08.06.2026

OpenVPN vs WireGuard: which VPN is better?

We compared two popular VPN protocols for you according to four criteria: encryption, performance, privacy and compatibility. At the end of the article you will find guides on how to set it up..

Encryption

OpenVPN uses the OpenSSL library, which includes many cryptographic algorithms. The code length is more than 70,000 lines.

WireGuard uses a fixed set of encryption algorithms. The code length is 4000 lines.

OpenVPN

WireGuard

User Data Protection

Perfect Forward Secrecy (PFS)

Transport Layer Protocol

UDP or TCP

UDP

Key derivation & Agreement

RSA, DSA, X25519, Ed25519, SM2, etc.

HKDF, Curve25519 for Elliptic-Curve Diffie-Hellman

Hashing

MD5, MD4, SHA-1, SHA-2, MDC-2, BLAKE2, etc.

BLAKE2, SipHash24

Encryption & Authentication

AES, Blowfish, Camellia, ChaCha20, Poly1305, DES, Triple DES, GOST 28147-89, etc.

ChaCha20, Poly1305 using AEAD RFC7539 construction, etc.

Table 1. Encryption algorithms comparison

OpenVPN is suitable as a corporate VPN because it has a flexible and more complicated encryption technology. WireGuard will be a suitable solution for private users. Both VPN protocols undergo independent audits, after which security errors are corrected.

Performance

To understand which VPN is faster, just look at two graphs.

When it comes to WireGuard vs OpenVPN speed comparison, the difference is noticeable. Here are the results of the throughput test:

And here are the results of ping time test:

During the test, it was also noted that OpenVPN loads the CPU by 100%, while WireGuard turned out to be less demanding.

Is WireGuard faster than OpenVPN? WireGuard has more bandwidth and less ping, so it wins this race in this WireGuard vs OpenVPN performance comparison. It also loads the CPU less, which is an additional advantage.

Privacy

WireGuard settings contain the users' IP addresses. This is not secure because it allows you to identify participants in the VPN connection.

OpenVPN does not require IP addresses, so it is considered more secure.

Compatibility

WireGuard is compatible with all mobile devices. It can be installed on Windows, Android, iOS and Linux. This VPN protocol is relatively young compared to its competitor. In the long run, we can expect the list of WireGuard installation options to expand.

OpenVPN is less mobile, but is suitable for most computer platforms. It can be used in Solaris, QNX, Maemo, FreeBSD, ChromeOS and Linux. Most often, OpenVPN is used to deploy it in routers, firewalls, etc.

OpenVPN is inferior to WireGuard in mobility, but has better compatibility with modern platforms.

Which VPN to choose?

Use WireGuard if:

you need a VPN for simple tasks (like accessing foreign websites);
ou need a fast connection. Suitable for file sharing.

Use OpenVPN if:

you need remote access to the company's corporate network;
you are concerned about privacy.

Alternatives to OpenVPN and WireGuard

If neither protocol fully meets your needs, there are other options worth considering.
OpenVPN alternatives:

WireGuard — faster and simpler, a good choice for personal use;
IKEv2/IPSec — stable and fast, especially on mobile devices;
SoftEther — open-source, supports multiple protocols and is highly flexible.

WireGuard alternatives:

OpenVPN — more mature, better suited for corporate environments;
IKEv2/IPSec — comparable speed with wide platform support;
L2TP/IPSec — widely supported, though considered less secure than modern alternatives.

Each protocol has its strengths depending on the use case. The best choice depends on your priorities: speed, security, or compatibility.

How to set up a VPN?

It's not difficult. Here are some instructions that may be helpful to you:

FAQ

Is WireGuard faster than OpenVPN?

Yes. WireGuard has more bandwidth and less ping than OpenVPN. It also loads the CPU less – during testing, OpenVPN loaded the CPU by 100%, while WireGuard was less demanding.

Which VPN protocol is more secure: WireGuard or OpenVPN?

OpenVPN is considered more secure in terms of privacy. WireGuard settings store users' IP addresses, which allows identifying participants in the VPN connection. OpenVPN does not require IP addresses. However, both protocols undergo independent security audits.

Which VPN is better for remote access: WireGuard or OpenVPN?

OpenVPN is the better choice for remote access to a corporate network. It has more flexible encryption and does not store IP addresses. WireGuard is better suited for personal use: simple tasks and fast connections like file sharing.

Which platforms are compatible with WireGuard and OpenVPN?

WireGuard supports Windows, Android, iOS and Linux. OpenVPN covers a wider range of platforms including Solaris, QNX, Maemo, FreeBSD and ChromeOS, and is commonly used on routers and firewalls.