5 Best VPNs With WireGuard Support — Updated in 2023

WireGuard is fast and secure, but it has some fundamental privacy concerns. It temporarily stores your IP address until the next reboot and uses static IPs, which isn't ideal. On the other hand, OpenVPN is better for security and privacy but much slower — so that’s why many users turn to WireGuard.

My team and I tested 35+ VPNs and selected the very best for WireGuard. I shortlisted VPNs that have safely implemented the protocol (or created their own WireGuard alternative) and have actively taken steps to mitigate the privacy issues. This way, you can get the best of both worlds — strong privacy protection and fast speeds.

Although, I prefer ExpressVPN's proprietary Lightway protocol. Lightway has been audited for security and consistently gives us faster speeds than any WireGuard VPN we test. Unlike WireGuard, it never stores your IP address and assigns you a new IP every time you use it. You can test it risk-free since it has a 30-day money-back guarantee. If it’s not for you, it’s easy to get a full refund.

Try ExpressVPN's Lightway >>

Best VPNs for WireGuard — Full Analysis (Updated 2023)

1. ExpressVPN — Lightway Protocol is a Faster, Safer WireGuard Alternative

ExpressVPN built its Lightway protocol from the ground up as a more private alternative to WireGuard. A key compromise with WireGuard is that it uses static IP addresses and stores them on a server until reboot — making it easier to identify users. Lightway removes the risk of static IPs by assigning you the least recently used one each time. Plus, Lightway is now open-source, so anyone can inspect it to check its safety and suggest improvements.

Another benefit is Lightway’s efficiency — it only uses about 1,000 lines of code (compared to WireGuard’s 4,000). Low code means less processing power, faster performance, and less lag; it even saves battery, which is really useful on mobile devices. The shorter code also makes it easier to audit and spot and fix bugs.

In fact, it gave us faster speeds than all of the WireGuard VPNs. Our team speed tester ran tests on 3 nearby servers (UK Docklands, Paris, and Frankfurt), a measly speed loss of only 3% below base speed using Lightway. Ping was only 8ms, which is excellent for gaming. Long-distance servers in Sydney and Tokyo averaged a 30% drop, which is impressive considering these locations are thousands of miles away.

For reference, you only need 25Mbps for Ultra HD streaming, so this is over 4x fast enough

The downside is that it’s not the cheapest VPN on my list, but it often offers money-saving coupons and deals on its website. Plus, you can test ExpressVPN totally risk-free. If you’re not happy with it, you have 30 days to claim a full refund.

Useful Features

• Obfuscation support. WireGuard doesn’t natively support obfuscation, but Lightway was built with it specifically in mind. Each of ExpressVPN’s 3,000 servers offer automatic obfuscation that initiates when it detects VPN blocks. That makes it an ideal choice for beating tough firewalls; it even works in countries with strict censorship.
• UDP and TCP support. UDP is generally faster, but TCP can work better on some less secure networks, such as public WiFi hotspots. WireGuard only supports UDP.
• TrustedServer technology. Some VPNs use hard drives capable of storing user data. ExpressVPN’s RAM-only servers automatically wipe everything on reboot to ensure your connections are private.
• Servers optimized for all activities. ExpressVPN’s entire network supports and works reliably for gaming, streaming, and downloading, so you won’t need to switch servers between activities.
• Audited no-logs policy. Independent firms have confirmed that ExpressVPN keeps your personal data private, as stated in its privacy policy.

Try ExpressVPN's Lightway >>

2. CyberGhost — Assigns Dynamic IPs to Ensure Privacy When Using WireGuard

To address WireGuard’s privacy concerns, CyberGhost assigns dynamic IP addresses. That means that it doesn’t have to log your real IP address, and the dynamic IP you're assigned gets deleted every few minutes. On the other hand, WireGuard requires that your IP is stored on the VPN’s server until reboot.

It also adds an extra layer of security to its WireGuard protocol by running a RESTful API backed by an RSA certificate, so your privacy is well protected while using it.

CyberGhost is also one of the most user-friendly VPNs I’ve used. You can easily switch between protocols in the settings menu. I also found combining WireGuard with its “Best Server Location” feature really useful. It allowed me to get the fastest connection speeds possible in a single click for both torrenting and streaming. The kill switch and leak protection are built-in, so you don’t even have to activate them.

