Is WireGuard faster than OpenVPN?

Yes, WireGuard has significantly faster connection speeds than OpenVPN — I have confirmed this in multiple speed tests . I tested both nearby and distant servers from several VPNs that have both WireGuard and OpenVPN, and WireGuard always maintained much faster browsing, streaming, torrenting, and gaming speeds. This is mostly because WireGuard’s library is much more lightweight than OpenVPN’s library.

Is WireGuard more secure than OpenVPN?

No, I personally think that both protocols provide excellent security . While OpenVPN can use more encryption methods, WireGuard still comes with state-of-the-art encryption ciphers that are extremely strong. True, WireGuard’s default build comes with some privacy concerns, but all the top VPNs that have integrated this protocol into their apps have found a way to fix those issues.

Does WireGuard work in China?

Most likely not , as the protocol is not designed to support obfuscation (a feature that hides VPN traffic) or use TCP port 443, which is the same port that’s used by HTTPS traffic. So, a restrictive government would be able to block WireGuard connections via VPN traffic blocks and port blocking. I generally recommend that people who live in or are traveling through restrictive countries use OpenVPN instead.

Which is better for privacy — WireGuard or OpenVPN?

Both protocols are really good for protecting your privacy , to be honest. True, WireGuard’s default build has some privacy issues that require the logging of VPN users’ IP addresses. That said, most top vendors that use WireGuard have found ways around that issue, from using RAM-only servers to modifying the server’s data output.

Articles by Tim Mocan

Tim Mocan

Tim Mocan is a Senior Writer at SafetyDetectives. He has 5+ years of experience researching and writing about cybersecurity topics, and he specializes in VPNs. Prior to joining SafetyDetectives, he worked as a contributor for other VPN review websites and as a content writer for several VPN providers. Throughout his freelance writing career, he has also covered other niches, including SEO, digital marketing, customer loyalty, home improvement, and health and rehab. Outside of work, Tim loves to spend his time traveling, playing video games, binging anime, and using VPNs (yes, really!).