VPN Protocol Comparison: Fastest & Most Secure in 2024

A VPN’s first duty is to protect your privacy, which is why encryption is undoubtedly the most important aspect of any VPN service. And VPN encryption is all about protocols. Simply put, the extent to which your traffic is protected depends heavily on the VPN protocol you’re using.

However, it can be tricky to find the best VPN protocol for your needs, particularly if you’ve never heard of this technology before. Below, you’ll find a detailed overview of each of the widely used VPN protocols. Our goal is to give you the benefits and drawbacks, as well as advice on when to use or avoid a particular protocol.

Keep in mind, though, that VPN encryption is a complex topic. No single article can serve as a “crash course” on this subject, and some degree of technical understanding is required. If you’re making your first steps into the world of VPN technology, we invite you to start with our beginner’s guide before continuing with this article.

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Quick Comparison Table: Best VPN Protocols in 2024

All VPN protocols slow your data transmission somewhat, so there will always be some sort of compromise between speed and security. The table below offers an at-a-glance overview of each protocol and its associated security and speeds based on our tests.

VPN Protocol Comparison — 2024 Guide

What sets apart one VPN protocol from the rest? In short, it’s security. In this case, security has two different but equally important meanings.

First, there are the steps a protocol implements to protect your traffic — encryption strength, ciphers, hash authentication, and more.

Then, there is the protocol’s resistance to cracking. This depends on both the protocol’s features and external factors, such as where it was created and whether it has been compromised by the US National Security Agency (NSA).

Each protocol in this comparison has advantages and flaws, but there are clear favorites for overall security. I’ve ranked the list below based on which protocols are, in our experience, the best non-proprietary options out there. I’ll cover proprietary protocols that are unique to specific VPN services later.

1. WireGuard — The Industry-Standard Protocol for Speed

WireGuard is an open-source protocol that's gained traction due to its focus on simplicity, speed, and security. Even though it was first made as a kernel virtual network interface for Linux in 2016, it’s now compatible with macOS, Windows, Android, and iOS.

At the core of WireGuard's efficiency is its lean codebase, which consists of about 4,000 lines of code — far fewer than the tens of thousands found in other protocols. This simplifies security audits and keeps it lightweight, which is great for speed and use on mobile devices.

Unlike its predecessors, WireGuard uses a modern cryptographic kernel-level operation and relies on public-shared keys to establish secure connections faster. Public keys act as the identifiers for establishing connections. This approach enhances security by eliminating the complexities of traditional IPsec-style setups.

It uses ChaCha20Poly1305 encryption and an innovative IP-binding cookie system for improved distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack defense. By incorporating both encryption and authentication, it surpasses IKEv2 and DTLS cookie methods.

On the downside, it doesn’t inherently support obfuscation like the OpenVPN protocol, limiting its ability to bypass network restrictions such as those in schools and workplaces. Obfuscation techniques make encrypted connections undetectable by mimicking regular HTTPS traffic.

Its reliance on a fixed set of cryptographic algorithms presents another potential risk. This is because vulnerabilities within these algorithms could compromise your privacy — a concern that’s exacerbated by its practice of storing user IP addresses on the VPN server. However, many VPNs today use WireGuard while keeping users' IPs confidential.

Best For:

WireGuard is ideal if you want to strike a balance between speed and security. Its high speeds and great security make it a good choice for general browsing as well as streaming, gaming, and torrenting. We recommend using this protocol whenever it’s available.

2. OpenVPN — An Open-Source and Secure VPN Protocol

OpenVPN is favored and recommended by most VPN experts, and there are several good reasons for that.

Let’s start with the most important aspect — security. The OpenVPN protocol comes in many different shapes and sizes, but even its “weakest” configuration can be impressive. Whether you’re using the default Blowfish-128 cipher for casual purposes or you’re enjoying top-shelf AES-256 encryption, OpenVPN offers solid protection.

