Best VPN protocols and differences between VPN types
A VPN protocol is a set of rules or instructions that dictate how data travels between your device and the VPN server over the internet. VPN protocols enable VPN to encrypt your connection, reroute your internet traffic, and mask your IP from unwanted snoopers. Naturally, different VPN providers may use different types of VPN protocols, which prompts the question — which one’s the best? In this article, learn about the differences between the most popular VPN types and find the best VPN protocols for online safety.
A VPN protocol is a ruleset determining how data is encrypted and online traffic moves between a device and a VPN server. VPN providers use these protocols to deliver stable and secure VPN connection for their users. Typically, each protocol focuses on a specific combination of features, for instance, compatibility and high speed or robust encryption and network stability.
However, no VPN protocol is perfect. Each may have potential vulnerabilities, documented or yet to be discovered, that may compromise your online security. Let’s look into each protocol’s pros and cons.
What are the most common VPN protocols?
Though a variety of VPN protocols are available for use by VPN providers, we’ll review the most popular ones widely used within the industry.
Open source, meaning it’s transparent. Anyone can check the code for hidden backdoors or vulnerabilities that might compromise your VPN’s security.
Versatility. It can be used with an array of different encryption and traffic protocols, configured for different uses, or be as secure or light as you need it to be.
Security. Since OpenVPN is an open source protocol, it’s compatible with additional features that can enhance the protocol’s security.
Bypasses most firewalls. Firewall compatibility isn’t an issue when using NordVPN, but it can be if you ever set up your own VPN. Fortunately, with OpenVPN, you’ll be able to bypass your firewall easily.
Cons
Complex setup. Its versatility means that most users may be paralyzed by choice and complexity if they try to set up their own OpenVPN server.
When to use it. OpenVPN is a good choice when you need comprehensive security and stable connections, especially when browsing on unsecure public Wi-Fi.
The IKEv2/IPsec protocol establishes an authenticated and encrypted connection. Microsoft and Cisco developed it to be fast, stable, and secure. As part of the IPsec internet security toolbox, IKEv2 uses other IPsec tools to provide comprehensive VPN coverage.
Pros
Stability. IKEv2/IPsec uses a tool called the Mobility and Multi-homing Protocol, which supports a VPN connection as you move between internet connections. This makes IKEv2/IPsec a dependable and stable protocol for mobile devices.
Security. As part of the IPsec suite, IKEv2/IPsec works in combination with other secure algorithms, making it a secure VPN protocol.
Speed. It takes up little bandwidth when active, and its network address translation (NAT) traversal makes it connect and communicate faster. It also helps to get through firewalls.
Cons
Complex configuration. Setting up IKEv2/IPsec is more complex compared to other protocols. Its configuration requires good knowledge of networking concepts and might be too complicated for a beginner VPN user.
When to use it. With IKEv2/IPsec, you won’t lose your VPN connection when switching from Wi-Fi to mobile data, so it is a good choice when you’re on the move. It also quickly bypasses firewalls and can offer high speeds online.
The WireGuard VPN protocol is one of the fastest VPN tunneling protocols available today. It uses state-of-the-art cryptography that gives protocols like OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPsec a run for their money. WireGuard is stable, reliable, fast, and widely applied by most of the top VPN providers worldwide.
Pros
Free and open source. Anyone can look into its code, which makes it easier to deploy, audit, and debug.
Modern and extremely fast. It consists of only 4,000 lines of code, making it “the leanest” protocol of them all. In comparison, OpenVPN’s code has approximately 100 times more lines.
Highly secure. WireGuard uses cryptographic algorithms such as ChaCha20 and Poly1305, offering strong resistance against modern cryptographic attacks.
Efficient and resource friendly. The protocol consumes fewer resources, making it ideal for mobile devices with limited processing power or battery. That allows WireGuard to offer seamless performance even on low-end hardware.
