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The Global Insight

What VPN uses IKEv2?

Author

Michael Gray

Updated on May 07, 2026

You can download ExpressVPN from the App Store and use IKEv2 as the protocol to connect with just a few taps. iPhones have a built-in IKEv2 client but still require you to put in the setup credentials from a VPN provider.

What type of VPN is IKEv2?

IKEv2 (Internet Key Exchange version 2) is a VPN encryption protocol responsible for request and response actions. It handles the SA (security association) attribute within an authentication suite called IPSec.

Should you use IKEv2?

IKEv2 is very safe to use, as it has support for powerful encryption ciphers, and it also improved all the security flaws that were present in IKEv1. Also, IKEv2 is an excellent choice for mobile users due to its MOBIKE support which allows IKEv2 connections to resist network changes.

Does OpenVPN support IKEv2?

OpenVPN is not compatible with IPSec, IKE, PPTP, or L2TP.

Should I allow ExpressVPN IKEv2?

IKEv2 stands for Internet Key Exchange Version 2.

IKEv2 is one of the newest protocols and has significant strengths, particularly its speed. It's well-suited for mobile devices across all platforms. ExpressVPN recommends you to use Lightway as your VPN protocol, with OpenVPN and IKEv2 also solid choices.

OpenVPN vs WireGuard vs IKEv2 vs PPTP - Which is the Best VPN Protocol to use in 2020?

Is IKEv2 a SSL VPN?

IKEv2 is an alternative protocol to SSL for those that have unique security requirement such as regulation compliancy. We will demonstrate both username/password and certificate authentication, as well as Windows client and iPhone.

Is IKEv2 better than OpenVPN?

Performance: In many cases IKEv2 is faster than OpenVPN since it is less CPU-intensive. There are, however, numerous variables that affect speed, so this may not apply in all use cases. From a performance standpoint with mobile users, IKEv2 may be the best option because it does well establishing a reconnection.

Is IKEv2 better than TCP?

UDP is faster than TCP connections so that an IKEv2 protocol will give better performance in applications such as gaming and video streaming. It's very popular due to the fact that it demands less CPU performance and offers a reliable connection.

What is IKEv2 on my Iphone?

This VPN connection type is supported on iOS devices. It is not supported on Android, macOS, and Windows devices. Internet Key Exchange version 2 (IKEv2) is the default VPN setting for iOS. The IKEv2 is used to create a security association in the IPSec (Internet Protocol Security) suite.

How do I connect to IKEv2?

Use the IKEv2 Setup Wizard

  1. (Fireware v12. 3 or higher) Select VPN > Mobile VPN.
  2. In the IKEv2 section, select Configure. The Mobile VPN with IKEv2 page appears.
  3. (Fireware v12. 2.1 or lower) Select VPN > Mobile VPN with IKEv2. ...
  4. Click Run Wizard.
  5. Click Next.
  6. Type the domain name or IP address for client connections.

How can I add IKEv2 VPN to iPhone?

Setup IKEv2 on iPad / iPhone

  1. Click on "Settings".
  2. Click on "General".
  3. Click on "VPN".
  4. Click on "Add VPN Configuration...".
  5. Take over the settings from the screenshot and set as "Description": hide.me VPN and select a server in the members area and put the alternative server address as "Server".

Which VPN type should I use?

OpenVPN is the most often recommended, and widely used VPN protocol. It's fast, secure, and open source, so it can be vetted and improved by third-parties. The only real downside is the difficulty in setup and configuration. Failing to set it up the right way could lead to security holes and lackluster performance.

How does IKEv2 VPN Work?

In a nutshell, IKEV2 sets up a security association (SA) that negotiates security keys used by both the VPN client and the VPN server. Once IKEv2 validates the security association, a secure tunnel is set, which prompts encrypted communication between the two peers. IKEv2/IPSec uses the more robust 256-bit encryption.

How do I use IKEv2 on NordVPN?

In the left sidebar of the settings, select VPN, find your created IKEv2 connection, and click on Advanced options. Click Edit and enter your NordVPN service username and password. You can find your NordVPN service credentials at the Nord Account dashboard. Copy the credentials using the “Copy” buttons on the right.

What is IKEv2 in Ipvanish?

IKEv2 (Internet Key Exchange Protocol Version 2)

While IKEv2 is only available in newer mobile devices, it is considered a more secure extension of the IPSec protocol because devices can switch between a Wi-Fi and cellular network without disrupting the VPN connection.

Is IKEv2 good for gaming?

Best Protocol for Gaming

Overall, we'd argue that IKEv2/IPSec is the best gaming protocol because it provides fast speeds and security. Moreover, it can handle network disruptions well, which means your connection won't drop if you switch to another WiFi network during a game.

What is the safest VPN protocol?

OpenVPN is the most secure VPN protocol. It's compatible with a range of encryption ciphers including AES-256, Blowfish, and ChaCha20. It has no known vulnerabilities and is natively supported by almost every VPN service. While we recommend OpenVPN, WireGuard is a secure and faster alternative.

Which is better IKEv2 or WireGuard?

The best Surfshark VPN protocol largely depends on the device you're using or the reason you need a VPN: Wireguard is good all around, especially when speed is the issue. IKEv2 is on par with WireGuard, and is really good with mobile. OpenVPN usually works best for routers.

Which is better L2TP or IKEv2?

IKEv2 is not as common as L2TP/IPSec as it is supported on many fewer platforms (although this situation is changing fast). It is, however, considered at least as good as, if not superior to, L2TP/IPsec in terms of security, performance (speed), stability and the ability to establish (and re-establish) a connection.

Which VPN protocol is fastest?

WireGuard is considered the fastest among all the VPN protocols. If you wish to stream and download P2P files faster on the network, make sure to use WireGuard after signing in to PureVPN. Besides WireGuard, L2TP and IKEv2 are also considered fast, while OpenVPN and SSTP are slower than other VPN protocols.

What kind of VPN is Cisco AnyConnect?

Cisco AnyConnect VPNs utilize TLS to authenticate and configure routing, then DTLS to efficiently encrypt and transport the tunneled VPN traffic, and can fall back to TLS-based transport where firewalls block UDP-based traffic.

What protocol does NordVPN use?

NordVPN uses IKEv2/IPsec and OpenVPN protocols, which are well known for their security and reliability. From 2020, users can also choose NordLynx, which is built around the WireGuard protocol. It provides high-speed connection while also maintaining top-notch security.

Is IKEv2 an IPsec?

Internet Key Exchange version 2 (IKEv2) is an IPsec based tunneling protocol that provides a secure VPN communication channel between peer VPN devices and defines negotiation and authentication for IPsec security associations (SAs) in a protected manner.

What is Surfshark IKEv2?

IKEv2 in itself is a key management protocol (generation, exchange, and use of keys that help your device and a VPN server recognize each other) that is used together with IPsec. IPSec is the protocol that provides security when tunneling and transporting data.