Comparison

OpenVPN Connect vs WireGuard

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

OpenVPN Connect

This official client app provides secure remote access to internal networks and cloud resources using a zero-trust VPN protocol. It ensures continuous verification for every access request, regardless of location. It requires a compatible OpenVPN business solution to function.

Highlights
  • Secure VPN tunneling
  • AES-256 encryption & TLS 1.3
  • MDM-friendly configuration
  • Device posture checks
  • Seamless split-tunneling
  • Kill switch protection
  • MFA authentication support
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

OpenVPN Connect is the official OpenVPN client app developed by OpenVPN Inc., the creators of the OpenVPN® protocol. Designed for use with OpenVPN’s zero-trust business VPN solutions, this app enables secure remote access to internal networks, cloud resources, and private applications. A zero-trust VPN is a virtual private network that requires continuous identity and device verification for every access request, adhering to the principle of 'never trust, always verify,' regardless of the user's location. IMPORTANT NOTE: This app does NOT include a built-in VPN service. It establishes an OpenVPN tunnel to a VPN server or service that is compatible with the OpenVPN protocol. It is meant for use with OpenVPN’s business Zero-trust VPN solutions: • Access Server (self-hosted) • CloudConnexa® (cloud-delivered) KEY FEATURES • Fast, secure VPN tunneling with OpenVPN protocol • Strong AES-256 encryption and TLS 1.3 support • MDM-friendly with a global configuration file • Device posture checks** • Import of connection profile with URL** • Captive Wi-Fi portal detection • Web authentication for SAML SSO support • HTTP proxy configuration • Seamless split-tunneling and auto-reconnect • Works over Wi-Fi, LTE/4G, 5G, and all mobile networks • Easy setup & import of .ovpn profiles • Kill switch for fail-safe protection • IPv6 and DNS leak protection • Support for certificate, username/password, external certificate, and MFA authentication ** Works with Access Server and CloudConnexa HOW TO USE OPENVPN CONNECT: Easily get connected by simply entering your organization’s URL and login — no complex setup required. BEST PAIRED WITH OPENVPN BUSINESS SOLUTIONS: • Access Server – Self-hosted zero-trust VPN software server with web-based administration, access control, clustering for horizontal scaling, flexible authentication methods, and zero-trust controls. • CloudConnexa® – Cloud-delivered Zero-Trust business VPN service offered from 30+ worldwide locations with ZTNA, application domain name routing, IPsec support for connecting networks, and advanced identity, device posture, and location context continuous checks. Trusted by Global Businesses: Over 20,000 organizations, including Salesforce, Target, Boeing, and others, rely on OpenVPN’s Zero-Trust VPN solutions.

About

WireGuard

This application facilitates the management and utilization of secure VPN tunnels. It supports importing configurations from various sources, including archives, files, and QR codes, or allows for manual creation. The app is under active development with user feedback driving new feature implementation.

Highlights
  • Manage VPN tunnels
  • Import tunnels from archives
  • Import tunnels from files
  • Import tunnels from QR codes
  • Create tunnels from scratch
  • Secure VPN protocol
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

WireGuard is a fast, modern, and secure VPN tunnel. This app allows users to manage and use WireGuard tunnels. The app can import new tunnels from archives and files, from QR codes, or you can create one from scratch. It is currently undergoing rapid development, and we are listening to our users in implementing new and exciting features. Please visit wireguard.com for a summary of the WireGuard protocol and how to set up your own WireGuard server for use with this app.

Screenshots

OpenVPN Connect4 screens
WireGuard4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: OpenVPN Connect at 4.8 against WireGuard's 4.3. OpenVPN Connect also leads on ratings volume (40K vs 1K). WireGuard's advantage is review sentiment (67% vs 45%) and update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 4 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

OpenVPN Connect holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: OpenVPN Connect has 40K ratings behind it against 1K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 45% of OpenVPN Connect's written reviews are positive against 67% of WireGuard's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

OpenVPN Connect ships an update every 4 months, WireGuard every 5 weeks. Both last shipped on September 25, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
OpenVPN Connect versus WireGuard: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOpenVPN ConnectWireGuard
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (40K ratings) — better4.3 (1K ratings)
Positive reviews44.9% of reviews67.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings40K — better1K
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 5 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
Best chart rank#128 — better#144
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size31 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOpenVPN Inc.WireGuard Development Team

Customer experience

OpenVPN Connect

All ratings40,383 ratings
Positive96.0%
Neutral1.1%
Negative2.9%
Written reviews1,554 reviews
Positive44.9%
Neutral9.1%
Negative45.9%

WireGuard

All ratings1,011 ratings
Positive81.2%
Neutral5.0%
Negative13.7%
Written reviews497 reviews
Positive67.0%
Neutral9.5%
Negative23.5%

User reviews

OpenVPN Connect

From 40K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fast and reliable VPN connection
  • 🔒 Secure and trustworthy VPN client
  • 👍 Easy to set up and use
  • 🌟 Excellent customer support

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional connection issues and disconnects
  • 🔋 Drains battery life
  • 📱 Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions
  • 🤔 Confusing setup process for some users

WireGuard

From 1K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fast and efficient
  • 🔒 Secure and reliable
  • 👍 Easy to set up and use
  • 🚀 Extremely fast connections
  • 🚀 Lightweight and optimized

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional connection issues
  • 🔋 Battery drain concerns
  • 🐛 Compatibility problems with iOS updates
  • 🐛 Unreliable on-demand functionality
  • 🐛 Difficulty troubleshooting connection problems

Bugs and requests

OpenVPN Connect

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Black screen issue after app update
  • Profiles not working after app update
  • Inability to connect to home network after update
  • Slow performance and intermittent connectivity

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add support for Elliptic Curve Crypto
  • Improve profile management and editing
  • Integrate with iOS Files app for easier configuration
  • Implement automatic reconnect and kill switch features

WireGuard

Reported bugs

6 issues
  • Tunnel configurations deleted after updates
  • Inability to resolve hostnames over certain networks
  • Connections dropping unexpectedly
  • Handshake failures on network changes
  • Incorrect IP address display
Show 1 more
  • Inability to import configurations

Requested features

6 requests
  • Add support for Apple Shortcuts
  • Implement a kill switch feature
  • Add split-tunneling capabilities
  • Provide more detailed connection logs
  • Enable clearing of old logs
Show 1 more
  • Release an Apple TV version

In-app purchases

None

OpenVPN Connect

No in-app purchases

None

WireGuard

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is OpenVPN Connect free?
OpenVPN Connect is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is WireGuard free?
WireGuard is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, OpenVPN Connect or WireGuard?
OpenVPN Connect is rated higher. OpenVPN Connect averages 4.8 out of 5 from 40K ratings, while WireGuard averages 4.3 from 1K ratings.
Do OpenVPN Connect or WireGuard have ads?
Neither OpenVPN Connect nor WireGuard shows ads.
Which is updated more often, OpenVPN Connect or WireGuard?
OpenVPN Connect ships an update every 4 months, and WireGuard every 5 weeks. Most recently, OpenVPN Connect was updated on September 25, 2026 and WireGuard on September 25, 2026.
Which is more popular, OpenVPN Connect or WireGuard?
OpenVPN Connect currently peaks at #128 in the App Store charts, and WireGuard at #144. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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