Compare VPN Protocols - Choose the One You Need

Your private VPN server's performance depends on a VPN protocol you use for connection. Let's clarify what is a VPN protocol, and what the differences are between various ones. A protocol is a set of rules controlling encryption, authentication, and data exchange between the VPS and your device.

Choosing the right protocol type is a crucial decision for a private VPN server. Protocols are responsible for the speed of connection and traffic, security, and bypassing censorship. At the same time, various protocol types are designed differently, use different encryption standards and connection principles. Some of them focus more on speed, others are censorship-ready, while some provide low battery drain, and thus, are better for laptop and smartphone long sessions.

There are the following types of VPN protocols represented on our platform:

  • OpenVPN
  • WireGuard
  • IKEv2/IPSec
  • OpenConnect
  • Outline
  • VLESS+Reality
  • Hiddify

Get the best VPN protocol for your own VPN server at SHP.Network. We support 7 advanced VPN protocols for your personal server, including VLESS+Reality and Hiddify. Every protocol listed on this page is fully supported across all available locations.

We understand that choosing a VPN protocol can be difficult for a beginner. Therefore, you can find the information about all available on our platform VPN protocols explained on this page.

Choose the Protocol That Perfectly Suits Your Needs

What Matters Most for You?

Add priorities — protocols must have all you choose
Priorities
Speed
Secure traffic
Simple Customization
Censorship Ready
Simultaneous use

Where Will You Use It?

Add your devices — we'll drop protocols that don't run on them
Desktop & Mobile
Windows7/7
macOS7/7
iOS7/7
Android7/7
Linux7/7
TV & Streaming
Apple TV4/7
Android TV7/7
Fire TV Stick7/7
Routers
TP-Link2/7
ASUS3/7
D-Link3/7
AVM FRITZ!Box2/7
MikroTik7/7
GL.iNet3/7
Keenetic4/7
Netgear0/7
Xiaomi0/7
Showing all 7 protocols

Protocol Guides

What each one is good at, and where it falls short.

WireGuard

Detectable by ISP
  • Watch 4K content on all streaming platforms across multiple devices at once.
  • Play competitive online games.
  • Router support is common for this protocol. Check your manufacturer's manual for compatibility.

However, keep in mind that WireGuard is among the VPN protocols that cannot bypass active censorship. Its obfuscation properties cannot hide from the internet provider that you use a VPN. That's why it is better to check your residence state's internet restrictions, because if they impose penalties or fines for VPN use, WireGuard won't save you from them.

WireGuard is a top choice in a friendly, unrestricted network environment.

Thanks to modern cryptography and a lightweight codebase, WireGuard can be called the fastest VPN protocol with a multi-purpose design for devices ranging from smartphones to backbone routers.

Connecting to a WireGuard server is simple on most devices: there are official apps where you just import a configuration file or scan a QR code.

SpeedSecure trafficSimple CustomizationCensorship ReadySimultaneous use
Available on
WindowsmacOSiOSAndroidLinuxApple TVAndroid TVFire TV StickTP-LinkASUSAVM FRITZ!BoxMikroTikGL.iNetKeenetic
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OpenVPN

Detectable by ISP
  • Watch Full HD content on the streaming platforms while browsing the web across multiple devices at once.
  • Router support for this protocol is common and suits beginners. For more information about router connection and compatibility, check your manufacturer's manual.
  • Not recommended for multiple active users.

OpenVPN is not tailored to detection resistance. This protocol also cannot bypass active censorship and cannot hide your VPN use from your local internet provider. We do not recommend using this protocol if you are a resident of a country with strict internet censorship and VPN use prohibition to avoid possible penalties and fines.

Among different VPN protocols, OpenVPN remains a good, time-tested option with proven reliability. It's built around widely used, well-established cryptography and a feature-rich codebase, which define its broad compatibility, flexible settings, and plenty of ready-made solutions for various purposes. Due to the large OpenVPN community, you can find support from its enthusiasts worldwide. However, OpenVPN uses a lot of resources from both the server and your device. This can noticeably affect performance compared to newer protocols.

