The digital age necessitates the use of a virtual private network (VPN) to safeguard online privacy and security, but not all VPNs are equal and the protocols they use significantly impact performance, speed and security
There are four main VPN protocols, OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec, WireGuard and L2TP/IPSec, each with advantages and disadvantages
OpenVPN is the most secure, versatile and widely compatible protocol, though not the fastest; it features 256-bit encryption and public availability of its code for security audits
IKEv2/IPSec combines speed and security and is recommended for mobile devices due to its network switching capability
WireGuard is a high-speed, simpler alternative to VPNs, but is less secure than other protocols
L2TP/IPSec is slower than IKEv2/IPSec and WireGuard, but more secure than the latter, and also widely compatible
The best protocol for users will depend on their specific needs, with security prioritists opting for OpenVPN, speed seekers choosing IKEv2/IPSec or WireGuard, and those after balance selecting L2TP/IPSec.