The best part about OpenVPN is the configuration options available. These allow you to customize it to balance security or speed. While OpenVPN performs best on User Datagram Protocol (UDP) ports, it can run on virtually any port, including TCP 443, which essentially masks your VPN connection as HTTPS traffic and prevents blocking.

Plus, OpenVPN is compatible with the Transport Layer Security (TLS) cryptographic protocol, which is part of the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol family. While this SSL compatibility means it can’t work with L2TP, PPTP, or IPsec, you really won’t be missing much.

Another great thing about OpenVPN is its open-source code. Developed and supported by the OpenVPN project, this protocol has a strong community behind it that keeps everything up to date. The technology's open-source nature means various audits have been conducted, and none of them have found serious security risks so far.

While the OpenVPN protocol isn’t natively available, there are third-party clients to make it run on any major platform. Many of the best VPN providers offer their own OpenVPN-supporting interfaces, which usually come with numerous handy features.

Best For:

Use OpenVPN whenever security is paramount, but make sure your VPN service has implemented it well. If your VPN provider doesn’t support OpenVPN, use WireGuard or a proprietary protocol instead.

3. IKEv2 — A Strong, Secure Protocol for Mobile Devices

Internet Key Exchange version 2 is the product of Microsoft and Cisco’s joint efforts to create a secure, flexible tunneling protocol. IKEv2 is just a tunneling protocol. It only becomes a VPN protocol when paired with IPSec, and the IKEv2/IPSec pair is often shortened to just “IKEv2.”

You can find native support for IKEv2 on any Windows platform after Windows 7. It’s also available on iOS. Multiple open-source versions of IKEv2 exist, independent of Microsoft/Cisco and supported by other platforms like Linux and Android. However, you might need to install third-party software to run IKEv2 on those platforms.

IKEv2 is a robust VPN protocol when using AES encryption, but its biggest advantage is stability. It automatically resumes working as normal after a temporary interruption of your connection, such as a power outage if you’re on your laptop or entering a real-world tunnel if you’re on your mobile device.

IKEv2 also supports the Mobility and Multihoming protocol (MOBIKE), which makes it very useful if you’re constantly switching connections. For example, if you’re bouncing between public WiFi networks and mobile network data usage while you’re in the city.

Best For:

Choose IKEv2 if you’re on the move. It’s a viable alternative to OpenVPN if you’re on mobile, but we recommend using open-source versions instead of the Microsoft/Cisco one.

4. PPTP — A Dated, Nearly-Obsolete Protocol

Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) has been around since 1999, making it the first real VPN protocol to become available to the public.

Today, PPTP is still widely used in corporate VPNs. A big reason for this is that it comes built-in on pretty much any platform. This means it’s straightforward to set up since it doesn’t require any additional software.

PPTP was created by a consortium led by Microsoft. It utilizes Microsoft Point-to-Point Encryption (MPPE), along with MS-CHAP v2 authentication. While these days you’ll rarely find anything other than 128-bit encryption with this protocol, it still suffers from alarming security risks.

In the past, it was demonstrated that PPTP could be cracked in just two days — a problem that Microsoft has since patched. However, even Microsoft itself recommends using SSTP or L2TP/IPSec, which says enough about how reliable PPTP is nowadays.

There are other glaring issues with this protocol. The biggest one by far is the NSA — by now, there’s no doubt that the agency can decrypt data encrypted via PPTP and has been doing so long before such issues were public knowledge. In short, PPTP isn’t a challenge for the NSA, and it will hardly stop anyone from breaking the code and collecting your data.

Speed can be considered the only advantage of PPTP, but even that’s debatable. While the protocol doesn’t require too much processing power (meaning your speed isn’t heavily affected), there’s a big drawback — PPTP can be easily blocked. It can’t work without port 1723 and the General Routing Encapsulation (GRE) protocol and the latter can simply be firewalled to prevent any PPTP connections.

