OpenVPN Speed Benchmarks
OpenVPN is the most battle-tested VPN protocol - secure, audited, and compatible with nearly everything. It's also slower than WireGuard. Here's how it performs and where it still makes sense.
A note on these figures
Our headline benchmarks measure each VPN using its fastest protocol (WireGuard-based). In our testing, WireGuard ran 15-25% faster than OpenVPN UDP on the same connection. The OpenVPN columns below are conservative estimates derived by applying a 20% reduction to the measured WireGuard result - useful for relative comparison, not a substitute for a live OpenVPN test.
OpenVPN UDP - Estimated vs WireGuard (Measured)
| Provider | WireGuard (measured) | OpenVPN UDP (est.) | Est. difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | 433 Mbps (89%) | ~346 Mbps (71%) | -87 Mbps |
| ExpressVPN | 414 Mbps (85%) | ~331 Mbps (68%) | -83 Mbps |
| Surfshark | 404 Mbps (83%) | ~323 Mbps (66%) | -81 Mbps |
| ProtonVPN | 399 Mbps (82%) | ~319 Mbps (66%) | -80 Mbps |
| Private Internet Access | 394 Mbps (81%) | ~315 Mbps (65%) | -79 Mbps |
| CyberGhost | 380 Mbps (78%) | ~304 Mbps (62%) | -76 Mbps |
Why OpenVPN Is Slower
OpenVPN dates to 2001 and carries a large, flexible codebase with substantial per-packet overhead. It runs in user space rather than close to the kernel, and its handshake and encryption path are heavier than WireGuard's. Those design choices trade raw speed for maturity and configurability. The upside is nearly two decades of audits and compatibility with virtually every device and router.
When OpenVPN Still Makes Sense
- Router setups: OpenVPN has the widest router firmware support (DD-WRT, Tomato, pfSense)
- Restrictive networks: OpenVPN over TCP port 443 blends in with normal HTTPS traffic and is harder to block
- Compliance: Some organizations mandate audited, established protocols
- Older devices: Broad platform support means OpenVPN runs where WireGuard may not
OpenVPN TCP vs UDP
UDP is the faster, lower-latency default - use it for streaming, gaming, and everyday browsing. TCP adds error correction that improves reliability on unstable connections and helps bypass firewalls over port 443, but it's noticeably slower. Start with UDP and only fall back to TCP when you hit connection problems.
Our Recommendation
For most users, WireGuard-based protocols are the better choice on speed and efficiency. Keep OpenVPN as a reliable fallback for routers, restrictive networks, and compatibility. NordVPN offers both NordLynx (WireGuard-based) and OpenVPN, and led our overall speed testing at 89% retention.
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