The Protocol Question
Every VPN client eventually asks which protocol to run. WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 dominate the landscape, and each makes different trade-offs between speed, compatibility, and how much they resist deep-packet inspection. The right answer depends on the device and the network you are on.
WireGuard: The Modern Default
WireGuard is a young, minimalist protocol built into the Linux kernel. It uses state-of-the-art cryptography and keeps the codebase tiny, which makes it fast and auditable. On mobile it sips battery and reconnects quickly when you move between networks, which is why most 2026 providers push it as the default.
OpenVPN: The Compatibility Workhorse
OpenVPN has been around for two decades and runs almost anywhere, including old routers and locked-down corporate firewalls. It is more configurable, supports both TCP and UDP, and can slip through networks that block UDP by running over port 443. The cost is speed and CPU use, especially on weaker hardware.
IKEv2: The Native Mobile Option
IKEv2 is built into iOS, macOS, Android, and Windows, which means it needs no third-party client. It handles network changes gracefully, holding the tunnel across Wi-Fi to mobile-data handoffs. Some providers use it as the automatic choice for iPhones precisely because of that roaming resilience.
Choosing for Your Situation
- Default to WireGuard on phones, laptops, and modern routers for the best speed-to-battery ratio.
- Switch to OpenVPN over TCP 443 when a network blocks UDP or when you must squeeze past restrictive firewalls.
- Use IKEv2 on iOS if you want a native client with seamless handoffs and no extra app.
Keep both WireGuard and OpenVPN configured on each device. The extra profile takes two minutes to add and turns a blocked network from a dead end into a two-second switch.
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