Comparing VPN Protocols — Which VPN Protocol to Use?
Choosing between VPN protocols can be challenging, as they’re often explained with hard to understand technical terms. Most of them work well on modern devices — using a specific protocol will give you the best performance for certain online activities.
To save you the trouble, I tested all the common VPN protocols to see what works best in different situations. I also answered all the popular questions about VPN protocols to help you make the best choice if you’re not sure which to use.
Among all the VPN protocols I tested, ExpressVPN came out on top with its proprietary Lightway Protocol. The Lightway protocol is not only very secure but also fast and offers post-quantum protection to shield you against future attacks. Plus, it works on all platforms and minimizes connection drops. You can try ExpressVPN confidently as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. Editors’ Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
Try ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol
Quick Guide: The Top 7 Common VPN Protocols
- WireGuard — lightweight codebase with fast connections, but it only supports UDP tunneling.
- OpenVPN — the most secure VPN protocol, but slower than most others.
- IKEv2 — ideal for switching networks on mobile devices but only works with UDP ports 500 and 4500.
- SSTP — effectively bypasses firewalls, but its proprietary ownership by Microsoft raises privacy concerns.
- L2TP/IPSec — offers double encapsulation, but it can slow down speeds.
- PPTP — provides fast connections, but it doesn’t support stronger encryption ciphers like AES-256
- SoftEther — good for bypassing firewalls, but it’s not supported by most operating systems.
What Is a VPN Protocol?
A VPN protocol is a set of rules and standards used to establish a secure and encrypted connection between your device, the VPN server, and the web. VPN protocols dictate how data from your device is transmitted online without compromising your privacy and security.
When you browse without a VPN, your traffic goes directly from your computer to the internet by adhering to the Internet Protocol (IP), which is a set of rules your device knows. When you use a VPN, it encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a secure tunnel using a different set of protocols. Your device isn’t familiar with this, so it needs the VPN’s help.
However, VPN protocols provide more than direction. They also determine the speed and security of the pathway, including the ports used and the reliability of your connection. Generally, popular VPN protocols like OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard balance speed and security differently which have varying effects on your online activities.
Common VPN protocols
1. WireGuard
| Pros | Cons |
| Very fast | Not supported by some VPN providers |
| Secure with strong encryption | Not as secure as stable VPN protocols |
| Lightweight with a small code base | Only works with UDP |
| Works on all major operating systems | |
| Open-source | |
| Limited data consumption | |
| Extensively tested and audited | |
| Easy to set up on all systems | |
| Supports perfect forward secrecy |
WireGuard was initially released for the Linux kernel but it’s deployed cross-platform now. It’s newer than OpenVPN and unique because of its lightweight codebase of just about 4,000 lines. WireGuard’s lean codebase makes security audits easier and reduces the likelihood of potential vulnerabilities, as they are easier to detect and fix.
WireGuard also supports Perfect Forward Secrecy, which is a system that changes the encryption keys with every session. The constant change makes session keys useless to hackers trying to steal your data.
This is one reason why WireGuard is the default protocol used by some top VPN providers. Although it supports the ChaCha20 cipher for encryption, WireGuard alone isn’t the best for privacy. So, it’s recommended to use WireGuard with other security features of reputable VPNs.
| WireGuard | |
| Security | WireGuard features robust encryption including support for the ChaCha20 cipher. It’s ideal for real-time communication and streaming with its continuous stream encryption method. This is also beneficial for mobile devices due to its battery-saving properties.
However, WireGuard has limitations in privacy, as it doesn’t dynamically assign IP addresses to users. This requires the storage of local static IPs on the server, potentially exposing user identities. However, strong privacy-focused VPNs can mitigate this. |
| Speed | WiresGuard is very fast (about 3X faster than the popular OpenVPN) because of its lightweight codebase, faster connections and handshakes, and minimal data consumption. It’s actually the basis for NordVPN’s NordLynx protocol.
