TCP and UDP Connections - IVPN Help (2024)

    Generally, UDP traffic is more a efficient protocol compared to TCP due to the simpler design. UDP is a lightweight protocol with no ordering of messages, no connection tracking, and fewer packets for overhead. TCP is a heavyweight protocol with more overhead required for the initial handshake and every subsequent packet.

    UDP is typically used for video streaming and Internet service providers have a tendency to employ traffic shaping techniques to keep the massive quantities of video traffic under control. This shaping can catch UDP-based VPN traffic accidentally, which may result in a slower connection that expected. Switching to the TCP protocol may result in a connection with better performance.

    By default, IVPN apps and our OpenVPN configuration files use a UDP connection to take advantage of the benefits and efficiency of the protocol. We offer OpenVPN connections on UDP 53, 80, 443, 1194, 2049, 2050 and TCP 80, 443, 1443. Since all networks are different, our IVPN apps makes it easy to change the protocol and port for the connection.

    For manual OpenVPN connections, you can also generate and download TCP-based OpenVPN configuration files.

    Currently, IPSec and WireGuard only use UDP-based connections, so there are fewer tuning options. IPSec is the least configurable because it only accepts connections on UDP port 500. WireGuard can accept connections on any UDP port. We offer ports 53, 80, 443, 1194, 2049, 2050, 30587, 41893, 48574, and 58237 for WireGuard connections.

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    TCP and UDP Connections - IVPN Help (2024)

    FAQs

    Should I use UDP or TCP for VPN? ›

    TCP is more reliable, but there are many uses where UDP is preferred and this is usually the default protocol on most VPN services.

    What is the use of port numbers for both TCP and UDP? ›

    Yes, TCP and UDP ports are different, but they sometimes use the same port number. For example, UDP/53 and TCP/53 are both used for DNS, but they are different connection types. TCP ports comply with transmission control protocols, while UDP ports comply with user datagram protocols.

    What are TCP and UDP ports in Internet of things? ›

    TCP is used for applications that require reliable and ordered data delivery, such as web browsing and file transfer, while UDP is used for real-time applications that prioritize speed, such as video streaming and online gaming.

    What is the difference between TCP and UDP ports? ›

    TCP is a connection-oriented protocol, whereas UDP is a connectionless protocol. A key difference between TCP and UDP is speed, as TCP is comparatively slower than UDP. Overall, UDP is a much faster, simpler, and efficient protocol, however, retransmission of lost data packets is only possible with TCP.

    What protocol should I use for my VPN? ›

    OpenVPN is the most secure VPN protocol and the safest choice thanks to its near-unbreakable encryption, which keeps users' data private even when using public Wi-Fi. Because it's open source, users can check the source code for vulnerabilities and reassure themselves that there are no weaknesses in its security.

    Which is more secure, TCP or UDP? ›

    TCP is more reliable and provides error-checking to ensure that data packets are delivered in the correct order. TCP is also slightly more secure than UDP because it tracks all data packets, making it more difficult to insert malicious data. Both TCP and UDP are supported by OpenVPN.

    Can I use the same port for TCP and UDP at the same time? ›

    Yes, you can use the same port number for both TCP and UDP. Many protocols already do this, for example DNS works on udp/53 and tcp/53.

    Do you need both TCP and UDP? ›

    UDP packets are smaller in size. UDP packets can't be greater than 512 bytes. So any application needs data to be transferred greater than 512 bytes require TCP in place. For example, DNS uses both TCP and UDP for valid reasons described below.

    What are the most common UDP services? ›

    Numerous key Internet applications use UDP, including: the Domain Name System (DNS), the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), the Routing Information Protocol (RIP) and the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). Voice and video traffic is generally transmitted using UDP.

    Does internet run on TCP or UDP? ›

    When your data required acknowlegement or Reliability the TCP will be used. If speed is ultimate requirement then not reliabilty the UDP will be used . Inpractice most of the data will be approx 80% will use TCP remaining applications will use UDP.

    What are examples of TCP and UDP? ›

    TCP is used by HTTP, HTTPs, FTP, SMTP and Telnet. UDP is used by DNS, DHCP, TFTP, SNMP, RIP, and VoIP. The TCP connection is a byte stream.

    What port is DNS? ›

    The standard port for DNS is port 53. DNS client applications use the DNS protocol to query and request information from DNS servers, and the server returns the results to the client using the same port. Port 53 is used for both TCP and UDP communication.

    Where is UDP used? ›

    The User Datagram Protocol, or UDP, is a communication protocol used across the Internet for especially time-sensitive transmissions such as video playback or DNS lookups. It speeds up communications by not formally establishing a connection before data is transferred.

    Does DNS use UDP or TCP? ›

    DNS has always been designed to use both UDP and TCP port 53 from the start 1 , with UDP being the default, and fall back to using TCP when it is unable to communicate on UDP, typically when the packet size is too large to push through in a single UDP packet.

    What port does TCP use? ›

    Default Port Numbers
    PortIPDescription
    25TCPConnection to external SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) server. Required if you have configured any e-mail destinations.
    53TCP & UDPDNS (domain name server) lookup.
    80TCPDefault port for browser access.
    161UDPInbound GET requests using SNMP.
    10 more rows

    Should I use TCP or UDP VPN for Torrenting? ›

    UDP is mainly used for online streaming and downloading. TCP is more reliable but also slightly slower than UDP and is mainly used for web browsing.

    When should I use UDP instead of TCP? ›

    Typically, applications that transfer data files will use TCP since the protocol's latency and performance issues are not that critical. UDP benefits applications that need to receive data quickly even if accuracy suffers. This is why real-time applications like audio and video streaming will often use UDP.

    Is UDP or TCP better for private Internet access? ›

    TCP is excellent for secure email, sensitive account access, and browsing because it offers stability and reliability. UDP is best for VOIP services, most streaming applications, and gaming because it's fast and efficient.

    Should I use UDP or TCP for router? ›

    TCP is more reliable, but less speed. UDP is faster but less reliable. If you need a fast and constant data transmission for an application to work properly, UDP is a better choice. Otherwise, TCP is a stable and reliable protocol for transferring data and not losing any of it along the way.

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