VPN protocols explained and compared

[Sasha]

VPN protocols explained and compared

OpenVPN, IKEv2, PPTP, Wireguard, L2TP, SSTP, IPSec ... what are all these VPN protocols and which one should you use? This handy cheat sheet highlights the major features of popular VPN protocols so you don't have to wade through pages of documentation.

This is a quick reference guide for the lay-person who wants to explore the different VPN protocols available. For those who want a quick answer as to which one they should use:

Opt for OpenVPN when available, especially when the setup is handled by a third-party app
L2TP / IPSec is probably the most widely used alternative that offers decent security
SSTP is also a solid option for Windows users, assuming you trust proprietary tech from Microsoft
IKEv2 is a fast and secure alternative for the few devices that support it, particularly mobile devices
Only use PPTP as a last resort
Wireguard is a newer protocol that promises to be faster and more efficient, but has some privacy drawbacks



Read attentively