The Best VPNs That Support WireGuard in 2024
WireGuard is a new Virtual Private Network (VPN) technology that has gotten positive reviews from many tech communities. Many have touted it for its speed and security features, especially in a world where security while on the internet is everything. This is an open-source VPN technology that provides top-notch security with state-of-the-art cryptography. WireGuard’s aim so far is to create a faster and simpler-to-use general-purpose VPN that works on low-latency devices and high-end servers at the same time.
While WireGuard is a VPN technology of its own, the fact that it is open-source means that it can work with other VPN technologies. However, not every VPN has support for the protocol just yet. We’ve looked through some of the best VPNs that accept this revolutionary technology for you. Combined, they can exponentially improve your browsing speed and online security.
ExpressVPN
Features
- Number of servers: More than 3,000
- Speeds: Unlimited
- Server locations: 160 in 105 countries
- Maximum devices supported: 5
- 24 live chat: Yes
- 30-day money-back guarantee: Yes
Pros/Cons
- Fastest VPN out there
- Strict no logs policy
- 256-bit AES encryption
- Few discounts
ExpressVPN is arguably the best VPN service out there. While it doesn’t support WireGuard yet, it does support Lightway — a security protocol that many believe is better than WireGuard.
ExpressVPN launched Lightway as a means of making up for some standard VPNs’ shortcomings. The protocol allows for instant connectivity, thus improving load time to just a fraction of a second. While it significantly depends on your network connection strength, Lightway does a lot to boost your connection speed.
The protocol also has a power-saving feature. It doesn’t need much processing power, thus bolstering your battery life. It also has a smaller codebase, which helps to improve performance. A minimal codebase also reduces the chances of a bug of network vulnerability.
The protocol uses wolfSSL, a standard cryptography library that follows the FIPS 140-standard. Other advanced options include ChaCha20 — a protocol that improves encryption on mobile devices without the AES acceleration.
So, in a nutshell, Lightway brings several benefits — battery life conservation, secure connection, optimal speed, and the ability to handle network changes. The protocol is also open-sourced, so adding new features is easy.
- Pros: Fastest VPN out there; Strict no logs policy; 256-bit AES encryption;
- Lowest price: $6.67
NordVPN
Features
- Cryptocurrency accepted? Yes
- Simultaneous connections: 6
- Dedicated IP-addresses? Yes
- Servers: 7,000+ in 111 countries
Pros/Cons
- Lots of pricing options
- Netflix support kept up to date
- 256-bit AES encryption
- Slow app
The next best thing is NordVPN, for sure. Both this and our top pick, ExpressVPN, have been locked in the battle for supremacy for years. While this comes in at #2, make no mistakes — it’s still an excellent option.
NordVPN’s top strength is in pure coverage. It comes with over 5,400 servers worldwide, although it has fewer countries covered than ExpressVPN with just 94. Regardless, you will get access to high-traffic locations and servers with top speed.
With WireGuard, this speed gets even faster as it significantly outperforms NordVPN’s other existing protocols; OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPsec. While these two remain the default protocols for NordVPN, users who are interested in WireGuard will have to manually select it themselves.
As with ExpressVPN, NordVPN is also a reliable option in terms of security. The service provides AES 256-bit encryption to protect you while connected to the internet, and there’s always a kill switch that protects you in case of any unexpected disconnection.
NordVPN has security for both IPv6 leaks and DNS leaks. It is also famous for running a strict no-logs policy. So, they don’t keep any information concerning you or any of your activities. There’s an Onion over VPN protocol, which transfers your data through its secure network before taking you to your destination site.
Internet connection is excellent on NordVPN. You can rest assured that adding support for WireGuard will only make things better for you. There is easy access to streaming services, too, as well as support for file sharing.
This service is available on every top platform. You’ve got something for iOS, Windows, Linux, Mac, and Android. There is also custom firmware for routers and a manual setup process for FireTV, AppleTV, Chromebooks, PlayStation devices, etc.
