6 Common VPN Protocols Explained (2024)

VPN protocols are used to establish secure and encrypted connections between a user’s device and a VPN server. Each protocol comes with its own strengths, weaknesses and specific use cases.

Here are some of the most common types of VPN protocols.

1. OpenVPN

OpenVPN is an open-source and highly configurable protocol that is known for its security and versatility. The community-supported open source software (OSS) project enables developers to examine the code for vulnerabilities. In addition, they can modify the protocol, so it leverages proper authentication methods, ciphers and encryption procedures.

There are two types of OpenVPN protocols: transmission control protocol (TCP) and user datagram protocol (UDP) for communication. TCP establishes a connection between the sender and receiver before data transmission begins. In contrast, a UDP does not require this type of connection.

OpenVPN is widely used due to its ability to provide a balance between security and speed.
It uses end-to-end AES 256-bit encryption, SSL/TLS encryption, intrusion detection and intrusion prevention systems to safeguard your data. A kill switch feature prevents leakage and domain name server (DNS) attacks, in case the VPN loses connection. It is available on Microsoft Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android and iOS.

2. L2TP/IPsec

L2TP/IPsec is a virtual private network (VPN) protocol that is a combination of two protocols—layer 2 tunneling protocol (L2TP) and internet protocol security (IPsec).

L2TP uses a tunneling protocol to create virtual networks to create a secure path for data transmission. Often, it is paired with IPsec which offers encryption and authentication capabilities to protect the data packets being transmitted over a network.

Similar to OpenVPN, L2TP is available across popular operating systems, including Windows, macOS, iOS and Android. While OpenVPN is known for its stronger security features, L2TP is known for its anonymization of data.

3. PPTP

The point-to-point tunneling protocol (PPTP) is a network protocol that was developed by Microsoft in the early 1990s. PPTP creates a secure tunnel to transmit data between the user’s device and the VPN server.

PPTP is one of the earliest VPN protocols but it still relies on the outdated MS-CHAP v2 to transmit data. As a result, it is considered weak and susceptible to various security vulnerabilities. However, the lack of encryption and authentication features makes PPTP the fastest VPN protocol.

Due to its security weaknesses, PPTP generally is not recommended for secure or sensitive use cases. Other VPN protocols, such as OpenVPN and L2TP/IPsec, offer stronger security features.

4. WireGuard

Launched in 2015, WireGuard is a communication protocol that was developed by Jason A. Donenfeld. Unlike older protocols, it is designed to be lightweight and efficient which makes it one of the fastest protocols.

WireGuard emphasizes simplicity in its design and implementation. Not only is it easier to
set up and maintain, but it also supports multiple types of primitives and encryption. It uses state-of-the-art cryptography including the ChaCha20, Poly1305, BLAKE2, Noise protocol framework, SipHash24 and HKDF.

WireGuard has garnered attention for its potential to become a next-generation VPN protocol that offers both security and speed. The protocol is available on multiple operating systems such as Linux, Windows, macOS, iOS and Android.

5. SSTP

Secure socket tunneling protocol (SSTP) is a VPN protocol developed by Microsoft. Similar to PPTP, it was designed to be fully integrated with Windows devices. It delivers data within a SSL 3.0 tunnel, then sends it to a remote VPN server.

The protocol is relatively easy to set up, especially on Windows devices. Most VPN providers have Windows SSTP instructions available for integration. This means users can establish SSTP connections without the need for third-party software.

To keep your data secure, SSTP uses industry-standard 256-bit SSL keys for encryption and 2048-bit SSL/TLS for authentication. In addition, it supports the AES-256 cipher, which makes it difficult for unauthorized entities to hack data. This ensures the confidentiality and integrity of data transmitted for VPN users.

SSTP is well-suited for Windows devices. While it supports other platforms—macOS, Linux or mobile devices—may be more limited compared to other VPN protocols.

6. IKEv2

Internet key exchange version 2 (IKEv2) was jointly developed by Cisco Systems and Microsoft.

IKEv2 is often used in combination with the IPsec protocol to create secure VPN connections. When combined, they can protect data transmission and establish a secure communication channel.

One of the standout features of IKEv2 is its ability to reestablish connections quickly after temporary disruptions. It allows for seamless switching between different network interfaces, such as Wi-Fi to cellular, or when devices go in and out of sleep mode. This makes it suitable for mobile devices that frequently change network connections.

The protocol is widely supported on a wide range of platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android and Linux. This broad compatibility makes it a versatile option for users on different devices.