What is the Optimal
VPN Protocol?

If you’ve explored the settings on your VPN application, you might have noticed an option to select a specific protocol.

VPN protocols are the various methods your device uses to establish a secure connection to the VPN’s servers. Understanding the differences between these protocols can help you choose the one that best suits your needs.

What are VPN Protocols?

Let’s break it down. A VPN, or virtual private network, creates a secure connection between your device and the internet by routing your traffic through a server operated by the VPN provider.

The effectiveness of this secure connection relies on the VPN protocol you use. A VPN protocol is a collection of rules that govern how your device interacts with the VPN server, influencing the security and performance of your connection.

How do VPN Protocols Work?

VPN protocols operate in multiple ways, primarily focusing on two key tasks: authentication and encryption. Authentication verifies that your device is connecting to a legitimate VPN server, while encryption ensures that the data transmitted between your device and the server remains secure and inaccessible to unauthorized parties.

The choice of encryption techniques and authentication methods can impact both the speed and security of your VPN connection. Additionally, each protocol has its own approach to managing potential errors, which influences the overall stability and dependability of the connection.

What are the different
types of VPN Protocols?

There are several widely used VPN protocols, each with its own unique features. Understand these various types and see our recommendations to choose the best one for your needs.

Lightway

Lightway is created for today’s digital world, removing outdated features and integrating those that ensure a smooth, secure VPN experience. It connects almost instantaneously, depending on your network, and maintains its connection even if your device changes networks. Lightway is designed to be efficient, offering quick and secure connections while consuming minimal battery.

For security, Lightway utilizes wolfSSL, a reputable cryptography library that has been rigorously examined by third parties, including compliance with the FIPS 140-2 standard. Additionally, Lightway includes built-in post-quantum protection, protecting against potential threats from both classical and quantum computing. The source code for Lightway is available on GitHub under an open-source license, promoting transparency.

Lightway operates on both UDP and TCP protocols. Although UDP is typically faster, TCP can provide better connectivity in certain network conditions, making Lightway adaptable for various scenarios.

Recommendation: Always opt for Lightway first.

Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP)

Building on the legacy of older protocols like PPTP and SSTP, the Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol offers enhanced security, albeit with slower performance. Typically used alongside the IPsec protocol, L2TP benefits from AES-256 encryption, and this pairing is known as L2TP/IPsec.

What is the IPsec VPN Protocol?

IPsec, or Internet Protocol Security, is a versatile VPN protocol that provides both authentication and encryption for each IP packet. It is often paired with protocols like L2TP, which alone do not offer encryption.
L2TP/IPsec is effective for privacy, however, it is not as strong in terms of security as other options like OpenVPN.

Recommendation: Good to have.

OpenVPN (TCP vs. UDP)

OpenVPN is a flexible, open-source protocol known for its extensive customization options. It is freely available across all major platforms and is highly respected within the VPN community, making it a popular choice among many VPN providers.

One of OpenVPN’s strengths is its ability to disguise itself as regular internet traffic, making it harder for filters and firewalls to detect. It has undergone extensive audits by reputable independent experts, ensuring its suitability for use in sensitive environments.

In the VPN apps, users have the option to switch between UDP (User Datagram Protocol) and TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) through the app settings.

What’s the difference between UDP and TCP?

UDP focuses on speed, often at the cost of reliability, while TCP emphasizes reliability over speed. TCP is connection-oriented, requiring an established connection before data transfer begins, whereas UDP operates without establishing a connection, which can sometimes lead to lost or out-of-order data packets.

Recommendation: Among the top choices.

Internet Key Exchange Version 2 (IKEv2)

As one of the latest protocols, IKEv2 offers significant advantages, especially in terms of speed. It is highly effective for mobile devices across various operating systems.

Despite its strengths, IKEv2 is primarily designed for use in corporate settings and lacks native support for Linux. Its limited configurability and stringent licensing make it challenging to audit. To address these concerns, VPN employs an open-source version of IKEv2 to maintain protocol integrity.

IKEv2 is a frequently selected option and may be used by VPN apps when the protocol is set to “Automatic.

Recommendation: Great option, notably for mobile devices.

Point to Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP)

PPTP is one of the oldest VPN protocols, dating back to the Windows 95 era. Although it has a long history, it relies on the outdated MS-CHAP v2 authentication, which makes it relatively easy to compromise.

The downside of this older technology is that PPTP lacks robust encryption and authentication, allowing it to deliver faster speeds. However, this also means that your connection can be exposed to your Internet Service Provider (ISP), Wi-Fi network operators, and potentially even government surveillance agencies.

Given its vulnerabilities, PPTP is recommended only for those who are well-versed in its limitations.

WireGuard

WireGuard is an open-source and free VPN protocol created by Jason A. Donenfeld and is currently being developed by Edge Security LLC. Known for its modern approach, WireGuard offers impressive speed and an elegant codebase, making it a popular choice among VPN providers in recent years.

Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol (SSTP)

Developed exclusively by Microsoft and launched with Windows Vista, the Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol (SSTP) is essentially a variant of PPTP that uses SSL for encryption, a method originally used to secure web traffic. Because of this, SSTP was initially compatible only with Windows devices and did not gain traction outside of that ecosystem.

With its restricted configurability, SSTP does not particularly differentiate itself from other VPN protocols.

What is the top VPN Protocol?

Discover the best VPN protocol for your needs.

For a combination of speed, security, and reliability, Lightway stands out. Its streamlined codebase ensures fast performance, minimal battery use, and strong security with easy auditing and maintenance. Lightway is ideal for activities requiring high-speed and stable connections, such as gaming or streaming IPTV.

If Lightway is not an option, OpenVPN and IKEv2 are excellent alternatives. OpenVPN provides robust security with 256-bit AES encryption and advanced security protocols, offering comprehensive protection for your online activities. Its open-source nature allows for thorough public audits, ensuring the code is free from vulnerabilities and backdoors.

For mobile users, IKEv2 is a great choice as it matches OpenVPN in speed, reliability, and security.

Which VPN Protocol offers the fastest speed?

The performance of VPN protocols can vary depending on your network configuration, environment, and internet speed. Among the fastest options are Lightway, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. PPTP, lacking encryption, might be the fastest protocol, however, it is not recommended due to its security vulnerabilities.

Which VPN Protocol provides the highest security?

When it comes to security, Lightway, IKEv2, L2TP, and OpenVPN are all reliable choices, but Lightway stands out as the most secure. It uses wolfSSL, a reputable cryptographic library that meets FIPS 140-2 standards, ensuring it has been thoroughly audited by independent parties.

Lightway also offers post-quantum security, which protects users from potential threats posed by both traditional and quantum computing.

The core code of Lightway was made open-source and audited in 2021, allowing for comprehensive transparency and scrutiny. In 2022, it underwent a second independent audit, reinforcing its security credentials.

OpenVPN is another strong contender for security, benefiting from extensive audits by various unbiased experts. Its open-source nature allows for continuous inspection and enhancement by the community

Which VPN Protocol offers the highest stability?

Lightway is recognized as the most stable VPN protocol, specifically engineered to handle frequent network transitions. It provides a reliable connection with fewer disruptions, particularly on mobile devices, and maintains connectivity even when switching between networks. With Lightway, your VPN session remains active even if your connection momentarily drops, ensuring that your VPN reconnects automatically when your internet is restored.

Which VPN Protocol is the easiest to set up?

You don’t need to manually configure VPN protocols within your VPN app; simply activating the VPN will use the chosen protocol. For a hassle-free experience, keep your VPN protocol set to “Automatic.” VPN will then select the most suitable protocol for your network, which is typically Lightway.