WireGuard or OpenVPN: Which Business VPN to Choose

When we talk about WireGuard vs OpenVPN, we are talking about two generations of VPN protocols. OpenVPN is mature, proven, and flexible. WireGuard is modern, faster, and simpler. For Slovenian SMEs, the choice is no longer self-evident. This article helps you choose the right business VPN for your situation.

Key differences at a glance

When to choose WireGuard

• New projects with no legacy history.
• Users on mobile devices (lower battery consumption).
• Branch offices and site-to-site connections (significantly higher throughput).
• When you want easy configuration and maintenance.

When to choose OpenVPN

• Existing infrastructure that already uses OpenVPN and works flawlessly.
• Requirements for precise identity verification via certificates (PKI) and RADIUS.
• Environments with restrictive firewalls (OpenVPN via TCP/443 gets through almost anywhere). Yes, WireGuard via UDP can cause issues in restrictive networks.
• When you need advanced network features (push route, DNS override, TAP mode).

Security: what about audits?

Both protocols are considered secure. WireGuard uses modern cryptography (ChaCha20, Poly1305, Curve25519) in strictly defined combinations – less room for misconfiguration. OpenVPN is more flexible, which also means a higher chance of setup errors. In practice, security depends primarily on how the VPN is implemented, not on the choice of protocol.

Recommended architecture for a Slovenian SME

1. pfSense/OPNsense firewall at the network edge acting as a VPN concentrator.
2. WireGuard for remote user access (WireGuard client for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android).
3. Integration with Entra ID / RADIUS for centralized authentication.
4. MFA mandatory (Entra ID Conditional Access or TOTP on pfSense).
5. Separate VPN VLAN that does not see the entire internal network – access based on the principle of least privilege.

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Can WireGuard and OpenVPN work simultaneously?

Yes. pfSense and OPNsense can run both protocols in parallel. This is useful for gradual migration: existing users on OpenVPN, new ones on WireGuard.

What about ZeroTier or Tailscale?

Both solutions are based on WireGuard and simplify management. For SMEs with many remote workers and branches, they are an excellent choice – if you are OK with the SaaS model and monthly subscription.

Do I need a public IP address?

For a traditional VPN on a firewall, yes (static public IP). For Tailscale/ZeroTier type solutions, this is not necessary because they use relay servers (NAT traversal).

How much does setup for 20 users cost?

If you are already using pfSense/OPNsense, licensing costs are 0 (both protocols are open source). Setup and configuration for 20 users is approximately 8–16 hours of consulting work.