Which NordVPN protocol should I choose (2024)

FAQs

Which NordVPN protocol should I use? ›

If you are conscious about your security and are wondering what the most stable NordVPN protocol is, we recommend OpenVPN. IKEv2/IPsec significantly increases the security and privacy of users by employing strong cryptographic algorithms and keys.

The best option is to buy the Ultimate plan, which includes a bundle of Nord Security products. You get a secure VPN, a password manager, and 1 TB of encrypted cloud storage to protect all your data and activities, as well as identity theft recovery benefit and cyber extortion protection.

The best VPN protocol for you depends on a number of factors, including what device you're using, how much balance between security and speed you want, what type of activities you're doing online, and more. OpenVPN and WireGuard are generally considered the best VPN protocols for day-to-day use.

NordVPN wants to provide the best browsing experience without compromising on speed, so we use the UDP protocol by default. We recommend trying the UDP protocol first and only switching to TCP if you experience any issues.

The 3 most common VPN protocols are OpenVPN, L2TP/IPsec, and IKEv2/IPsec.

On PCs, laptops, mobile devices, and Smart TVs

Alternatively, you can simply click the “Quick Connect” button. Behind the scenes, the NordVPN app will use a special algorithm to determine which server is best for you.

After conducting this comprehensive NordVPN review in 2024, it's clear that NordVPN remains one of the top choices in the VPN market. Its robust security features, extensive server network, and excellent performance make it an ideal option for users seeking reliable and secure internet access.

AtlasVPN is our top-pick for its feature-rich plans. It supports unlimited devices and users can choose from more than 1,000 servers located in 42 countries. The U.S. headquartered VPN provider offers up to 5 GB free VPN, which users can try and test its features before committing to its premium plan.

The good news is that both Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox are compatible with a VPN, letting you add an extra layer of security to your browsing experience. Setting up a VPN extension on your web browser is an excellent way to secure your browser connections and prevent third parties from snooping on you online.

WireGuard is considered the fastest among all the VPN protocols. If you wish to stream and download P2P files faster on the network, make sure to use WireGuard after signing in to PureVPN. Besides WireGuard, L2TP and IKEv2 are also considered fast, while OpenVPN and SSTP are slower than other VPN protocols.

What protocol does always on VPN use? ›

It uses Windows 10's built-in VPN client and the Internet Key Exchange version 2 protocol. IKEv2 is a reliable and secure protocol that provides robust authentication and encryption standards, making it a viable choice for Always On VPN.

Different protocols may prioritize data transfer speed over data and traffic security and vice versa. Typically, a VPN protocol is either good at prioritizing speed or security—but not often both. Certain VPN protocols may also be more or less mobile-friendly, which may matter more for personal VPN use.

Keep in mind that all plans include NordVPN, so if all you want is a VPN, the Standard plan is just as good as the complete plan. If you also want a password manager or a secure cloud storage, though, we think the Plus and Complete plans offer good value for just a few dollars more than the Standard VPN plan.

Open NordVPN the app and click on the cog (gear) icon in the bottom-left corner. Click “Auto-connect” on the left side of the settings and make sure to disable "Choose a VPN protocol and server automatically." Next to “VPN protocol,” select “OpenVPN (UDP)” or “OpenVPN (TCP)” from the drop-down menu.

TCP is best used for direct communication in which a reliable connection is needed, such as web browsing, email, text messaging, and file transfers. UDP is best used for live and real-time data transmission when speed is more important than reliability.

Based on these findings, if you're looking for the fastest secure tunneling protocol, you should go with NordLynx (or WireGuard). The second fastest will be IKEv2, which can confidently hold its own even when connecting to the other side of the world.

NordLynx is NordVPN's revolutionary technology built around the WireGuard® VPN protocol.

Unlike the IPv4 protocol, IPv6 won't ever run out of unique IP addresses — it can provide nearly 3.4×10^38 of them. Furthermore, some argue that IPv6 is a more efficient technology, providing better quality and connectivity.