Self-host OpenVPN on a VPS

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. 1

   Provision a VPS

   Choose a plan with room for your data as well as the app.

2. 2

   Install the stack

   Install Userspace daemon + TLS.

3. 3

   Deploy the application

   Follow the project’s official install guide for your distribution.

4. 4

   Enable HTTPS

   Serve it on your own domain behind a reverse proxy with a certificate.

5. 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.