5 Best WireGuard VPN Providers — Fast Speeds in 2024

WireGuard is fast and secure, but it has some fundamental privacy concerns. It temporarily stores your IP address until the next reboot and uses static IPs, which can compromise your privacy. The other top VPN protocol for security and privacy is OpenVPN, but it’s slower, which is why many users prefer WireGuard.

My team and I tested 50+ VPNs and picked the very best that offer WireGuard. These have safely implemented the protocol (or created their own WireGuard alternative) and have actively taken steps to mitigate the privacy issues. With strong security that doesn’t sacrifice speed, it’s possible to use WireGuard to safely stream in HD from anywhere.

My top recommendation is ExpressVPN with its proprietary protocol, Lightway. Lightway has been audited for security and consistently offers faster speeds than any WireGuard VPN we’ve tested. Unlike WireGuard, Lightway doesn’t store your IP address. Plus, you can test ExpressVPN risk-free as it’s backed by a robust 30-day money-back guarantee. Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

Try ExpressVPN’s Lightway >>

Short on Time? Here Are the Best VPNs for WireGuard in 2024

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

Best VPNs for WireGuard — Full Analysis (Updated 2024)

1. ExpressVPN — Lightway Protocol is a Faster and Safer WireGuard Alternative

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Tested December 2024

Works With:

Sky ESPN+ Dazn FIFA+

Netflix Disney+ APV More

Try ExpressVPN >

www.expressvpn.com

ExpressVPN’s proprietary protocol, Lightway, is a great alternative to WireGuard that’s light on its feet without compromising on privacy. Unlike WireGuard, Lightway removes the risk of static IPs by assigning you the least recently used one each time. It has also been independently audited by Cure53, and its main library is also open-source.

Lightway uses far fewer lines of code, which means it doesn’t slow your speeds as much as WireGuard does. In fact, that is why ExpressVPN gave us faster speeds than all of the WireGuard VPNs. Our team speed tester in the UK ran tests on 3 nearby servers (UK Docklands, Paris, and Frankfurt) and had a measly speed loss of only 3% using Lightway. Its consistent performance makes it easy to securely stream content from anywhere without buffering.

If you've got a fast connection, then you won't even notice the speed drop

I also like that ExpressVPN has a proven strict no-log policy that ensures none of your data is recorded while connected. Plus, its RAM-only TrustedServer network wipes your data when the servers are rebooted. This means you can enjoy your online activities without worrying about your data being recorded and stored.

The downside is that ExpressVPN is more expensive than the other VPNs on my list, but it often offers money-saving coupons and deals on its website to help you get a long-term plan for cheaper. Plus, it comes with a reliable 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it out without risk.

Useful Features

• Obfuscation support. WireGuard doesn’t natively support obfuscation, which is why most VPNs that primarily use this protocol have specific servers or workarounds for this. However, ExpressVPN offers automatic obfuscation on its entire network that kicks in when it detects Deep Packet Inspection (DPI).
• UDP and TCP support. UDP is generally faster, but TCP can work better on some less secure networks, such as public WiFi hotspots. WireGuard only supports UDP, but Lightway supports both.
• Servers optimized for all activities. ExpressVPN’s entire network supports and works reliably for secure gaming, streaming, and downloading using the Lightway protocol. Unlike with other WireGuard VPNs, all ExpressVPN’s servers work great for accessing streaming sites in HD from anywhere.
• Router compatible. You can set up ExpressVPN on your router and simultaneously use Lightway on all your devices. While most WireGuard VPNs also support this, ExpressVPN goes one step further with a native router app and custom firmware, making it more accessible if you’re not super experienced with VPNs.

2. CyberGhost — Assigns Dynamic IPs to Ensure Privacy When Using WireGuard

Works With:

Sky ESPN+ Dazn FIFA+

Netflix Disney+ APV More

Try CyberGhost VPN >

www.cyberghostvpn.com

To address WireGuard’s privacy concerns, CyberGhost assigns you a dynamic IP address that changes every few minutes. Many people feel that WireGuard is not secure because its static IPs mean your activity can still be traced back to one address. However, with a dynamic IP, you can enhance your privacy while benefiting from WireGuard’s faster speeds.

