An In-Depth Comparison: WireGuard vs. OpenVPN VPN Protocols
Virtual private networks, or VPNs, have become essential tools in today‘s world for protecting privacy and security online. VPNs work by creating encrypted tunnels for data so that even if it‘s intercepted, it remains secure. There are many types of VPN protocols that power these connections, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Two of the most popular and capable protocols available now are WireGuard and OpenVPN. But which one delivers the best overall experience?
In this comprehensive, 2000+ word guide, we will dig deep into WireGuard and OpenVPN to highlight all the key differences users need to know. You‘ll get a breakdown of speeds, encryption standards, privacy protections, platform support, configurations, circumvention capabilities, and much more. Let‘s get started!
What is a VPN Protocol?
Before looking specifically at WireGuard and OpenVPN, it helps to understand what exactly a VPN protocol does. VPN protocols are the set of instructions that allow devices to securely communicate with the VPN server. They enable encoding of data, routing across the Internet, authenticating users, and ultimately accessing restricted content.
There are many types of VPN protocols, utilizing different encryption standards and methods. Two of the most widely used VPN protocols today are WireGuard and OpenVPN. The right protocol depends on user priorities whether that‘s blazing speeds, ironclad security, advanced customizability or all-out privacy.
What is WireGuard?
WireGuard is a relative newcomer in the virtual private networking space, first arriving in 2015. Computer scientist and security researcher Jason A. Donenfeld developed WireGuard as an open-source project focused on delivering better performance, easier configurations, and advanced cryptography.
WireGuard utilizes only about 4,000 lines of code making it a very lightweight protocol compared to alternatives. The goals with WireGuard are to reduce battery drain and data consumption while ramping up speeds. Its implementation focuses on top-notch encryption like Curve25519 for key exchanges rather than bells and whistles features.
What is OpenVPN?
In contrast to the young upstart WireGuard, OpenVPN represents the old guard. First appearing way back in 2001, OpenVPN built itself on the trusted OpenSSL cryptographic library. Lead developer James Yonan designed it to provide a full-featured open-source VPN solution for protecting data in motion.
OpenVPN can be highly customized across platforms like Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS and Android. It boasts extensive protocol support with options for TCP or UDP transport layers. OpenVPN Connect app makes it accessible for non-technical folks as well. With deep capabilities and two decades track record, OpenVPN vows "security, scalability, and simplicity.”
Speed Comparison
One of WireGuard‘s biggest selling points is the blazing fast throughput it can deliver by modern protocol standards. According to benchmarks from Cloudwards, WireGuard averaged 52% faster speeds than OpenVPN under optimal testing conditions. Real-world performance can depend much on specific network environments and hardware capabilities however.
In their tests under a 10 Mbps connection, WireGuard hit speeds up to 9.8 Mbps compared to OpenVPN topping out around 6.4 Mbps down. Uploads showed an even wider gap with WireGuard achieving 9.5 Mbps versus 5.3 Mbps from OpenVPN. Other analyses echo similar velocity advantages favoring the WireGuard protocol.
"WireGuard is much simpler and leaner than other VPN protocols like OpenVPN,” remarks Matt Webster, VP of Restore Privacy. “This gives it a speed advantage as there is less overhead occurring.”
The principal factor in WireGuard‘s faster throughput comes down to its use of state-of-the-art cryptographic formulas. By leveraging Curve25519, ChaCha20, and BLAKE2, WireGuard cuts back on processing strains without compromising security. The slim protocol introduces less lag into establishing and upholding encrypted VPN tunnels across public Wi-Fi, cellular, or cable networks.
While OpenVPN may fail to claim the fastest speeds crown currently, it still consistently delivers solid VPN performance. Tried-and-tested across global enterprise usage, OpenVPN furnishes reliable connectivity even under less than ideal network circ*mstances. For the speed-obsessed, WireGuard wins; but OpenVPN‘s broad compatibility ensures at least reasonable speeds.
Encryption Standards Comparison
Military-grade encryption represents the holy grail for VPN protocols to secure sensitive personal and business data. Without advanced encoding methods, VPN tunnels fail to provide true confidentiality of information flows from prying eyes. Both WireGuard and OpenVPN implementations meet cryptographic standards for an "A" rating in this area.
