| Updated: January 14, 2025
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IKEv2/IPsec is a popular and trusted VPN protocol developed by Microsoft and Cisco, widely used by VPN providers, especially for mobile devices.
Known for its speed and stability, IKEv2/IPsec establishes secure, encrypted connections through a combination of IKEv2 key management and IPsec data encryption. It supports auto-reconnect features and uses robust AES-256 encryption with Perfect Forward Secrecy (PFS) for additional security.
First introduced in the late 1990s, IKEv2 has evolved significantly, improving over its predecessor, IKEv1, by offering faster performance, built-in NAT support, and compatibility with mobile authentication protocols like EAP.
Though secure and efficient, IKEv2/IPsec has limitations compared to newer protocols like WireGuard, which offers faster speeds and updated encryption methods.
IKEv2/IPsec remains a strong choice for secure data transfer, especially on mobile devices, but users prioritizing speed might prefer WireGuard. Overall, IKEv2/IPsec is a reliable protocol with minimal resource demands, making it suitable for VPN applications.
IKEv2 — Internet Key Exchange version 2 is a VPN protocol that is widely used by VPN providers and is one of the most trusted VPN protocols. If you are a VPN user you must have used IKEv2/IPsec because it is set by default in most VPN applications.
This article will discuss everything you need to know about the infamous VPN protocol, when to use it, how to use it, its pros and cons, and which protocol replaced it.
IKEv2/IPsec is just like any other VPN protocol that establishes an encrypted connection between the user and the VPN server. IKE is one of the oldest VPN protocols which was first developed in 1998.
It underwent multiple upgrades before we got the IKEv2 version in 2010 and 2014. The ISCO — Internet Society developed the protocol, making it free for public use.
IKEv2/IPsec is a key authentication and generation protocol that was developed by Microsoft and Cisco and is used for secure data transit using IPsec protocol. IKEv2 and IPsec are used together because they complement each other in establishing a secure data tunnel and encryption data.
It was first used in Windows 2000 and proved a good choice for secure communication between two devices. IKEv2 and IPsec complement each other and are widely used by VPN providers —together.
IKEv2 is a popular VPN protocol designed to create a secure tunnel between the user and the VPN server. It operates alongside IPsec, establishing a secure connection between two points through authentication methods defined by IPsec security associations (SAs).
IKEv2 manages the exchange of security keys between devices, while IPsec provides a protected environment for data transmission.
IKEv2/IPsec offers the auto-reconnect option if it is disconnected during data transfer. The VPN protocol secures data using AES-256 encryption and SHA2-384. Additionally, it employs Perfect Forward Secrecy (PFS) using 3072-bit Diffie-Hellman keys.
IKEv2/IPsec has been tested over the years, and everyone has declared it safe. However, the safety of a VPN protocol depends on its implementation and associated issues. IKEv2 does not have any known issues, so you can use it without worrying about security breaches.
As the name speaks for itself, IKEv2 is the advanced version of IKEv1 with improvements in speed, security, and reliability.
IKEv2 runs faster and smoother than IKEv1 and consumes less bandwidth. It has a built-in NAT and supports EAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol).
IKEv2/IPsec revolutionized the VPN industry and has more pros than cons. Here is a comparison of the pros and cons of IKEv2/IPsec.
IKEv2/IPsec is recommended for mobile devices. Although it is compatible with other devices like:
IKEv2/IPsec is not compatible with the following:
Both VPN protocols are widely used by VPN users and are provided by all VPN providers. IKEv2/IPSec is mostly used on mobile devices, whereas WireGuard is considered an all-rounder.
The only feature that made us choose WireGuard over IKEv2/IPSec is its speed. Additionally, WireGuard is new and works on ChaCha20 encryption, regardless, IKEv2/IPSec’s security has never been breached.
If there was a choice between IKEv2 and WireGuard, I would recommend selecting WireGuard over IKEv2 any day. Another secure VPN protocol is OpenVPN, which most commercial VPN providers widely use. It offers high speed and the best data security in comparison with IKEv2.
My research suggests that most commercial VPNs offer the infamous IKEv2. However, popular VPN brands like ExpressVPN have removed IKEv2 from their apps and only offer it for manual VPN configuration on Windows or other devices.
Here is a list of popular VPN brands that still offer IKEv2:
IKEv2/IPsec is one of the most trusted VPN protocols and is widely accepted by users and VPN providers. Mobile device users are attracted to IKEv2/IPsec because it uses limited resources and performs like other VPN protocols.
I have discussed how IKEv2/IPsec works and what the advantages of using it are. I have also tested it with dedicated IP and split tunneling, and it functioned properly. I hope you will find this guide educational and will share it with others.
IKEv2 VPN is a secure VPN protocol that creates encrypted connections between devices and VPN servers. It’s known for its fast performance, switching network stability, and compatibility across multiple devices and operating systems.
IKEv2 VPN is also known as IKEv2/IPsec.
Here are the benefits of using the IKEv2/IPSec VPN protocol.
IKEv2/IPSec is completely free and open to all. However, it won’t function properly if not configured with a VPN server. The best way to use IKEv2/IPSec is with a VPN provider.
We recommend IKEv2/IPSec over OpenVPN if you are using the VPN on a mobile device. If you are using a desktop computer, IKEv2/IPSec won’t work, and we won’t recommend it if it does.
Mustafa is a cybersecurity analyst and a co-founder of VPN for What. Since 2017, Mustafa has gained international experience, working with governments, NGOs, and the private sector as a cybersecurity and VPN expert and advisor.