CyberGhost also offers reliable DNS/IP leak protection to protect your privacy while using WireGuard. This feature ensures that your IP address and DNS requests don’t leak outside the encrypted tunnel, keeping you safe from hackers and snoops. I tested dozens of CyberGhost’s servers in the US and Europe and didn't detect any leaks.

I retested each time CyberGhost changed my IP, and it passed every time

Its apps are incredibly easy to install and use. Even if you’re new to VPNs, you can easily switch to the WireGuard protocol in the settings and connect to a server without hassle. I particularly like that it’s easy to find the best server for streaming, gaming, or torrenting with its clearly labeled server groups. The streaming servers are frequently tested and updated to confirm that they can securely access popular streaming services.

The only downside is that CyberGhost’s short-term plan is pretty pricey and only has a 14-day money-back guarantee. It’s a better value to go for a long-term plan — it’s more affordable and comes with a generous 45-day money-back guarantee. Either way, you can try CyberGhost out without financial risk.

Useful Features

• Split tunneling. This feature lets you choose which apps or websites go through the VPN connection and which don’t. This makes it possible to use the VPN to securely access international streaming sites, while browsing local news with a normal (non-VPN) connection.
• Block content. To further protect your devices while you’re using WireGuard, CyberGhost’s Block content stops malware, ads, and other dangerous files at DNS level so they never reach your device.
• Smart rules. On top of setting a preference for WireGuard in your settings, you can set up Smart rules. This lets you configure startup settings and app rules, helping to protect your data without having to think about it.
• Specialty servers. Put WireGuard’s speeds to good use with streaming, downloading, and gaming servers (gaming servers are only on PC). The streaming servers are optimized for specific streaming platforms, and CyberGhost maintains them to provide reliable access to these sites.

3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Customizable Security Features to Optimize Your WireGuard Connections

Works With:

Sky ESPN+ FIFA+ Netflix

Disney+ APV More

Try Private Internet Access >

www.privateinternetaccess.com

PIA gives you tons of control over the WireGuard protocol, which many VPNs don’t offer. For instance, you can adjust your MTU (maximum transmission unit), which determines the maximum packet size allowed through the encrypted tunnel. This may make it easier to securely stream from anywhere by improving connections on slower networks. When I tested PIA with WireGuard, I had no issues configuring its settings.

You can't change the encryption level with WireGuard

Plus, its MACE feature is one of the best VPN ad, tracker, and malware blockers I’ve used. It gives you an extra layer of privacy when you use the WireGuard protocol since third parties can’t collect information about your online behavior. I also liked that I didn’t need to download an extension to use the adblocker, which is better for privacy.

The one downside to PIA is that it’s based in the US, which is in the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance, an intelligence-sharing agreement between countries. However, it adheres to a strict no-logs policy, so there is nothing to worry about.

You can save money with PIA when you choose the longer subscription options that start at $2.03/month. It also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can test it out risk-free and get a refund if unsatisfied.

Useful Features

• Dedicated IP option. PIA uses dynamic IPs with WireGuard as standard, but you can purchase a dedicated IP add-on if you’d rather use the same IP. If you regularly get annoyed by CAPTCHA tests while you’re using a VPN, this might be a good option for you.
• Multi-Hop. You can double your security by routing your WireGuard connections through the VPN and a proxy server. The proxy server doesn’t encrypt your data again as a regular multi-hop connection does, but it has the added benefit of obfuscating your connection, which you don’t typically get with WireGuard.

4. NordVPN — Offers NordLynx, A Modified Version of WireGuard With Extra Security

Works With:

Sky ESPN+ Dazn FIFA+

Netflix Disney+ APV More

Try NordVPN >

www.nordvpn.com

NordVPN’s exclusive NordLynx protocol is based around WireGuard, but it fixes some major security vulnerabilities. Unlike WireGuard, it uses double NAT technology to establish a secure connection without storing any data on the VPN server. It also assigns every user a unique IP address — most other VPNs use shared IPs for thousands of users.

Unlike ExpressVPN’s Lightway, NordLynx is only available in UDP

Although not as fast as ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol, NordLynx also offers great speeds for gaming and downloading. Our tester in the UK lost an average of 12% on NordVPN’s servers in Europe and the US. So, you’ll still get the faster speeds that WireGuard offers (over OpenVPN) without sacrificing security. With connections this fast, there should also be no issue securely streaming content from anywhere in smooth HD.

