| Updated: January 15, 2025
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SSTP (Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol) is a VPN protocol developed by Microsoft to create secure, encrypted data tunnels between clients and servers. Introduced in 2007, SSTP uses SSL/TLS encryption over TCP port 443, allowing it to bypass firewalls effectively. Its integration with Windows makes it an ideal choice for Windows users needing secure VPN connections, though it’s not widely supported on other platforms.
SSTP provides solid security and is simpler to configure for Windows environments. However, it is a closed-source protocol owned by Microsoft, raising potential privacy concerns due to limited transparency. While SSTP is stable, it lacks flexibility compared to newer protocols like OpenVPN and WireGuard, which offer cross-platform compatibility, faster speeds, and open-source transparency.
SSTP remains a suitable option for Windows users needing reliable and secure VPN connections in corporate environments. However, due to its compatibility, speed, and openness limitations, many users may prefer more modern VPN protocols such as OpenVPN, WireGuard, or IKEv2/IPsec for better performance and versatility across devices and operating systems.
SSTP —Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol is a popular VPN protocol used for transferring data via a tunnel from a client to a server. This VPN protocol was widely used by VPN providers but has been out of action after the release of more secure and easy-to-manage VPN protocols.
This article will discuss everything related to SSTP, its use cases, what level of security was provided by SSTP, and should you use it in today’s lethal online environment!
SSTP is a tunneling method used to create a link between a client and a server. This link is called a tunnel, which facilitates the transfer of data. The SSTP protocol was first introduced in 2007 in Windows Vista SP1, replacing PPTP and L2TP, and is still a Windows by Microsoft.
SSTP was designed to securely connect a remote location or site to a server over the Internet using the infamous HTTPS protocol over TCP port 443.
SSTP creates a secure tunnel to connect the client and server. The data that passes through that tunnel is encrypted because the SSTP protocol uses SSL/TLS and Port 443 as encryption methods. The use of TCP port 443 allows it to bypass VPN blocks and most proxy servers and firewalls.
The SSL feature makes SSTP more secure and convenient to use. In the first step, SSL certification is used to create a secure and authentic connection between the client and server. After the authentication, PPP (Point-to-Point) data packets are sent through the SSL channel.
These features make SSTP more secure and easy to manage as compared to PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol). Additionally, SSTP bases its connection on user authentication, whereas PPTP previously relied on-device authentication.
SSTP is 100% safe and secure because it uses SSL/TSL and 256-bit AES encryption to connect the client to the server. It is a cryptographically secure protocol that secures network traffic by enclosing it with an SSL/TSL channel.
In simple words, SSTP is one of the most secure VPN protocols and creates an encrypted tunnel between the client and the VPN server for secure data transfer.
Using TCP port 443 provides stealth benefits by blending VPN traffic with regular HTTPS traffic, which makes it hard to differentiate from standard secure web browsing. This approach enables the VPN protocol to bypass firewalls and network restrictions effectively. You can test your VPN for safety and security while using the SSTP VPN protocol.
There are advantages and disadvantages of every VPN protocol and SSTP is no different. Although SSTP is relatively old, it hasn’t been obsolete, which proves that there are more advantages than disadvantages. Here is a list of the pros and cons of using SSTP.
In simple words, an SSTP VPN is a VPN that uses the SSTP protocol to develop a secured connection between a VPN server and a client to transfer data securely over the internet.
An SSTP VPN is still used to connect remote servers or sites to corporate networks for secure communication and file sharing.
Not all VPN providers offer the SSTP VPN protocol. ExpressVPN doesn’t support it because it is limited in reconfigurability with other operating systems. On the other hand, you can connect to the SSTP VPN from your Windows OS if you are a NordVPN subscriber.
Check if your VPN provider supports the SSTP protocol. If you’re a NordVPN subscriber or use another VPN provider that supports SSTP, follow these steps to set up the VPN on your PC.
1- Open Settings on your Windows computer.
2- Select Network & Internet, then click on VPN.
3- In the top-right corner, choose Add a VPN.
4- Fill in the following details and click Save:
5- Finally, select Connect to establish the VPN connection.
Here is a detailed guide on setting up a VPN on Windows 10. Additionally,y you can create a virtual VPN router on Windows and secure all devices.
SSTP has been part of the commercial VPN industry for over a decade. This VPN protocol has withstood the test of time and outlasted others that have since been retired. Here is a head-to-head comparison of SSTP with other VPN protocols.
If you ask me, I will choose OpenVPN over SSTP. That is due to the security and speed OpenVPN offers, and it is widely used by commercial VPNs like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, etc. Here is a comparison between two VPN protocols. You can also read our detailed article on the OpenVPN protocol.
| Feature | SSTP | OpenVPN |
| Encryption | Strong encryption via SSL, proprietary to Microsoft | Strong encryption via SSL/TLS, open-source transparency |
| Protocol Type | Proprietary, limited to TCP | Open source, supports both UDP and TCP |
| Platform Compatibility | Primarily Windows, limited support on other platforms | Broad compatibility across major platforms |
| Firewall Evasion | Good, operates over port 443 but lacks support for authenticated proxies | Excellent, operates over port 443 with strong proxy support |
| Network Stability | Stable on Windows, less resilient to network changes | High stability, with “float” command for seamless switching |
| Transparency | Closed-source, owned by Microsoft | Open-source, allowing public review and auditing |
| Speed | Generally slower due to TCP-only limitation | Potentially faster with UDP option for low-latency connections |
Microsoft developed both SSTP and IKEv2, but IKEv2/IPsec provides the fastest speed and usage over iOS, macOS, and other mobile devices. Here is a comparison between the two VPN protocols.
