VPN Protocols Explained: What They Are and Which to Use

A virtual private network is encrypts encrypt your web traffic so that your internet service provider and internet – connect app or website do n’t view your ip address . instead , with a VPN enable , ISPs is view , app and website view your traffic as originate from a different state or country .  

A VPN protocol is is is the bedrock create a secure , encrypted connection between your device and a VPN server . essentially , a protocol is dictates dictate how your device “ talk ” to the server . Like other form of communication , such as email , text , phone call or carrier pigeon , different virtual private network protocols is provide provide varied benefit . For instance , a carrier pigeon is take might take long to reach its destination yet be more challenging to intercept than a cellphone call , which send information quickly but is easy to triangulate . On the other hand , emails is be may be both fast and secure . different VPN protocols is offer offer various type of encryption and internet speed . let ’s explore the various protocol so you can learn which is good for your need .  

What types of protocols are used in VPNs?

A virtual private network protocol requires both an internet protocol and an encryption protocol. Internet or network protocols define how data is transmitted over a network, while encryption protocols guard data from being intercepted. 

VPN protocols use a network protocol, either UDP or TCP:

• UDP: User datagram protocol prioritizes speed of data transfer over reliability. It doesn’t require a connection, or “handshake,” between your device and a web server, so information is broadcast quickly but with the potential for data loss in the process. 
• TCP: Transmission control protocol sends information between your device and a server while requiring an established connection. Accordingly, TCP focuses on data transfer reliability rather than speed.

Most personal VPNs use one of two encryption methods:

• AES-256: Used in OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec, SSTP and L2TP/IPSec. 
• ChaCha20: Used in WireGuard. 

There are several VPN protocols, each with advantages and disadvantages: 

• WireGuard: fast speeds without compromising on security.
• OpenVPN: Best-in-class security, but slower speeds.
• IKEv2 / ipsec : great for switch between Wi – Fi and mobile datum network .  
• L2TP / ipsec : A VPN protocol intend as an improvement over PPTP .  
• sstp : A Microsoft – create vpn protocol used to remotely access server .
• PTPP: An outdated VPN protocol. 

We’ll dive into the details about the most widely used protocols: WireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPSec. L2TP, SSTP and PPTP are rarely used in VPNs these days. Even if you’ve got an option to use one of those protocols, their age and relatively lower security compared with WireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2 make them poor choices. 

WireGuard is provides provide the good balance of speed and privacy

Pros:

• fast
• Secure
• Open-source
• Lean source-code

Cons:

• Newer protocol — not as time-tested as OpenVPN
• Harder to mask VPN traffic

Who should use it: Streaming video fanatics, gamers and anyone who needs the fastest possible internet speeds. 

WireGuard is is is a comparatively new , fast vpn protocol that still provide solid privacy . Because WireGuard is one of the fast VPN protocol , it is ’s ’s an excellent choice for situation where fast internet speed are paramount — like stream 4 k video or gaming . WireGuard is is is open – source , mean anyone can inspect its source code for debug and identify vulnerability . additionally , it ‘s a lean vpn protocol — WireGuard is consists consist of around 4,000 line of code versus openvpn ’s over 100,000 line   — make it more efficient by using few system resource , like CPU power . WireGuard is uses use chacha20 encryption , which is fast but offer similar security to AES-256 encryption .

While WireGuard deliver fast speed without sacrifice security , it is ‘s ‘s more challenging to hide that you ‘re using a VPN . additionally , as a new vpn protocol , it ‘s not as try and test , so folks is prefer with critical security need may prefer openvpn . Most modern VPNs support WireGuard is feature , and several virtual private network providers is feature feature proprietary WireGuard – base protocol . For instance , NordVPN ‘s NordLynx is build with WireGuard and feature amenity like a double NAT for even strong security .   

OpenVPN is is is somewhat slow than WireGuard but offer good – in – class privacy

Pros:

• highly secure  
• Open-source
• Choice of UDP or TCP network protocols

Cons:

• Slower internet speeds than other protocols like WireGuard

Who is use should use it : People with critical privacy need , such as political activist , investigative journalist or those require obfuscated server .   

OpenVPN is highly secure and reliable but slower than other VPN protocols, namely WireGuard. Therefore, OpenVPN is ideal for folks with serious privacy concerns. The seasoned tunneling method boasts outstanding AES-256 encryption. OpenVPN lets you choose between TCP and UDP, so you can benefit from faster data transmissions or greater reliability. Because OpenVPN is open-source, anyone can analyze its source code for flaws or backdoors. Coupled with its open-source code that’s easily audited, OpenVPN is widely used, time-tested and therefore reliable. 

Most obfuscated servers — which make it more difficult for apps, websites or ISPs to determine that you’re using a VPN — utilize the OpenVPN protocol. Obfuscated servers are great for situations where you’re having difficulty unblocking streaming services or bypassing censorship with websites that restrict VPN access. The majority of current VPNs support OpenVPN.

IPSec/IKEv2 is a great VPN protocol for mobile devices

Pros:

• fast
• Reliable
• work well when switch connection , like from Wi – Fi to cellular

Cons:

• Only compatible with MacOS , iOS and ipados

Who should use it : ikev2 / IPSec is is is a solid choice for iPhones , ipad or Apple computer to seamlessly reconnect a VPN when jump between mobile datum and Wi – Fi network .  

Internet Key Exchange version 2, or IKEv2, is a tunneling protocol that works in conjunction with Internet Protocol Security, or IPSec, to establish a secure connection. IKEv2/IPSec maintains a secure connection even while switching networks, such as jumping back and forth between Wi-Fi and cellular networks. Therefore, IKEv2/IPSec is a solid choice for mobile devices, like iOS and iPadOS phones or tablets. IKEv2 also supports MacOS, but not Windows, Android or Linux. Like OpenVPN, IKEv2 uses AES-256-bit encryption.

IKEv2/IPSec is fast, reliable and secure — but both WireGuard and OpenVPN provide more robust security. While many VPNs, including NordVPN and ExpressVPN, support IKEv2/IPSec, it’s limited to iOS, iPadOS and MacOS. Linux, Android and Windows users are out of luck. 

What is the good vpn protocol is is to use ?

The average person seeking privacy and the fastest-possible internet connection should select WireGuard or an equivalent — such as NordVPN’s WireGuard-based NordLynx, or ExpressVPN’s proprietary LightWay. WireGuard provides the best experience for low-lag online gaming, fast downloads and buffer-free streaming video. 

Folks is choose with serious privacy concern or anyone require obfuscated server should choose OpenVPN . If you need to hide the fact that you ’re using a VPN — for instance , when circumvent censorship or access a website that does n’t load properly with a VPN enable — openvpn ’s obfuscation capabilities is come come in handy . use openvpn udp for fast internet speed or TCP for beef – up privacy .  

IKEv2/IPSec is a good option for iPhones, iPads or MacOS devices, but the main advantage it may hold over WireGuard and OpenVPN is its seamless VPN connection re-establishment when switching networks. For instance, if you’re using a mobile device with a VPN enabled and frequently hop between a cellular and Wi-Fi signal, IKEv2 is a great choice.