My only complaint is that NordVPN’s interface is somewhat cumbersome, which is arguably subjective, and lacks a minimize option. Additionally, it occasionally takes up to 30 seconds to establish connections. However, once I was connected to a server, I never experienced any issues.

You can try NordVPN totally risk-free because it has a 30-day money-back guarantee. If it’s not for you, getting a refund is easy.

Useful Features

• Dark Web Monitor. NordVPN takes your security seriously, and it goes one step further than fixing some of WireGuard’s vulnerabilities. It also scans the dark web for your personal information and alerts you if it detects your data. This allows you to take steps to protect your identity, such as changing passwords or securing accounts.
• Auto-connect. Choose a specialty server or a specific location for when you use Quick Connect. Provided you have NordLynx selected, it will use it automatically.

5. Surfshark — Protect All Your Devices With WireGuard Under One Subscription

Works With:

ESPN+ Dazn FIFA+ Netflix

Disney+ APV More

Try Surfshark >

www.surfshark.com

Your entire household can protect their data with WireGuard thanks to Surfshark’s unlimited connections. When testing, I connected 6 devices simultaneously and didn’t notice any changes in speed. From Nairobi, I had no issues playing Roblox with my international friends while the rest of my family streamed and browsed.

I never had to log out of any of my devices to connect to a new one

Its advanced security features, including MultiHop and NoBorders, are all compatible with WireGuard. NoBorders narrows down its server list to those best able to work on restrictive networks, and MultiHop doubles your security by routing your connection through two servers.

One minor drawback is that the Camouflage mode for obfuscation only works with OpenVPN. However, I never found this to be a huge issue as I never came across a network block that NoBorders couldn’t help me with.

Its plans are backed by a money-back guarantee, which lets you test out Surfshark with WireGuard for 30 days.

Useful Features

• GPS spoofing (on Android). This feature matches your GPS location with the IP address you're connected to, enhancing WireGuard's privacy features on mobile devices.
• In-app speed test. This feature allows you to see which servers are the fastest and can be filtered by region. By finding the fastest servers, it’s easier to stream in HD from anywhere.

Quick Comparison Table: WireGuard VPN Features

Even among the best WireGuard VPNs, several key features can sway your decision. Here are some of those features:

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

Tips on Choosing the Best VPN for WireGuard

My team and I tested hundreds of VPNs to find the best that support WireGuard (or superior alternatives). If you still want to check them out yourself, here are the criteria you can use:

• Safe WireGuard implementation. The way a VPN service implements WireGuard can greatly impact your privacy. I only picked VPNs that already have robust privacy policies and take extra steps to ensure WireGuard’s privacy flaws are properly mitigated. Even better, all of these measures are published on the companies’ websites.
• Fast speeds and a reliable network. WireGuard is known for its high-speed performance. I only chose the VPNs that complement this by offering fast server speeds and a stable network, ensuring your online activities remain uninterrupted and swift.
• Robust security features. Beyond WireGuard's inherent security advantages, the best VPNs add additional layers of protection. All the VPNs on my list have military-level encryption, kill switch, and DNS leak protection, which are important for safeguarding your data. This helps to mitigate some of WireGuard’s vulnerabilities.
• Ease of use. A VPN that integrates WireGuard seamlessly and provides an intuitive platform makes it easier for you to manage your connections and settings. I only settled on VPNs with straightforward user interfaces so you can easily connect and use WireGuard, even without prior experience.
• Excellent customer service. Prompt and helpful support is invaluable, especially if you encounter issues or have questions about using WireGuard with your VPN. I only picked VPNs with reliable 24/7 customer support channels. The best ones have 24/7 chat support for prompt responses.

Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process.

FAQs on VPNs for WireGuard

Is WireGuard a VPN?

No. While WireGuard provides VPN functionality, it's more accurately described as a VPN protocol rather than a complete VPN solution. I recommend using a premium WireGuard VPN, as they’re designed to make securing your connection as hassle-free as possible with intuitive apps.

Is WireGuard better than OpenVPN or IKEv2?

It depends; WireGuard is very fast and secure, but it wasn’t built with privacy in mind. Since it can’t assign dynamic IPs, you’re given a static IP address, requiring it to log and store your IP and timestamps until the next server reboot. However, many VPNs have taken steps to address and mitigate these issues.

