Networking
Self-host OpenVPN on a VPS
A battle-tested, widely-compatible VPN.
A mature VPN with broad client support and flexible authentication options.
Why self-host OpenVPN?
OpenVPN works with almost everything and supports certificate or user/password auth, useful for legacy and mixed clients.
How to install OpenVPN
- 1
Provision a VPS
Choose a plan with room for your data as well as the app.
- 2
Install the stack
Install Userspace daemon + TLS.
- 3
Deploy the application
Follow the project’s official install guide for your distribution.
- 4
Enable HTTPS
Serve it on your own domain behind a reverse proxy with a certificate.
- 5
Back it up
Schedule a database dump plus a copy of any uploaded files to an off-box location.
Practical tips
- Give OpenVPN its own database user with rights only on its own schema.
- Reverse-proxy OpenVPN and terminate TLS at the proxy so certificates are managed in one place.
- Take a VPS snapshot before major upgrades so you can roll back cleanly.
- Keep OpenVPN patched — most self-hosting incidents are unpatched software.
Frequently asked questions
- How much RAM does OpenVPN need?
- Plan on 1 GB for typical use; add headroom if you expect many concurrent users.
- What stack does OpenVPN run on?
- Userspace daemon + TLS.
- Can I run other things on the same VPS?
- Yes — size the plan so OpenVPN plus your other workloads fit in RAM with room to spare.
Looking for something else? Popular alternatives include WireGuard, Tailscale, SoftEther — browse all app guides.