WireGuard adopts several go-to encryption algorithms prized by security professionals for robustness. Let‘s analyze them in detail:
- Curve25519: Provides ephemeral key exchanges protecting user identities
- ChaCha20: Leveraged for faster symmetrical encryption without compromising security
- BLAKE2s: Next-generation cryptographic hashing algorithm securing keys
OpenVPN allows connections using either the TCP or UDP transport layer. This furnishes wider compatibility, but requires additional encryption considerations to guarantee confidentiality. Leaning on industry-standard OpenSSL, OpenVPN enables multiple algorithms like:
- AES-256-CBC: Advanced Encryption Standard using 256-bit keys ensures CIA triad
- AES-256-GCM: Enables speed, security and authenticity checking through Galois MAC
- ChaCha20-Poly1305: High-speed cipher preferred by apps like Tor browser for security
While OpenVPN boasts broader encryption options, WireGuard selects its cryptography deliberately for optimized performance and security. Furthermore, config issues can accidentally downgrade OpenVPN‘s cipher strength whereas WireGuard sidesteps this risk.
"WireGuard uses strong modern cryptographic primitives so there is very little chance of vulnerabilities in them,” suggests Dr. Michael Brennan, Lecturer in Cybersecurity at University of Saskatchewan. “The keys used are an appropriate length to prevent brute-force attacks.”
Both VPN protocols furnish state-of-the-art encryption fortifying data in motion against compromise. OpenVPN’s flexible SSL backbone comes at the cost of potential misconfigurations; WireGuard’s “secure defaults” approach counteracts this vector.
Privacy Protection Comparison
Closely tied to encryption, privacy resides at the heart of any virtual private network proposition. While WireGuard and OpenVPN both enable anonymous online access and hiding IP addresses from prying eyes, they achieve this through differing technical methods.
OpenVPN’s venerable status grants it an edge regarding indulging user privacy. As one of the most trusted protocols over two decades, OpenVPN benefited from extensive scrutiny by ethical hackers and security experts. Multiple third-party audits confirm OpenVPN can tunnel traffic away from surveillance while encrypting data end-to-end.
Moreover, OpenVPN supports Private Tunnel (P2PT) function allowing direct links between client-server point-to-point. This reduces leakage risks associated with typical VPN network models relying on gateway servers. Such peer-review and technical privacy enforcement cement OpenVPN’s reputation.
As WireGuard still develops towards a 1.0 release, it may introduce more privacy-enhancing features like dynamic IP and Perfect Forward Secrecy for keys down the road. Currently in alpha testing status across Linux, Android, and other platforms – WireGuard focuses narrowly on core security over specialized privacy aspects OpenVPN manages.
"Openvpn has been audited and its code inspected by more people, so we can say it’s more privacy oriented when compared to Wireguard which is much younger,” judges Dr. Michael Brennan. “However, WireGuard uses modern cryptographic primitives to ensure a high-level of privacy."
Platform Compatibility Comparison
Due to its longevity and ubiquity, OpenVPN today runs across an unparalleled range of platforms from Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and routers. Virtually any device a user may want to connect supports OpenVPN compatibility to some degree both desktop and mobile.
Popular commercial VPNs like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Surfshark all tap OpenVPN as a flagship protocol due its versatility across devices and public networks. Community support forums and detailed troubleshooting guides further aid adoption. Open source credentialing also means any operating system can build compatibility via plug-ins or apps like Tunnelblick for macOS.
As the new kid on the block begun in 2015, WireGuard inevitably misses support on legacy systems and apps so far. However it did land built-in to Linux kernel 5.6 release in March 2020 – no small feat! – followed by backports to older LTS editions.
Official WireGuard iOS and Android mobile apps furnish accessibility lacking on Linux or Windows desktops currently. Third-party OpenWrt firmware baked WireGuard compatibility into home routers for DIY network setups. Expect wider native options especially on Linux and mobile while links and community packages enable broader device support.
Configuration Complexity Comparison
One crucial barrier to entry stands as complexity facing users when installing and managing VPN applications. Neither WireGuard nor OpenVPN requires advanced programming skills, however ease of use comparisons reveal noticeable differences in approach.
WireGuard‘s minimalist method shines regarding simple VPN configurations. The developer Jason Donenfeld consciously constrained needless settings and controls to enable dead-simple setup flows. Using just public and private key-pairs, anyone can swiftly establish connections through a few lines of configuration code.
By comparison, OpenVPN can overwhelm first-timers with myriad advanced toggles spanning encryption ciphers, certificate options, compression algorithms, and more. While power users appreciate OpenVPN‘s granular control, novices face easy missteps opening security holes or breaking connections. Common new user pitfalls encompass encryption downgrades or permitting TLS-Auth handshakes allowing malware to penetrate tunnels.
"One of the huge benefits of WireGuard is how easy it is to set up and configure properly compared to OpenVPN,” suggests Matt Webster of RestorePrivacy. “The OpenVPN setup and configuration process is one of the more difficult to manage among VPN protocols.”