However, WireGuard only supports tunneling over UDP, which is faster than TCP. But it could be a problem if your network administrator blocks UDP traffic. So, consider using a reliable VPN that can transform WireGuard’s UDP packets into TCP. |
| Ease of Use | WireGuard is easy to install and configure, especially on Linux systems where it just takes a few command lines. For Windows and macOS, there are downloadable clients. Many VPN providers have made it easy to select the WireGuard protocol with one click. |
| Best for | WireGuard is best if speed is a priority. It’s ideal for streaming, gaming, torrenting, and other high-bandwidth activities. Because of its speed improvements over other VPN protocols like OpenVPN and IKEv2, WireGuard is being incorporated into more VPN apps. |
2. OpenVPN
| Pros | Cons |
| Supports almost all VPN services | Not very fast |
| Secure with strong encryption | Heavy codebase |
| Extensively tested and audited over a long period of time | High bandwidth consumption |
| Works on all major operating systems | |
| Open-source | |
| Limited data consumption | |
| Supports perfect forward secrecy | |
| Easy to set up on all systems |
OpenVPN is a well-known protocol offered by many top VPN providers. It supports leading encryption ciphers like AES and Blowfish, is open-source, and has broad device compatibility. Plus, it has been extensively tested and independently audited.
Often regarded as the most secure protocol, OpenVPN is considered the gold standard in VPN protocols. However, it isn’t the fastest VPN protocol though you can strike a balance between speed and security with its UDP and TCP tunneling options.
| OpenVPN | |
| Security | OpenVPN is the most secure VPN protocol with support for encryption ciphers like AES and Blowfish. It’s open-sourced and adaptable to various ports, enabling it to disguise VPN traffic as regular traffic. |
| Speed | OpenVPN provides two primary connection protocols — TCP and UDP — each with unique strengths. TCP prioritizes reliability and data delivery, suitable for web browsing and email, with strong capabilities to bypass firewalls.
OpenVPN-UDP prioritizes speed over reliability, making it ideal for activities like streaming, video conferences, VoIP, and DNS, although it sacrifices some data delivery efficiency. |
| Ease of Use | Because of OpenVPN’s extensive codebase, manual installation isn’t really easy. However, VPN providers have user-friendly apps that activate OpenVPN at the click of a button. They also provide simplified manual installation guides. |
| Best for | OpenVPN is the default protocol in many VPN apps, as it’s suitable for a wide range of activities. It’s ideal when privacy and security are top priorities and also very effective at bypassing firewalls, especially when set to port 443. |
3. IKEv2
| Pros | Cons |
| Handles network changes effectively | Allegedly compromised by the NSA |
| Compatible with a range of ciphers, including AES-256 | Not ideal for bypassing firewalls |
| Supports all major operating systems | Closed-source (except for Linux) |
| Particularly useful for mobile devices on 3G or 4G LTE | Only works on UDP ports 500 and 4500 |
| Provides stable connection | |
| Easy to set up on all systems | |
| Supports perfect forward secrecy |
IKEv2 (Internet Key Exchange version 2) was jointly developed by Microsoft and Cisco and it’s useful for mobile users who frequently switch between cellular data and WiFi networks. IKEv2 uses the MOBIKE protocol to ensure smooth network transitions.
However, IKEv2 alone is often not considered a VPN protocol, which is why it’s typically combined with IPSec. IPSec is a suite of security protocols featuring AES, Camellia, or ChaCha20. After IKEv2 creates a secure connection between your device and the VPN, IPSec encrypts your data before it passes the VPN tunnel.
| IKEv2 | |
| Security | IKEv2 has good security features and supports high-end ciphers like AES, Camellia, 3DES, and ChaCha20. The IPSec encryption makes IKEv2 secure. The only security concern is that it may have been hacked by the NSA (but remains unproven). |
| Speed | IKEv2 has decent speeds, which is comparable to PPTP but faster than other protocols like OpenVPN. Its UDP port 500 contributes to low latency, so the connection is typically swift. The MOBIKE protocol further ensures stable speeds during network changes. |
| Ease of Use | Generally, IKEv2 is user-friendly and supported by major operating systems, including mobile devices. The setup process is simple, making it accessible to a broad user base. However, it’s not easy to configure an IKEv2 server manually. |
| Best for | IKEv2 is particularly suitable for mobile users who prioritize stable connection while transitioning between WiFi and cellular networks. It supports perfect forward secrecy, so it’s an ideal choice if you’re frequently on the move. However, it is susceptible to firewall blocking. |
4. SSTP
| Pros | Cons |
| Offers high-level security | May have been hacked by the NSA |
| Uses strong AES-256 encryption | May be susceptible to Man-in-the-Middle attacks |
| Good at bypassing firewalls | Closed-source |
| Easy to set up on Windows | Not easy to set up on non-Windows devices |
Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol (SSTP) is effective in bypassing firewalls. It uses SSL/TLS and TCP port 443 by default and works very well with Windows devices. SSTP also employs AES-256 encryption to ensure secure transmission of your data. My concern is that SSTP is closed-source and owned by Microsoft. So, it’s not certain if it is truly transparent.
