Technical 9 min read

The protocol your VPN uses determines how it encrypts and transmits your data. WireGuard and OpenVPN are the two most widely supported protocols in 2026, but they have very different characteristics.

What Is OpenVPN?

OpenVPN has been the industry standard for over two decades. It is open-source, battle-tested, and supported by virtually every VPN provider. OpenVPN operates over either TCP or UDP and uses the OpenSSL library for encryption.

Strengths: Highly configurable, excellent compatibility, proven security record, works on nearly every platform.

Weaknesses: Slower than modern alternatives, complex codebase (600,000+ lines of code), higher CPU usage.

What Is WireGuard?

WireGuard is a newer protocol launched in 2019 and merged into the Linux kernel in 2020. It was designed with simplicity and speed in mind.

Strengths: Much faster than OpenVPN, minimal codebase (~4,000 lines of code), lower CPU usage, faster connection times, modern cryptography.

Weaknesses: Less configurable, does not hide that you are using a VPN as effectively, privacy concerns around IP assignment (though most providers have addressed this).

Speed Comparison

In independent benchmarks, WireGuard consistently outperforms OpenVPN:

  • WireGuard: typically 700–1,200 Mbps on gigabit connections
  • OpenVPN (UDP): typically 100–400 Mbps
  • OpenVPN (TCP): typically 50–200 Mbps

For most users, WireGuard is significantly faster.

Security Comparison

Both protocols are secure when properly implemented. OpenVPN’s larger codebase means a larger attack surface, though its maturity means vulnerabilities are well-understood. WireGuard’s smaller codebase is easier to audit and has received excellent security reviews.

Which Should You Use?

Choose WireGuard (or its derivatives like NordLynx and Lightway) if:

  • Speed is your priority
  • You are streaming or gaming
  • You want faster connection times

Choose OpenVPN if:

  • You need maximum compatibility
  • You are on a network that blocks WireGuard
  • You need highly customised configuration

Provider Recommendations

NordVPN uses NordLynx (based on WireGuard), ExpressVPN uses Lightway (their own protocol), and Surfshark offers WireGuard natively. All three are significantly faster than OpenVPN for everyday use.

Compare VPN speeds to see how protocols affect real-world performance.