Introduction
The VPN protocol determines how your data is encrypted and transmitted. The two most important protocols in 2026 are WireGuard and OpenVPN. Your choice directly impacts connection speed, battery drain, security, and reliability during travel.
What Is WireGuard
WireGuard is the newer protocol, released in 2020. It uses modern cryptography with a lean codebase of about 4,000 lines, compared to OpenVPN 600,000+ lines. This simplicity makes it faster, more secure, and easier to audit. Most modern VPNs use WireGuard-based protocols: NordVPN uses NordLynx, ExpressVPN uses Lightway (similar approach), and Surfshark uses native WireGuard.
What Is OpenVPN
OpenVPN has been the industry standard since 2001. It is battle-tested, highly configurable, and works on virtually every platform. However, it is slower than WireGuard, uses more battery on mobile devices, and has a larger attack surface due to its complex codebase.
Speed Comparison
WireGuard is approximately 15-30% faster than OpenVPN in most conditions. On mobile connections where bandwidth is limited, this difference is even more noticeable. For travelers relying on slower international connections, WireGuard speed advantage matters.
Battery Impact
WireGuard uses significantly less battery than OpenVPN because it does less processing per packet. For travelers using VPN on their phone all day, this can mean hours of additional battery life. This is especially valuable on long travel days without easy access to charging.
Security
Both protocols are considered secure. WireGuard uses ChaCha20 encryption which is modern and well-respected. OpenVPN typically uses AES-256. WireGuard smaller codebase is easier to audit for vulnerabilities. OpenVPN has a longer track record.
When to Use Each
Use WireGuard for everyday travel use, streaming, video calls, and when battery life matters. Use OpenVPN when WireGuard is blocked on specific networks, when you need TCP mode to punch through firewalls, or on legacy devices that do not support WireGuard.
Our Recommendation
Set your VPN to WireGuard or automatic protocol selection. Let the VPN app choose the best option for your current network. Keep OpenVPN as a manual fallback. All our top-recommended travel VPNs support both protocols.