| SSTP | |
| Security | SSTP uses AES-256 encryption for data security during transmission. However, being a closed-source protocol owned by Microsoft raises concerns about transparency and potential vulnerabilities, as details of its implementation are unclear. |
| Speed | SSTP is about as fast as OpenVPN. However, it demands significant resources, including high bandwidth and a robust CPU. So, you may experience occasional lag and speed drops, depending on your VPN configurations. |
| Ease of Use | It’s integrated with Windows devices. It doesn’t run on macOS and is difficult to set up on Linux. For non-Windows systems, consider using OpenVPN or WireGuard. |
| Best for | SSTP is great if you need a native protocol on your Windows to effectively get around firewalls. But if you need privacy and an open-sourced solution, opt for more transparent protocols like OpenVPN or WireGuard. |
5. L2TP/IPSec
| Pros | Cons |
| Native to Windows and macOS | Possibly compromised by the NSA |
| Easy to set up on other systems | Susceptible to Man-in-the-Middle attacks |
| Decent speed | Closed-source |
| Works with a range of ciphers, including AES-256 | Easily detected and blocked by firewalls |
| Natively supported by most VPNs | Slower than other VPN protocols |
L2TP/IPSec (Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol combined with Internet Protocol Security) is a versatile VPN protocol developed by Microsoft and Cisco in 1999. By itself, L2TP doesn’t offer any encryption. But when combined with IPSec, L2TP offers the AES-256 cipher, which is safe.
However, since the NSA helped develop IPsec, there are concerns that L2TP/IPSec may have been compromised by the intelligence agency.
| L2TP/IPSec | |
| Security | L2TP offers double encapsulation, wrapping data in two layers of protection. It establishes the tunnel, while IPSec handles encryption with strong algorithms like AES-256. However, this protocol isn’t popularly used due to possible surveillance by the NSA. |
| Speed | Without IPSec, L2TP can be fast due to its lack of encryption. However, when coupled with IPSec for enhanced security, the speed may be decent but not as fast as some other VPN protocols. The double encapsulation feature also contributes to a reduction in speed. |
| Ease of Use | L2TP/IPSec is easy to set up, as it’s native to Windows and macOS. Manual configuration may be required on devices lacking native support. If you’re a beginner, the setup process might not be so straightforward. |
| Best for | L2TP/IPSec is suitable for many situations, especially when double encapsulation is needed. However, you need to weigh the trade-off between security and speed. Also, the port used by L2TP is easily blocked by firewalls, so it’s not good for navigating firewalls. |
6. PPTP
| Pros | Cons |
| Very fast speeds | Considered unsafe and cracked by the NSA |
| Natively supported on almost all platforms | Low-level encryption |
| Effortless configuration, even on Linux | Easily detected and blocked by firewalls |
| Works with a range of ciphers, including AES-256 | Not supported by many VPNs |
| Slower than other VPN protocols |
PPTP was developed by Microsoft for dial-up networks in 1996. It’s natively supported by various platforms and easy to set up. PPTP has fast speeds due to its low-level encryption but it’s not recommended if privacy is a priority — it’s not compatible with the military-grade AES-256 cipher.
