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VPN protocols on Surfshark

The advanced technologies that secure your internet connection

WireGuard® - sleek, modern, secure
IKEv2 - best, fastest choice for mobile
OpenVPN - a reliable open-source classic

Try them yourself

What are VPN protocols?

VPN protocols are a set of rules that define how a virtual private network is set up. They handle important tasks like authorization, authentication, encryption, traffic capturing, and transportation.

A VPN provider implements them to allow you to safely send your data through the internet – to browse websites, use social media, or do just about anything else online.

The benefits of a VPN protocol depends on how well a VPN provider has established their infrastructure. It is also supplemented by various benefits that the provider baked into their client (read: app), like VPN obfuscation and GPS spoofing.

Surfshark VPN supports these protocols:

WireGuard

WireGuard was designed to be simpler and faster than its predecessors. With only 4,000 lines of code, WireGuard is less susceptible to security vulnerabilities as it’s easier to manage and scale.

IKEv2

IKEv2 (short for Internet Key Exchange version 2) is a fast and secure protocol. It has been improved many times. IKEv2 is very popular among mobile users due to its speed and ability to switch networks on demand.

OpenVPN

OpenVPN is open-sourced, meaning that it’s been approved by security specialists worldwide. It’s a bit more bulky than WireGuard and IKEv2, but it’s the only one that many routers natively support.

How to set up the VPN protocol of your choice on any Surfshark app

STEP 1

Open your app’s Settings.

STEP 2

Go to the Advanced section.

STEP 3

Select your protocol. That’s it!

FAQ

What is the fastest VPN protocol on Surfshark?

WireGuard is currently considered to be the fastest protocol around. It uses advanced cryptographic primitives and lives inside the Linux kernel (kernel is a computer program at the core of an operating system, connecting software and hardware): this ensures high-speed, secure networking.

What is the safest VPN protocol on Surfshark?

There’s no single “most secure VPN protocol” in the world, and thus, we can’t single out the safest VPN protocol on Surfshark. All of our protocols have been selected for their qualities, including security. However, what we can say is that they’re a lot safer than the ones that Surfshark doesn’t support, like PPTP.

How do I know which Surfshark VPN protocol is the best for me?

The best Surfshark VPN protocol largely depends on the device you’re using or the reason you need a VPN:

Wireguard is good all around, especially when speed is the issue.
IKEv2 is on par with WireGuard, and is really good with mobile.
OpenVPN usually works best for routers.

If you are still unclear which VPN protocol is the right fit for you, you can switch them around in the Surfshark app and do your own test!

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