What Is OpenVPN? The Classic Open-Source VPN Protocol
Detectable by ISPAvailable on SHP
OpenVPN is a classic open-source VPN protocol built on TLS encryption. Learn how it works, TCP vs UDP, pros and cons, and how to set it up on SHP.
Official websiteopenvpn.net/
Community & docsforums.openvpn.net/
DeveloperJames Yonan and Francis Dinha, OpenVPN Inc.
First releasedStarted in 2001; first open-source release in 2002
Current statusActively maintained
LicenseOpen source, GPLv2
Independent auditRepeatedly audited — most recently by SRLabs in 2026
Why it was createdBuilt to give open access to a VPN protocol on TLS — the same technology that secures HTTPS — without tying it to one hardware vendor.
How it worksA TLS handshake sets up a secure session between your device and the server. A virtual network adapter then captures your traffic, encrypts it with AES-256-GCM or ChaCha20-Poly1305, and sends it through that session; the server decrypts it and forwards it to the web.
Censorship resistanceWeak — not designed to bypass network restrictions; obfuscation add-ons exist
Setup time~7 min
SpeedModerate
Works on your devices
Desktop, mobile, TV boxes and routers — where this protocol runs natively vs. needs a workaround.
Desktop & Mobile
WindowsSupported
macOSSupported
iOSSupported
AndroidSupported
LinuxSupported
TV & Streaming
Apple TVSupported — 3rd-party app
Android TVSupported
Fire TV StickSupported — Sideload APK
Routers
TP-LinkSupported
ASUSSupported
D-LinkModel-dependent
MikroTikSupported
GL.iNetSupported
KeeneticSupported
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WireGuard® is a registered trademark of Jason A. Donenfeld. OpenVPN® is a registered trademark of OpenVPN, Inc. All other product names, operating-system and device-brand logos, and trademarks shown above are the property of their respective owners; their use here is for identification only and does not imply any affiliation or endorsement.