For use on a VPS with an external IP, I've had success with this https://github.com/Nyr/openvpn-install

For use to connect to home network drives, I've used ZeroTier https://www.zerotier.com/. I've never had an external IP for home internet, so I always ran in headaches trying to do a home VPN to channel my internet traffic while I'm out and about (and that's why I use a VPN on a VPS for that).

Seconding this recommendation - I've used Nyr's script to deploy OpenVPN a couple of times and it's worked well.

I can also recommend OpenVPN's virtual appliances: https://openvpn.net/virtual-appliances/ They work out-of-the-box and come with a web UI for configuration, if that's your thing.

That said, I've moved on to Wireguard lately and will be unlikely to use OpenVPN for personal VPN networks in the future.

>Ive attempted to setup openVPN a few times and ended up giving up.

Give wireguard a try. Had the same experience with OpenVPN, yet got wireguard to work pretty much immediately.

I've been just using this docker image - https://github.com/kylemanna/docker-openvpn#quick-start

It works really good and is super easy to set up, this was also my first time setting up home VPN, so I didn't have any previous experience, and I still got it working easily.

Give DSVPN a try https://github.com/jedisct1/dsvpn

I run a firewall at home with OPNSense. It has OpenVPN server built in, easily configured from the web interface.

Then you simply copy the .ovpn file from your server (the firewall) to your clients (phones, laptops), and open the file with an OpenVPN client on each device. It contains all info needed for them to connect to your new server.

I used raspberry pi and this:

http://www.pivpn.io/

Works very well for me.

I literally set one of these up last night with a Pi 4 and the longest step was dd’ing Raspbian Buster Lite to the SD card. Only real gotcha in setup is remember to set up SSH before booting if you’re going headless. Everything else is super easy.

I used this guide and finally got it working

https://github.com/rajannpatel/Pi-Hole-PiVPN-on-Google-Compu...

I found an openvpn docker image that simplifies it down to a few commands. That’s what I use at home. Took 5 minutes and my phone can access all my internal services on the road.

That being said I pay the $40 a year for PIA since I torrent all my movies and tv shows. I use that VPN 99% of the time.

Openvpn.net[1] provides executable for many platforms. Free license is good for 2 consecutive users. 2-minute setup process.

[1] https://openvpn.net/download-open-vpn/

I haven't used it myself but Steve Gibson's guide is suppose to be good

https://www.grc.com/vpn/vpn.htm

This one worked well for me: https://github.com/Angristan/OpenVPN-install .

if you are running esxi or hyperv you can get an OpenVPN Access Server appliance, its pretty easy to setup and I'm sure you can find a youtube vidya or two to walk you through setting it up. It comes stock with a webui to admin it. 2 simultaneous connections with the free license.