- Pros: Lots of pricing options; Netflix support kept up to date; 256-bit AES encryption;
- Lowest price: $3.71
Surfshark
Features
- Free trial? Yes
- Simultaneous connections: Unlimited
- Ad blocking? Yes
- Servers: 1000+ in 61 countries
Pros/Cons
- No footprints
- Allows torrenting
- 256-bit AES encryption
- Not the fastest
You will love SurfShark for many things. However, hardly will any of the reasons compare to its budget-friendly service. In a world where VPNs cost a lot of money, SurfShark provides optimal service delivery for much lower fees.
Despite this affordability, you can still rely on SurfShark’s stable service. It doesn’t short-change you one bit. SurfShark has 1,700 servers worldwide, with coverage for as much as 63 countries. While the server count is much lower than the other two, you will access high-traffic locations easily.
This access to high-traffic locations means that SurfShark gives you the best in bypassing restrictions. Services like Hulu and Netflix are no match for this VPN, and you will be able to enjoy seamless streaming capabilities too.
For users who would like to use WireGuard, this service is an excellent option. Its internet connection is reliable, as are its security protocols. So, while WireGuard helps, SurfShark is pretty reliable on its own.
Part of SurfShark’s top security features includes the AES 256-bit encryption, AES-256-GCM encryption, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. The ubiquitous kill switch is also available to protect you while not connected. SurfShark has an ad blocker in its package, as well as a malware tracker.
For now, SurfShark has planned support for WireGuard on the way. The VPN has confirmed that it would be releasing support for it in the coming months. So, you will be able to enjoy the protocol’s full features soon.
You can access SurfShark on iOS, Windows, Linux, and Android. The service even has free trials available for iOS, macOS, and Android users. Chrome and Firefox users get browser extensions to support their platforms. The service allows you to connect as many devices as you like to one singular charge.
- Pros: No footprints; Allows torrenting; 256-bit AES encryption;
- Lowest Price: $2.49
Private Internet Access
Features
- IP cloaking? Yes
- Access to US domains? Yes
- Devices supported: Over 30 (including iOS and Android)
- Firewalls? Yes
- Servers: 3000+ in over 25 countries
Pros/Cons
- Military grade encryption
- Firewall
- Completely private browsing
- Lesser known provider
File sharing and downloads are perhaps the most significant benefits of Private Internet Access (PIA). PIA currently has a beta version of WireGuard available. So, a full version will be coming soon.
The service has a stable internet connection to start with. It also allows support for torrenting, as well as optimal file sharing and downloads. If you’re the type to access torrenting platforms, you could try PIA in conjunction with help from WireGuard to improve your experience.
While you surf the web, PIA will see to your safety. The service allows you to select between AES-128 and AES-256 encryption, while IPv6 and DNS leak protection improve your safety while online.
PIA also incorporates a MACE feature, which improves your security when you access websites with heavy malware content. The same feature secures you from on-site ads, leaving you with seamless and enjoyable user experience.
This VPN comes with over 2,500 servers across 47 countries. High-traffic areas are accessible, and tests have shown that it has no troubles breaking the firewalls of top restrictive streaming platforms.
The only slight issue with PIA is that the service collects logs about your online identity. So, things like your usernames, IDs, and IP addresses are noted down. Note, however, that it deletes these logs once you disconnect from its network.
PIA is available on iOS, Android, and Windows. There are also extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Opera browser users. Like ExpressVPN, PIA allows you to connect up to 10 devices to a single paid account.
- Pros: Military grade encryption; Firewall; Completely private browsing;
- Lowest price: €2.50
CyberGhost
Features
- Connected devices at once: 7
- Automatic kill switch? Yes
- One click connect: Yes
- Servers: 5900 worldwide
Pros/Cons
- No logs policy
- 24/7 live chat
- Apps for mobile devices and routers
- No free option
CyberGhost provides a lot of value for your money as well. Like SurfShark, this VPN has gained notoriety for delivering affordable VPN services to users, while also keeping a top level of service.
CyberGhost, like every other VPN on our list so far, has support for all major platforms. However, the service’s offering for the Windows operating system is so far its most impressive. The interface is sleek and seamless, with enough accommodations for beginner users to understand how it works.
Note, however, that Linux platform users will need to do some manual work for their installation. CyberGhost has over 6400 servers worldwide. In terms of server coverage, this is one of the very best VPNs in the business. The VPNs cover 90+ countries, with access to the best, high-traffic locations. This same access provides you with an easy bypass for restricted streaming services. Internet connection on CyberGhost is as good as they come. With WireGuard, you can make it even better.
