A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is an encrypted connection that allows you to transmit any information from a device to a network without compromising private information. For a VPN to provide optimum security, it needs a VPN protocol.
A VPN protocol is a set of instructions that the VPN service uses to set up a connection between your device and the VPN server. Using a VPN service is incomplete without a VPN protocol.
This article will review and compare NordLynx vs. OpenVPN protocols to determine their standard features and where each one stands out. This will enable you to choose the one that suits your needs.
What Is NordLynx?
NordLynx protocol is an encryption system that guarantees a secure connection by protecting your privacy while using a VPN. Many people are familiar with the Nord VPN service, and an attempt to improve user experience led to the creation of NordLynx, built on the WireGuard protocol.
When you use a VPN for online activities, all your data is vulnerable; anyone can easily intercept it, which is why you need a secure VPN connection with a protocol with strong encryption that blocks anyone trying to gain access to your information. NordLynx is available on Android devices, Windows, macOS or iOS, Linux, and more.
NordLynx is a next-generation VPN protocol that allows you to remain anonymous during online tasks. Aside from strong encryption to prevent security issues, NordLynx protocol ensures that you have fast connection speeds. There are so many benefits of using the NordLynx protocol, and we will discuss them later in the article.
How Does NordLynx Work?
NordLynx functions like other VPN protocols, but since it was built around the WireGuard protocol, they have more similarities.
WireGuard has 4,000 lines of code, making them faster than its counterparts with more lines of code and making security issues less likely to spring up.
The one area where WireGuard has flaws is with its IP addresses. WireGuard gives users the same IP address every time they connect, which means they have to store your IP address on a nearby server. It increases the risk of security issues because it compromises your privacy. If there’s an attempt to hack any of their server lists, they store your IP address.
The designers of NordLynx recognize that building their protocol from the WireGuard framework also means they inherit this problem which is why they adopted the double Network Address Translator (NAT) implementations. It means that there can be various IP addresses hidden beneath a public IP address that WireGuard has access to. Every time you use NordLynx, you will get a random WireGuard IP address that the NordVPN server doesn’t store. In addition, there’s a no-log policy that is audited.
Many people have criticized NordLynx for adopting the software of a still-developing protocol (WireGuard). Still, they’ve made changes in areas where it’s needed, and if you have had any issues with WireGuard in the past, it doesn’t mean the same fate is in store for you with NordLynx.
Advantages Of NordLynx
Although NordLynx is one of the newer types of VPN protocols, it has many benefits like
1. Fast Connection
NordLynx has a fast and stable connection. Since they don’t have a cluster of lines of code, there’s hardly any lag or pause in connection.
2. Fewer Lines of Code
Fewer lines of code mean it is lightweight and doesn’t use much processing power. So your battery doesn’t quickly run down when you use NordLynx.
3. Secure Connection
Unlike WireGuard, NordLynx provides a secure connection for its users. Their double NAT system ensures that there are no security issues. Their privacy policy ensures that clients’ data isn’t compromised.
4. Free
NordLynx is free for you to upgrade to as long as you use NordVPN. There’s no rise in the subscription price for existing users of NordVPN.
Disadvantages Of NordLynx
1. It is New
It is a major disadvantage because people are reluctant to use a VPN protocol that hasn’t been in service for a long time.
2. It is not an Open Source
Although many people are okay with it not being open source, it means nobody can review the NordLynx code to find flaws. Like bugs, for example, which are expected of a new VPN protocol is expected.
What is OpenVPN?
OpenVPN is one of the most popular types of VPN protocols. Since its establishment in 2001, it has provided users with a safe way to access the internet without compromise. You can use OpenVPN as a protocol or as software. A protocol is when other VPN providers implement OpenVPN in their apps. While as software, it comes with an app that enables users to connect to any range of servers from other VPN service providers.
