VPN Protocols Explained — WireGuard vs OpenVPN vs IKEv2

WireGuard

WireGuard is the newest major VPN protocol, first included in the Linux kernel in 2020. It uses state-of-the-art cryptography (Curve25519, ChaCha20, Poly1305) and is designed for simplicity and performance.

Pros: Extremely fast, minimal codebase (easier to audit), built into modern kernels, low latency. Cons: Static IP assignment can be a privacy concern, fewer obfuscation features, limited built-in roaming support.

Best for: Speed-critical applications — gaming, 4K streaming, large downloads.

OpenVPN

OpenVPN has been the gold standard for over a decade. It uses OpenSSL for encryption and supports both TCP and UDP transport. OpenVPN is highly configurable and available on virtually every platform.

Pros: Battle-tested security, extensive configuration options, strong obfuscation, broad platform support. Cons: Slower than WireGuard, more complex setup, older codebase can be harder to audit.

Best for: Maximum compatibility and configuration flexibility.

IKEv2/IPsec

IKEv2 is a protocol developed by Microsoft and Cisco, paired with IPsec for encryption. It’s known for excellent stability when switching networks (Wi-Fi to mobile data).

Pros: Excellent network switching (Mobile IP), good speeds, built into most OSes. Cons: Proprietary nature raises some concerns, less auditable than open-source alternatives.

Best for: Mobile users who frequently switch between Wi-Fi and cellular networks.