Virtual Private Network (VPN) Protocols
A Full VPN Protocols List in 2025: Explained and Compared
VPN protocols are the parts that make virtual private networks
tick, but most users know little about them. This guide will
explain what the different protocols do, what they're good at,
and when you should use each one.
VPN Protocols Explained
VPN protocols govern how a VPN connection is established,
encrypted and authenticated.
When choosing a VPN protocol, you must consider a variety of
factors like security, speed, compatibility and specific use
cases, there is no single best VPN protocol.
OpenVPN and WireGuard are seen as the most secure and
best-performing protocols, replacing older protocols like the
insecure PPTP or the slower L2TP.
Facts & Expert Analysis: The Different Types of VPN Protocols
A reliable option:
OpenVPN uses robust encryption like AES-256 and supports multiple authentication methods.
A top performer:
WireGuard's lighter design leverages ChaCha20 for encryption, while only requiring a
quick and simple key exchange as opposed to a full handshake.
Best for mobile devices:
IKEv2/IPsec combines IKEv2 for the initial key exchange with the IPsec security suite, which
includes the highly secure AES-256.
VPNs have become ubiquitous in home offices around the world. They
are responsible for safeguarding internet connections and
protecting sensitive data for a vast number of users. VPN
protocols are what make a VPN work, establishing the secure
connections that let you surf the web without fear.
Not all VPN service providers are created equal, and a large part
of their effectiveness depends on the underlying VPN protocol
they use. This guide will delve into what VPN protocols are and
explore the nuances, strengths and weaknesses of each option.
What Are VPN Protocols
A VPN protocol is a set of rules and specifications that govern
how a virtual private network (VPN) establishes an encrypted
tunnel between your device and the VPN server. VPN protocols
dictate several essential aspects of a VPN's functioning, such as
encryption protocols, authentication mechanisms and data
transmission processes.
The encrypted tunnel that the VPN establishes secures your
internet connection, shielding your online activities from prying
eyes, such as internet service providers (ISPs), hackers or even
government surveillance agencies. This is why it's important to
only use secure protocols, as well as ones that match your use
case.
VPN Protocols Comparison
The list below compares some of the key features and supported
platforms for the major VPN protocols.
The performance and security characteristics of a VPN protocol may
vary depending on the VPN provider and its custom
configuration.
6 Types of VPN Protocols Explained
There are six major VPN protocols used in VPN applications today:
OpenVPN: Best VPN Protocol for Reliability: OpenVPN
OpenVPN is the gold standard of VPN protocols.
Pros:
Open source
Strong AES-256 encryption
Highly configurable
Cons:
Large and complex code base
Greater performance overhead
OpenVPN is widely regarded as one of the most secure and versatile
VPN protocols, with robust encryption and authentication methods.
Its open-source nature allows for security audits, though its
large codebase can hamper auditing and make it more susceptible
to attacks if not properly maintained. Its unwieldy code also
creates more performance overhead compared to newer
protocols.
OpenVPN is also considered the most stable VPN protocol. It's
compatible with various operating systems, including Windows,
macOS, Linux and Android, making it a popular choice among VPN
providers and users alike.
WireGuard: Best Protocol for Security & Performance
WireGuard is a modern protocol that aims to address most of
OpenVPN's issues.
Pros:
Extremely fast and lightweight
Simple and easy to configure
Modern cryptography and authentication
Cons:
Relatively new
Fewer configuration options than OpenVPN
WireGuard is another open-source protocol that has gained
significant traction thanks to its exceptional speed and
kernel-level access. With a lean codebase and cutting-edge
cryptography, this secure VPN protocol provides excellent
security while minimizing overhead. Its streamlined design makes
it easier to audit and less susceptible to attacks than the
complex OpenVPN.
WireGuard works on all major operating systems, even integrating
into the Windows, Linux and Android kernels for increased
performance. Mac and iPhone users might see less of a speed
difference compared to OpenVPN.
IKEv2/IPsec Best Protocol for Mobile Devices & Seamless Reconnection
IKEv2 especially shines in mobile connections.
Pros:
Seamless reconnection
Native support on mobile
Decent encryption with IPsec
Cons:
Closed source (owned by Microsoft and Cisco)
Potential for security vulnerabilities due to limited auditing
More complex implementation
IKEv2/IPsec is a VPN tunneling protocol that uses the Internet
Protocol Security (IPsec) encryption cipher combined with the
fast reconnection abilities of IKEv2 (Internet Key Exchange
Version Two). It's a very stable protocol that can switch
seamlessly between different networks a great advantage for
mobile devices that frequently swap between WiFi and mobile data.
