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Operating Systems · head to head

Linux Mint vs OpenVPN

Linux Mint logo

Linux Mint

Operating Systems

Ubuntu-based Linux distribution built for familiarity

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
OpenVPN logo

OpenVPN

Networking

Open source VPN protocol with a commercial Access Server product priced per simultaneous connection

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Linux Mint based on Ubuntu LTS, so packages are deliberately older than rolling distributions; OpenVPN open source OpenVPN, while free, requires real technical skill to configure, secure and maintain without the Access Server admin layer
  • They diverge on capability: Linux Mint covers Cinnamon desktop, OpenVPN covers Open source core.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Linux Mint and OpenVPN actually diverge.

Attributes where Linux Mint and OpenVPN differ
AttributeLinux MintOpenVPN
Pricing modelOpen source, no licence feeOpen source core is free; Access Server billed per simultaneous connection
PlatformsLinux, DesktopLinux, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
CategoryOperating SystemsNetworking

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Linux Mint

  • Cinnamon desktop
  • Codecs included
  • Ubuntu package base
  • Update manager

Only in OpenVPN

  • Open source core
  • Access Server admin UI
  • Per-connection licensing
  • Free tier
  • Cross-platform clients

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Linux Mint

  • Moving a desktop or laptop off Windows with minimal retrainingnot OpenVPN
  • Reviving older hardware that struggles with current Windows releasesnot OpenVPN
  • Everyday desktop use where stability matters more than the newest packagesnot OpenVPN

OpenVPN

  • A technical team wanting a fully free, self-configured VPN server using the open source protocol without any vendor relationshipnot Linux Mint
  • A small business wanting a supported, easier-to-administer VPN server, willing to pay per concurrent connection rather than per employeenot Linux Mint
  • An organisation with more staff than typical concurrent VPN usage, since Access Server bills only active simultaneous connections, not total accountsnot Linux Mint
  • An IoT or large-scale deployment needing custom Enterprise pricing above 2,000 connectionsnot Linux Mint

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Linux Mint

  • Based on Ubuntu LTS, so packages are deliberately older than rolling distributions
  • Cinnamon is less polished on fractional scaling and multi-monitor setups than GNOME or KDE
  • Smaller team than Ubuntu or Fedora, which shows in the pace of security response for its own components
  • Wayland support has lagged behind the major desktops

OpenVPN

  • Open source OpenVPN, while free, requires real technical skill to configure, secure and maintain without the Access Server admin layer
  • Per-connection billing on Access Server means usage spikes, such as an all-hands remote day, can push simultaneous connections over a licensed limit and block new connections until usage drops or the plan is upgraded
  • OpenVPN's traditional hub-and-spoke architecture routes traffic through a central server, unlike mesh VPN tools like Tailscale or NetBird that establish direct peer-to-peer connections where possible, which can add latency
  • Client configuration and certificate management for the open source version is more manual and error-prone than newer VPN tools with zero-config onboarding
  • Access Server pricing above the Growth tier reverts to custom Enterprise quoting, so very large deployments lose the pricing transparency of the lower tiers
  • The protocol's throughput is generally lower than newer kernel-integrated protocols like WireGuard under equivalent conditions, which matters for high-bandwidth use cases

Pricing, plan by plan

Linux Mint

Free
  • Linux MintFree
    • Full operating system
    • All updates
    • Community support

OpenVPN

Free
  • Access Server FreeFree
    • Up to 2 simultaneous connections
    • All features included
  • Access Server Growth$7/month
    • Per simultaneous connection beyond the free tier
    • Annual billing
  • Access Server Enterprise/IoT$undefined/month
    • Custom pricing for 2,000+ connections

Which should you pick?

Choose Linux Mint if

  • You need cinnamon desktop.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Desktop.
  • You also want codecs included.
Linux Mint review

Choose OpenVPN if

  • You need open source core.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
  • You also want access server admin ui.
OpenVPN review

Questions people ask

Is Linux Mint or OpenVPN better?
Neither clearly leads. Linux Mint starts at Free and OpenVPN at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Linux Mint or OpenVPN?
Linux Mint starts at Free and OpenVPN at Free.
Does Linux Mint or OpenVPN run on more platforms?
Linux Mint runs on Linux, Desktop. OpenVPN runs on Linux, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
Can I use Linux Mint for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Linux Mint best used for?
Linux Mint is most often used for moving a desktop or laptop off windows with minimal retraining, reviving older hardware that struggles with current windows releases, everyday desktop use where stability matters more than the newest packages. Of those, moving a desktop or laptop off windows with minimal retraining and reviving older hardware that struggles with current windows releases are not what OpenVPN is typically brought in for.
What can Linux Mint do that OpenVPN cannot?
Linux Mint covers Cinnamon desktop, Codecs included, Ubuntu package base, Update manager. OpenVPN covers Open source core, Access Server admin UI, Per-connection licensing, Free tier.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Linux Mint: Is Linux Mint free?

Yes, entirely free and open source, funded by donations and sponsors.

OpenVPN: Is OpenVPN free?

The open source protocol and software are free under the GPL; Access Server, the commercial packaged product, charges per simultaneous connection beyond a free 2-connection tier.

Linux Mint: Is Linux Mint good for beginners?

It is one of the most commonly recommended distributions for people leaving Windows, because the desktop layout is conventional and media codecs are installed by default.

OpenVPN: What counts as a connection for billing purposes?

A simultaneously active connected device, not a registered user account or total device count; unlimited accounts and devices can be created but only the licensed number can be connected at once.

Linux Mint: Can I run Ubuntu software on Linux Mint?

Yes. Mint is built on Ubuntu and uses its repositories, so nearly all Ubuntu packages and instructions apply.

OpenVPN: How does OpenVPN compare with WireGuard-based tools like Tailscale?

OpenVPN uses a traditional hub-and-spoke VPN architecture rather than the mesh, peer-to-peer approach used by newer tools like Tailscale or NetBird.

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