Skip to contentWireGuard vs OpenVPN
WireGuard and OpenVPN are the two protocols behind most modern VPNs. This guide compares how they work, where each one is stronger, and how s4m uses both to keep your real IP hidden.
Same job, different engineering
Both protocols wrap your traffic in an encrypted tunnel. They just get there differently.
WireGuard and OpenVPN encrypt traffic routed through their tunnel. For that traffic, destination services see the VPN exit IP. A VPN does not make accounts, cookies or browser fingerprints anonymous; your ISP can still see the connection to the VPN server.
WireGuard uses UDP and a fixed cryptographic suite, including ChaCha20-Poly1305 and Curve25519. Client routes and AllowedIPs determine which traffic uses the tunnel. Performance and roaming behaviour depend on the device and network.
OpenVPN supports UDP or TCP when both client and server are configured for it. TCP 443 may help when that port is allowed but UDP is blocked. Port 443 alone does not turn OpenVPN into ordinary HTTPS or guarantee passage through protocol inspection.
For the s4m VPN, download the current configuration from your account and use its transport and port. The current OpenVPN profile generator uses UDP; changing a client file cannot add TCP support to the server. For individual applications, consider datacenter proxies or the free public proxy list.
Side-by-side comparison
The short version: WireGuard for simplicity, OpenVPN for reach and configurability.
| Aspect | WireGuard | OpenVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Codebase | ~4,000 lines, easy to audit | Hundreds of thousands of lines |
| Cryptography | Fixed modern suite (ChaCha20-Poly1305, Curve25519) | OpenSSL, wide range of configurable ciphers |
| Speed & CPU | Generally faster, lower overhead | Solid, but higher overhead |
| Reconnect / roaming | Near-instant, survives network switches | Slower re-handshake |
| Transport | UDP by default | UDP or TCP |
| Firewall traversal | Good, but can be blocked where UDP is filtered | TCP 443 may help if allowed; protocol inspection can still block it |
| Maturity | Newer, well reviewed, in-kernel on Linux | Decades of production hardening |
| s4m support | Default on every app | Current issued profiles use UDP |
Neither protocol is strictly "better". They optimize for different constraints, which is exactly why s4m ships both.
When to choose which
Choose WireGuard for simplicity
Best for everyday use, streaming, gaming, and mobile devices that hop between networks. Lower latency, faster reconnects, and less battery drain. This is the s4m default, and for most people it is the right one.
Choose OpenVPN for reach
OpenVPN can use TCP 443 with a matching server configuration. This may help where UDP is blocked, but protocol inspection can still block it. s4m currently issues UDP profiles; use the transport and port supplied in your profile.
Add a dedicated personal IP
Either protocol can be bound to an optional dedicated IP that is yours alone, and stays associated with your s4m account. Useful for allowlisting and for keeping a stable outbound address across sessions.
Same apps, same plan
Switch protocols inside the same s4m app on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, or your router. Paid plans are a flat monthly rate, so changing protocol never affects your price.
Example WireGuard client config
A minimal WireGuard profile looks like this. s4m generates your keys and the exact values for you; hostnames below are placeholders.
[Interface] PrivateKey = <your-private-key> Address = 10.7.0.2/32 DNS = 10.7.0.1 [Peer] # s4m endpoint public key PublicKey = <server-public-key> AllowedIPs = 0.0.0.0/0, ::/0 Endpoint = vpn.s4m.online:51820 # Keeps the tunnel alive behind NAT / roaming networks PersistentKeepalive = 25
Questions, answered
Which protocol does s4m use by default?
WireGuard. It is the default across all of our apps because it is faster, reconnects almost instantly, and uses a small, modern, easy-to-audit codebase. OpenVPN is offered alongside it for compatibility with networks or devices where WireGuard is not ideal.
When should I switch to OpenVPN?
Only switch to a transport your provider actually offers. TCP 443 may help where UDP is blocked, but client and server must both support it, and protocol inspection can still block OpenVPN. The current s4m profile generator uses UDP; do not turn a downloaded profile into a TCP 443 profile by editing its port.
Does the protocol I pick change my usage or price?
No. On paid plans, usage is a flat monthly rate regardless of protocol. Admin-tunable limits exist per account-type, per IP, and per account, but choosing WireGuard or OpenVPN by itself does not change what you pay.
Is WireGuard's fixed internal address a privacy problem?
The internal tunnel address is not your public exit IP. s4m offers no-logs, RAM-first infrastructure and anonymous accounts. A dedicated personal IP can provide a stable exit address, but its allocation stays associated with your s4m account.
Can I use both protocols on the same account?
Yes. You can switch between WireGuard and OpenVPN inside the same s4m app on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, or a supported router, using the same account and plan.
Start with WireGuard, keep OpenVPN in your pocket
Create an account and activate a paid VPN plan before connecting with WireGuard or OpenVPN. Anonymous signup and card or crypto payments are supported; a dedicated IP is optional.
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