So I did a bunch of tests last week, same gear, same server spot, just changing protocols. Obviously WireGuard crushed it. Download speeds were like 95% of my usual, OpenVPN was around 65% and IKEv2 like 75%. But the upload speeds were weird, WireGuard still fastest but surprisingly OpenVPN beat IKEv2. Security wise you gotta weigh the options tho. WireGuard's newer code is a plus, fewer bugs probably, but its simple setup might suck if you need crazy control like in big companies. OpenVPN's the old faithful, slower but you know what you get. IKEv2 is the mobile champ, reconnects quick if your signal drops which sometimes is more important than max speed. My take? For straight up speed and modern stuff go WireGuard. If you need legacy features or are super paranoid about the newest crypto maybe stick with OpenVPN for now. But tbh the numbers don't lie. Keep testing till you get it right.

honestly did you notice any difference in latency or ping between protocols? I guess speed tests are cool but sometimes real world ping matters more.

Different angle: I tested latency once with WireGuard and OpenVPN on the same network, and WireGuard had slightly higher ping but still faster overall for streaming. Speed isn't just about raw numbers, sometimes the protocol's response time matters more in real use. Who cares about ping if the stream or game runs smooth?

came here to say exactly this

Different angle: but what if the stream stutters or lags a bit, even if ping says it's okay? sometimes smoothness isn't just about speed numbers lol

honestly old faithful, huh? kinda like that rusty but reliable car in the driveway, it gets you there but you gotta deal with the quirks. I ran some OpenVPN tests myself, and yeah, the speed's not its selling point

Appreciate the feedback guys. Yeah, latency can be tricky, I saw slightly higher ping with WireGuard but it still beats others on streaming and quick reconnects. Speed tests are one thing, real world use matters more sometimes. Keep testing, that's how we stay ahead. Stay sharp.

If speed is king, go with WireGuard. It's usually faster out of the box. But yeah, your breakdown makes it clear that choice depends on specific needs.

I disagree that WireGuard always wins in speed. I've tested it myself and sometimes OpenVPN or IKEv2 edge out depending on the server location and device. It's not just about raw speed but also stability and how well it handles different networks. ymmv but don't assume WireGuard is always the fastest for everyone

last month i tested all three again on my main rig and honestly wireguard was a bit faster but not by much and yeah openvpn and ikev2 held their own depending on server load and location so imho speed is one thing but stability and consistency matter more long term.

You sure about WireGuard always being faster? I've seen cases where openvpn or IKEv2 actually perform better, especially on unstable networks or certain devices. How do you account for that in your test?

Haha, speed tests are like BBQs, always gotta taste different sides. Pro tip: run your tests on different times of day, server load and network stability can change everything. Sometimes the fastest in tests ain't the best for daily use, so keep an eye on real-world stability too.

ngl ever tested on mobile vs desktop? I swear some protocols do better on one than the other depending on hardware and wifi strength. Also, did you try different VPN servers?

bookmarking this thread.