Cross-platform with built-in Linux support. WireGuard comes integrated into the Linux kernel by default, which has increased its adoption and ensures excellent performance on Linux-based devices. It also works on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.
Cons
Limited built-in privacy features. WireGuard temporarily logs IP addresses on the server to manage connections. While this data isn't logged by default, it requires VPN providers to implement additional privacy-preserving techniques, such as NAT or periodic key regeneration, to achieve true no-log functionality.
Lack of support for older devices. Since WireGuard uses modern encryption schemes, it may not work on outdated devices or legacy systems that rely on older encryption protocols.
Lack of advanced configuration options. While WireGuard’s simplicity is a strength, it lacks the configuration options and flexibility provided by protocols like OpenVPN, which may limit its use in highly specialized or niche setups.
When to use it. Use WireGuard whenever speed and safety are a priority: streaming, online gaming, or downloading large files.
The SSTP VPN protocol is a secure and capable VPN protocol created by Microsoft. While it was designed primarily for Windows users, the protocol is available on other systems, such as Linux or Android. SSTP is particularly beneficial for those using VPNs in highly restrictive regions because it uses port 443, the same port as HTTPS, making it highly effective at bypassing firewalls and network restrictions.
Pros
Secure. Similarly to other leading VPN protocols, SSTP supports the AES-256 encryption algorithm. It also uses SSL/TLS encryption, a highly secure protocol used in HTTPS communications.
Bypasses firewalls. SSTP works over port 443 allowing the protocol to get through most firewalls without interrupting your communication.
Cons
Owned by Microsoft. Since SSTP is a Microsoft product, its code isn’t available to security researchers for testing. In addition, given Microsoft’s known cooperation with government surveillance programs in the past, many privacy-focused VPN providers choose not to support SSTP.
Limited adoption by VPN providers. SSTP is supported by far fewer VPN providers compared to industry leaders like OpenVPN or WireGuard. It’s primarily used by Microsoft’s ecosystem, and although it’s technically available on Linux and Android, the support for it is limited and often requires manual configuration or third-party tools.
Slower performance. SSTP tends to be slower than newer protocols like WireGuard due to its older infrastructure and reliance on SSL/TLS. While it provides strong encryption, the protocol may have slower connections and higher latency, which is noticeable when streaming or gaming.
When to use it. SSTP is generally good for enhancing privacy while browsing the internet. It’s also useful if you’re trying to use a VPN in countries with tight content restrictions and censorship.
The Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol doesn’t actually provide any encryption or authentication – it’s simply a VPN tunneling protocol that creates a connection between you and a VPN server. It relies on the IPsec (Internet Protocol Security) to form L2TP/IPsec — a protocol that encrypts your traffic and keeps it private and secure. This protocol has a few convenient features, but certain issues (such as slower speeds) prevent it from being a leading VPN protocol. (L2TP is not among supported NordVPN protocols.)
Pros
Security and flexibility. While L2TP alone is not secure, its separation from encryption allows it to be flexibly paired with various security protocols. That allows users to modify the protocol to be as secure or lightweight as they want.
Widely available. L2TP is available on almost all modern consumer systems, meaning admins will have no trouble finding support and get it running.
Cons
Slow. The protocol encapsulates data twice, which can be useful for some applications but makes it slower compared to other protocols that only encapsulate your data once.
Has difficulties with firewalls. Unlike other VPN protocols, L2TP has no clever ways to get through firewalls. Surveillance-oriented system administrators use firewalls to block VPNs, and people who configure L2TP themselves are an easy target.
When to use it. When it comes to connecting several company branches into one network, some might consider the L2TP/IPsec protocol to be a decent choice. However, it’s important to note that, due to its limitations in speed, firewall evasion, and trustworthiness, it’s no longer a top choice for most modern VPNs. You can still use L2TP when dealing with older systems or situations where simplicity and compatibility are key priorities.
