OpenVPN Access Server is a commercial vpn tool by OpenVPN. Pulse Secure (Ivanti) is a commercial vpn tool by Pulse Secure. Compare features, ratings, integrations, and community reviews side by side to find the best vpn fit for your security stack.
CST VerdictBased on our analysis of NIST CSF 2.0 coverage, core features, integrations, company size fit, here is our conclusion:
Mid-market and enterprise teams replacing legacy VPN appliances will get the most from OpenVPN Access Server because it enforces zero-trust verification at the kernel level without requiring network redesign. The platform's support for RADIUS, LDAP, and SAML integration cuts implementation time in hybrid environments, and SOC 2 Type 2 plus HIPAA compliance satisfy audit requirements without additional tooling. Skip this if you need built-in threat detection or endpoint compliance scanning; OpenVPN Access Server handles access control and authentication cleanly but assumes you're managing detection and response elsewhere.
Mid-market and enterprise security teams needing to enforce zero trust access across hybrid infrastructure will get the most from Pulse Secure Connect Secure VPN paired with its Network Access Control layer; the combination gives you identity-driven access decisions before traffic hits your network, which is where most breach containment actually happens. The platform covers all six NIST CSF 2.0 Protect and Identify functions, reflecting genuine breadth across authentication, asset visibility, and continuous monitoring. Skip this if your priority is endpoint detection and response or if you're building around a single cloud provider's native security services; Pulse Secure assumes you're managing heterogeneous on-premises and cloud infrastructure with users who need frictionless access but can't be trusted implicitly.
Self-hosted business VPN with zero-trust controls and flexible auth.
Enterprise secure access platform offering VPN, NAC, and zero trust solutions.
Access NIST CSF 2.0 data from thousands of security products via MCP to assess your stack coverage.
Access via MCPNo reviews yet
No reviews yet
Explore more tools in this category or create a security stack with your selections.
Common questions about comparing OpenVPN Access Server vs Pulse Secure (Ivanti) for your vpn needs.
OpenVPN Access Server: Self-hosted business VPN with zero-trust controls and flexible auth. built by OpenVPN. headquartered in United States. Core capabilities include Zero-trust access controls with identity, device, and location verification, Flexible authentication: PAM, RADIUS, LDAP, SAML, local, and custom methods, MFA support via TOTP..
Pulse Secure (Ivanti): Enterprise secure access platform offering VPN, NAC, and zero trust solutions. built by Pulse Secure. headquartered in United States. Core capabilities include Secure Access VPN (Connect Secure VPN), Zero Trust Network Access, Network Access Control (NAC)..
Both serve the VPN market but differ in approach, feature depth, and target audience.
Get strategic cybersecurity insights in your inbox
