A Virtual Private Network (VPN) creates a secure, encrypted connection between your device and a remote server.

This private “tunnel” ensures that your data remains hidden from prying eyes—be it hackers on public Wi-Fi or overly curious ISPs.

Usually, people use VPNs for things like accessing company resources from home, watching region-locked media, or simply safeguarding their browsing habits from external tracking. But that's far from all.

That said, there are quite a few different options for VPN protocols out there today, making the decision on what's the right one for you rather difficult. Our goal in this article is to make that decision significantly easier.

First things first:

What is a VPN protocol?

A VPN protocol is a set of instructions and standards that govern how your data is encrypted and transmitted. Each protocol offers its own mix of speed, security, and ease of use. In other words, the protocol you choose can influence your VPN’s performance as much as the server infrastructure it runs on.

Now let's get into the comparison:

OpenVPN

Overview
OpenVPN is often considered as the gold standard in VPN protocols. As an open-source solution, it benefits from continuous scrutiny and updates, essentially guaranteeing reliability and security.

OpenVPN is also highly configurable, allowing users to adjust settings to prioritize stability, speed, or enhanced security based on their needs.

Key features

• Open-source: Transparency and community-driven improvements.
• Highly configurable: Supports a wide range of encryption algorithms and settings.
• Cross-platform compatibility: Available on virtually all operating systems and devices.
• Strong security: Utilizes AES-256 encryption to keep your data secure.

Typical use case
OpenVPN is ideal for users seeking a balanced approach to security and performance.

Whether you're securing your home network, enabling remote access for employees, or maintaining privacy during daily browsing, OpenVPN offers the flexibility and strength needed for various scenarios.

For those interested in deploying OpenVPN, check out this guide for detailed setup instructions and best practices.

WireGuard

Overview
WireGuard is a modern VPN protocol that has rapidly gained popularity due to its impressive speed and simplicity.

Designed with a minimalistic codebase, WireGuard is easier to audit and maintain, reducing the potential for security vulnerabilities. Its streamlined architecture also allows for faster connection times and lower latency, making it an attractive option.

Key features

• Lean codebase: Easier to audit, enhancing security.
• High performance: Superior throughput and reduced latency.
• Modern cryptography: Employs state-of-the-art encryption algorithms.
• Cross-platform support: Compatible with major operating systems, including Linux, Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.

Typical use case
WireGuard excels in scenarios where speed is important, such as streaming high-definition video, online gaming, or transferring large files.

But overall it's efficiency and modern nature makes it suitable for just about every task out there.

Learn more about WireGuard in our article on simplifying VPN setup with WireGuard.

SSTP (Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol)

Overview
Developed by Microsoft, SSTP is designed to integrate seamlessly with Windows. By utilizing port 443—the standard port for HTTPS traffic—SSTP can effectively bypass many firewalls and network restrictions that block other VPN protocols.

Key features

• Windows integration: Native support in Windows operating systems.
• Firewall circumvention: Uses HTTPS port 443, making it difficult to block.
• Strong encryption: Employs SSL/TLS for secure data transmission.
• Reliable connection: Maintains stable connections even on unstable networks.

Typical use case
SSTP is particularly useful in environments with strict firewall rules, such as corporate networks or public Wi-Fi hotspots that block standard VPN ports. It's also a favorable choice for users deeply integrated into the Windows ecosystem who want a hassle-free VPN setup.

For more information on SSTP, we recommend checking out Microsoft's own documentation.

L2TP/IPsec (Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol / IPsec)

Overview
L2TP combined with IPsec offers a full-fledged VPN solution by handling both tunneling and encryption. L2TP creates the tunnel, while IPsec manages the encryption, resulting in a secure and widely supported protocol. Although, despite its strong security, L2TP/IPsec can experience slower speeds due to double encapsulation.

Key features

• Dual functionality: Combines tunneling (L2TP) with encryption (IPsec).
• Wide support: Available on most operating systems and devices.
• Strong security: Provides full-fledged encryption and authentication.
• No need for additional software: Often built into device operating systems.

Typical use case
L2TP/IPsec is well-suited for organizations that need to connect multiple office locations securely or for users requiring broad device compatibility without installing additional VPN software. It's also a solid choice for environments where IPsec-based security is mandated.

For a comprehensive setup guide, visit this L2TP/IPsec setup guide.

PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol)

Overview
PPTP is one of the earliest VPN protocols, developed in the mid-1990s. While it is known for its high speed and ease of setup, PPTP is now considered outdated and lacks the security features necessary for modern standards.

Key features

• Simplicity: Easy to configure and deploy.
• High speed: Minimal encryption overhead results in faster connections.
• Broad compatibility: Supported on a wide range of devices and operating systems.

Typical use case
PPTP is best used in scenarios where speed is more critical than security, such as streaming non-sensitive content or accessing region-locked media. It may also be suitable for legacy systems that do not support more modern VPN protocols.

However, due to its weak security, PPTP is not recommended for protecting sensitive data. For more secure alternatives, consider protocols like OpenVPN or WireGuard.

Summary

Choosing the right VPN protocol depends on your specific needs, whether it's speed, security, compatibility, or the ability to bypass restrictive networks.

Here's a detailed comparison to help you make an informed decision:

Conclusion

No single protocol is perfect for all situations. If you value stability and a proven track record, OpenVPN is hard to beat. Those who need speed and efficiency often gravitate to WireGuard. Meanwhile, SSTP or L2TP/IPsec might fit the bill if you have specific network needs or pre-existing OS integration. PPTP is largely a relic—use it only when you care more about convenience than security.

Wherever you land, setting up and maintaining a VPN doesn’t have to be complicated—especially if you pair the right protocol with reliable infrastructure. xTom provides a range of hosting solutions, from dedicated servers to colocation, and beyond. Also, for scalable and quick deploy environments, V.PS gives you NVMe-powered KVM VPS hosting, making it incredibly easy to get your VPN running.

Thanks for reading, and here's to a safer, more privacy friendly Internet!