Software and VPN providers preconfiguring OpenVPN mitigate but don‘t eliminate complexity issues. Out-of-box simplicity positions WireGuard as a superior choice for home users and small business owners without dedicated IT staff.
Censorship Circumvention Capabilities
In countries with repressive regimes like China, Russia and Iran – VPN protocol effectiveness resisting blocking and throttling determines accessibility to banned websites like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and banned news outlets. Here OpenVPN consistently performs thanks to built-in obfuscation capabilities WireGuard presently lacks.
OpenVPN defeats VPN deep packet inspection through its ability to disguise VPN traffic as ordinary SSL/TLS flows across port 443. This enables OpenVPN connections to masquerade as normal https website traffic. Furthermore, OpenVPN supports SOCKS proxies enabling anti-censorship software like Tor to tunnel discretely through filters.
By contrast WireGuard‘s bare simplicity drops any means to cloak usage from censors. Without obfuscation tactics, WireGuard plainly announces itself to firewalls allowing who easily filter it compared to OpenVPN. Nations enforce whitelist traffic models easily drop WireGuard while letting OpenVPN connections slip by thanks to obfuscation.
"WireGuard does not support obfuscation out of the box which provides challenges in restrictive regions that actively block VPN protocols,” confirms Webster. “OpenVPN has obfuscation technologies built-in helping users bypass VPN filtering and throttling.”
Average users enjoy WireGuard‘s speed and ease albeit with censorship risks; OpenVPN travels slower but obscures itself defeating almost all blocks. Journalists, activists and aid workers in high-risk regions still require OpenVPN to access the open Internet.
The Best of Both Worlds? Utilizing Both Protocols in Tandem
For those seeking the fastest speeds possible via WireGuard yet also need OpenVPN‘s stealth powers in dodging censorship, the solution lies in employing both protocols in tandem through a multi-hop connection.
The technique works by first linking through WireGuard protocol to establish an initial VPN tunnel with a server located outside restrictive regions for maximum speeds. Next by chaining that Middle Eastern or Asian exit node server location to a secondary OpenVPN passage, users then leverage obfuscation capabilities bypassing filters and blocks enacting further surveillance and control inland.
Sophisticated power users can orchestrate such multi-layered connections themselves across VPN providers. Alternatively VPN companies like OVPN offer this dual WireGuard + OpenVPN multi-hop infrastructure as part of their service for simplified access in one package. Think of it almost as encryption squared!
The Best Protocol Comes Down To User Priorities
There exists no universal champion between OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols – each carries certain superior traits depending on user priorities and network environments faced. Let’s recap the scorecard so far:
| Category | Winner |
| Speed | WireGuard |
| Encryption | Tie |
| Privacy | OpenVPN |
| Compatibility | OpenVPN |
| Simplicity | WireGuard |
| Bypassing Censorship | OpenVPN |
From network performance to personal security and beyond, both tools excel in certain disciplines. Dissecting their differences ultimately enables matching the best VPN protocol fitting user needs.
Those focused strictly on faster speeds currently gain advantage implementing WireGuard to reduce lag and latency especially for gaming, streaming and mobile connections. However WireGuard‘s cutdown approach risks lowered privacy protections and reduced circumvention capabilities versus OpenVPN today.
Power users and privacy maximalists gain more granular control security through OpenVPN thanks to tried-and-tested configurations, widespread auditing and incorporation of obfuscation abilities. Yet they do trade off raw speed performance in processor and encryption overhead exacted by two decades of feature creep and TLS necessities.
Over time we may see further convergence in capabilities as WireGuard integrates additional privacy options and OpenVPN streamlines towards speedier connections. Until then combining both protocols across devices and network hops unlocks their respective strengths.
Conclusion
Compare VPN protocols head-to-head reveals why both WireGuard and OpenVPN continue to co-exist for the time being. As the new generation protocol focused on elegance, speed and security – WireGuard makes its name eliminating lag and simplifying use.
OpenVPN constitutes the flexible workhorse secured by its coveted SSL underpinnings guaranteeing encryption along with privacy success against firewalls. It furnishes user control although robs performance and can overwhelm beginners at times.
Ongoing enhancements position WireGuard as the future of VPN perhaps one day with full obfuscation skills. In the meantime applying each protocol appropriate to usage scenarios expands advantages that both bring towards advancing security on today‘s hostile Internet.
Did you like those interesting facts?
Click on smiley face to rate it!
Average rating 0 / 5. Vote count: 0
No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.
