VPN protocols guide

Written by David Johnson in 2025.

I guess you've probably heard about VPNs (Virtual Private Networks). VPN is useful if you want to stay safe online or just want to watch your favorite show that's blocked in your country. You have to agree - who doesn't want to keep their internet stuff private? But here's the thing. VPNs aren't just some magic button you press. There's technology behind it, and that's where VPN protocols come in. These are like the rules or languages your VPN uses to keep your data safe and speedy. I'll try to explain this topic for you in a way that's not boring or confusing. So let's get stared.

What Are VPN Protocols Anyway?

So, imagine this: a VPN is like a secret tunnel between your device and the internet. The protocol is the blueprint for how that tunnel works. How fast it is, how secure it is, and how it handles your data. It's not just one-size-fits-all solution. There are different protocols for different needs. Some are super safe but kinda slow. Other protocols are fast but not as locked-down. It's all about what you need. Is it for gaming, streaming, or just hiding from your ISP.

Why Should You Care?

You might be thinking, "Bro, why do I need to know this? Just give me a VPN and call it a day." Fair point. But here's why it matters. Not all VPNs use the same protocols, and that affects how they perform. If you're trying to stream Netflix in 4K, you don't want a slow protocol. Who wants to watch laggy stream? Or if you're worried about hackers or sketchy government spying, you need something avanced. If you knowing the basics it will help you pick the right tool for your online activity.

The Big Players: VPN Protocols You Should Know

Alright, let's get into the juicy stuff. There are a bunch of VPN protocols out there. I want to show you the main ones you'll see in 2025. These protocols are the ones most VPN apps like ExpressVPN vs NordVPN vs Surfshark mess with. Are you ready? Here we go.

1. OpenVPN: The OG Reliable One

What's good: OpenVPN is like that friend who's always got your back. It's open-source, meaning nerds worldwide check it for holes. This is one of the reasons t's super secure. Plus, it's flexible because it works on many diffrent devices.
What's not: It can be a little slow sometimes. Especially if you're on a weak connection. If you're doing it manually setup can be a bit difficult.
When to use it: If you're paranoid about privacy. Or you live somewhere with crazy internet rules. This is your solution.

I've used OpenVPN when I was traveling because didn't trust hotel Wi-Fi. It's not the fastest. But I felt safe knowing my data wasn't leaking out to some unwanted person in the lobby.

2. WireGuard: The New Kid on the Block

What's good: WireGuard is fast. Really fast. It's got less code than others. It's lightweight and doesn't hog your battery or bandwidth. Security's top-notch too. Great thing about this protocol is that it's open-source.
What's not: It's still kinda new. So that is the reason that every VPN doesn't supports it yet. Also, some say it's not as private. The reason for that is that it stores your IP temporarily. But don't worry, most good VPNs fix that.
When to use it: Gaming or streaming? This is your solution. Speed is the name of the game here.

I tried WireGuard last month while playing Warzone, my ping was so low I couldn't believe it. It's legit the future of VPNs.

3. IKEv2/IPSec: The Mobile Champ

What's good: This one's awesome for phones. It reconnects quick if your signal drops. It is good when you switch from Wi-Fi to data. Very secure too becaus eit uses IPSec encryption.
What's not: Not as flexible as OpenVPN. Thing I don't like it's not open-source. So you have to trust the devs. It can be blocked by some firewalls too.
When to use it: If you're always on your phone changing networks.

I use IKEv2 when I'm out. One time I was at a coffee shop, and my VPN didn't even blink when I lost Wi-Fi for a sec. It is smooth as butter.

4. L2TP/IPSec: The Old-School Option

What's good: It's very secure cause it double-wraps your data. It works on most devices. And it so easy to find.
What's not: It can be very slow compared to newer tech. Also, some think the some agancies cracked it in the past, so maybe not the safest bet.
When to use it: Honestly, only if your VPN doesn't offer anything better. It's like using a flip phone in 2025. So why bother?

I wouldn't touch this unless I had no choice. It's like the backup plan's backup plan.

5. PPTP: The Dinosaur

What's good: It's fast cause it's very simple. It has been around forever. So you can see it on old devices.
What's not: Security's trash. Hackers can crack it in like two seconds. Nobody serious uses it anymore.
When to use it: Maybe if you're just unblocking YouTube and don't care who sees what are you watching. Otherwise, avoid that.

PPTP is like that sketchy gas station sushi - you could risk it. Why would you tjae that risk?

Some Fancy Terms to Sound Smart

Okay, you'll see words like "encryption" and "tunneling" when you read text about VPNs. Encryption's just scrambling your data. That way nobody can read it. It's like a secret code. Tunneling is how your data travels through that secret tunnel. I mentioned that earlier. Protocols decide how strong the code is. And they allow smooth tunnel running. Sounds good, right? Now you can flex that at the lunch table.

Which One's the Best?

Here's the tea: there's no "best protocol" for everyone. It's all about what you want to do online. If I'm chilling at home streaming TikToks, I'd pick WireGuard. Because it's fast protocol. But if I'm in a sketchy spot with public Wi-Fi, OpenVPN's my go-to. Because OpenVPN protocol is a fortress. IKEv2 is great for my phone. This is especially good when I'm out grabbing food or whatever. So what about old ones like L2TP and PPTP? No way, they're retired.

Most VPN apps pick the protocol for you anyway. Some VPNs let you switch it up. NordVPN's got this very intresting NordLynx protocol. It is basically WireGuard with additional things. ExpressVPN has Lightway. It's their own fast-and-secure combination. You should first check what your VPN offers. After that play around with it.

How Protocols Keep You Safe

Protocols use AES-256 encryption (military-grade, yo) to lock your data tight. Imagine someone trying to snoop your data. They'd just see gibberish data. Plus (equally important), they hide your IP address. So websites and people can't track where you're at. That's huge if you're into torrenting.

The Future of VPN Protocols

Since it's 2025, things are moving fast. WireGuard is very popular because it's so efficient. The big VPN companies are improving it to make it even better. Quantum computing's a thing now too. So, protocols might need to be more improved to stay uncrackable. I bet in a few years, we'll see some new super protocol. It will be a new level in the domain of protocols. For now, though, WireGuard and OpenVPN are the best one.

Maybe VPN protocols sound very nerdy. But we can conclude that they're not that complicated when we start to read more texts on that topic. OpenVPN's the safe bet. WireGuard's the speed hero. IKEv2's your phone's best friend. The old ones like PPTP are became obsolete. Choose what fits your needs. Is it speed, security, or both?

When you are looking for reliable VPN company, I strongly suggested you to find one which offers OpenVPN protocol. This protocol is considered to be the most secure and reliable. Please visit vpn24x7 and read our VPN recommendation.