The VPN also provides optimal security features. These include military-grade encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection. CyberGhost also offers automated HTTPS redirection service, which allows you to connect to the most secure sites. You also get the ability to block ads and malicious websites. Note that the VPN doesn’t collect any logs on your activity. So, you’re not only safe but also anonymous.
- Pros: No logs policy; 24/7 live chat; Apps for mobile devices and routers;
- Lowest price: €2
Windscribe
Features
- Browser extension? Yes
- Pricing options: 3
- Free trial: No
- Unblocking of all websites? Yes
- Locations: Servers in 60 countries
Pros/Cons
- Military grade encryption
- Available on all major platforms
- App for mobile devices
- Lesser known provider
While it might not be as popular as some of the other names on our list, Windscribe is a pretty decent VPN that provides seamless support for WireGuard.
Windscribe is famous for providing an easy desktop client that needs no work. You merely have to create an account and enjoy fast internet browsing. The VPN offers access to about 480 servers worldwide, with 66 countries covered under its service.
For the most restrictive services, you get comfortable support on Windscribe. The VPN allows you to get access to Hulu, Netflix, and more. Internet connection is reliable, and you get the additional help of using WireGuard to improve various aspects of the VPN.
As for security, you get military-grade encryption and a kill switch. Whether you pay for the service or get the free one, you can access the VPNs features, including the ad blocker and DNS leak protection. All of these are even better when you consider that Windscribe doesn’t keep logs that can identify you. However, the company stores when last you used their service and the total bandwidth you used in a month. Beyond that, you’re all clear.
Windscribe is available on Android, Windows, iOS, and macOS. The service also allows you to connect as many devices as possible on an account.
- Pros: Military grade encryption; Available on all major platforms; App for mobile devices;
- Lowest price: $4.08
Why Choose a VPN That Supports WireGuard?
If you’re choosing a VPN, then cybersecurity must already be of great importance to you. But can you ever be too secure online? Many VPNs continually try to improve their security features by adding more protocols to the already existing ones. WireGuard is the new encryption protocol on the block that many VPN companies have integrated into their systems. Here is why you should choose one such VPN that supports WireGuard:
- It is easy to use and configure: Unlike many other VPN protocols such as OpenVPN, WireGuard is easy to use. OpenVPN supports certificates for encryption and configuration, but WireGuard uses more straightforward and advanced public keys for this purpose. More so, it supports numerous platforms and devices, including routers, for a better user experience.
- It offers an improved VPN performance: Firstly, a VPN that supports WireGuard automatically has improved speeds. WireGuard is designed to remove speed limitations that many VPNs face and give you a faster web-surfing experience. The protocol encrypts your data at lightning speed while still ensuring that you can browse as fast as possible. A test even found WireGuard to be 58% faster than OpenVPN; this is good news for gamers and hardcore streamers. WireGuard also offers improvements for mobile VPN users. Devices get better roaming support and also enhanced battery life.
- It makes you less penetrable to hackers: With WireGuard, security is raised up a notch because you get to enjoy the latest encryption algorithms keeping your data secure. A few of these secure algorithms include ChaCha20 for symmetric encryption, Curve25519, Blake2s for hashing, and a host of others.
History of WireGuard
Security researcher Jason Donenfeld started working on WireGuard as early as 2016; early snapshots of the open-source software’s codebase show June 30, 2016, as the initial creation date. Donenfeld initially created the software as a data exfiltration tool, but that changed when he discovered he could use it to route internet traffic via his parents’ computer. After building a strong community and working on it for a few years, WireGuard hit mainstream use in 2020. Let’s look at some important events in the history of WireGuard.
In 2019, four VPN service providers started using WireGuard: Mullvad, IVPN, Mullvad, and Cryptostorm. At this point, there was not yet a stable release of the software. WireGuard was also accepted by David Miller (primary maintainer) into the Linux networking stack for incorporation into the next kernel update.
