VPN Protocols: WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN Explained

Understanding VPN Protocols

A VPN protocol determines how your data is encrypted and transmitted between your device and the VPN server. The choice of protocol affects your connection speed, security, and ability to bypass restrictions.

WireGuard: The Modern Standard

WireGuard is the newest major VPN protocol, designed from the ground up to be faster, simpler, and more secure than its predecessors.

How WireGuard Works

WireGuard uses state-of-the-art cryptography:

• ChaCha20 for symmetric encryption
• Curve25519 for key exchange
• BLAKE2s for hashing
• SipHash24 for hashtable keys
• HKDF for key derivation

The entire codebase is approximately 4,000 lines—compared to OpenVPN’s 100,000+ lines.

WireGuard Pros

• ⚡ Fastest protocol available
• 🔒 Modern, auditable cryptography
• 📱 Excellent for mobile (handles network changes)
• 🔋 Low battery consumption
• 💻 Small codebase = fewer vulnerabilities

WireGuard Cons

• ❌ Newer, less battle-tested
• ❌ IP address handling requires provider solutions
• ❌ Less configurable than OpenVPN
• ❌ Not as good at bypassing firewalls

Best For

• General daily use
• Mobile devices
• Streaming and gaming
• Users prioritizing speed

OpenVPN: The Proven Veteran

OpenVPN has been the industry standard for over 20 years. Its open-source nature and extensive configuration options make it highly versatile.

How OpenVPN Works

OpenVPN can use either:

• UDP for faster speeds (recommended)
• TCP for reliability through firewalls

It supports various encryption algorithms including AES-256-GCM, the gold standard for encryption.

OpenVPN Pros

• ✅ Proven security over 20 years
• ✅ Highly configurable
• ✅ Can use port 443 (HTTPS) to bypass blocks
• ✅ Works on almost any platform
• ✅ Extensive audit history

OpenVPN Cons

• ❌ Slower than WireGuard
• ❌ Large, complex codebase
• ❌ Higher CPU usage
• ❌ More battery drain on mobile

Best For

• High-censorship environments
• Maximum compatibility needs
• Enterprise/business use
• When port flexibility is needed

IKEv2/IPSec: The Mobile Champion

IKEv2 (Internet Key Exchange version 2) with IPSec is particularly strong for mobile connections due to its MOBIKE protocol.

How IKEv2 Works

IKEv2 establishes a security association between devices, then IPSec handles the actual encryption. Key features:

• MOBIKE for seamless network switching
• AES-256 encryption
• Built into iOS and Windows

IKEv2 Pros

• ✅ Excellent for mobile
• ✅ Fast reconnection after network changes
• ✅ Native support on iOS and Windows
• ✅ Good speeds
• ✅ Strong security

IKEv2 Cons

• ❌ Closed-source components
• ❌ Can be blocked by firewalls
• ❌ Limited to UDP ports
• ❌ Less cross-platform than OpenVPN

Best For

• iPhone and iPad users
• Frequent network switching
• Mobile workers
• Windows native use

Protocol Comparison Table

Feature	WireGuard	OpenVPN	IKEv2
Speed	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Security	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Stability	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Mobile	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Firewall Bypass	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐
Battery Usage	Low	High	Medium
Code Size	~4K lines	~100K lines	Varies

Which Protocol Should You Choose?

Choose WireGuard if:

• Speed is your priority
• You’re on mobile devices
• You want modern cryptography
• Your VPN provider supports it well

Choose OpenVPN if:

• You’re in a high-censorship region
• Maximum compatibility is needed
• You need custom configuration
• You prefer proven technology

Choose IKEv2 if:

• You use iPhone/iPad
• You frequently switch networks
• You want native OS support
• Balance of speed and stability matters

BroVPN Protocol Support

BroVPN uses v2Ray and vLess protocols optimized for:

• Maximum speed
• Strong anti-censorship capabilities
• Seamless Telegram integration
• Easy configuration

Get started with BroVPN:

1. Open @bro_vpn_bot
2. Choose your preferred configuration
3. Connect in seconds

Legal Note: Use VPN services in accordance with your local laws.

See Also

• How VPN Works: Tunnel, Encryption, and Routing
• VPN vs Proxy vs Tor: Differences
• What Is a DNS Leak and How to Test It
• Kill Switch: Why It Matters
• Security Features