---
title: How to Choose the Right Amazon AMI Image for Access Server on AWS Marketplace
canonical: https://openvpn.net/as-docs/faq-which-amazon-ami-image/
product: Access Server Docs
description: How to determine which Amazon AMI image to choose for Access Server. | OpenVPN
---

# How to Choose the Right Amazon AMI Image for Access Server on AWS Marketplace

**Question:** Which Amazon AMI option should I pick for my Access Server?

**Answer:**

You can find several listings when you search for "OpenVPN" on the [AWS Marketplace](https://aws.amazon.com/marketplace):

- [OpenVPN Access Server](https://aws.amazon.com/marketplace/pp/prodview-y3m73u6jd5srk?sr=0-1&ref_=beagle&applicationId=AWSMPContessa)
- [OpenVPN Access Server (10 Connected Devices)](https://aws.amazon.com/marketplace/pp/prodview-oci66vvwyhu3i?sr=0-2&ref_=beagle&applicationId=AWSMPContessa)
- [OpenVPN Access Server (25 Connected Devices)](https://aws.amazon.com/marketplace/pp/prodview-2pbtlbvdt43ki?sr=0-3&ref_=beagle&applicationId=AWSMPContessa)
- [OpenVPN Access Server (50 Connected Devices)](https://aws.amazon.com/marketplace/pp/prodview-jb4kagbyuk47s?sr=0-4&ref_=beagle&applicationId=AWSMPContessa)
- [OpenVPN Access Server (100 Connected Devices)](https://aws.amazon.com/marketplace/pp/prodview-q2nbay5voekjw?sr=0-5&ref_=beagle&applicationId=AWSMPContessa)
- [OpenVPN Access Server (5 Connected Devices)](https://aws.amazon.com/marketplace/pp/prodview-fiozs66safl5a?sr=0-6&ref_=beagle&applicationId=AWSMPContessa)
- [OpenVPN Access Server (250 Connected Devices)](https://aws.amazon.com/marketplace/pp/prodview-4ly4bnobtf5ti?sr=0-7&ref_=beagle&applicationId=AWSMPContessa)
- [OpenVPN Access Server (500 Connected Devices)](https://aws.amazon.com/marketplace/pp/prodview-dm5irp7ktf3qi?sr=0-8&ref_=beagle&applicationId=AWSMPContessa)

**Question:** What are the differences between BYOL (subscription license) and tiered (AWS license) options?

**Answer:**

We offer two types of AMI images on the AWS Marketplace:

1. **BYOL (Bring Your Own License):**
   - Manage your license directly through OpenVPN.
   - **How it works:** After launching the AMI in AWS, you activate the VPN server with a subscription purchased on the [Access Server Portal](https://as-portal.openvpn.com/).
   - **Benefits:**
     - Start with two free connections to test your setup.
     - Scale as needed by purchasing and managing the number of connected devices on the Access Server Portal.
     - Choose between monthly and annual subscription plans for more control over costs.
     - AWS charges apply only to the instance size, with no built-in device limits.
2. **AWS License:**
   - Manage your billing all through AWS.
   - **How it works:** Select the image with the set number of VPN connections you need (e.g., 5, 10, 25, etc.).
   - **Benefits:**
     - Consolidate all costs in your AWS bill as the AWS license includes the specified number of connections.
     - Launch and manage the instance without needing to buy separate subscriptions.
     - Stop instance billing by stopping the server in AWS.

**Question:** Which option is right for me?

**Answer:**

- **Choose a subscription license** if you:
  - Want more flexibility in scaling your VPN connections up or down.
  - Prefer paying for connections through the Access Server Portal (monthly or annually).
  - Are comfortable managing the subscription separately from AWS charges.
- **Choose an AWS license** if you:
  - Want to consolidate all your costs (instance usage and VPN connections) into a single AWS bill.
  - Don’t need frequent changes to the number of connected devices.
  - Prefer the simplicity of one-stop billing through AWS.

**Question:** Can I change the number of connections with the AWS license option?

**Answer:**

No, with an AWS license, if you need to increase or decrease the number of VPN connections, you must launch a new instance with a different tiered (e.g., upgrading from 10 to 25 connections). You will need to [migrate your configuration](https://openvpn.net/as-docs/tutorials/tutorial--recover-with-backup-files.md) to the new instance.

**Question:** What happens when I stop an instance?

**Answer:**

- **Subscription license:** When you stop an instance, AWS billing pauses for that instance, but your OpenVPN subscription remains active.
- **AWS license:** Both the instance billing and the connected device licensing charges through AWS stop when you stop the instance.

---

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Next: [AWS FAQs](https://openvpn.net/as-docs/faq-aws.md)
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