In 2020, WireGuard was added to the main Linux kernel tree and the Linux 5.6 release tree by Linus Torvalds. The Windows version of the software was still in the beta phase, and Android developers included native kernel support for it in the Android Generic Kernel Image. WireGuard support was introduced to OpenBSD. In November 2020, a stable WireGuard Windows software became available. Also, several VPN services added the WireGuard protocol to their catalog of VPN protocols.
How Fast Is WireGuard?
When it comes to using a VPN, performance is a vital thing to consider. One thing that can influence the performance of a VPN is the VPN protocol used. WireGuard continues to gain traction for its speed, simplicity, security, and performance. Its codebase contains about 4000 lines of code, significantly less than several VPN protocols. One reason why it’s a swift protocol is because it uses fast cryptographic primitives. Other reasons are because it lives in the Linux kernel and has fewer lines of code.
Comparing WireGuard with other protocols is the best way to know how fast it is. This is because different people have different rates from ISPs. Plus, there are other things that can influence speed. Under the same conditions, multiple speed tests show that WireGuard is at least 14% faster than OpenVPN in UDP mode and about 56% faster in TCP mode. WireGuard’s speed was about 55.6MB per second on a 62.5 MB per second connection in another speed test.
It was also noticeable that WireGuard establishes a connection to a VPN server faster compared to other protocols. In most cases, WireGuard has better throughput and lower latency compared to other VPN protocols. Speed tests have shown that neither OpenVPN nor IPSec (the fastest protocols available) can outperform it under the same conditions. So, if you want a fast connection, your best bet is your ISP, then WireGuard.
How to Set up a VPN for WireGuard
Setting WireGuard up and implementing it with one of your VPN services is a simple process. It won’t take you much time, and you’ll be ready to go in a few minutes. Here’s how the process works:
- Connect to your VPN and change locations for security.
- Go to your device’s browser and open the WireGuard configuration generator or, you could go to their website.
- Log in to the website.
- Tap “Generate Key.”
- Select your desired exit location.
- Download the software and save it to your device.
- Open the WireGuard app on your device.
- Tap the “Add” button.
- Import the file you downloaded. You will see the location server appear in the app.
- Tap the toggle button next to the location you would like to use.
- Connect to the location, and you’re ready.
Note that you will need to generate a separate key for each device if you’re using WireGuard and a VPN on more than one device.
Frequently Asked Questions on WireGuard
How does the WireGuard protocol work?
Like any VPN protocol, Wireguard helps secure your internet connection by creating a VPN tunnel between your VPN app and server. WireGuard allows encryption of the packet payload and traffic protection by ensuring that no external party can see any patterns forming in network traffic.
Similar to SSH (Secure Shell), WireGuard exchanges public keys. Once the keys are exchanged, the data is encrypted. If the encryption of the data packets fails, the server must receive one valid data packet before it can go into session. It ensures proper key confirmation.
What are the benefits of using WireGuard?
WireGuard offers good speed, high performance, top configuration, and essential security. Unlike some other protocols, it doesn’t rely on IPSec because it has a secure layer 2 tunnel. The VPN protocol uses speedy cryptographic primitives and has other features to provide fast speed. It also has a lean coding structure, which helps to cope up with security challenges by ensuring protocols don’t face vulnerabilities.
How does WireGuard compare to IKEv2 or OpenVPN?
The initial implementation of WireGuard generally outperforms OpenVPN while taking less memory and CPU resources. Its performance will generally be better for longer distances since packet sizes are reduced.
WireGuard is easier to configure than IKEv2 or OpenVPN. No per-IP keying and no separate trust/untrust configuration are needed. You can use any port number you want. It is also much faster when it comes to re-keying when the IP address changes.
Is WireGuard safe to use?
WireGuard is designed with several security invariants built-in, which makes it one of the safest VPN protocols to use. WireGuard makes use of the newest encryption standards (ChaCha20, Curve25519, BLAKE2s, SipHash24, HKDF) to ensure that your information is completely protected at all times. In addition to modern cryptosystems, WireGuard uses several other novel cryptographic techniques to prevent standard network security problems from occurring.
Conclusion
The tech world of today is one that relies on security and optimal performance. While VPNs themselves provide a lot of both, things could also be better. WireGuard is the improvement you’ve always wanted. With the VPNs on our list, you will be able to connect to WireGuard seamlessly.