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VPN protocols: how to choose the right one

For secure connections with VPN clients, VPN services use so-called VPN protocols, which are special sets of instructions for tunneling and encrypting data. When choosing a VPN service, it is important to understand which protocols they use and their differences. Different protocols have their strengths and weaknesses, so it`s not possible to definitively say which one is better than the others.

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To avoid mistakes when choosing a VPN service, it`s helpful to know which protocols are best suited for your specific online activities:

  • OpenVPN - the most popular VPN protocol, known for its high security and extensive customization options. It has open-source code, has undergone numerous independent audits, and has been recognized as extremely reliable. Data encryption is possible using a wide range of encryption protocols. It can operate on any TCP/UDP port. The only downside is the speed when using certain encryption algorithms, which can be mitigated with more fine-tuning. Suitable for most tasks requiring anonymity and security.
    • VPN supporting OpenVPN
  • WireGuard - another popular protocol with open-source code, introduced in 2018. It is positioned as a more secure and efficient alternative to OpenVPN. It supports modern cryptographic algorithms but does not work with the TCP data transfer control protocol. Independent audits have not identified significant vulnerabilities so far, but the protocol is still considered experimental.
    • VPN supporting WireGuard
  • PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol) - the oldest VPN protocol on the list, created by Microsoft in the late 20th century. It uses weak authentication protocol by today`s standards, so it cannot be considered secure. However, it is suitable for accessing geo-blocked content and boasts high speed. There is a widely held belief that the protocol was compromised by the NSA. Due to its high speed, it is suitable for tasks such as gaming and streaming.
  • SSTP (Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol) - another, more modern, Microsoft development. The protocol supports robust AES-256 encryption and can bypass censorship by using SSL 3.0 over TCP port 443. Since the developer does not provide access to the source code, independent audits of this VPN protocol have not been conducted.
  • IPsec (Internet Protocol Security) - a set of protocols for protecting, encrypting, and authenticating data packets transmitted over the network. A plus is that IPsec can be used natively with many operating systems without installing third-party applications. It gained popularity when used in conjunction with IKEv2 and L2TP protocols. There is an opinion that IPsec may have been compromised by the NSA, but there is no substantial evidence for this version.
  • IKEv2/IPsec - a fairly fast and reliable protocol developed jointly by Cisco and Microsoft. It can use 256-bit encryption algorithms, so it is considered quite secure. A definite advantage of the protocol is its stability when switching networks, such as Wi-Fi and cellular connections. Therefore, IKEv2 is best suited for use on mobile devices.
    • VPN supporting IKEv2/IPsec
  • L2TP/IPsec - in this protocol combination, L2TP provides tunneling between the user and the VPN server, while IPsec provides encryption. The protocol is considered a more advanced version of PPTP. One drawback is the lower speed due to the use of double data encapsulation technology (as opposed to single encapsulation used by other VPN protocols) and the possibility of traffic blocking by firewalls due to the use of a single UDP port 500 for the connection.

In conclusion, VpnFo recommends using the following protocols:
PPTP for gaming and streaming
IKEv2/IPsec for mobile devices
WireGuard/IKEv2/L2TP for torrenting
OpenVPN for maximum security online (including purchases, banking applications, etc.)