If you’ve used a VPN, you’ve probably heard of L2TP. L2TP creates a secure tunnel between your device and the internet, allowing for private data transfers. However, it doesn’t provide encryption on its own, which is why you often see it paired with IPSec (Internet Protocol Security).
In this guide, we’ll explore what L2TP VPN is, how it works, its pros and cons, and how it compares to other VPN protocols. This will help you make an informed decision for your online security needs.
What is L2TP VPN?
L2TP (Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol) is a VPN protocol used to create a secure connection over the internet. However, L2TP itself does not provide encryption, it simply creates a tunnel to transfer data privately. To ensure security, L2TP is almost always paired with IPSec (Internet Protocol Security), which adds encryption and confidentiality to protect your data from prying eyes.
While L2TP/IPSec was once a popular choice for VPNs, it is now considered outdated and has been replaced by more advanced protocols such as OpenVPN and WireGuard. Many of the best VPNs, such as LightningX VPN, have substituted more advanced and secure VPN protocols.
How Does L2TP VPN Work?
L2TP (Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol) works by creating a secure tunnel between your device and the VPN server, allowing data to be safely transmitted over the public network. However, since L2TP does not provide encryption on its own, it is almost always paired with IPSec.
The following steps of how L2TP/IPSec works can help you understand it more easily:
- Data is broken into packets before being sent through the VPN.
- IPSec encrypts these packets to prevent unauthorized access.
- L2TP encapsulates the encrypted packets into its own packets, forming a tunnel.
- The L2TP packets are transmitted over the Internet to the VPN server.
- After the data is transmitted, L2TP unpacks the data and IPSec decrypts it.
- The original data is recovered and made available on the VPN’s local network.
L2TP is built on older tunneling technologies from Cisco (Layer 2 Forwarding Protocol) and Microsoft (PPTP). Although it was widely used in the past (especially because it has native support on Windows, Mac, and Linux), it is now considered obsolete due to advances in VPN security.
The Pros & Cons of L2TP VPN
L2TP was once a popular choice for VPN connections. However, as more advanced protocols emerged, it has been abandoned by many VPNs. Here are its pros and cons:
Pros of L2TP VPN
- Strong security (when paired with IPSec): L2TP does not provide encryption on its own, but when used in conjunction with IPSec, it can provide strong protection for your data.
- Wide compatibility: Works with major operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and many routers.
- Multi-protocol support: Can handle both IPv4 and IPv6.
- Easy to set up: Most operating systems have built-in support for L2TP, making configuration simple.
Cons of L2TP VPN
- Slower speed: L2TP uses double encapsulation, which slows down the connection.
- No built-in encryption: L2TP cannot encrypt your data on its own and must be used with IPSec.
- Difficulty dealing with firewalls: L2TP has difficulty bypassing firewalls and network restrictions, so it is not suitable for users who need to access blocked content.
L2TP vs. Other VPN Protocols
WireGuard
WireGuard is a newer VPN protocol. Unlike older protocols like L2TP and OpenVPN, WireGuard is lightweight and uses state-of-the-art encryption. It is easy to set up, efficient, and secure, making it a favorite among VPN providers and technology enthusiasts.
We recommend that you use a VPN protocol that is safer and more efficient than L2TP. LightningX VPN uses encryption protocols such as Shadowsocks and WireGuard, which can protect your data more securely and ensure fast and stable speed.
It provides 2000+ nodes to hide your IP and unblock websites and streaming sites. Download now to get a free trial.
OpenVPN
OpenVPN was once widely used by many VPN servers. It uses strong encryption technology, supports TCP and UDP connections, effectively bypasses firewalls and maintains a stable connection.
One of its biggest advantages is that it is open source, which means that security experts around the world will continue to review and improve it. Although OpenVPN is very secure, its speed performance is poor due to its complex encryption process.
IKEv2
IKEv2 (Internet Key Exchange version 2) is a VPN protocol developed by Microsoft and Cisco that helps you establish a secure connection between your device and a VPN server.
One of the biggest advantages of IKEv2 is its ability to maintain a stable connection. If you switch between Wi-Fi and mobile data or experience a temporary network outage, IKEv2 can quickly reconnect without interrupting your VPN session.
Shadowsocks
Shadowsocks is a proxy tool that allows users to bypass Internet censorship and access blocked websites. Unlike traditional VPN protocols that encrypt Internet traffic, Shadowsocks is a secure SOCKS5 proxy.
Originally created by a Chinese developer to bypass the Great Firewall, Shadowsocks has become a popular tool for circumventing Internet restrictions in countries with strict censorship.
SSTP
SSTP (Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol) is a VPN protocol developed by Microsoft. It provides a safe and reliable way to transfer data over the Internet and is a popular choice for Windows users.
L2TP vs. Other Protocols
| Protocol | Security | Speed | Firewall Bypass | Compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| L2TP/IPsec | Strong (with IPsec) | Slow (double encapsulation) | Struggles with firewalls | Incompatible routers |
| WireGuard | Strong (modern encryption) | Very Fast | Limited firewall bypass | All |
| OpenVPN | Strong (SSL/TLS encryption) | Moderate | Good firewall bypass | All |
| IKEv2 | Strong (IPsec encryption) | Fast | Moderate firewall bypass | Incompatible routers |
| Shadowsocks | Moderate (encryption-focused on obfuscation) | Fast | Excellent (designed to bypass restrictions) | Incompatible routers |
| SSTP | Strong (SSL/TLS encryption) | Slow to Moderate | Excellent (uses HTTPS port 443) | Primarily Windows |
The table above outlines how these VPN protocols compare to L2TP. If you need better security and speed, WireGuard or OpenVPN are good choices. If bypassing firewalls is a priority, SSTP or Shadowsocks works well.
How To Set Up L2TP VPN?
L2TP is a commonly used VPN protocol, but it may not be as secure or efficient as other protocols. But if you need L2TP, follow the steps below to set it up manually.
Choose a VPN provider that supports L2TP connections, such as PureVPN, Astrill VPN, etc. Download these VPNs to your device and install them for use.
However, we recommend that you use a VPN product that includes other advanced VPN protocols. For example, LightningX VPN. Because it uses encryption protocols such as Shadowsocks, Vless, and WireGuard.
Final Thought
This article has covered on everything about L2TP VPN. While L2TP VPN provides solid security when combined with IPSec, more advanced VPN protocols like WireGuard and OpenVPN are ahead in every aspect.
If your VPN needs are modest, L2TP VPN may still be a viable option.