L2TP/IPsec: Best VPN Protocol for Compatibility With Older Systems
L2TP has decent security, but it has been surpassed by more
performant protocols like OpenVPN and WireGuard.
Pros
Wide compatibility with older devices
IPsec encryption
Cons
Slower than modern protocols
Harder to configure
Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP) is an older VPN protocol that
when combined with the IPsec suite for encryption presents a
secure and widely compatible VPN solution. While it may not offer
the same level of performance as more modern alternatives, L2TP
is still a secure protocol thanks to the IPsec component.
One of the main advantages of the L2TP/IPsec protocol is its broad
compatibility with older devices that may not support newer
protocols. However, the protocol's performance is often worse
than other protocols, and you have to configure L2TP and IPsec
separately (a flaw shared with IKEv2/IPsec).
PPTP: Use in Legacy Systems Only (Not Recommended for Security)
PPTP was the first VPN protocol to gain widespread adoption, but
its encryption is flawed.
Pros:
Compatible with older systems
Cons:
Security is essentially nonexistent
The Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) was the first widely
available VPN protocol, initially released on Windows 95. This
protocol was developed by Microsoft, and Harvard lecturer Bruce
Schneier found that it was susceptible to all kinds of attacks.
It's now considered defunct.
Though it still comes preinstalled on all major desktop and mobile
operating systems, nowadays it's mostly used in legacy systems
that rely on older software. Most VPNs dont support PPTP, but if
you come across one that does, we suggest avoiding it if another
protocol is available.
SSTP: Best Used for Niche Applications
SSTP is a Microsoft-made VPN protocol that is best used for legacy
applications.
Pros:
Good at bypassing censorship
Native Windows support
Cons:
Limited compatibility with other OSes
Closed source
Owned by Microsoft
The Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol (SSTP) is another protocol
that Microsoft developed as an upgrade from PPTP and
L2TP/IPsec. As a closed-source protocol, SSTP isnt auditable by
the public at large, which means it could harbour flaws that we
aren't aware of yet.
It's natively supported on Windows, which can be advantageous for
bypassing network restrictions or censorship. However, its
compatibility is also limited to these systems, making it an
unpopular choice for commercial VPN applications when compared to
better alternatives like OpenVPN, IKEv2 and WireGuard.
What About Proprietary Protocols?
We generally advise our readers to avoid proprietary protocols
because they are often closed source, like Hotspot Shield's
Catapult Hydra protocol. Closed-source protocols lack
transparency, so it's hard to verify their security claims or
assess potential vulnerabilities.
Having no opportunity for community reviews can raise concerns
about undisclosed weaknesses or possible security backdoors.
That's why it's crucial to thoroughly research the provider's
reputation, transparency practices and any independent
third-party security audits.
That said, some proprietary protocols are just as good if not
better than other popular VPN protocols. A solid example is
ExpressVPN's Lightway protocol, which is completely open source
and a top performer in our VPN speed test. Another example is
NordVPN's NordLynx protocol. While this is a branded product with
proprietary solution, it's only a slight modification of the
WireGuard base.
What Is the Best VPN Protocol?
Although people will often designate OpenVPN or WireGuard as the
best VPN protocol, the reality is that there is no universal
best VPN protocol. The ideal VPN protocol often depends on your
specific needs and priorities. Here are some important factors to
consider when selecting a VPN protocol:
Security:
The chosen VPN protocol must be airtight, use modern encryption and ideally be open source.
Speed & performance:
All VPN protocols reduce your internet speed, but some are lighter than others.
Operating system & device compatibility:
Some VPN protocols only work on certain devices or work better on operating systems where
they have a greater degree of kernel access.
Content unblocking ability:
VPN protocols operating on the same ports as regular HTTPS traffic will make your activity look like
regular online traffic, so it will be harder for geoblocking systems and firewalls to detect.
Obfuscation helps with internet access in restrictive countries like China.
The Most Secure VPN Protocols
OpenVPN (TCP)
WireGuard
When it comes to security, both OpenVPN and WireGuard are considered highly secure options, leveraging robust encryption
algorithms and authentication methods that are practically unbreakable with today's computing power.