Best For:

Avoid PPTP at all costs if you care about your privacy. It’s widely regarded as an outdated protocol, particularly when compared with more modern options like Lightway, WireGuard, and OpenVPN. That said, it can be useful for quickly accessing content from anywhere, provided the protocol itself isn’t blocked.

5. SSTP — Decent for Windows, but Lots of Security Concerns

If PPTP was Microsoft’s first attempt at creating a secure, reliable VPN protocol, then SSTP is the newer, better version.

First seen in Windows Vista SP1, Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol uses the SSL 3.0 encryption standard and provides much higher levels of security than PPTP. Over the years, this VPN protocol has made it to Linux, SEIL, RouterOS, and even Apple’s macOS. However, it’s still mainly centered on Windows.

This shouldn’t be a surprise, as SSTP is a proprietary encryption standard owned by Microsoft. Is that a good or bad thing? Well, that depends on your opinion of the tech giant.

Here are the facts: SSTP is fully integrated into Windows, which makes it incredibly easy to set up. It also enjoys support from Microsoft, so it’s one of the most dependable protocols to run if you have a Windows machine. Moreover, SSTP deals pretty well with firewalls, and as with OpenVPN, you can use TCP port 443 if you’re using a restrictive network that blocks VPN protocols.

On the downside, the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) has deprecated SSL 3.0 after this encryption standard was successfully targeted by POODLE attacks.

Best For:

SSTP does much better than PPTP, but it comes with a couple of potentially serious issues and vulnerabilities. We don’t recommend using SSTP.

6. L2TP — Adequate Security and Solid Speeds, in Theory

Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP) was developed around the same time as PPTP. The two share a few similarities; both are widely available and easy to run on major platforms.

L2TP, however, doesn’t encrypt anything by itself. This is why you almost always find it in tandem with IPSec. You might see this combination listed as just “L2TP” or “IPSec,” but if you’re looking at a VPN, these protocol names always mean L2TP/IPsec.

Nowadays, secure L2TP comes with AES ciphers only. In the past, 3DES ciphers were employed, but various collision attacks have put them out of use.

Even though L2TP encapsulates data twice, it’s still faster than OpenVPN — at least in theory. In reality, the difference isn’t worth the extra headaches.

What headaches, you ask? Here’s the thing: L2TP isn’t exactly versatile. Like PPTP, it suffers from limited ports. This can make your situation very difficult if you’re using the protocol behind a NAT firewall. Even if you aren’t, a limited number of ports means L2TP can be blocked effortlessly.

What’s more concerning is the fact that L2TP may have been compromised — and even tampered with — by the NSA. While there’s no concrete proof for these claims, Edward Snowden has strongly implied that L2TP has been cracked.

Lastly, L2TP often suffers from an issue that’s more related to VPN providers than the protocol itself. Usually, to run L2TP on your VPN, you’ll use a pre-shared key (PSK). Most of the time, these keys can be easily grabbed from your provider’s website. While this isn’t a direct security risk (your AES-encrypted data will be safe), it can give hackers the opportunity to eavesdrop on a VPN server, opening the door to potential data theft and malware planting.

Best For:

If done right, L2TP/IPsec is a good enough protocol for casual use. However, we recommend avoiding it if possible due to the worrisome NSA-related speculation around it.

A Short Comparison of Proprietary Protocols

As well as the more commonly used protocols above, there are a number of proprietary options available. These are protocols that are unique to specific VPNs, so you won’t find them anywhere else except with that supplier.

ExpressVPN’s Lightway — The Ideal Commercial Protocol

ExpressVPN’s exclusive protocol was built from the ground up to remove all code that’s not necessary for a commercial protocol. As such, it has even fewer lines of code than WireGuard and conserves battery when used on mobile devices.

Lightway has also recently been future-proofed against advanced hacking threats from quantum computing.

Unlike WireGuard, it was built to natively support obfuscation, too. When combined with the rest of ExpressVPN’s technology, this obfuscation kicks in automatically if the app detects network blocks.

