VPN Protocol Comparison - PPTP vs. L2TP vs. OpenVPN

VyprVPN provides a variety of VPN protocols, each with unique strengths and weaknesses. When deciding which protocol to use, please consider:

	PPTP	Pro Only L2TP/IPsec	Pro Only OpenVPN
VPN Encryption	128-bit	256-bit	160-bit 256-bit
Supported Systems	Windows Mac OS X Linux iOS Android DD-WRT	Windows Mac OS X Linux iOS Android	Windows Mac OS X Linux Android
Compatibility	Native in most desktop, mobile device and tablet operating systems.	Native in most desktop, mobile device and tablet operating systems.	Supported by most desktop computer operating systems.
VPN Security	Basic encryption	Highest encryption. Checks data integrity and encapsulates the data twice.	Highest encryption. Authenticates data with digital certificates.
VPN Speed	Fast due to lower encryption.	Requires more CPU processing to encapsulate data twice.	Best performing protocol. Fast speeds, even on connections with high latency and across great distances.
Setup	Built-in to most operating systems. Easy to set up.	Custom configuration required.	Requires easy-to-use software.
Stability	Works well on most Wi-Fi hotspots, very stable.	Stable on NAT-supported devices.	Most reliable and stable, even behind wireless routers, on non-reliable networks, and on Wi-Fi hotspots.
Conclusion	PPTP is a fast, easy-to-use protocol. It is a good choice if OpenVPN isn't supported by your device.	L2TP/IPsec is a good choice if OpenVPN isn't supported by your device and security is top priority.	OpenVPN is the recommended protocol for desktops including Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. Highest performance - fast, secure and reliable.

PPTP

PPTP (Point to Point Tunneling Protocol) provides basic security with 128-bit encryption and fast, reliable speeds. It is easy to set up because it is built-in to most desktop, mobile and tablet operating systems. PPTP is a good choice if OpenVPN isn't supported by your device and speed and ease-of-use are most important.
L2TP/IPsec

Like PPTP, L2TP (Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol) with IPsec (IP Security) is built-in to most desktop, mobile and tablet devices. L2TP/IPsec offers 256-bit encryption and it encapsulates the data on both ends of the connection, ensuring data integrity. However, the extra security requires additional CPU processing. L2TP/IPsec is a very secure option if OpenVPN isn't supported by your device.
OpenVPN

OpenVPN is the recommended VPN protocol for desktop computers, including Windows, Mac OS X and Linux. It offers the best security and performance, though it is typically not supported by mobile devices. OpenVPN provides 256-bit encryption and is extremely fast and reliable, even on high-latency networks and across great distances.
NAT Firewall

NAT Firewall is not a VPN protocol, but a packet filter that blocks unrequested inbound traffic from reaching your device when using VyprVPN. Hackers and botnets scan the Internet for unprotected devices so they can steal your credit card numbers, passwords, sensitive financial and personal data, or install malware. NAT Firewall blocks them from accessing your computer, mobile device or tablet.

PPTP