Advantages and Disadvantages: Self-Hosting OpenVPN or Renting

The decision of whether you want to host or rent a VPN server can not only affect your user experience but also your data and network security. In this guide, you will learn everything you need to know to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of both options. We will examine in detail the various aspects you should consider before making a decision.

Key insights

Hosting your own server gives you complete control, but it can also lead to higher costs and lower reliability. A rented server often provides faster connections and lower maintenance costs, but requires forgoing access to internal networks.

Self-hosted VPN server

Advantages of self-hosting

When you host a VPN server yourself, the biggest advantages become immediately apparent. First of all, you gain full control over the hardware and software. You decide which hardware to purchase and how the software is configured. Because you are responsible for the hardware, you also need to handle any replacements if there is a defect.

The ability to access your internal LAN is a significant advantage when your VPN server is on your own network. This means you can access internal IT infrastructure, whether in an office or at home. Suppose you have a VPN server in your home network – you can then access your Nest cameras or network storage and even browse the internet using your home IP address.

Another plus is that you might be able to use your provider's IP address for specific services. This can be useful if you want to access TV services that are only available on the provider's network.

Disadvantages of self-hosting

However, the disadvantages of a self-hosted VPN server should not be overlooked. Often, the internet connection is slow, especially if you are working from home and relying on a private line. This can lead to limited upload speeds used when browsing through the VPN server.

For example, if you have a download speed of 50 Mbps and only 5 Mbps for uploads, you will be limited to the 5 Mbps. This can be critical for large data transfers.

Another drawback is that many internet providers prohibit private servers in their terms of service, especially when it comes to regular home connections. This means you should check beforehand whether you are allowed to run a server from home.

Also critical is the reliability. Typically, you do not have redundant systems at home that can handle server outages. A server in a data center, on the other hand, is usually well protected against power failures, overheating, and other potential dangers.

The initial costs of setting up your own server can be high, and electricity costs should also not be underestimated. A server can consume between 20 to 80 watts of energy during operation, which can impact your monthly expenses.

Rented VPN server

Advantages of renting

A rented server gives you the freedom to work independently of location. You can rent a server that can be located anywhere in the world and access it from any location. Additionally, rented servers usually have very fast internet connections.

The reliability in data center architectures is another point of trust. With redundancies in hardware, power supply, and network connections, you are significantly better protected in case of failures.

Thanks to the rental of hardware, you don’t need to worry about acquisition costs. You only pay for the service you use, which is usually cheaper than the electricity costs of running your own server.

Disadvantages of renting

The biggest disadvantages of a rented server are that you do not have access to internal LAN. If you establish a connection for your office or home network, you lose direct access to your internal resources.

You also don’t have the option to expand hardware according to your needs. If you need more RAM or storage space, you are reliant on your provider's offerings.

Pricing can vary depending on the provider, but it is often cheaper to rent a small server than to bear the ongoing costs of a self-hosted server.

Summary – OpenVPN: Host or rent a server? Overview of advantages and disadvantages

In weighing the options between a self-hosted VPN server and a rented server, you need to carefully consider both options. Self-hosting offers control and access to internal resources, while rented servers are more future-proof and easier to manage.