It is not one of the VPN protocols with faster speeds because it has over 70,000 lines of code, but it is efficient to allow you to perform your tasks. In addition, OpenVPN guarantees a secure connection because it supports strong encryption levels like AES, CAST-128, Blowfish, and more. Many people mix it up for a VPN service due to its name, but it is not.
How Does OpenVPN Work?
When you use a VPN service, you are constantly communicating between any of their nearby servers. OpenVPN handles these communications to provide you with a secure connection. In other words, OpenVPN is the virtual middleman that ensures you have a safe link when using a VPN’s server list. As the name suggests, OpenVPN is an open source protocol which means third parties can continuously improve on it because it doesn’t belong to one individual.
OpenVPN authenticates and encrypts using the OpenSSL library, a software library that ensures a secure connection to prevent your identity and data from being known. When transmitting data, it uses the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), which allows programs and devices to exchange data over a network, or User Datagram Protocol (UDP), which is essentially the same as TCP. The only difference is that TCP can retransmit lost data packets; it is stable but slower. In comparison, UDP is faster and more efficient. Therefore, OpenVPN works best with UDP and only uses TCP as a backup when the connection fails.
Benefits of OpenVPN
1. Fast Connection Speeds
High-speed connections are one of the benefits you get when you use OpenVPN. It doesn’t matter what task you perform online. OpenVPN has enough speed to carry it out within seconds.
2. Security
OpenVPN authenticates and encrypts data using reliable software. It also supports industry-standard encryption (AES-256 bit), which is also military grade. When you use a VPN service with geographical restrictions, OpenVPN is one of the safest VPN protocols to bypass firewalls because it makes the VPN service undetectable by mirroring regular web traffic.
OpenVPN has a kill switch to ensure your data is safe in case of any disconnection from your service providers. You don’t have to worry about IP addresses leaking or DNS leak issues because it has protection against those kinds of leaks as long as your service providers are reliable.
3. Convenient
You can automatically turn on OpenVPN on any device of your choosing. If you use more than one device for VPN, it is convenient each time you choose to switch devices.
4. Compatible With Various Devices
OpenVPN works on Android devices, Windows, macOS X, Linux, OpenBSD, FreeBSD, Solaris, and more. Similarly, OpenVPN works with almost every major VPN service. For example, ExpressVPN, Surfshark VPN, NordVPN, and others.
Disadvantages Of OpenVPN
1. It is Complex
One of the downsides of OpenVPN is its complexity, especially for newbies. Enabling OpenVPN on your device is quite complicated and frustrating. In addition, there are a lot of steps that may be technical.
2. High Latency
It occurs as a result of all the encryption processes that happen in a user’s space. Even though the protocol protects against security issues, it can come at a cost, especially slow network speed. If your device can handle all the processes, you might not experience this.
3. It Requires Software
When you use OpenVPN across any device, you need third-party software configured to function.
NordLynx vs. OpenVPN: Which Is Better?
We suggest NordLynx for people who want a high-speed connection, less lag, and a user-friendly platform. If you know nothing about VPN protocols, NordLynx is an excellent start for you. However, if you want a diverse and more secure protocol that has been around for years, we suggest OpenVPN.
Frequently Asked Questions: NordLynx vs. OpenVPN
What does new generation protocol mean?
The new generation protocol refers to IPv6 (Internet Protocol 6), which is the successor to IPv4. It has extra features and additional security from the previous ones.
Does OpenVPN work in China?
Yes, OpenVPN works in China. But it only works if you are in China.
Is there any importance of VPN protocols?
Yes, there is an importance of VPN protocols. However, the benefits of a particular VPN protocol vary. For example, some might provide speed, while others focus on security or privacy.
NordLynx vs. OpenVPN: Conclusion
Since various VPN protocols have different uses, when choosing between NordLynx vs. OpenVPN, choose one that provides you with the necessary features to suit your needs. In addition, selecting a reputable VPN service with a solid data privacy policy is also important.