| PPTP | |
| Security | PPTP is outdated and insecure as it has been exploited by the NSA. Its rudimentary Microsoft Point-to-Point Encryption (MPPE) with up to 128-bit keys is considered weak. Furthermore, its authentication methods, MS-CHAPv1 and MS-CHAPv2, are not secure. This can expose your data to hacking. |
| Speed | PPTP is one of the fastest VPN protocols due to its low-level encryption. The slim cipher used by PPTP results in minimal impact on connection speeds. |
| Ease of Use | PPTP is integrated into most operating systems, making it easy to set up and configure. Even Linux users can configure it relatively quickly. |
| Best for | PPTP is best when prioritizing speed and security is not at all a concern. Otherwise, it is outdated and not recommended for activities involving sensitive information. |
7. SoftEther
| Pros | Cons |
| Very fast speeds and doesn’t compromise security | Relatively new and not supported by many VPNs |
| Open-source transparency | No native operating system support |
| Supports strong ciphers, including AES-256 | Not safe without settings adjustment |
| Can bypass most firewalls |
SoftEther is a relatively new, open-sourced protocol developed as an academic project at the University of Tsukuba. It’s adaptable across different OS, including Android. SoftEther is good for bypassing firewalls, but lacks native support on mainstream operating systems.
| SoftEther | |
| Security | SoftEther supports a range of strong encryption ciphers, including AES-256 and RSA-4096. But its default configuration, which requires clients not to verify the server’s certificate, may leave you vulnerable to attacks. |
| Speed | SoftEther is reputed for very fast speeds, reportedly outperforming OpenVPN by 13 times. This speed, coupled with its ability to use TCP Port 433, makes it effective in bypassing firewalls. |
| Ease of Use | Although it works with many VPNs, its lack of native support on VPN clients makes SoftEther less user-friendly than protocols natively supported by mainstream operating systems. Only a few VPNs, such as Hide.me and CactusVPN, currently support SoftEther. |
| Best for | SoftEther is best suited for fast and secure browsing, particularly if you need to bypass firewalls. |
Proprietary VPN Protocols
Proprietary protocols are developed and used by VPN providers and they’re usually close-sourced. They have many advantages such as better speeds, security features, and capabilities to bypass firewalls. Examples include VyprVPN’s Chameleon protocol, Hotspot Shield’s Catapult Hydra, and NordVPN’s NordLynx.
However, ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol stands out with a lean codebase, which contributes to its efficiency and reduced resource consumption. It offers stable connections, so it’s an ideal choice for on-the-go mobile users. But most importantly, Lightway didn’t compromise my privacy, even while optimizing my speeds.
ExpressVPN has also upgraded Lightway to include post-quantum protection. This basically means that hackers can’t collect your encrypted data today in the hopes of decrypting it in the future with quantum computers.
With Lightway, my download speed didn’t go below 250 Mbps, which is just about the same as my regular internet speed. During my tests, I could connect in less than 3 seconds, which is at least 2 times faster than other protocols I tested. Lightway has passed rigorous security audits, so I highly recommend it.
VPN Protocol Comparison
| Protocol | Encryption Level | Connection Speed | Operating System | Best For |
| WireGuard | Strong (256-bit) | Very fast | All major OS | High-speed, efficiency |
| OpenVPN | Strong (256-bit) | Fast | All major OS | General use, privacy, and security |
| IKEv2 | Strong (256-bit) | Fast | Windows, macOS, and iOS | Switching networks on mobile devices |
| SSTP | Good (256-bit) | Moderate | Windows | Bypassing firewalls |
| L2TP/IPSec | Good (256-bit) | Fast | Windows and macOS | Double encapsulation |
| PPTP | Poor (128-bit) | Very fast | All major OS | Avoid, due to poor encryption |
| SoftEther | Good (256-bit) | Very fast | All major OS | Speed, and bypassing firewalls |
| Lightway | Strong (256-bit) | Very fast | All major OS | Speed, efficiency, fast and stable connection, and mobile use |
How to Choose the Best VPN Protocol for Every Situation
The VPN protocol you use determines how optimal certain activities like streaming, torrenting, and gaming will be. Here’s a breakdown of protocol recommendations for specific situations:
Streaming
When streaming content, speed takes priority over privacy to avoid lags. ExpressVPN’s Lightway is an excellent choice for optimal performance, especially to watch American Netflix and other streaming platforms depending on your location. Other suitable protocols include NordVPN’s NordLynx, WireGuard, IKEv2, L2TP/IPSec, and OpenVPN (UDP).
