To save you the trouble, I tested all the common VPN protocols to see what works best in different situations. I also answered all the popular questions about VPN protocols to help you make the best choice if you’re not sure which to use. Among all the VPN protocols I tested, ExpressVPN came out on top with its proprietary Lightway Protocol. The Lightway protocol is not only very secure but also fast and offers post-quantum protection to shield you against future attacks. Plus, it works on all platforms and minimizes connection drops. You can try ExpressVPN confidently as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as ExpressVPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology. Try ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol

Quick Guide: The Top 7 Common VPN Protocols

What Is a VPN Protocol?

A VPN protocol is a set of rules and standards used to establish a secure and encrypted connection between your device, the VPN server, and the web. VPN protocols dictate how data from your device is transmitted online without compromising your privacy and security. When you browse without a VPN, your traffic goes directly from your computer to the internet by adhering to the Internet Protocol (IP), which is a set of rules your device knows. When you use a VPN, it encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a secure tunnel using a different set of protocols. Your device isn’t familiar with this, so it needs the VPN’s help. However, VPN protocols provide more than direction. They also determine the speed and security of the pathway, including the ports used and the reliability of your connection. Generally, popular VPN protocols like OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard balance speed and security differently which have varying effects on your online activities.

Common VPN protocols

1. WireGuard

WireGuard was initially released for the Linux kernel but it’s deployed cross-platform now. It’s newer than OpenVPN and unique because of its lightweight codebase of just about 4,000 lines. WireGuard’s lean codebase makes security audits easier and reduces the likelihood of potential vulnerabilities, as they are easier to detect and fix. WireGuard also supports Perfect Forward Secrecy, which is a system that changes the encryption keys with every session. The constant change makes session keys useless to hackers trying to steal your data. This is one reason why WireGuard is the default protocol used by some top VPN providers. Although it supports the ChaCha20 cipher for encryption, WireGuard alone isn’t the best for privacy. So, it’s recommended to use WireGuard with other security features of reputable VPNs.

2. OpenVPN

OpenVPN is a well-known protocol offered by many top VPN providers. It supports leading encryption ciphers like AES and Blowfish, is open-source, and has broad device compatibility. Plus, it has been extensively tested and independently audited. Often regarded as the most secure protocol, OpenVPN is considered the gold standard in VPN protocols. However, it isn’t the fastest VPN protocol though you can strike a balance between speed and security with its UDP and TCP tunneling options.

3. IKEv2

IKEv2 (Internet Key Exchange version 2) was jointly developed by Microsoft and Cisco and it’s useful for mobile users who frequently switch between cellular data and WiFi networks. IKEv2 uses the MOBIKE protocol to ensure smooth network transitions. However, IKEv2 alone is often not considered a VPN protocol, which is why it’s typically combined with IPSec. IPSec is a suite of security protocols featuring AES, Camellia, or ChaCha20. After IKEv2 creates a secure connection between your device and the VPN, IPSec encrypts your data before it passes the VPN tunnel.

4. SSTP

Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol (SSTP) is effective in bypassing firewalls. It uses SSL/TLS and TCP port 443 by default and works very well with Windows devices. SSTP also employs AES-256 encryption to ensure secure transmission of your data. My concern is that SSTP is closed-source and owned by Microsoft. So, it’s not certain if it is truly transparent.

5. L2TP/IPSec

L2TP/IPSec (Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol combined with Internet Protocol Security) is a versatile VPN protocol developed by Microsoft and Cisco in 1999. By itself, L2TP doesn’t offer any encryption. But when combined with IPSec, L2TP offers the AES-256 cipher, which is safe. However, since the NSA helped develop IPsec, there are concerns that L2TP/IPSec may have been compromised by the intelligence agency.

6. PPTP

PPTP was developed by Microsoft for dial-up networks in 1996. It’s natively supported by various platforms and easy to set up. PPTP has fast speeds due to its low-level encryption but it’s not recommended if privacy is a priority — it’s not compatible with the military-grade AES-256 cipher.

7. SoftEther

SoftEther is a relatively new, open-sourced protocol developed as an academic project at the University of Tsukuba. It’s adaptable across different OS, including Android. SoftEther is good for bypassing firewalls, but lacks native support on mainstream operating systems.