CyberGhost is so simple, you don’t need to expand the app unless you want to change locations

Again, our speed tester used servers in London, Paris, and Frankfurt for our tests. They got an average speed loss of just 4.5% with WireGuard, and an average ping of 17ms. Connecting to Sydney and Tokyo, they averaged a 64% speed loss. Although its nearby speeds are really fast, long-distance connections are much slower than ExpressVPN’s.

CyberGhost’s short-term plans are pretty pricey and only come with a 14-day money-back guarantee. It’s a better value to go for a long-term plan — it’s cheaper and comes with a generous 45-day money-back guarantee. Either way, you can try CyberGhost out without financial risk.

Useful Features

• Specialty servers. Put WireGuard’s speeds to good use with streaming, downloading, and gaming servers (gaming servers are only on PC). The streaming servers are optimized for specific streaming platforms, and CyberGhost maintains them to ensure they’re not blocked.
• Block content. A one-click solution to block malware and other dangerous files at DNS level so they never reach your device.
• Smart rules. Configure startup settings and rules for different data sources so your WireGuard activities are as private as you prefer.
• 7 simultaneous connections. Use WireGuard on multiple devices with a single subscription to CyberGhost.

Try WireGuard With CyberGhost >>

3. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Customizable Security Features to Optimize Your WireGuard Connections

PIA gives you tons of control over your security and privacy settings, which isn’t something many VPNs offer. When I tested WireGuard with PIA, for example, I could change my MTU settings. This determines the maximum packet size allowed through the tunnel. If your packet size is too large for your connection, you could experience intermittent connection failures.

Connection Timeout lets you choose when the app stops trying to connect after an unsuccessful attempt

Like CyberGhost, PIA runs a RESTful API protected by an RSA certificate to mitigate WireGuard’s privacy concerns. I confirmed this with PIA’s customer support. It also has a daemon that deletes your connection data after 3 minutes of inactivity.

Plus, its MACE feature is one of the best VPN ad, tracker, and malware blockers I’ve used. It gives you an extra layer of privacy when you use the WireGuard protocol since third parties can’t collect information about your online behavior. I also liked that I didn’t need to download an extension to use the adblocker, which is better for privacy.

The one downside to PIA is that it’s based in the US, which is in the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance, an intelligence-sharing agreement between countries. However, it adheres to a strict no-logs policy. This was verified in court when PIA was unable to share data about a customer with the FBI because it simply didn’t have any.

All plans are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try PIA risk-free.

Useful Features

• Fast local speeds. While testing PIA with WireGuard, we got an average speed loss of 5% from London, France, and Frankfurt. Our speed tester averaged a 46.5% slowdown from Sydney and Tokyo, which is decent.
• Unlimited device connections. PIA is a convenient choice for groups of WireGuard users.
• Split Tunnel. Get even faster connections by routing certain apps and URLs outside the VPN, freeing up more bandwidth for other activities.
• Multi-Hop. Double your security by routing your WireGuard connections through the VPN and a proxy server.

Try WireGaurd With PIA >>

4. NordVPN — Offers NordLynx, A Modified Version of WireGuard With Extra Security

NordVPN offers its exclusive NordLynx protocol, which was built around WireGuard but with stronger security. Still, it delivers high-speed performance. Unlike WireGuard, it uses double NAT technology to assign a unique IP to every user without ever storing your data. It’s a different method than the one ExpressVPN uses, but it’s just as effective and helps you avoid VPN blocks.

Unlike ExpressVPN’s Lightway, NordLynx is only available in UDP and not TCP (for less stable networks)

You also get Threat Manager, a highly customizable ad, tracker, and malware blocker. It scans every site you visit and every file you download, putting anything suspicious in quarantine. It can even scan your hard drive for dangerous files already on your machine. It keeps a list of the files and sites it blocks.

Speeds are impressively consistent across all distances. We got just 5.3% less than the baseline connection when testing NordLynx with NordVPN’s London, Paris, and Frankfurt servers. The ping was just 21ms. Even Tokyo and Sydney only gave our speed tester a 35% speed loss.

I have a couple minor qualms with the apps, though. The interface is a bit bulky without an option to minimize it. Also, the connections sometimes take 30 seconds to establish. Although, these are merely convenience issues.