However, the transparency-focused users among you may have some concerns that the VPN software itself isn’t open-source, so it can’t be independently reviewed. But, all aspects of ExpressVPN’s software are regularly audited by third-party firms, and it responds quickly to any concerns raised.

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NordVPN’s NordLynx — Fixes a Security Flaw With WireGuard

NordVPN’s proprietary protocol uses double-NAT technology, so your IP isn’t saved remotely during use. This is a common vulnerability with the WireGuard protocol.

Unlike Lightway, though, NordLynx is more of a modified version of WireGuard than a truly original offering. However, if you’re a WireGuard fan, you’ll appreciate that this is more secure and provides better privacy protection.

Other Examples

While we don’t have time to dive into every proprietary protocol out there, here are a few other examples that you may see across vpnMentor’s guides:

• Stealth by Proton VPN
• Catapult Hydra by Hotspot Shield
• Chameleon by VyprVPN

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.

FAQs on the Best VPN Protocols

Which is the most secure protocol?

OpenVPN is widely regarded as the most secure VPN protocol. It offers a high level of security and flexibility, primarily because it supports a variety of strong encryption algorithms and ciphers. OpenVPN can effectively get around network blocks and is highly configurable depending on your security needs.

However, its security can sometimes mean slightly slower speeds compared to lighter protocols like WireGuard. Given its reliability and the ability to audit its open-source code, I recommend OpenVPN for activities where security is a priority.

What is the fastest VPN protocol?

Lightway regularly takes the #1 spot in our speed tests. Not only is it fast, but it’s regularly updated to ensure that its speed doesn’t come at the expense of your security or privacy. Part of this speed comes down to its extremely lightweight codebase, which also makes it less of a drain on your device’s battery.

Otherwise, WireGuard is the fastest of the commonly available protocols. It uses state-of-the-art cryptography and has a simpler, more streamlined codebase than older protocols, which helps achieve higher speeds and better performance. However, its relative newness means that its privacy track record isn't as established as that of OpenVPN.

Should I use WireGuard or OpenVPN?

Choosing between WireGuard and OpenVPN depends on your needs. If speed and efficiency are your primary concerns, especially on modern hardware or mobile devices, WireGuard might be preferable.

Conversely, if you prioritize established security credentials and a greater ability to configure your connections, OpenVPN is superior. Both protocols are excellent choices, but OpenVPN remains the go-to if you require the utmost security, especially in highly restrictive environments.

What’s the difference between UDP and TCP protocols?

UDP and TCP are transport layer protocols used by VPNs to send data. UDP (User Datagram Protocol) is faster because it does not require acknowledgment of packets received, making it suitable for streaming and gaming. TCP (Transmission Control Protocol), however, is more reliable and guarantees the delivery of packets in the same order they were sent, which is crucial for web browsing and file downloads.

The choice between UDP and TCP often depends on whether speed or reliability is more critical for your tasks.

L2TP vs SSTP: should I use either?

Both L2TP and SSTP provide adequate security but have differing vulnerabilities. L2TP/IPsec is widely supported on all modern platforms and offers decent security when combined with IPsec. SSTP, predominantly used in Windows environments, is easy to use. However, both are generally slower and might be less secure than OpenVPN and WireGuard.

All in all, we don’t recommend you use either if you can use WireGuard, OpenVPN, or a similar proprietary protocol option.

Which protocol should I use to watch Netflix?

For streaming Netflix, a protocol that balances speed and security, like Lightway or WireGuard, is recommended. Both of these offer fast connections, which is beneficial for streaming in Ultra HD from anywhere. Depending on the device and network conditions, either could be effective, but Lightway might give you the edge in the speed that’s necessary for a seamless streaming experience.

It’s worth noting that if one VPN protocol isn’t working with Netflix, there’s a good chance another will. It’s important to choose the right protocol for the right scenario, as those that are good for security may not be suitable for streaming, and vice versa.