Comparison

OpenVPN Connect vs Fair VPN

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 requires a compatible VPN server or service and offers robust encryption and authentication methods for businesses.

Highlights
  • Secure VPN tunneling with OpenVPN protocol
  • AES-256 encryption and TLS 1.3 support
  • MDM-friendly global configuration
  • Device posture checks
  • Seamless split-tunneling and auto-reconnect
  • Kill switch for fail-safe protection
  • IPv6 and DNS leak protection
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

Fair VPN

A free VPN client supporting advanced protocols like v2ray, shadowsocks, and trojan. It allows users to add configurations via link or QR code, test server latency, and browse content from sponsors.

Highlights
  • Supports v2ray, shadowsocks, trojan protocols
  • Add VPN config by link or QR code
  • Test and sort VPN latency
  • Browser with swipe navigation
  • Push notifications for updates
Features
Read full description

Free VPN client that supports v2ray, vmess, vless, xtls, trojan, shadowsocks and shadowsocksR protocols. Browser features: - Read content from our sponsors. - Swipe from left or right edge to go back or forward. - Pull down from the top to refresh. - Get push notifications of latest updates. VPN features: - Add VPN config by link or QR code. - Get Free VPN from third parties. - Test VPN latency, sort by latency and delete failed VPN. - Toggle TLS allowInsecure in the VPN config.

Screenshots

OpenVPN Connect4 screens
Fair VPN2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: OpenVPN Connect at 4.8 against Fair VPN's 4.2. OpenVPN Connect also leads on ratings volume (40K vs 1.4K) and chart position (#126 vs unranked). Fair VPN's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 4 months) and review sentiment (55% vs 45%). 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 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: OpenVPN Connect has 40K ratings behind it against 1.4K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 45% of OpenVPN Connect's written reviews are positive against 55% of Fair VPN'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, Fair VPN monthly. Both last shipped on November 7, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
OpenVPN Connect versus Fair VPN: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOpenVPN ConnectFair VPN
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (40K ratings) — better4.2 (1.4K ratings)
Positive reviews44.9% of reviews54.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings40K — better1.4K
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
Best chart rank#126 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS15.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size33 MB27 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOpenVPN Inc.UltraReach Internet Corp

Customer experience

OpenVPN Connect

All ratings40,015 ratings
Positive95.9%
Neutral1.1%
Negative2.9%
Written reviews1,558 reviews
Positive44.9%
Neutral9.2%
Negative46.0%

Fair VPN

All ratings1,387 ratings
Positive77.9%
Neutral6.1%
Negative15.9%
Written reviews235 reviews
Positive54.9%
Neutral11.9%
Negative33.2%

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

Fair VPN

From 1.4K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fast and efficient
  • 🔒 Secure and private
  • 👍 Simple and user-friendly
  • 💡 Innovative features

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Compatibility issues
  • 🔋 Battery drain
  • ⚠️ Unreliable connections

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

Fair VPN

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Immediate disconnection on M1 Macs
  • Incompatibility with certain apps (e.g., Clubhouse)
  • Subscription links not working

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add subscription link update option
  • Support for more protocols (e.g., SSTP, KCP)
  • Batch management of configurations
  • Customizable settings (e.g., sort by ping, favorite servers)

In-app purchases

None

OpenVPN Connect

No in-app purchases

None

Fair VPN

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is OpenVPN Connect free?
OpenVPN Connect is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Fair VPN free?
Fair VPN is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, OpenVPN Connect or Fair VPN?
OpenVPN Connect is rated higher. OpenVPN Connect averages 4.8 out of 5 from 40K ratings, while Fair VPN averages 4.2 from 1.4K ratings.
Do OpenVPN Connect or Fair VPN have ads?
Neither OpenVPN Connect nor Fair VPN shows ads.
Which is updated more often, OpenVPN Connect or Fair VPN?
OpenVPN Connect ships an update every 4 months, and Fair VPN monthly. Most recently, OpenVPN Connect was updated on November 7, 2026 and Fair VPN on November 7, 2026.

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