OpenVPN's use of AES-256, combined with its support for various
authentication mechanisms, provides a multi-layered security
approach. However, its large codebase increases the potential
attack surface compared to the dainty WireGuard.
On the other hand, WireGuard employs ChaCha20 encryption and
Curve25519 for key exchange, both of which are modern and highly
secure cryptographic algorithms. However, this simplicity can
also limit where it can be applied, as WireGuard lacks the
configurability of OpenVPN.
In practical terms, OpenVPN and WireGuard are both highly secure
when properly implemented and maintained, making it difficult to
definitively declare one as the most secure VPN protocol.
The Fastest VPN Protocol for Gaming
WireGuard
IKEv2
Gaming with a VPN is really only recommended on the fastest
possible protocols, as high speeds and low latency are crucial
factors. Here, we can easily declare WireGuard and IKEv2 as the
two fastest VPN protocols, at least on paper.
Both protocols are slim and streamlined, which contributes to
their fast speeds. WireGuard even has kernel access on Windows,
Linux and Android, which means it performs even more efficiently
on those operating systems.
But gaming requires more than just speed. The best VPN protocol
for gaming must be able to reconnect fast enough in case of a
network drop - both of these protocols excel in that area as
well.
We'd be hard-pressed to recommend just one protocol, but the
kernel-level WireGuard should technically perform better for
gaming applications, despite having no kernel access on Mac and
iOS (though honestly, who games on a Mac).
The Best VPN Protocol for Streaming
OpenVPN (UDP)
WireGuard
IKEv2
Like gaming, streaming relies on speed, but it also requires
content unblocking capabilities. This is because most streaming
services lock their content based on your country or geographic
region (this is called geoblocking or geofencing), as we mention
in our guide on the best VPN for Netflix.
OpenVPN over UDP is faster than its default TCP counterpart,
making it a good option for high-quality streaming. Additionally,
its ability to run on ports that arent typical for VPN
connections lets it pass geofencing systems undetected.
WireGuard and IKEv2 are also excellent choices for streaming due
to their high-speed performance and efficient encryption
processes. Plus, their ability to quickly reestablish a secure
connection makes them the best choice for streaming on the go.
However, it's worth noting that while the protocol choice does
play a part, the ability to unblock content will depend on the
streaming service being accessed, as well as the VPN provider's
own obfuscation techniques. Some VPNs use rotating IP addresses
and specialised streaming servers to enhance their unblocking
ability beyond what the protocol could achieve on its own.
The Best VPN Protocol for Android and iPhone
IKEv2
WireGuard
Mobile VPN protocols require a different set of features than
desktop ones. For one, the protocol must support Android and iOS,
which not all of them do. Furthermore, it needs to be fast enough
to not impede performance on high-speed 5G networks, and it must
be able to switch networks seamlessly, which mobile VPN users
often have to do.
All of these criteria narrow the choices down to IKEv2 and
WireGuard as the top picks for mobile. We'll point out that
WireGuard is likely the best VPN protocol for Android, since it
accesses the Android kernel directly, but the title of the best
VPN protocol for iPhone could go either way.
The 3 Types of VPNs
There are three types of VPNs depending on their uses:
Remote access VPN:
This type of VPN allows individual users to securely connect to
a private network from a remote location over the internet.
Remote access VPNs are commonly used by employees who work from
home or travel, providing them with secure access to company
resources while away from the office.
Site-to-site VPN:
A site-to-site VPN is used to connect two or more separate networks
like branch offices, collaborators, clients or data centers via the
internet. This type of VPN creates a secure tunnel between the different
sites, allowing all connected networks to share the same resources.
VPN apps: VPN applications are designed for individual users who
want to secure their internet connection and protect their online
privacy. These VPNs typically provide remote access to their own
VPN server network, which is in turn connected to the internet.
They act as a middleman between the VPN user and the internet at
large.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right VPN protocol is crucial for ensuring the
security and performance of your VPN connection. While OpenVPN
and WireGuard are widely viewed as the most secure and efficient
options, your ideal choice will depend on your specific use case,
needs and priorities.
It's important to remember that even the most secure protocols can
fail if not properly implemented or maintained. Always choose a
reputable VPN provider that regularly updates its software and
has a proven track record.
What are your thoughts on VPN protocols? Do you have a strong
preference for one over the rest, or do you simply let the VPN
app choose for you? Please let us know in the comments below, and
as always, thank you for reading.