OpenVPN

OpenVPN is a long-established, open-source ✕ Open source is software whose source code is public: anyone can view, use, modify and share it. It favours transparency and avoids depending on a single vendor. More in the glossary → VPN ✕ A VPN routes your internet traffic through an encrypted external server. This hides your real IP address and stops third parties — like your provider or public Wi-Fi — from seeing what you do. More in the glossary → protocol that defines how the encrypted connection between device and VPN server ✕ A server is a powerful computer that provides data or services to other devices — for example serving a website or storing your cloud files. More in the glossary → is built. Thanks to its open code, it has been audited many times and is considered very secure and stable; it runs on almost every platform. Its drawback compared to the newer WireGuard ✕ WireGuard is a modern VPN protocol known for high speed and strong encryption with a lean codebase. It has become the new standard. More in the glossary → is generally lower speed and higher resource use. Many providers offer both protocols to choose from. See which ones in the best VPN comparison.