⚡ Quick Recommendation
WireGuard for most users (fastest). OpenVPN for restrictive networks. IKEv2 for mobile devices.
Protocol Comparison
| Protocol | Speed | Security | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| WireGuard | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | Daily use, streaming |
| OpenVPN UDP | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | General use |
| OpenVPN TCP | ⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | Firewalls, stability |
| IKEv2 | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | Mobile, fast reconnect |
| L2TP/IPSec | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | Legacy support |
| PPTP | ⭐⭐⭐ | ✗ | Avoid (broken) |
Protocol Details
WireGuard
Modern, fast, efficient. ~4,000 lines of code (vs 100,000 for OpenVPN). Best performance on mobile. Default choice for most users.
OpenVPN
Battle-tested, highly configurable. TCP mode works on port 443 to bypass firewalls. UDP is faster but blocked more easily.
IKEv2
Excellent for mobile—reconnects instantly when switching between WiFi and cellular. Built into iOS and Android.
PPTP (Avoid)
Broken encryption. Only use if you need speed and don't care about security at all. Not recommended.
Recommended VPNs (All Protocols)
NordVPN
NordLynx (WireGuard) + OpenVPN + IKEv2
Surfshark
WireGuard + OpenVPN + IKEv2
All Protocols Included
Both VPNs support WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. Switch anytime. 30-day money-back guarantee.