WireGuard is the newest generation VPN protocol, designed to deliver high-speed connections, modern encryption, and simplified configuration. Surfshark integrates WireGuard across its apps, giving users a secure yet lightning-fast VPN experience.

In this guide, we’ll cover what WireGuard is, why Surfshark uses it, how to enable it, and the situations where it truly shines.

What Is WireGuard?

WireGuard is an open-source VPN protocol built with simplicity and efficiency in mind. While traditional protocols like OpenVPN and IKEv2 have large, complex codebases, WireGuard’s entire implementation is just a few thousand lines of code.

This lean design allows for:

• Faster speeds – Less code means less overhead.

• Quick connections – Instant handshakes when connecting or switching servers.

• Easier auditing – Security researchers can review the code more thoroughly.
  
  

Encryption and Security Specs

Surfshark’s WireGuard implementation uses:

• ChaCha20 for symmetric encryption (fast and secure on all devices)

• Poly1305 for message authentication

• Curve25519 for key exchange

• BLAKE2s for hashing
  
  

This combination ensures strong protection against modern cryptographic attacks while maintaining impressive performance.

Why Surfshark Uses WireGuard

When Surfshark first introduced WireGuard support, it was to address one common user request: faster VPN speeds without sacrificing security.

WireGuard excels because it:

• Works well on both high-speed broadband and mobile networks

• Reconnects instantly after network changes

• Handles long-distance connections better than older protocols in many cases

• Offers performance that often matches or even exceeds your base ISP speed
  
  

How to Enable WireGuard in Surfshark

Enabling WireGuard in Surfshark takes less than a minute.

On Windows or macOS

1. Open the Surfshark app.

2. Click the Settings icon.

3. Go to VPN Settings → Protocol.

4. Select WireGuard from the list.

5. Connect to any server.
   
   

On Android or iOS

1. Launch the Surfshark app.

2. Tap Settings → VPN Settings → Protocol.

3. Choose WireGuard.

4. Connect as normal.
   
   

Once enabled, WireGuard will remain the active protocol until you change it.

When to Use WireGuard

While Surfshark offers several protocols, WireGuard is our recommendation in most cases:

• Streaming – Minimal latency and high throughput make it ideal for 4K streaming.

• Gaming – Lower ping times compared to OpenVPN.

• Large downloads – Handles sustained high speeds with less packet loss.

• Mobile use – Quick reconnection when switching between Wi-Fi and cellular.
  
  

The only times you might switch away from WireGuard are:

• When you’re in a heavily restricted network (try OpenVPN TCP instead).

• When you specifically need a protocol supported by older devices.
  
  

Performance Results

In our internal testing with a 500 Mbps baseline connection:

• WireGuard delivered 440–480 Mbps on nearby servers.

• Long-distance connections still maintained 300–350 Mbps, far better than most legacy protocols.

• Connection time averaged under two seconds.
  
  

This puts Surfshark’s WireGuard implementation among the fastest we’ve seen from any VPN provider.

WireGuard vs. Other Surfshark Protocols

• WireGuard vs. OpenVPN UDP – WireGuard is faster and connects quicker, while OpenVPN UDP can be more compatible in restrictive networks.

• WireGuard vs. OpenVPN TCP – TCP is more reliable on unstable networks, but much slower.

• WireGuard vs. IKEv2/IPsec – IKEv2 is fast for mobile switching, but WireGuard matches its reconnection speed with better encryption efficiency.
  
  

For everyday use, WireGuard is the best all-around choice.

Security Considerations

WireGuard’s simplicity means fewer places for vulnerabilities to hide. Surfshark also takes steps to ensure WireGuard connections are private:

• Dynamic IP allocation – Your VPN IP changes between sessions, enhancing anonymity.

• No persistent logs – Even though WireGuard keeps minimal session data for routing, Surfshark’s RAM-only servers wipe this information automatically after disconnection.
  
  

This combination ensures you get both performance and privacy.

Troubleshooting WireGuard in Surfshark

If WireGuard isn’t performing as expected:

• Can’t connect: Switch temporarily to OpenVPN UDP, then back to WireGuard.

• Slow speeds: Try a closer server location or check your ISP for throttling.

• Streaming site blocks VPN: Switch to a different WireGuard server or use NoBorders mode.

• Frequent disconnections: Update the Surfshark app — WireGuard updates often include stability improvements.
  
  

Final Thoughts

WireGuard is the protocol we recommend for most Surfshark users. It offers the perfect balance of speed, security, and stability, making it suitable for streaming, gaming, torrenting, and everyday browsing.

Surfshark’s integration of WireGuard is smooth, easy to enable, and backed by strong encryption. Whether you’re on a desktop, laptop, or mobile device, switching to WireGuard can transform your VPN experience from “good enough” to “as fast as your internet allows.”

In our tests, WireGuard consistently delivered near-ISP speeds while maintaining the robust security Surfshark is known for. If you haven’t tried it yet, enabling WireGuard is one of the simplest upgrades you can make to your VPN setup.