With WireGuard, you’ll get the following benefits:

• Faster speeds. WireGuard uses less code, so it’s much faster than older protocols like OpenVPN and IKEv2.
• Upgraded encryption. WireGuard was created with this in mind — it uses ChaCha20 with Poly1306.
• More lightweight. With only 4,000 lines of code, WireGuard offers better performance and is much easier to audit, spot, and fix bugs. OpenVPN has about 70,000 lines of code.

However, if privacy is your top concern, you’ll benefit from OpenVPN since WireGuard wasn’t designed with privacy in mind as much as security.

IKEv2 works well for mobile devices because it switches between data sources. However, it’s not as secure as OpenVPN or WireGuard since it’s not open-source.

Does NordVPN use WireGuard?

To a degree, yes. NordVPN has a proprietary protocol called NordLynx, which is built around the WireGuard protocol. NordLynx is designed to enhance connection speeds while maintaining robust security and privacy.

NordVPN chose to build NordLynx around WireGuard due to its modern, fast, and lean architecture, which uses state-of-the-art cryptography. However, to address WireGuard's privacy concerns, NordVPN implemented a double NAT system with NordLynx, ensuring user privacy by not storing identifiable data on the server​.

Is WireGuard the fastest protocol?

It’s the fastest, widely-used protocol that offers reasonable security. It’s faster than older protocols like OpenVPN and IKEv2. However, there are other alternatives that provide better speeds and security.

Does ExpressVPN support WireGuard?

No, but its Lightway protocol is a faster, safer alternative. Lightway gives you faster speeds than WireGuard because it has fewer lines of code, meaning it connects and performs faster. It’s also been audited by security experts for safety, and since it’s developed with privacy in mind (unlike WireGuard), you don’t have to worry about whether the VPN has implemented it safely.

What if my WireGuard VPN isn't working?

It might be because your VPN is not reliable enough. If you have a trustworthy WireGuard VPN, here are some troubleshooting steps you can try:

• Check your internet connection. Make sure you’re connected to a stable WiFi or ethernet connection.
• Connect to another server. Servers go down from time to time. Try another one in case it's just one that's not working.
• Check for updates. Make sure you’re using the most up-to-date VPN software.
• Check the VPN’s status page. This should be updated if the VPN is experiencing any technical issues.
• Contact customer support. It may have a solution to your problem or suggest a workaround.

Can I set up WireGuard on my router?

Yes, but it will depend on your router's firmware compatibility. If your router supports firmware like OpenWRT, DD-WRT, or similar, you can install WireGuard. Plus, if your VPN is compatible with your router, you should be able to install WireGuard on it as part of its manual configuration or native app.

Is WireGuard TCP or UDP?

WireGuard operates over UDP (User Datagram Protocol). UDP is a lightweight transport protocol offering faster speeds and lower latency than TCP (Transmission Control Protocol). UDP’s efficiency is beneficial for activities needing immediate data exchange, such as video streaming, gaming, and VoIP. Typically, VPNs that support WireGuard are the best for high-bandwidth activities, like secure HD streaming from anywhere.

Despite its advantages, UDP lacks the error correction and reliability of TCP, which might lead to occasional data transmission errors.

Can I set up WireGuard manually?

Yes, you can manually set up WireGuard. Many VPN providers that support WireGuard often provide configuration files and guides for setting it up on various devices, even those not typically supporting VPNs like certain routers.

Is there a free VPN that supports WireGuard?

There are free VPNs available that support WireGuard, but I don’t recommend using them. Some free VPNs contain malware and lack basic security features, potentially exposing your information. Free apps can also monitor your online activities and sell your data to third parties. Instead, use a reliable, low-cost, premium WireGuard VPN provider.

Free VPNs also often have restrictions on server locations, data allowance, and bandwidth, which can be inconvenient.

Get the Best VPN for WireGuard

WireGuard offers some great benefits, like faster speeds and state-of-the-art encryption. However, there are some security concerns since it wasn’t developed with full privacy in mind. This is why I recommend using a reliable VPN to mitigate these vulnerabilities. Many VPNs understand this and safely implement WireGuard to align with their privacy standards and no-logs policies.

However, while it doesn’t support WireGuard, ExpressVPN’s Lightway is the best high-speed protocol because it’s a faster and safer custom-built alternative. You can test ExpressVPN out risk-free as it's backed by a reliable 30-day money-back guarantee.

To summarize, these are the best VPNs that support WireGuard…

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

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