Best VPN protocols and differences between VPN types

The OpenVPN protocol is a very popular and highly secure protocol many VPN providers use. It runs on either the TCP (transmission control protocol) or UDP (user datagram protocol) internet protocol. The former guarantees that your data is delivered in full and in the right order, while the latter focuses on faster speeds. Many VPNs, including NordVPN, will let you choose between the two.

Pros

• 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.