 
Dutch 
Polish 
Indonesian 
Thai 
Vietnamese 