| Feature | SSTP | IKEv2/IPsec |
| Encryption | Strong SSL encryption, proprietary to Microsoft | Strong IPsec encryption, open-source options available |
| Protocol Type | Proprietary, uses TCP over port 443 | Collaboratively developed by Microsoft & Cisco, uses UDP over port 500 |
| Platform Compatibility | Primarily Windows, limited support on other platforms | Broad compatibility, supports iOS, macOS, BlackBerry, and more |
| Firewall Evasion | Excellent, uses TCP port 443 to bypass firewalls | Good, but may struggle with restrictive firewalls on UDP port 500 |
| Network Stability | Stable, but lacks features for handling network changes | Highly stable, supports MOBIKE for seamless reconnections |
| Transparency | Closed-source, Microsoft proprietary | Open-source variants available, enhancing trustworthiness |
| Speed | Moderate, slower due to TCP-only transmission | Generally faster due to UDP and optimized for mobile use |
WireGuard is one of the most praised VPN protocols. Its secure and minimal code makes it highly adaptable. However, that does not mean that SSTP has inferior security. WireGuard is open-source and compatible with more devices.
I would choose the WireGuard VPN protocol over SSTP any day. Check out this comparison before you make your decision.
| Feature | SSTP | WireGuard |
| Encryption | Strong SSL encryption, proprietary to Microsoft | Modern cryptography with ChaCha20, open-source |
| Protocol Type | Proprietary, uses TCP over port 443 | Open-source, uses UDP on multiple configurable ports |
| Platform Compatibility | Primarily Windows, limited support on other platforms | Cross-platform support, compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android |
| Firewall Evasion | Excellent, uses TCP port 443 to bypass firewalls | Good, but relies on UDP, which may be easier to block in some networks |
| Network Stability | Stable on Windows, less adaptive to network changes | Highly stable, designed for quick reconnections and low latency |
| Transparency | Closed-source, owned by Microsoft | Open-source, allowing public review and collaborative development |
| Speed | Moderate, slower due to TCP-only transmission | Fast and lightweight, optimized for high-performance |
Microsoft has retired PPTP, and SSTP is the improved VPN protocol used in Microsoft Windows. Here is a brief comparison of both.
| Feature | SSTP | PPTP |
| Encryption | Strong SSL encryption, providing better security | 128-bit encryption, considered weak and outdated |
| Protocol Type | Proprietary, uses TCP over port 443 | Older protocol, uses TCP port 1723 |
| Platform Compatibility | Primarily Windows, limited support on other platforms | Widely supported across platforms, but largely obsolete |
| Firewall Evasion | Good, uses TCP port 443 to bypass firewalls | Limited, easily blocked by firewalls due to detectable port 1723 |
| Network Stability | Stable on Windows but less adaptable to network changes | Generally stable but may disconnect with IP changes |
| Security | High, suitable for secure connections | Low, susceptible to interception and weak encryption |
| Speed | Moderate, impacted by SSL encryption overhead | Faster due to lightweight encryption but at the cost of security |
SSTP is still widely used in businesses to connect remote locations or sites to corporate networks. It provides secure connectivity and encrypts data using SSL/TSL and TCP port 443 (HTTPS) which is the regular internet traffic.
We have also discussed the security features of SSTP and can you use it. Additionally, we have created a table that compares SSTP and other popular VPN protocols so you can make an informed decision about using the best VPN protocol. For more information about VPN and its use cases like dedicated IP and split tunneling, head over to VPN for What’s Homepage.
SSTP — Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol is a VPN protocol developed by Microsoft that provides secure, encrypted connections, primarily for Windows users. It uses SSL encryption over TCP port 443, making it effective at bypassing firewalls.
Yes, SSTP is secure. It uses SSL encryption, providing a strong level of protection and operates over TCP port 443, which makes it effective at bypassing firewalls and securing data.
‘SSTP’ stands for Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol. It is a VPN protocol developed by Microsoft that uses SSL/TLS to create a secure and encrypted connection over the internet.
Yes, SSTP uses HTTPS to connect. Specifically, it operates over TCP port 443, encapsulating VPN traffic within SSL/TLS encryption, just like standard HTTPS traffic. This allows SSTP to blend in with regular web traffic, making it difficult for firewalls to block.
While SSTP is primarily designed for Windows, where it is natively supported and integrated, it is not strictly limited to Windows. Some third-party VPN clients enable SSTP connections on other operating systems, such as Linux and Android.
However, its use outside of Windows is limited compared to more widely supported protocols like OpenVPN and WireGuard. You can manually configure a VPN on Linux or Android with SSTP enabled.
As of 2025, most commercial VPNs have discontinued support for SSTP. I have checked the website of several VPN providers and none of them have mentioned the support for SSTP.
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.