The PPTP VPN protocol was created in 1999 and was the first widely available VPN protocol designed to tunnel dial-up traffic. It uses some of the weakest encryption ciphers of any VPN protocol on this list and has plenty of security vulnerabilities. (PPTP is not a supported NordVPN protocol.)
Pros
Fast. It doesn’t require a lot of resources to be run, so modern machines operate PPTP very efficiently. It’s fast but offers minimal security.
Highly compatible. In the years since it was made, PPTP has become the bare minimum standard for tunneling and encryption. Almost every modern system and device supports it, which makes it easy to set up and use.
Cons
Unsecure. Numerous vulnerabilities and exploits have been identified for PPTP. Some, though not all, have been patched, but even Microsoft has encouraged users to switch to L2TP or SSTP.
Cracked by the NSA. The NSA is said to decrypt this protocol as a matter of course regularly.
Blocked by firewalls. As an old, outdated, bare-bones protocol, PPTP connections are easier to block via a firewall. If you’re using the protocol at a school or business that blocks VPN connections, this can disrupt your service.
When to use it. Since PPTP is an old protocol, it’s considered not secure and is better avoided.
MPLS is not a VPN protocol in the traditional sense, but it can play a key role in building private, enterprise-grade networks. MPLS (or Multiprotocol Label Switching) is a method of routing data based on labels rather than IP addresses to create a private, secure network. It enables multiple locations or branch offices to connect over the service provider’s MPLS backbone network, without needing direct physical connections like traditional leased lines. Unlike public VPNs (which run over the public internet), MPLS operates on the service provider's private network infrastructure, ensuring higher reliability, predictable performance, and better security.
Pros
Fast and efficient. MPLS design allows it to efficiently route data across networks. This reduces latency and makes it exceptionally fast for high-bandwidth, low-latency applications like VoIP and video conferencing.
Highly reliable. Unlike public internet solutions, MPLS operates over service providers’ private networks. That ensures consistent, predictable speeds and high reliability. Additionally, its built-in quality of service (QoS) features allow users to prioritize critical traffic, avoiding packet loss or jitter.
Cons
Expensive. MPLS circuits are significantly more expensive than internet-based solutions. The cost includes dedicated connections as well as service provider fees, which can be expensive for smaller organizations or startups.
Not built for the cloud. MPLS was designed for branch-to-branch or branch-to-data-center communication, not modern cloud-centric applications. As businesses move operations to cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud, MPLS networks often require expensive workarounds or additional configurations to integrate with cloud services.
Lacks native encryption. While MPLS isolates traffic, it does not encrypt data by default. Users can add encryption through additional protocols.
Lack of flexibility. Organizations are heavily dependent on their MPLS provider for scalability, changes, and maintenance. This lack of flexibility can slow down deployments and make switching providers complex and expensive.
When to use it. MPLS is best suited for large enterprises or organizations with multiple branch offices that require reliable, low-latency communication between locations, particularly for QoS-reliant applications like VoIP or teleconferencing.
The NordWhisper protocol is a custom NordVPN protocol designed to provide users with reliable VPN access on restricted networks where traditional protocols may have difficulty connecting because of network filters. Based on web tunnel technology, it blends in with regular web traffic and makes it harder to detect and restrict VPN connections. This way, it ensures a more consistent browsing experience without compromising security or privacy.
Pros
Works on restrictive networks. It is designed to help connect to the VPN on networks that typically limit traditional VPN traffic, such as hotel Wi-Fi, corporate offices, universities, and public hotspots.
Secure. While it makes access to a VPN easier, NordWhisper upholds the same strong security and privacy standards as other NordVPN protocols.
Cons
Potentially slower. In some situations, it may be slightly slower than other protocols because of the technology it uses. If you’re connected to a regular network, it's best to use other protocols, like NordLynx, which is optimized for speed.
When to use it. NordWhisper is a good choice when you need to connect to networks with strict filters, like public Wi-Fi at airports, cafes, or hotels, where traditional VPN protocols might not work.