Proprietary VPN Protocols

Proprietary protocols are developed and used by VPN providers and they’re usually close-sourced. They have many advantages such as better speeds, security features, and capabilities to bypass firewalls. Examples include VyprVPN’s Chameleon protocol, Hotspot Shield’s Catapult Hydra, and NordVPN’s NordLynx. However, ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol stands out with a lean codebase, which contributes to its efficiency and reduced resource consumption. It offers stable connections, so it’s an ideal choice for on-the-go mobile users. But most importantly, Lightway didn’t compromise my privacy, even while optimizing my speeds. ExpressVPN has also upgraded Lightway to include post-quantum protection. This basically means that hackers can’t collect your encrypted data today in the hopes of decrypting it in the future with quantum computers. With Lightway, my download speed didn’t go below 250 Mbps, which is just about the same as my regular internet speed. During my tests, I could connect in less than 3 seconds, which is at least 2 times faster than other protocols I tested. Lightway has passed rigorous security audits, so I highly recommend it.

VPN Protocol Comparison

How to Choose the Best VPN Protocol for Every Situation

The VPN protocol you use determines how optimal certain activities like streaming, torrenting, and gaming will be. Here’s a breakdown of protocol recommendations for specific situations:

Streaming

When streaming content, speed takes priority over privacy to avoid lags. ExpressVPN’s Lightway is an excellent choice for optimal performance, especially to watch American Netflix and other streaming platforms depending on your location. Other suitable protocols include NordVPN’s NordLynx, WireGuard, IKEv2, L2TP/IPSec, and OpenVPN (UDP).

Torrenting

You need a balance between speed and privacy when downloading torrents. Secure and speedy protocols like Lightway, WireGuard, NordLynx, and OpenVPN (UDP) are all recommended. These protocols help protect your IP and maintain your privacy when using P2P networks.

Gaming

Low ping is crucial for a smooth gaming experience. It’s the time it takes for a command you enter on your device to be translated into an action in the game. The lower the ping, the faster the response time. Opt for fast tunneling protocols like IKEv2, Lightway, or WireGuard and connect to a nearby location to minimize latency. The closer the server you use, the less distance your signal has to travel, resulting in reduced lag during gaming sessions. ExpressVPN and CyberGhost have the best protocols for gaming and are therefore the best VPNs to play Call of Duty and other fast-paced games.

Privacy

For whistleblowers and those in restrictive countries, it’s essential to choose the safest protocols to protect privacy. Lightway, WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 are all recommended protocols. Additionally, consider using a VPN with double encryption for maximum security.

Mobile Devices

IKEv2 is an excellent choice for mobile users. It ensures a secure and stable connection, with the added benefit of quick reconnection in case of internet disruptions. These features make IKEv2 a preferred protocol for users always on the move.

Older Devices

For older devices and operating systems, you might want to try L2TP/IPSec or PPTP, as they’re compatible with a wide range of platforms. But for security concerns, L2TP/IPSec is a better option.

Final Thoughts: What Is the Right VPN Protocol for You?

When choosing the right VPN protocol, you should consider your device, the security requirements, and the online activity you want to engage in. These can affect how the protocol performs. While OpenVPN and WireGuard are used by most VPNs for security and speed, IKEv2 is suitable for mobile devices as it switches networks easily and quickly. But if you’re prioritizing both speed and security, Lightway is worth considering. Lightway has undergone thorough audits as well and has optimized its codebase for efficiency and security. Another notable mention is ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol, which has a lean codebase, swift connection times, and fast speeds. It also doesn’t compromise security. PPTP is also very fast, but its encryption standards are outdated. So, it’s not recommended. However, with ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol, I noticed a maximum speed reduction of just 24% on its distant servers. But on nearby servers, the baseline speed reduction was negligible and I could download large files without a huge difference in duration. UDP (User Datagram Protocol) is a connectionless transport layer protocol that doesn’t establish a connection before sending data. It sends data without confirming receipt or checking for errors. UDP is faster, but it sacrifices some reliability compared to TCP. I recommend the Lightway protocol as it’s better in many ways. On mobile devices, it even helps your battery last longer. If you want to try ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol risk-free, all its plans are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not satisfied with it, you can ask for a full refund without any hassle.

Summary — Best VPNs With the Most Secure Protocols

Editor’s Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: ExpressVPN, Cyberghost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.