Connecting to an OpenVPN server is simple: on most devices, you can import a configuration file or add the profile directly by URL.

SpeedSecure trafficSimple CustomizationCensorship ReadySimultaneous use
Available on
WindowsmacOSiOSAndroidLinuxApple TVAndroid TVFire TV StickTP-LinkASUSMikroTikGL.iNetKeenetic
Get mineLearn more

IKEv2 / IPSec

Detectable by ISP
  • Watch 4K content on various streaming platforms across multiple devices simultaneously.
  • Allows playing competitive online games.
  • Router support is common for this protocol. Check your manufacturer's manual for compatibility.
  • Native operation on Windows, macOS, and iOS.
  • Perfect for working while on the move.

IKEv2 is one of the VPN protocols you should use only if your residence state's censorship rules are not strict. It doesn't suit detection resistance and censorship bypassing due to a lack of obfuscation, which is a must for hiding your VPN usage from ISP monitoring.

IKEv2/IPsec is widely built into operating systems. It can switch between networks seamlessly, reconnecting quickly and keeping the connection stable. Setup is complex; it may require installing certificates and handling additional authentication settings on the device.

SpeedSecure trafficSimple CustomizationCensorship ReadySimultaneous use
Available on
WindowsmacOSiOSAndroidLinuxApple TVAndroid TVFire TV StickASUSAVM FRITZ!BoxMikroTikKeenetic
Get mineLearn more

OpenConnect

May bypass restrictions
  • Allows watching Full HD content on various online video platforms across multiple devices at once.
  • This protocol may bypass campus or ISP network restrictions.
  • Works natively with Cisco hardware.

OpenConnect is an open alternative to Cisco AnyConnect, providing enterprise VPN access.

It is the best VPN protocol for you if you need VPN access to compatible enterprise gateways, or if you want a VPN that works like a straightforward, secure tunnel over TLS/SSL (similar to regular HTTPS traffic).

Setup requires a server URL, login credentials, and certificate.

SpeedSecure trafficSimple CustomizationCensorship ReadySimultaneous use
Available on
WindowsmacOSiOSAndroidLinuxAndroid TVFire TV StickKeenetic
Get mineLearn more

Outline

Censorship-resistant
  • Supports 4K video content streaming across multiple devices at once.
  • Suitable for playing heavy-use online games.
  • This protocol may bypass campus or ISP network restrictions.
  • Adjust your server configuration through the Outline Manager.

Outline is built to make private access simple and easy to manage.

It's designed around the idea of running your own server, so you control where the VPN endpoint is and who has access.

In the Outline app, you connect using an access key that you paste from your server.

SpeedSecure trafficSimple CustomizationCensorship ReadySimultaneous use
Available on
WindowsmacOSiOSAndroidLinuxAndroid TVFire TV Stick
Get mineLearn more

VLESS + Reality

Censorship-resistant
  • Supports 4K video quality for the media platform content across multiple devices at once.
  • Fits playing competitive online games.
  • An advanced choice for bypassing the toughest network restrictions.

VLESS + REALITY belongs to the types of VPN protocols designed for restrictive networks where classic VPNs get blocked, because it aims to make the connection blend in better.

VLESS is used to ensure high speed and minimize load. REALITY is built around a real TLS 1.3–style handshake, so on the wire it can resemble normal HTTPS traffic.

Connecting is done by importing a profile link or scanning a QR code in an Xray-compatible client.

Please note that it's not a guaranteed bypass: in heavily controlled networks, REALITY can still be detected or blocked.

SpeedSecure trafficSimple CustomizationCensorship ReadySimultaneous use
Available on
WindowsmacOSiOSAndroidLinuxApple TVAndroid TVFire TV Stick
Get mineLearn more

Hiddify

Censorship-resistant
  • Provides the opportunity to watch 4K content while browsing the internet across multiple devices simultaneously.
  • Fits competitive online players' needs.
  • Can bypass the strictest network locks and prohibitions.
  • Allows switching to another protocol through a web panel if the current one is restricted.

Hiddify is an open-source VPN/proxy client designed for use in restricted regions.