VPN protocol comparison
With tons of VPN protocols to choose from, you may be interested in seeing how they compare against each other. Here’s a simplified comparison of the most popular VPN protocols.
VPN protocol
Speed
Cipher strength
Perfect forward secrecy
Firewall bypass
Mobile performance
Encryption
Stability
P2P
Available in NordVPN app
OpenVPN
Fast
AES-256-GCM
Yes
Excellent
Good
Very good
Very good
Good
Yes
IPsec/IKEv2
Fast
AES-256
Yes
Medium
Excellent
Very good
Very good
Good
Yes
Wireguard*
Very fast
ChaCha20
Yes
Medium
Excellent
Very good
Very good
Good
Yes
SSTP
Medium
AES-256
Yes
Good
Medium
Good
Good
Poor
No
L2TP/IPsec
Medium
AES-256
No
Fair
Poor
Medium
Good
Poor
No
PPTP
Fast
MPPE-128
No
Poor
Poor
None
Excellent
Poor
No
MPLS**
Very fast
No encryption
-
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
-
No
NordWhisper
Fast
AES-256, ChaCha20, Poly1305
Yes
Excellent
Good
Very good
Very good
Good
Yes
* Our NordLynx protocol is built around WireGuard and you can find it on the NordVPN app.
**MPLS is not a traditional VPN protocol, so certain fields (such as cipher strength and P2P suitability) are irrelevant for direct comparison.
IMPORTANT: This table provides a general comparison based on typical performance characteristics. Performance may vary depending on your network conditions, server location, and VPN provider.
What is the best VPN protocol?
The best VPN protocol is a question of preference. It depends largely on your needs, priorities, and the contexts in which you will use your VPN. Every VPN protocol has its own advantages and disadvantages, which you should consider before making your choice of VPN. Below are the main factors you should think of before choosing the right VPN for you:
Security. OpenVPN, WireGuard, and NordWhispher are protocols that can offer the most robust encryption and top-grade security. OpenVPN uses an AES 256-bit encryption key, widely used by top-tier entities, such as NASA and the military. Meanwhile, WireGuard uses a comparatively new and sturdy encryption protocol called XChaCha20. It’s faster than AES 256-bit encryption and doesn’t require special hardware, making it increasingly popular on the cyber scene. Finally, NordWhisper combines both these keys along with Poly1305 — a message authentication code that ensures the integrity of encrypted traffic, preventing tampering.
Speed and performance. Currently, WireGuard is one of the fastest VPN protocols on the market. It offers quicker connection times than its counterparts and an improved battery life for mobile devices. IKEv2/IPsec is also considered a fast protocol, especially efficient at reestablishing broken VPN connections. NordLynx by NordVPN couples WireGuard’s speed with enhanced security and is your best choice for gaming.
Compatibility. Being an open-source protocol, OpenVPN offers a high level of versatility and can be supported by almost all platforms, from desktops to mobile devices. IKEv2 is compatible with the majority of mobile platforms, whereas SSTP is a good choice if you’re using a Windows device since it’s natively supported.
Stability on mobile networks. IKEv2/IPsec provides a strong connection over mobile devices and allows users to switch between networks without risking their security. This makes it the most stable VPN protocol for mobile devices.
Bypassing firewalls and restrictions. SSTP uses port 443, which is typically open on most networks and effectively bypasses firewalls and other network restrictions. OpenVPN can also be configured to work on port 443, offering some rivalry to SSTP. NordWhisper, on the other hand, was specifically designed to navigate network filters by blending in with regular web traffic and making it harder for restrictive networks to detect and limit VPN activity.
Easy configuration. As a relatively new and technologically advanced protocol, WireGuard is your best choice for a simple configuration and setup.
Open source and proprietary protocols. While proprietary protocols are the sole responsibility of their developers, open-source protocols are more transparent because the security enthusiast can audit them publicly. It helps to spot and patch software vulnerabilities more efficiently. That’s why many privacy and security experts prefer OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols.
