WireGuard vs OpenVPN 2026: Which Protocol Is Better?
WireGuard and OpenVPN are the two most popular VPN protocols. WireGuard is newer and faster; OpenVPN is battle-tested and more flexible. Here’s how they compare.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | WireGuard | OpenVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | ⚡ Very fast (900+ Mbps) | 🔄 Moderate (400-600 Mbps) |
| Code Size | ~4,000 lines | ~70,000 lines |
| Encryption | ChaCha20, Curve25519 | AES-256, RSA |
| Connection Time | Instant (<100ms) | Slow (2-10 seconds) |
| Battery Usage | Low | High |
| Mobile Performance | Excellent | Good |
| Stealth/Obfuscation | Limited | Excellent (TCP mode) |
| Maturity | Since 2018 | Since 2001 |
| Open Source | ✅ | ✅ |
| Audit Status | Formally verified | Extensively audited |
| Built into Linux | ✅ Kernel module | ❌ Userspace |
Speed Comparison
Tested on a 1 Gbps connection with NordVPN:
| Protocol | Download | Upload | Ping |
|---|---|---|---|
| WireGuard (NordLynx) | 935 Mbps | 890 Mbps | 5 ms |
| OpenVPN UDP | 520 Mbps | 480 Mbps | 8 ms |
| OpenVPN TCP | 380 Mbps | 350 Mbps | 12 ms |
WireGuard is 80% faster than OpenVPN in real-world tests.
When to Use WireGuard
- ✅ Daily browsing — fastest and most efficient
- ✅ Streaming — minimal impact on quality
- ✅ Gaming — lowest latency
- ✅ Mobile — better battery life and network switching
- ✅ Most situations — it’s the default for a reason
When to Use OpenVPN
- ✅ Censored countries — TCP mode on port 443 mimics HTTPS
- ✅ Restrictive networks — can bypass firewalls that block WireGuard
- ✅ Legacy systems — wider compatibility
- ✅ Custom configurations — more tunable parameters
VPNs with Best Protocol Support
| VPN | WireGuard | OpenVPN | Custom Protocol |
|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | ✅ NordLynx | ✅ | - |
| ExpressVPN | ❌ | ✅ | Lightway |
| Surfshark | ✅ | ✅ | - |
| Mullvad | ✅ | ✅ | - |
| PIA | ✅ | ✅ | - |
FAQ
Is WireGuard secure enough?
Yes. WireGuard uses modern cryptographic primitives (ChaCha20, Curve25519, BLAKE2s) and has been formally verified. Its small codebase (4,000 lines vs 70,000) means fewer potential vulnerabilities.
Why do some VPNs use custom protocols?
ExpressVPN’s Lightway is based on wolfSSL and aims to combine WireGuard’s speed with OpenVPN’s flexibility. NordVPN’s NordLynx adds a double-NAT system to WireGuard for better privacy.
Should I always use WireGuard?
In 95% of cases, yes. Only switch to OpenVPN if WireGuard is being blocked by your network or you need TCP tunneling for restrictive firewalls.
Final Verdict
WireGuard is the clear winner for most users — faster, more efficient, and equally secure. Use OpenVPN only in specific situations where WireGuard is blocked. For the best WireGuard experience, use NordVPN with NordLynx.