VPNInfobaseWireGuard is reported by third-party benchmarks to be faster than OpenVPN. But OpenVPN still wins in specific scenarios. Here is the complete honest comparison.
WireGuard: the modern standard
Released 2015, now the dominant protocol. Around 4,000 lines of code versus OpenVPN’s 70,000 to 100,000. Runs at kernel level for maximum efficiency. Connects in milliseconds. Uses ChaCha20-Poly1305 encryption with a fixed cipher suite. No room for misconfiguration. In January 2026, Mullvad deprecated OpenVPN entirely, citing WireGuard’s clear technical superiority.
OpenVPN: the battle-tested veteran
Operating since 2001 with an unmatched track record. Its key advantage is TCP port 443 support, the same port as HTTPS, making it extremely difficult for firewalls and censorship systems to block. Best for restrictive networks, corporate firewalls, and countries like China that actively block VPN protocols.
Speed
Third-party benchmarks commonly find WireGuard-based protocols faster than OpenVPN, often by a wide margin on fast connections. Exact numbers vary with hardware, server distance and provider, and we have not run our own speed tests.
Security
Both are cryptographically sound. WireGuard’s smaller codebase is easier to audit and patch. OpenVPN’s flexibility means it can be configured securely or insecurely, poorly configured servers can use weak ciphers. WireGuard’s fixed suite eliminates this risk.
When to use each
WireGuard: everyday use, streaming, gaming, maximum speed, the right default for most users. OpenVPN: networks that block WireGuard UDP, restrictive firewalls, censored countries, corporate environments with port restrictions.
NordVPN’s owner, audits and prices are in the NordVPN review.