Isn't OpenVPN Free Open Source?
The OpenVPN software is free under its open-source license; Access Server, as a commercial product, requires a paid license due to its additional features, support, and services.
Question: Isn't OpenVPN open source and thus free?
Answer:
OpenVPN has an open-source component that is freely available under its software license agreement. However, the commercial product, Access Server, offered by OpenVPN Inc., isn't free. Here are the key differences:
Open-source OpenVPN:
Availability: The core OpenVPN program is open source and can be used for free as long as users comply with the terms of its license agreement.
Features: It provides the basic functionality needed to set up a VPN.
Access Server (Commercial Product):
Enhanced Features: While Access Server utilizes the OpenVPN open-source program at its core, it includes many additional features and enhancements that aren't available in the free version.
Support and Services: Access Server comes with professional support and services, part of the paid offerings.
In summary, while the essential OpenVPN software is free under its open-source license, Access Server, as a commercial product, requires a paid license due to its additional features, support, and services.