It's designed to be deployed on your own VPS.

Device setup is simple: generate the configuration in the service's web panel and import it to your device via clipboard or a QR code.

SpeedSecure trafficSimple CustomizationCensorship ReadySimultaneous use
Available on
WindowsmacOSiOSAndroidLinuxAndroid TVFire TV Stick
Get mineLearn more

Device Compatibility

Which protocols run on your hardware — desktop, mobile, streaming boxes and routers.

Supported Model-dependent — hover for details Not natively supported Not available
WireGuardOpenVPNIKEv2OpenConnectOutlineVLESSHiddify
Desktop & Mobile
Windows
macOSHomebrew
iOS
Android
Linux
TV & Streaming
Apple TV3rd-party app3rd-party app.mobileconfigNot available on this platform.Not available on this platform.3rd-party appNot available on this platform.
Android TVSideload APKSideload APKSideload APKSideload APKSideload APK
Fire TV StickSideload APKSideload APKSideload APKSideload APKSideload APKSideload APKSideload APK
Routers
TP-LinkMay be available with custom firmware.May be available with custom firmware.May be available with custom firmware.May be available with custom firmware.May be available with custom firmware.
ASUSMay be available with custom firmware.May be available with custom firmware.May be available with custom firmware.May be available with custom firmware.
D-LinkMay be available on enterprise-level models.May be available on enterprise-level models.May be available on enterprise-level models.May be available with custom firmware.May be available with custom firmware.May be available with custom firmware.May be available with custom firmware.
AVM FRITZ!BoxMay be available with custom firmware.May be available with custom firmware.May be available with custom firmware.May be available with custom firmware.May be available with custom firmware.
MikroTikMay be possible to set up via containers.May be possible to set up via containers.May be possible to set up via containers.May be possible to set up via containers.
GL.iNetMay be possible to set up manually via CLI.May be available with custom firmware.May be available with custom firmware.May be available with custom firmware.May be available with custom firmware.
KeeneticMay be available with custom firmware.May be available with custom firmware.May be available with custom firmware.
Netgear Not supported by the router's native softwareMay be available with custom firmware.
Xiaomi Not supported by the router's native softwareMay be available with custom firmware.

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FAQ

To understand what is a VPN protocol, it helps to realize that it's not just an "app" you download onto your device. A VPN protocol defines how your device and the server establish secure connection and exchange encrypted data. While HTTPS is already secure enough to prevent anyone from intercepting your data or passwords, a VPN stops anyone from tracking which specific websites, resources, and services you visit and use by creating an encrypted tunnel.

If the speed matters to you, we recommend using WireGuard. It remains the fastest among all VPN protocols because of the use of modern cryptographic solutions and lightweight codebase.

Among all the types of VPN protocols, the following can be highlighted:

  • Speed-oriented (WireGuard)
  • Compatibility-oriented (OpenVPN, IKEv2)
  • Censorship-resistant (Hiddify, VLESS+Reality, Outline)

There is no one-fits-all answer to this question. Mostly, the choice of the best VPN protocol depends on your priorities and the devices you use. Typically, WireGuard is the fastest protocol, while OpenVPN shows the best compatibility, and VLESS+Reality or Hiddify are the best options for restriction bypass.

VPN protocols comparison is based on several features, namely:

  • Speed
  • Security
  • Compatibility
  • Ease of use
  • Ability to bypass censorship

SHP.Network is not just a regular VPN service provider, but a full-fledged personal VPN server platform, offering a high-speed, reliable VPS with a dedicated IP and modern VPN protocols to connect to the network through servers in more than 20 countries and 40+ locations.

Unlike commercial VPN providers that host hundreds of users on a single server, sharing the same IP address, we provide a service that gives every user their own VPN server with a dedicated IP address.

Whether you choose classic VPN protocols like WireGuard or proxy-based tools like Outline or VLESS+Reality, the underlying infrastructure is the same. Each plan you purchase provides a separate private VPS that remains yours for the entire paid period. You have full freedom to change locations, switch protocols, or reinstall the server as many times as you like while the plan is active.