WireGuard vs OpenVPN: which is faster and which to pick

WireGuard is the fast modern protocol; OpenVPN is the older, maximally compatible one. Here are the differences in speed, bypassing blocks and configs — and why heavy censorship needs a third option, VLESS.

	WireGuard	OpenVPN	VLESS+Reality
Speed	Very high	Medium	High
Bypassing DPI/blocks	Weak (detectable)	Medium	Strong (looks like HTTPS)
Config	Short .conf	Long .ovpn	vless:// string
Resource use	Low	Higher	Medium
Compatibility	Newer, growing	Works almost everywhere	Special clients only

In short: the differences

WireGuard lives in the kernel, so it's faster and lighter, and its config is a short .conf. OpenVPN is older and more flexible (TCP/443, obfuscation), compatible with legacy gear, but slower and heavier. Under active DPI both are spotted more easily than VLESS+Reality, which disguises itself as ordinary HTTPS.

Which to choose

Normal network — pick WireGuard for speed. Strict firewall or an old router — OpenVPN for compatibility. Blocks and censorship — VLESS+Reality. Check that your connection really hides your IP with our VPN check.

Don't choose — use the right one per situation

GANVAS VPN supports WireGuard and VLESS (plus a Tor mode) in one client, and your own configs are free. No need for separate apps per protocol — switch as the situation demands.

FAQ

Which is faster — WireGuard or OpenVPN?

Usually WireGuard: it runs in the kernel, has less overhead and connects faster.

Which is safer?

Both use modern cryptography. WireGuard is simpler with a smaller codebase (easier to audit); OpenVPN has been around longer and is very flexible.

Which bypasses blocks better?

Neither WireGuard nor OpenVPN is built to beat DPI. For that you need VLESS+Reality, which disguises itself as ordinary HTTPS.

Does GANVAS support both?

GANVAS supports WireGuard and VLESS (and a Tor mode). OpenVPN isn't used — VLESS handles censorship bypass more reliably.