Torrenting
You need a balance between speed and privacy when downloading torrents. Secure and speedy protocols like Lightway, WireGuard, NordLynx, and OpenVPN (UDP) are all recommended. These protocols help protect your IP and maintain your privacy when using P2P networks.
Gaming
Low ping is crucial for a smooth gaming experience. It’s the time it takes for a command you enter on your device to be translated into an action in the game. The lower the ping, the faster the response time.
Opt for fast tunneling protocols like IKEv2, Lightway, or WireGuard and connect to a nearby location to minimize latency. The closer the server you use, the less distance your signal has to travel, resulting in reduced lag during gaming sessions.
ExpressVPN and CyberGhost have the best protocols for gaming and are therefore the best VPNs to play Call of Duty and other fast-paced games.
Privacy
For whistleblowers and those in restrictive countries, it’s essential to choose the safest protocols to protect privacy. Lightway, WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 are all recommended protocols. Additionally, consider using a VPN with double encryption for maximum security.
Mobile Devices
IKEv2 is an excellent choice for mobile users. It ensures a secure and stable connection, with the added benefit of quick reconnection in case of internet disruptions. These features make IKEv2 a preferred protocol for users always on the move.
Older Devices
For older devices and operating systems, you might want to try L2TP/IPSec or PPTP, as they’re compatible with a wide range of platforms. But for security concerns, L2TP/IPSec is a better option.
FAQs About VPN Protocols
Which VPN protocol should I use?
What is the most secure VPN protocol?
OpenVPN is the most secure VPN protocol. It has strong encryption, is open source, and provides operational flexibility by supporting both TCP and UDP. It has also been extensively audited over the years.
But if you’re prioritizing both speed and security, Lightway is worth considering. Lightway has undergone thorough audits as well and has optimized its codebase for efficiency and security.
Which VPN protocol is the fastest?
WireGuard is one of the fastest VPN protocols. Its design prioritizes performance without compromising on security. Many top VPNs include WireGuard due to its speed.
Another notable mention is ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol, which has a lean codebase, swift connection times, and fast speeds. It also doesn’t compromise security. PPTP is also very fast, but its encryption standards are outdated. So, it’s not recommended.
Which VPN protocol is the best for gaming?
Which VPN protocol is the best for streaming?
Which VPN protocol to choose for Android or iPhone?
How much will a VPN reduce my internet speed?
Your choice of VPN protocol will affect your internet speed. But this reduction also depends on several factors, including distance from the chosen VPN server, server load, and your location. For all the protocols I tested, speed reduction was generally around 32%.
However, with ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol, I noticed a maximum speed reduction of just 24% on its distant servers. But on nearby servers, the baseline speed reduction was negligible and I could download large files without a huge difference in duration.
Can I switch between VPN protocols?
What is the difference between TCP and UDP?
OpenVPN offers both TCP and UDP. TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) TCP is a connection-based protocol that requires an established connection before it transmits data. TCP is more reliable for applications where data integrity is crucial.
UDP (User Datagram Protocol) is a connectionless transport layer protocol that doesn’t establish a connection before sending data. It sends data without confirming receipt or checking for errors. UDP is faster, but it sacrifices some reliability compared to TCP.
Are VPN protocols the same as encryption?
Is WireGuard better than OpenVPN?
Are IKEv2 and L2TP still safe to use?
What is the best VPN protocol?
Final Thoughts: What Is the Right VPN Protocol for You?
When choosing the right VPN protocol, you should consider your device, the security requirements, and the online activity you want to engage in. These can affect how the protocol performs. While OpenVPN and WireGuard are used by most VPNs for security and speed, IKEv2 is suitable for mobile devices as it switches networks easily and quickly.
I recommend the Lightway protocol as it’s better in many ways. On mobile devices, it even helps your battery last longer. If you want to try ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol risk-free, all its plans are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not satisfied with it, you can ask for a full refund without any hassle.
