Lightway is a new VPN protocol designed to make connections faster and more secure than ever before while using less power and making auditing easier.
Is Lightway protocol good?
A VPN protocol is a string of code that governs everything your software does, from how it connects to its server to how it transports data. There are various types, each with its own set of characteristics. Lightway is ExpressVPN’s in-house technology that aims to provide consumers with a faster, more secure, and dependable experience.
As the name implies, it is a light protocol with only roughly 2,000 lines of code, designed to operate faster and save battery life on your devices. However, comparing the speeds of Lightway and other VPN protocols can be tricky due to the numerous contributing factors. The following factors can affect the speeds you receive while using a VPN and a specific protocol:
- Server proximity: The nearer a server is to your physical location, the quicker your connection will be.
- Server load: Certain servers have more connections than others. Fortunately, several VPNs indicate the current server load.
- Network bandwidth: Some ISPs and low-quality VPNs can limit bandwidth. However, the finest VPNs provide limitless bandwidth.
Despite the above, two users implementing the same protocol can experience dramatically different speeds simultaneously. As a result, determining if Lightway suits you will be subject to several criteria.
What are the three most common VPN protocols?
A VPN protocol specifies how data is sent between your computer and the VPN server. Protocols contain various parameters that provide benefits to consumers in a variety of situations. Some favor speed, while others prioritize privacy and security.
Here are three of the top VPN protocols:
- OpenVPN
- WireGuard
- L2TP/IPSec (Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol)
OpenVPN is a VPN protocol that is open source. Users can examine its source code for flaws or utilize it in other projects. OpenVPN has risen to prominence as one of the most essential VPN protocols. OpenVPN is not only open-source but also one of the most secure protocols.
Wireguard is a relatively new VPN protocol. Compared to other significant VPNs, it is open source and has a significantly simpler codebase. WireGuard VPN services are also simpler to set up than OpenVPN and provide a greater choice of encryption types and primitives. You can find a complete comparison of WireGuard vs OpenVPN here. WireGuard is one of the speediest VPN protocols due to the mix of encryption types and primitives, the lower code base, and other advancements.
The Layer 2 Tunnel Protocol is a well-known VPN protocol. L2TP is the successor to the defunct PPTP and L2F protocols developed by Microsoft and Cisco, respectively. L2TP, compared to other leading VPN protocols, does not give any encryption or privacy.
What VPN protocol is the safest?
You should select a VPN protocol based on your needs. Not all VPN protocols will be supported by every VPN service provider. You should realistically choose the best option based on your operating system and other constraints. OpenVPN, IKEv2, a standard protocol for mobile VPN apps, and WireGuard are the most dependable modern VPN protocols.
Conclusion
Lightway might seem more reliable than other VPN protocol choices; however, it is a newer option, and users should consider a number of the protocols out there before deciding which is best for them.
