VPN Protocols

This section introduces key VPN protocols responsible for secure and private communication over untrusted or public networks. VPN protocols encapsulate and encrypt traffic to maintain confidentiality, integrity, and access control.

Protocol

Description

Use Case

PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol)

Legacy VPN protocol using GRE tunneling and MS-CHAPv2. Fast but considered insecure.

Legacy Windows support

IPsec (Internet Protocol Security)

VPN protocol suite at Layer 3 supporting encryption, authentication, and key exchange. Supports tunnel and transport mode.

Site-to-site and remote-access VPNs

L2TP (Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol)

Layer 2 tunneling protocol usually paired with IPsec. Encapsulates PPP frames.

Remote VPN access with IPsec

OpenVPN 1.0

Open-source VPN using SSL/TLS. Highly configurable and widely adopted.

Cross-platform secure VPN deployment

SSL VPN

TLS-based VPN access via browser or lightweight clients. Clientless and easy to deploy.

Web-based access to internal apps

IKEv2 (Internet Key Exchange v2)

Protocol used with IPsec for key exchange and security associations. Fast reconnection and mobile-friendly.

Mobile VPNs with always-on behavior

WireGuard

Modern, lightweight VPN protocol using strong cryptography. Simple configuration, very fast.

Personal and enterprise secure VPN

Lightway

ExpressVPN’s proprietary protocol. Designed for speed and mobile optimization.

Consumer-grade fast VPN access

OpenVPN 2.5+

Enhanced OpenVPN with improved performance and TLS 1.3 support. Updated cipher suites and better threading.

Enterprise VPNs with open-source control

RFC: RFC 2637

Main Features:

  • Encapsulates PPP over GRE

  • Fast setup and lightweight

  • Weak encryption (MS-CHAPv2)

Use Cases:

  • Legacy Windows compatibility

  • Non-sensitive connections

Alternative Protocols:

  • L2TP/IPsec – Stronger encryption

  • OpenVPN – Open-source and modern

Let us learn more about PPTP:

Jump to “PPTP”

RFC: RFC 4301

Main Features:

  • Provides encryption, integrity, and authentication

  • Works in transport or tunnel mode

  • Core protocols: AH, ESP, IKE

Use Cases:

  • Remote access VPNs

  • Site-to-site encrypted tunnels

Alternative Protocols:

  • WireGuard – Simpler, newer

  • SSL VPN – For application-layer VPN

Let us learn more about IPsec:

Jump to “IPsec”

RFC: RFC 2661

Main Features:

  • Tunnels PPP traffic

  • No encryption by itself

  • Commonly paired with IPsec

Use Cases:

  • Remote user VPN access

  • Windows/macOS native clients

Alternative Protocols:

  • OpenVPN – More flexible

  • SSL VPN – No client needed

Let us learn more about L2TP:

Jump to “L2TP”

RFC: N/A

Main Features:

  • Uses SSL/TLS for encryption

  • Cross-platform and open source

  • Supports TCP or UDP transport

Use Cases:

  • Secure VPN for desktops and servers

  • Privacy-focused VPNs

Alternative Protocols:

  • WireGuard – Faster setup and lighter

  • IPsec – Integrated into OS

Let us learn more about OpenVPN 1.0:

Jump to “OpenVPN 1.0”

RFC: RFC 8999

Main Features:

  • Small codebase

  • Uses modern crypto (ChaCha20, Curve25519)

  • Stateless and fast

Use Cases:

  • Lightweight VPN for mobile/IoT

  • High-performance remote access

Alternative Protocols:

  • OpenVPN – Flexible but heavier

  • IPsec – Standardized and proven

Let us learn more about WireGuard:

Jump to “WireGuard”

RFC: N/A (uses TLS – RFC 5246)

Main Features:

  • Web-based access via HTTPS

  • No dedicated VPN client needed

  • Works through firewalls/NAT easily

Use Cases:

  • Access to internal web apps

  • Quick and clientless remote access

Alternative Protocols:

  • OpenVPN – More customizable

  • IPsec – Better for full network tunneling

Let us learn more about SSL VPN:

Jump to “SSL VPN”

RFC: RFC 7296

Main Features:

  • Key management for IPsec

  • Supports MOBIKE (mobility + multihoming)

  • Resilient on mobile networks

Use Cases:

  • Always-on VPNs

  • Enterprise mobile devices

Alternative Protocols:

  • IKEv1 – Older and less efficient

  • WireGuard – Simpler and lighter

Let us learn more about IKEv2:

Jump to “IKEv2”

RFC: Proprietary (by ExpressVPN)

Main Features:

  • Fast and lightweight

  • Designed for mobile devices

  • Uses wolfSSL library for encryption

Use Cases:

  • Fast reconnection on mobile

  • Consumer VPN apps (e.g., ExpressVPN)

Alternative Protocols:

  • WireGuard – Open-source alternative

  • OpenVPN – More robust configuration options

Let us learn more about Lightway:

Jump to “Lightway”

RFC: N/A

Main Features:

  • TLS 1.3 support

  • Better multi-threading, IPv6 handling

  • Support for AES-GCM and ChaCha20

Use Cases:

  • Secure and scalable VPN

  • Enterprise and personal VPN solutions

Alternative Protocols:

  • WireGuard – Lightweight, simpler to configure

  • IKEv2 – Optimized for mobile and always-on use

Let us learn more about OpenVPN 2.5+:

Jump to “OpenVPN 2.5+”