Popular VPN Protocols: A Comparative Guide

VPNs are a valuable online tool with about 1.6 Billion users worldwide. There are many available, both free and premium. They work to keep your online activities anonymous and secure but not all use the same protocols.

Some protocols offer certain advantageous features over others, but they often come at the expense of others. 

Without the right information, it becomes hard to determine whether it is beneficial. To choose the best VPN protocol, you have to understand how it works and its strengths and weaknesses. A VPN helps keep your online activities private, and knowing the best protocol to use can improve both security and access to content. Choosing the right VPN is crucial to ensure smooth browsing and protection from ESPN blackout online threats.

By exploring and comparing the most common VPN protocols in this guide, hopefully, you will be able to choose one that fits your specific needs.

The 6 Most Common VPN Protocols

The main task of a VPN is to secure the user’s online activity. While each VPN protocol works to do the same job they handle it a little differently.

To judge whether the protocol is for you, you need to consider three important aspects: 

  • Security and encryption capabilities;
  • Speed;
  • Device compatibility.

Let’s explore these aspects in the most common VPN protocols to find out what they offer.

1. OpenVPN

One of the most popular and widely used open-source VPN  protocols is OpenVPN.

As it is open-source, anyone can look at the coding behind it. This makes it a trusted choice for many. Let’s break down its important features:

Security and Encryption Capabilities

OpenVPN uses high-level AES-256 encryption, which is known as a strong security feature.

Because it is open-source VPN providers can adjust the customizable protocol. This means that the settings can be tailored depending on the user’s needs.

Speed

High-level encryption is, unfortunately, going to affect your connection speeds. This could be a concern for users on slower networks.

Compatibility

OpenVPN is a versatile choice that works with a variety of network setups. It is Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux compatible.

2. L2TP/IPsec

Another set of protocols you will often see paired up is Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP) and  Internet Protocol Security (IPsec). 

VPNs provide a secure route for your traffic tunneling is an effective way to do it but L2PT doesn’t offer any encryption.

For that reason, VPN providers use it with IPSec, which encrypts and protects at an internet layer. 

Security and Encryption Capabilities

L2TP/IPsec encrypts data twice (end-to-end), making it pretty secure. It negotiates twice between two hosts via two routers. 

While it is widely used by many internet security tools, Open VPN works with pre-shared authentication keys. This can make it an easier target for cybercriminals without safe management.

Speed

With the double-negotiating that L2TP/IPsec offers to encrypt your traffic and communication, it is often slower than other protocols.

Compatibility

The majority of operating systems already have built-in L2TP/IPsec capabilities. This means no extra software is required. As it is an older protocol concept it works on older devices and is effortless to set up.

3. IKEv2/IPsec

In place of  Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol, VPN providers might favor Internet Key Exchange version 2 (IKEv2) alongside IPsec. It is a more modern option that is better for mobile devices. 

Security and Encryption Capabilities

IKEv2/IPsec is regarded as highly secure. It automatically negotiates and establishes a secure association for enhanced security. It does it by a process known as a 2-step handshake.

It also regenerates session keys periodically, effectively lowering security risks.

The automated nature means it exchanges encryption keys rapidly to prevent interception. It runs constant integrity verifications and can switch securely from network to network.

Speed

The automatic key exchange means its speeds are ideal for fast data transmissions; it reconnects as soon as a network drops and maintains a signal while switching from mobile data to public Wi-Fi.

Compatibility

As you might have guessed, this modern Protocol with features geared toward mobile devices has less compatibility. 

It works seamlessly with iOS and Android and is supported on Windows and macOS with configuration tweaks.

4. PPTP

Although it is still in use, the Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) is very outdated.

Developed in the mid-90s by Microsoft it doesn’t quite match up to the protocols that followed it but it is easy to use.

Security and Encryption Capabilities

Given that it is the oldest of the protocols listed, unfortunately, PPTP is far less secure. Modern hacking methods have become sophisticated and the need for stronger encryption has grown a lot since the 90s.

Speed

With its more rudimentary encryption comes its biggest advantage; speed. If security isn’t a real concern with your internet activities then it works well as a high-speed VPN protocol, ideal for streaming or downloading trustworthy content.

Compatibility

Almost every operating system is compatible with PPTP regardless of how old.

5. WireGuard

With a far more current approach to its design, WireGuard is making waves because of its strong performance. 

Security and Encryption Capabilities

WireGuard efficiently uses a smaller codebase (under 5,000 lines), minimizing the potential factors that could fail. It uses User Datagram Protocol to and encrypt each packet sent using state-of-the-art cryptography. It defines the user with matched keys instead of an IP  with neither side using an established TCP tunnel. This makes it incredibly secure.

Speed

WireGuard’s smaller codebase and simpler functionality make it one of the fastest VPN protocols available, perfect for security at speed.

Compatibility

It is supported on major platforms like Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. However, given that WireGuard is so modern it is still being integrated into many VPN services and is not yet universally available. 

The protocol’s advantages will likely see it replace the current industry standard before long.

6. SSTP

Another method of tunneling that VPNs use as a protocol is Microsoft Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol (SSTP).

Security and Encryption Capabilities

As the name suggests, SSTP tunnels through the internet. It encrypts communications with TLS (Transport Layer Security) between a client and server, keeping everything private.

It is quite secure and can bypass firewalls reliably.

Speed

While other protocols we have highlighted have a faster edge, SSTP is moderately fast.

Its performance hangs on the server locations and the network conditions it encounters while tunneling.

Compatibility

SSTP is less versatile as it is used more or less exclusively with Windows, which supports it natively.

VPN Protocols

Comparing VPN Protocols

With the six individual common VPN protocols identified and their specs explored, the next step is a comparison.

By weighing up the advantages and disadvantages against your needs, you can narrow down your options. 

Below is a summary of the six common individual VPN protocols that have been identified to help determine the best option for you.

Comparison of Security and Encryption Capabilities

  • OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, and WireGuard offer the strongest encryption and receive regular patch updates;
  • L2TP/IPsec relies on pre-shared keys, which makes it slightly less secure than its competitors;
  • PPTP should only be considered for non-sensitive tasks because it is the most vulnerable.

Comparison of Speed

  • For fast data transfers, WireGuard and IKEv2/IPsec trump the rest; 
  • PPTP is high speed but lower security and, therefore, riskier;
  • OpenVPN with high encryption is slower but works fine if VPN providers reduce lag through optimization.

Comparison of  Compatibility

  • OpenVPN is the most compatible protocol and is easy to set up;
  • L2TP/IPsec is widely supported and simple to use;
  • IKEv2/IPsec is best for mobile devices;
  • SSTP is best for Windows but not widely supported elsewhere;
  • WireGuard is not yet universally supported.

Conclusion

The right VPN protocol ultimately depends on your browsing habits and activities. How secure do you need things to be?

If, like 46% of Americans, your security is a priority, then OpenVPN, WireGuard, or IKEv2/IPsec, which offer the highest level of security, should be considered.

If speed is important to you, then WireGuard and IKEv2/IPsec are ideal. PPTP is probably best avoided as we enter into an increasingly digital world.

Regardless of which you opt for or your privacy needs, the choice will be more straightforward now that you know a little more about the strengths and weaknesses of each.

December 12, 2024
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