You can try NordVPN totally risk-free because it has a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Useful Features

• Specialty servers. There are servers for P2P (downloading), Double VPN (extra security), and Onion over VPN (darkweb Onion sites). They all support NordLynx.
• WireGuard alternative. Windows users also get obfuscated servers, but they’re not available on the Mac app.
• Meshnet. Create an encrypted mini-network between your devices so you can use NordLynx to safely transfer files and access apps and documents.
• Auto-connect. Choose a specialty server or a specific location for when you use "Quick Connect." Provided you have NordLynx selected, it will use it automatically.

Try NordVPN's NordLynx >>

5. Surfshark — Unlimited Devices for Families and Groups That Enjoy Fast Connections

Surfshark allows you to connect unlimited devices at once, a feature ideal for large households or businesses. It supports WireGuard, and like NordVPN, utilizes double NAT technology to assign a unique IP to anyone using the same server. That means you can connect your whole household or team without compromising on speed or security.

Even with multiple devices connected at once, it never compromised my connection stability

Surfshark also offers you both static and rotating IPs. Static IPs remain constant, which is ideal for tasks requiring consistent identification. This also helps you avoid CAPTCHA tests. A rotating IP changes periodically for extra privacy while your location remains unchanged. Both options support WireGuard for secure, swift connections.

It has some advanced security features, including MultiHop and NoBorders. NoBorders can be enabled with 1 click if you’re ever facing VPN-detecting firewalls (like at work or school). It then narrows down its server list to those best for overcoming the specific block.

A slight disadvantage is that the Camouflage mode for obfuscation is not compatible with the WireGuard protocol; you need to choose OpenVPN (UDP or TCP) instead. Nonetheless, this is not a major concern, as WireGuard supports all other advanced features, such as NoBorders and MultiHop.

Its plans are backed by a money-back guarantee, which lets you test out Surfshark with WireGuard for 30 days.

Useful Features

• CleanWeb ad blocker. A one-click solution to blocking ads and trackers while using WireGuard.
• Consistent speeds. I got an average of 92.89Mbps from London, Paris, and Frankfurt with WireGuard. Tokyo and Sydney gave me an impressive 74.03Mbps.
• Audited no-logs policy. Surfshark has proven that it never stores, shares, or records your online activities.

Try Surfshark for WireGuard >>

Quick Comparison Table: WireGuard VPN Features

The table below collates key elements to consider for a WireGuard VPN service. Even though ExpressVPN doesn't facilitate WireGuard, it has been included in the comparison due to its WireGuard counterpart, Lightway, which demonstrated superior performance in my testing compared to the WireGuard VPNs. Similar to NordVPN, which has its own protocol (NordLynx) built around WireGuard.

Try ExpressVPN for Lightway >>

Tips on Choosing the Best VPN for WireGuard

My team and I tested hundreds of VPNs to find the best that support WireGuard (or superior alternatives). To choose the best VPN for WireGuard, I recommend that you look out for the following:

• Safe WireGuard implementation. In order to implement WireGuard in a way that adheres to no-logs policies, each VPN service has to put a system in place so WG can be used safely. You should make sure the VPN already has a robust privacy policy in place, and that it takes extra steps to ensure WireGuard’s privacy flaws are properly mitigated. Even better if it has these measures published on its website.
• Fast speeds and a reliable network. WireGuard is super fast, so you don’t want a VPN with an old, slow server infrastructure to hinder WG’s capabilities. The VPNs in this list all have high-speed servers to ensure you can make the most of WireGuard. They're all also super reliable for accessing popular streaming sites like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and more while you're using WireGuard.
• Robust security features. And ones that don’t compromise WireGuard’s upgraded encryption. The Wireguard protocol has great security features by default. However, make sure your VPN also offers other secure protocols like OpenVPN in case you need to switch to another one.
• Ease of use. Do you want an easy plug-and-play service so you can get straight to high-speed browsing? Or a more technical app with settings to customize your WireGuard connections? Pick a VPN that suits your technical preferences.
• Excellent customer service. Make sure you can contact them easily through live chat or email, 24/7 live chat being the best option.

FAQs on VPNs for WireGuard

Is WireGuard better than OpenVPN or IKEv2?

It depends; WireGuard provides a good balance between speed and security. It only falls short when it comes to privacy because it wasn’t developed with privacy or VPNs in mind. Since WireGuard can’t assign dynamic IPs, you’re given a static IP address, so it’s required to log and store your IP and timestamps until the server is rebooted. However, many VPNs have taken steps to address and mitigate these issues.

