OpenVPN For Android Vs OpenVPN Connect

Openvpn for android is a free application that works on any device running Android 4.x (Ice Cream Sandwich) or later. It uses the Android system’s API and does not require many permissions. It is important to remember that openvpn for android is not an actual VPN service in itself, but rather a client to connect to an VPN server. It requires a server to be “on the other side of the Box cloud service line” to function.

You’ll need to have a NordVPN Account along with the NordVPN App installed on your device, and the configuration files for the server location you’ve selected. Our recommended VPN providers offer online configuration documents that can be downloaded for their diverse locations. Download the config files to your computer or phone, then transfer them to your device via USB/SD-card/Dropbox. Once the file is on your device, install the free OpenVPN Connect application by Arne Schwabe from the Google Play Store.

OpenVPN Connect, the “official” client of OpenVPN Inc., is designed to be easy to use for casual VPN users who do not have the technical skills. It is therefore less fully equipped than the openvpn for android which is designed for more advanced users. Both apps allow you to connect to any VPN service that supports the OpenVPN protocol, but openvpn for android has an easier-to-use interface and is compatible with a wider range of devices. It also facilitates features like dynamic IP addresses and split tunneling, which are not available on the official OpenVPN Connect app.