WireGuard vs OpenVPN
The short answer
WireGuard is faster, simpler to configure, and lighter on server resources. OpenVPN is more flexible, has a longer track record, and works in some restrictive network environments where WireGuard’s UDP-only design struggles. For most home and small business use, WireGuard is the better default.
Speed
WireGuard’s smaller, modern codebase routinely outperforms OpenVPN, particularly on lower-powered hardware – the gap is most noticeable on a budget VPS or a small router rather than a powerful server.
Configuration
A WireGuard config is typically a dozen lines per peer. OpenVPN configuration involves certificate authorities and key signing – considerably more moving parts, more flexible, but more to get wrong.
Where OpenVPN still wins
OpenVPN can run over TCP port 443, making it harder to block on restrictive networks that filter UDP traffic. It also has broader legacy device support, having been around for over two decades.
Our verdict
Start with WireGuard unless there is a specific reason not to – it is what we use across our own infrastructure. Reach for OpenVPN if TCP-based tunnelling is needed for a restrictive network, or when integrating with older hardware that does not support WireGuard.
Verdict
Start with WireGuard unless you specifically need TCP-based tunnelling or legacy device support, in which case OpenVPN is the better fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run both on the same VPS?
Yes - they do not conflict, and some setups use OpenVPN as a fallback for restrictive networks alongside a primary WireGuard tunnel.
Is OpenVPN less secure than WireGuard?
Not inherently - both are considered secure when configured correctly. WireGuard's smaller codebase is just easier to audit.
Which one do commercial VPN providers use?
Most modern providers now offer WireGuard alongside OpenVPN, often as the recommended default, for the speed and simplicity reasons covered above.