With WireGuard, you’ll get the following benefits:

• Faster speeds. WireGuard was 30% faster than OpenVPN during my tests.
• Upgraded encryption. WireGuard was created with this in mind — it uses ChaCha20 with Poly1306.
• More lightweight. With only 4,000 lines of code, WireGuard offers better performance and is much easier to audit, spot, and fix bugs. OpenVPN has about 70,000 lines of code.

However, if privacy is your top concern, you’ll benefit from OpenVPN since WireGuard wasn’t designed with privacy in mind as much as security.

IKEv2 works well for mobile devices as it’s good at switching between data sources. However, it’s not as secure as OpenVPN or WireGuard since it’s not open-source.

Does ExpressVPN support WireGuard?

No, but its Lightway protocol is a faster, safer alternative. Lightway gives you faster speeds than WireGuard because it has fewer lines of code, meaning it connects and performs faster. It’s also been audited by security experts for safety and since it’s developed with privacy in mind (unlike WireGuard), you don’t have to worry about whether the VPN has implemented it safely.

Is WireGuard the fastest protocol?

It’s the fastest widely-used protocol that offers reasonable security. However, I found that Lightway protocol was faster (the ExpressVPN WireGuard alternative. WireGuard is quicker than other open-source protocols, though. For example, it was 30% faster than OpenVPN in my tests. It’s usually not as fast as IKEv2, but that’s an older protocol with even more security limitations, and it’s easy for sites and services to block.

What if my WireGuard VPN isn't working?

First of all, ensure you’re using a VPN that runs WireGuard reliably. If you’ve already got one, try the following:

• Check your internet connection. Make sure you’re connected to a stable WiFi or ethernet connection.
• Connect to another server. Severs go down from time to time. Try another one in case it's just one that's not working.
• Check for updates. Make sure you’re using the most up-to-date VPN software.
• Check the VPN’s status page. This should be updated if the VPN is experiencing any technical issues.
• Contact customer support. It may have a solution to your problem, or suggest a workaround.

Can I set up WireGuard on my router?

Yes, some VPNs have WireGuard manual configuration files on their websites. CyberGhost has them, plus full setup instructions. This is an option when your device isn’t natively compatible with the VPNs’ WireGuard protocol. You need to download the configuration files directly from the website and rent a server.

However, this isn’t the simplest way of using WireGuard. It’s easier to just use a VPN app that has WireGuard already integrated.

Is WireGuard UTC or UDP?

WireGuard operates over UDP (User Datagram Protocol). UDP is a lightweight transport protocol offering faster speeds and lower latency than TCP (Transmission Control Protocol). OpenVPN offers both UDP and TCP options with some VPNs, such as PIA and ExpressVPN. The latter also provides its own high-speed Lightway in both UDP and TCP.

WireGuard's use of UDP helps optimize network performance and is particularly beneficial for applications that require real-time communication, such as video streaming, online gaming, and VoIP services. However, it's important to note that UDP doesn't provide the same reliability and error correction level as TCP, which may result in occasional transfer errors.

Is there a free VPN that supports WireGuard?

Yes, there are free VPNs available that support WireGuard. However, I recommend using a reliable, low-cost, premium WireGuard VPN provider. It's essential to consider the limitations of free VPNs. They often have restrictions on server locations, data allowance, and bandwidth (and what’s the point in having WG if you’re up against server crowding and speed caps?).

Additionally, free VPNs pose potential risks to your privacy and security. Some may monitor your browsing and sell your data to third parties. Free apps can also contain malware and lack basic security features, potentially exposing your information. Some don’t even encrypt your data at all. They may be free to begin with, but they will cost you in the long term.

Get the Best VPN for WireGuard

WireGuard offers some great benefits like faster speeds and state-of-the-art encryption. Unfortunately, since it wasn’t developed with privacy in mind, there are concerns. This is why you need to use a reliable VPN that mitigates these vulnerabilities.

Many VPNs understand this and safely implement WireGuard to align with their privacy standards and no-logs policies. However, while it doesn’t support WireGuard, ExpressVPN’s Lightway is the best high-speed protocol because it’s a faster and safer custom-built alternative. You can test ExpressVPN out risk-free as it's backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. So if you don't like it, it’s easy to get a full refund.

To summarize, these are the best VPNs that support WireGuard...