UDP (User Datagram Protocol)

Fast, connectionless protocol that prioritizes speed over reliability. VPN protocols like WireGuard and OpenVPN UDP offer better performance than TCP. Recommended for streaming and gaming.

Glossary

What is UDP (User Datagram Protocol)?

Fast, connectionless protocol that prioritizes speed over reliability. VPN protocols like WireGuard and OpenVPN UDP offer better performance than TCP. Recommended for streaming and gaming.

Related Terms

Latency

Time delay between sending data and receiving a response, measured in milliseconds (ms). VPNs add some latency due to encryption and routing. WireGuard protocol minimizes latency impact for fast, responsive connections.

TCP (Transmission Control Protocol)

Reliable connection-oriented protocol that guarantees data delivery. OpenVPN TCP mode is slower but works through firewalls, especially on port 443. Better for stability than UDP on poor connections.

WireGuard

Modern VPN protocol with exceptional speed, security, and efficiency. Only ~4,000 lines of code (vs OpenVPN's ~100,000) make it highly auditable. Best protocol for everyday VPN use with minimal speed impact.

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