Secure all data communications and extend private network services

OpenVPN for Mac

OpenVPN for Mac

  -  2 MB  -  Open Source
OpenVPN for Mac (also known as OpenVPN Connect) is the official client application developed and maintained by OpenVPN Inc., enabling users of all knowledge levels to transfer data over an encrypted secure tunnel via the internet, using the OpenVPN protocol, to a VPN server.

This downloads the source code. Please download OpenVPN Connect if you need a working OpenVPN GUI client.



It is used for secure remote access, enforcing zero trust network access, protecting access to SaaS apps, securing IoT communications, and in many other scenarios.

The core functionality of the service is to provide full access for peers to authenticate each with pre-shared secret keys, certificates, or account login info, providing the necessary data to the OpenSSL encryption library to establish a secure connection without the possibility of 3rd party unauthorized access.

Similarly to other VPN solutions, this open-source VPN platform can be used to dramatically fortify user’s security on the web, enabling them strong wireless hot spot protection, AES encryption of all incoming and outgoing data, user location spoofing, and much more.

Since its first release in 2001, this VPN system has become one of the most popular solutions for building hardened online networks not only on home, education, business, and enterprise computers but also wide variety of mobile hardware and even built-in support in network routing hardware.

Main Features
  • Secure Data Transport – Establish an encrypted secure tunnel for data transport.
  • Integration with Business Solutions – Built-in integrations with a large catalog of business solutions.
  • Cross-Platform Support – Ported to Windows, macOS, Android, and other computing platforms.
  • Built-in into modern Routers – Access hardened network traffic via VPN-aware hardware.
  • Easily deployable on all modern Mac computers – Optimized for use on High Sierra, Mojave, Catalina, Big Sur, Monterey, Ventura, and Sonoma.
Installation and Setup

To get this VPN app up and running on any modern Mac, users simply must download the official DMG installer file, either from the official website or the secure FileHorse servers.

The installation procedure is quite streamlined, requiring users to follow a few simple on-screen instructions and give the app the necessary permissions.

How to Use

First-time users will be welcomed with the built-in “Onboarding Tour” that will introduce them to the wealth of options this advanced networking tool offers.

The users are then able to set up their VPN routing, add their credentials, review, and import a profile via the Access Server Hostname option. Importing the profile can be done by browsing the OVPN file or entering a URL to remote access the file.

After connecting to the active server, the app showcases a wide array of real-time statistics, including a visual chart of upload/download transfer speeds, duration of the connection, and more.

User Interface

The latest version of this app features a new and improved user interface with a white theme and bright orange on-screen elements, making the experience of installing and using the software very easy even for first-time VPN users.

FAQ

What is OpenVPN Connect for macOS?
It is the official client application of OpenVPN Inc., enabling users to effortlessly connect to distant VPN servers, thus dramatically increasing the security of their internet browsing, unlocking geo-blocked content, and avoiding monitoring by ISPs, websites, and various government agencies.

Is it safe?
100% yes! This app is designed to provide secure data transport over the Internet with industry-leading services and a fully transparent open-source development approach.

What are the core benefits of using a VPN?
Unified virtual presence, enhanced privacy, secure file transfers, secure instant messaging and VoIP sessions, travel protection, wireless hot spot protection, and more.

Alternatives

Tunnelblick for Mac – An open-source app that allows Mac users to connect to multiple OpenVPN servers simultaneously.

ProtonVPN for Mac – A popular free VPN client that provides excellent privacy and geo-unblocking services to Mac and Windows users.

IPVanish for Mac – A reliable and easy-to-use VPN application that caters to casual users who want to quickly harden the security of their internet connection.

NordVPN for Mac – A reliable and user-friendly VPN service, providing secure and private internet access for users on the macOS.

Pricing

This app is free to use!

The platform is available to users via two distinct licenses – “OpenVPN Community Edition” unlocks free and open-source access to the core offerings, and “OpenVPN Access Server” provides access to a large selection of advanced tools such as SMB server, Web UI dashboard, and more.

System Requirements

Developers of this app have optimized it for use on all modern versions of macOS - High Sierra, Mojave, Catalina, Big Sur, Monterey, Ventura, and Sonoma.

PROS
  • Easy to use and scalable for both personal and business use.
  • Secure data transport over an encrypted tunnel.
  • Cross-platform support for various operating systems.
  • Free!
CONS
  • None.
Conclusion

OpenVPN for Mac is a reliable and secure client application for establishing VPN connections on Mac computers.

It provides a secure and encrypted tunnel for data transport and is compatible with various use cases and operating systems, making it a perfect security platform for individuals, education organizations, and businesses of all sizes.

Also Available: Download OpenVPN for Windows

Why is this app published on FileHorse? (More info)
  • OpenVPN 2.7.1 Screenshots

    The images below have been resized. Click on them to view the screenshots in full size.

    OpenVPN 2.7.1 Screenshot 1
  • OpenVPN 2.7.1 Screenshot 2
  • OpenVPN 2.7.1 Screenshot 3
  • OpenVPN 2.7.1 Screenshot 4
  • OpenVPN 2.7.1 Screenshot 5

What's new in this version:

Fixed:
- Fix usage of --lport inside a <connection> block - this got broken with the multi-socket patchset
- Do not try to run auto-pam unit test when cross-compiling
- Do not break private-key passphrases of length >= 64
- Fix obscure ASSERT() crash on TCP connects with TAP and no ip config.
- Make DCO work on FreeBSD systems that have no IPv4 support in kernel (FreeBSD PR 286263)
- Make DCO work on Linux on big endian systems (namely, MIPS and PowerPC)

New features:
- Add a new username-only flag argument to --auth-user-pass which will now make OpenVPN only query for username and send a dummy password to the server. This is only useful if auth schemes are used on the server side that will do some sort of external challenge base on username, and not password authentication. See discussion in GH #501 (starting Jan 30, 2024).
- Increase default sizing of internal hash maps to 4 * --max-clients. The default used to be 256 with a --max-clients default of 1024 - this is bad for performance, while the memory savings are minimal. On a very memory constrained system, reduce --max-clients.

Long-term code maintenance:
- Work on OpenSSL 4.0 API support, reducing use of ASN1_STRING members
- Remove obsolete OpenSSL 1.0.x support code from unit tests
- Improve documentation of management client versioning, replace magic numbers in the code with an enum type
- Fixup responses to management interface version command (for >= 4)
- Make --enable-async-push work on FreeBSD 15 (which has native inotify support, and consequently no libinotify.pc anymore)
- Adjust some code parts to new "const" handling on string function returns (ISO C23, as implemented by glibc 2.43 and newer)
- Remove erroneous usage of M_ERR | M_ERRNO throughout the code

User-visible Changes:
- When compiled with the AWS-LC SSL library, using --tls-cert-profile will now print a run-time warning - the library does not support it, so it would silently do nothing
- Systemd unit files: change LimitNPROC to TasksMax and increase limit
- Documentation improvements
- port-share: log incoming connections at verb 3, not on error level anymore