
That could be because offering WireGuard while protecting user privacy requires some extra work on the part of a VPN. That means that while its compatibility with platforms is expanding, not all VPNs currently support it. WireGuard disadvantages: Privacy, weak on censorship WireGuard has a few advantages over OpenVPN. It currently supports use with Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS and Linux. Being open-source also means that WireGuard is getting more platform compatible all the time.
#OPENVPN VS WIREGUARD CODE#
It has a smaller code base, and generally has a smaller surface area susceptible to outside attacks. This lets developers not only see everything that it's doing for added security, but it also makes it more likely developers will try it out with new products. On the security side, I like that WireGuard is open source (like OpenVPN). So if you're using a VPN on your cell phone, for instance, and switch from mobile data to Wi-Fi, Wireguard should be fast enough in most cases that you don't notice a significant disruption in your connection. This speed boost also includes connection and reconnection speeds. It has a light touch when consuming your device's CPU resources, and is a leaner protocol overall - that usually means longer battery life and less lag when you're opening and using other apps on your device.

Speed is the first major advantage of WireGuard. WireGuard advantages: Security, speed, power consumption In our VPN reviews, it likewise reflects poorly on any commercial VPN to offer the option at all. Because of its infamous security flaws, we don't recommend anyone use the long-outdated PPTP, regardless of device or connection speed. In order of most secure to least, the list of commonly used protocols is as follows: OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, WireGuard, SoftEther, L2TP/IPsec, SSTP and PPTP. All of the top-recommended VPNs in our directory offer an OpenVPN option. It's generally considered the best tradeoff between security and speed, it's compatible across devices and platforms, and it's the open-source protocol many independent developers use to create their own VPN services from scratch. The trick is finding the option that suits the need.Ĭurrently, the most widely used protocol is OpenVPN. On the highway and in encryption protocols, there's almost always a trade-off between speed and security. Zipping around town in a Honda Civic isn't going to offer you as much protection as travelling in a presidential motorcade, but the latter is going to turn your trip to the grocery store into a 12-hour event requiring top-level clearance. WireGuard is just one of several different types of protocols used to create these tunnels.Ĭhoosing an encryption protocol is a lot like choosing what kind of transportation you'll take on the road. The driving force creating each encrypted tunnel, which determines that tunnel's shape and size, is called your protocol. Those encrypted tunnels come in all kinds of metaphorical shapes and sizes, though. VPNs work by creating an encrypted tunnel between your device and a secure server, then sending your traffic through it. What's the big deal? Is WireGuard protocol better than any other type? Is it more secure, or just more hype in a field with a lot of buzzwords? While there's a lot to understanding protocols, the broad strokes - and what they mean for your online privacy - can be explained in less than 5 minutes of reading.


Maybe you've seen virtual private networks advertise something called WireGuard protocol, and wondered what that means.

Should you look for a VPN that uses the WireGuard protocol? Here's what to know.
