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VPN providers offer a variety of VPN protocols to help users stay secure online. Three of the most widely used protocols include PPTP, L2TP/IPsec, and OpenVPN. Each protocol has unique advantages and caters to different needs. Users should ask themselves the following:
How much security do I need?
How important is speed?
What VPN protocols are supported by my device?
Does my network restrict any VPN protocols?
Does my VPN provider offer easy protocol switching?
With answers to the above questions, users can use the information below to determine which protocol best meets their needs.
Encryption
PPTP - 128 bit encryption
L2TP/IPsec - 256 bit encryption
OpenVPN - 160 bit encryption or 256 bit encryption
Supported Operating Systems
PPTP - Supports Windows, iOS, Mac OSX, Android, DD-WRT, and Linux
L2TP/IPsec - Supports Windows, iOS, Mac OSX, Android, and Linux
OpenVPN - Supports Windows, Mac OSX, and Linux
Device Compatibility
PPTP - Desktops, mobile devices, and tablets. PPTP is already built into most operating systems
L2TP/IPsec - Desktops, mobile devices, and tablets. L2TP/IPsec is already built into most operating systems
OpenVPN -Desktops. OpenVPN usually does not support mobile devices.
Setup Difficulty
PPTP - Easy, PPTP is already built into most desktops, mobile devices, and tablets
L2TP/IPsec - Moderate, requires custom configuration
OpenVPN -Easy, requires easy-to-use software
Speed
PPTP - Very fast, lower encryption allows for fast speeds
L2TP/IPsec - Moderate, L2TP encapsulates data twice requiring extra CPU processing
OpenVPN - Fastest, maintains speed across long distances and high latency networks
Security
PPTP - Low, Only basic encryption
L2TP/IPsec - High, L2TP encapsulates data twice and checks data integrity
OpenVPN - High, OpenVPN uses digital certificates to authenticate data
Stability
PPTP - Very Stable, works on most Wi-Fi hotspots
L2TP/IPsec - Stable on devices that support NAT
OpenVPN - Most stable, OpenVPN is reliable even behind wireless routers, Wi-Fi hotspots, and unreliable networks
Overall, PPTP offers a simple and fast solution but lacks security. L2TP/IPsec offers security if the device does not support OpenVPN. Finally, OpenVPN provides the best combination of security, speed, and reliability. It is important that users choose VPN providers that allow free protocol switching. This allows users to secure all device types in any situation.
Thanks to hubpages.
How much security do I need?
How important is speed?
What VPN protocols are supported by my device?
Does my network restrict any VPN protocols?
Does my VPN provider offer easy protocol switching?
With answers to the above questions, users can use the information below to determine which protocol best meets their needs.
Encryption
PPTP - 128 bit encryption
L2TP/IPsec - 256 bit encryption
OpenVPN - 160 bit encryption or 256 bit encryption
Supported Operating Systems
PPTP - Supports Windows, iOS, Mac OSX, Android, DD-WRT, and Linux
L2TP/IPsec - Supports Windows, iOS, Mac OSX, Android, and Linux
OpenVPN - Supports Windows, Mac OSX, and Linux
Device Compatibility
PPTP - Desktops, mobile devices, and tablets. PPTP is already built into most operating systems
L2TP/IPsec - Desktops, mobile devices, and tablets. L2TP/IPsec is already built into most operating systems
OpenVPN -Desktops. OpenVPN usually does not support mobile devices.
Setup Difficulty
PPTP - Easy, PPTP is already built into most desktops, mobile devices, and tablets
L2TP/IPsec - Moderate, requires custom configuration
OpenVPN -Easy, requires easy-to-use software
Speed
PPTP - Very fast, lower encryption allows for fast speeds
L2TP/IPsec - Moderate, L2TP encapsulates data twice requiring extra CPU processing
OpenVPN - Fastest, maintains speed across long distances and high latency networks
Security
PPTP - Low, Only basic encryption
L2TP/IPsec - High, L2TP encapsulates data twice and checks data integrity
OpenVPN - High, OpenVPN uses digital certificates to authenticate data
Stability
PPTP - Very Stable, works on most Wi-Fi hotspots
L2TP/IPsec - Stable on devices that support NAT
OpenVPN - Most stable, OpenVPN is reliable even behind wireless routers, Wi-Fi hotspots, and unreliable networks
Overall, PPTP offers a simple and fast solution but lacks security. L2TP/IPsec offers security if the device does not support OpenVPN. Finally, OpenVPN provides the best combination of security, speed, and reliability. It is important that users choose VPN providers that allow free protocol switching. This allows users to secure all device types in any situation.
Thanks to hubpages.
