There are variety of protocol options, each with unique capabilities and strengths. Consider what protocols your devices support, what trade-off between security and speed makes sense for you, and whether any protocols are blocked by your network.
| PPTP | L2TP/IPsec | OpenVPN | |
|---|---|---|---|
| VPN Encryption | 128-bit | 256-bit | 256-bit |
| VPN Security | Basic encryption | Highest encryption. Checks data integrity and encapsulates the data twice. | Highest encryption. Authenticates data with digital certificates. |
| VPN Speed | Fast due to lower encryption. | Requires more CPU processing to encapsulate data twice. | Best performing protocol. Fast speeds, even on connections with high latency and across great distances. |
| Stability | Works well on most Wi-Fi hotspots, very stable. | Stable on NAT-supported devices. | Most reliable and stable, even behind wireless routers, on non-reliable networks, and on Wi-Fi hotspots. |
| Compatibility | Native in most desktop, mobile device and tablet operating systems. | Native in most desktop, mobile device and tablet operating systems. | Supported by most desktop computer operating systems and Android mobile and tablet devices. |
| Remarks | PPTP is a fast, easy-to-use protocol. It is a good choice if OpenVPN isn’t supported by your device. | L2TP/IPsec is a good choice if OpenVPN isn’t supported by your device and security is top priority. | OpenVPN is the recommended protocol for desktops including Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. Highest performance – fast, secure and reliable. |