What is the most secure VPN protocol?
It’s nearly impossible to single out the most secure VPN protocol, because its security heavily depends on configuration, context, and specific use cases. If you’re looking for the most secure VPN, you have to consider the intended application and environment in which the VPN will be used. For example, closed work networks may benefit tremendously from MPLS. Meanwhile, casual users may be better off using the OpenVPN, WireGuard, or NordWhisper protocols provided by NordVPN.
What are the different types of VPNs?
A VPN can be used in various situations and for various reasons, be it for accomplishing specific tasks for your work or leisurely browsing the internet. Let’s take a look at the different types of VPNs and their use cases.
1. Remote access VPN
Remote access VPNs allow employees to securely access their company’s internal network and resources from remote locations. Businesses primarily use them to keep their resources secure and have more robust access control. For this, they typically use multi-factor authentication (MFA) methods and allow access to specific resources based on an employee’s role or department.
2. Site-to-site VPN
Site-to-site VPNs extend a company’s network between different locations. They can be divided into two categories:
Intranet-based VPNs, which combine multiple LANs to one private network.
Extranet-based VPNs, which companies use to extend their network and share it with partners or customers.
3. Personal VPNs
Personal VPNs enable individual users to connect to a private network remotely. They encrypt user data and send it through an encrypted tunnel to a VPN server. Afterward, the encrypted data gains the IP address of a VPN server and is transferred to the endpoint – a website, for instance.
4. Mobile VPNs
Mobile VPNs allow mobile devices to securely access their home network with its resources and software applications while being on network. Mobile VPNs are designed to handle switching between wireless and wired networks without dropping secure VPN sessions and maintaining a stable connection at all times.
5. Browser-based VPNs
A browser-based VPN is a service designed to operate specifically on a web browser. Web-based VPNs only encrypt and route the online traffic from a browser on which it’s installed. Essentially, they are HTTPS proxy extensions that route your web traffic through a remote server. SSL VPNs utilize Secure Sockets Layer/Transport Layer Security (SSL/TLS) for encryption; however, they don’t cover an entire device’s connection.
The latest VPN protocol on the market is WireGuard. Released in 2015, WireGuard received praise for its efficiency, simplicity, and robust security standards from many industry experts and is widely used among VPN service providers.
Yes, you can switch between different VPN protocols. However, every protocol has different performance and security characteristics, which will likely impact your VPN connection in one way or another.
Some VPN providers have taken additional steps and created their own VPN protocols, mixing the functionalities of already established ones. For instance, NordVPN has created its own iteration of WireGuard called NordLynx. It allows faster connection to VPN servers and improves VPN connection speed without compromising security.
Though many reliable VPN providers allow VPN protocol switching, you should always make sure that both your VPN client and VPN server support the desired protocol. For a smoother process, consider checking out NordVPN’s protocol switching guidelines.
Yes, a VPN protocol can affect your privacy. However, that strongly depends on the protocol configuration and the credibility of your VPN service provider. Modern encryption and good handling of session keys make VPN protocols a useful privacy tool. But if it’s poorly configured or used by a questionable provider (for example, the one that logs user data), then the protocol’s strength becomes irrelevant.
Every type of VPN has its own specific features and use cases, and every VPN protocol was created with a specific focus in mind. Rounding up your needs and choosing a VPN can help you get the best service.
Yes, VPN protocols are evolving because of the effort that VPN providers and cybersecurity experts put into improving them. Over the years, VPN protocols have become faster, more secure, and more reliable in safeguarding users against growing online privacy risks and cybersecurity threats. With the surge of AI and an increased number of configuration options, users may expect even more protocols (or configuration options), potentially resulting in more secure online browsing.
You deserve to feel safe online
Whether you’re browsing, working, or gaming, protect your privacy with NordVPN.
Lukas Tamašiūnas is a content creator with an interest in the latest developments in the cybersecurity industry. He follows his curiosity to discover and share practical knowledge about online safety.
