IPSec Vs OpenVPN | 5 Differences between IPSec and OpenVPN

With all the threats surrounding the internet, the VPNs have become the popular option among users.
This not only applies to organizations but for average individual users as well.

For the users who have already used the VPN services might notice the settings with the name OpenVPN and IPSec. Whenever you want to use a VPN, you must select the right protocol. Even some VPN providers provide a list of protocols for the users. Out of those list, the 3 most used protocols are the OpenVPN, IPSec and PPTP. It is the protocol which decides how well the VPN will be securing the data. In fact it is one of the crucial elements are VPN. Hence, it is a good idea to know the differences between them so that you can choose the best according to your needs. Finally you can get a better idea why you need to use a service one over the other.

In this article, I will be illustrating IPSec Vs OpenVPN | 5 Differences between IPSec and OpenVPN. For this comparison I will be describing the two versions of IPSec, those are the IKEv2/IPSec and the L2TP/IPSec.

Let's get started,

1. Installation

Open VPN - Special client software is needed by the OpenVPN for them to be used. They cannot be incorporated into operating system directly. Therefore, custom OpenVPN apps will be provided by the VPN service providers. These custom OpenVPN apps can be used on most of the operating systems and devices.

IKEv2/IPSec - Installation in IKEv2 is made quick and easy. Only the user has to import the configuration files to the servers IKEv2 is being natively Windows, MacOS, IOS and Android devices. Some operating systems also comes with a function known as the ''always on''. This function ensures that there is no data leaks when the traffic is travelling through the VPN tunnel.

L2TP/IPSec - Same as the IKEv2, a L2TP protocol is fast and easy. And also the user only has to import the configuration files to the servers. Furthermore most Windows, MacOS, Android and IOS devices natively support L2TP.

2. Encryption

Open VPN - OpenSSL and the TLS protocol is used by the OpenVPN to provide encryption. Apart from the it uses different algorithms and ciphers. Some of them are Chacha 20, Blowfish, Camellia and AES. AES encryption used by the OpenVPN is of 160bit/256bit.

IKEv2/IPSec - Algorithm used by the IKEv2 is of cryptographic which includes Blowfish, Camellia, 3DES and AES. AES encryption used by the IKEv2 is of 256bit.

L2TP/IPSec - L2TP in default does not offer any kind of encryption. In L2TP the data those which are arriving from the IPSec protocol will be encrypted twice. The AES encryption used by the L2TP is of 256bit.

3. Security

Open VPN - In terms of security, OpenVPN is far most the best protocol. It does have a proper implementation and very less number of vulnerabilities.

IKEv2/IPSec - IKEv2 protocol is considered to be more secure and reliable. In fact it is one of the popular choices for the VPN users. But one the major drawbacks of it is the closed source.

L2TP/IPSec - Same as the IKEv2, the L2TP is also considered to be secure. But it also has a closed source which is its negative side. However since the L2TP is developed by the cisco and microsoft, it is often questioned about trust.

4. Performance

Open VPN - Regardless of using wireless or cellular networks, an OpenVPN can offer stable and reliable performance. The performance offered by the OpenVPN is generally impressive especially when used along with the User Diagram Protocol (UDP). Therefore, whenever you are having problems in the connection, the best choice will be the OpenVPN with UDP.

IKEv2/IPSec - Compared to an OpenVPN, the IKEv2 is faster in many aspects. This is because IKEv2 in general consumes less amount of CPU resources compared to an OpenVPN. But this cannot be guaranteed in all the cases. There can be different variables which can affect the speed. However for most of the mobile users, IKEv2 will be the best option based on the performance since it does the job of reconnection very well.

L2TP/IPSec - Performance offered by the L2TP can be varying, especially in terms of speed. Due to the fact that the encryption/decryption takes place in the kernel it should boost the overall speed. However since it encapsulates data twice it should be slower compared to other options.

5. Firewall Ports

Open VPN - OpenVPN uses 2 kinds of ports, those are the ports with UDP or TCP. Configuration can be made easily on the OpenVPN so that it can run on either of them. As a result it can bypass restrictive firewalls without an issue.

IKEv2/IPSec - IKEv2 functions using 3 kinds of ports.

Those are the,