ExpressVPN built Lightway from scratch to solve the biggest complaint about VPNs: they slow you down. Lightway is their custom protocol — lightweight, fast, and designed for modern devices. Here’s what makes it different and whether it lives up to the hype.
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What Is Lightway?
ExpressVPN’s custom VPN protocol
Lightway is ExpressVPN’s proprietary VPN protocol, built from the ground up as an alternative to OpenVPN and WireGuard. It uses the wolfSSL cryptographic library and ChaCha20 encryption — the same standard trusted by companies like Google and Cloudflare.
The key difference? Lightway’s codebase is roughly 2,000 lines of code, compared to OpenVPN’s 70,000+. Less code means faster processing, fewer potential vulnerabilities, and easier security audits.
Lightway vs Other Protocols
How it compares technically
| Feature | Lightway | WireGuard | OpenVPN | IKEv2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Codebase size | ~2,000 lines | ~4,000 lines | 70,000+ lines | Large |
| Connection speed | Sub-second | Very fast | Several seconds | Fast |
| Speed retention | 85-92% | 85-92% | 60-75% | 70-85% |
| Encryption | ChaCha20 / AES-256 | ChaCha20 | AES-256 | AES-256 |
| Network switching | Seamless | Good | Reconnects needed | Good |
| Open-source | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Battery impact | Low | Low | Higher | Moderate |
Lightway and WireGuard deliver similar speeds. Lightway’s advantage is its seamless network switching — when you move from Wi-Fi to mobile data, Lightway handles the transition without dropping your connection. This makes it especially good on phones and tablets.
Speed Performance
Real-world test results
| Test scenario | Lightway | OpenVPN | Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nearby server | 85-92% retained | 60-75% retained | +15-25% |
| Long-distance | 70-85% retained | 50-65% retained | +15-20% |
| Connection time | Under 1 second | 3-5 seconds | 3-5x faster |
| Network switch recovery | Instant | 5-10 seconds | Seamless |
Switching from OpenVPN to Lightway gives you a noticeable speed boost — typically 15-25% faster on the same server. Connection times drop from several seconds to under one second.
Lightway vs NordLynx
Custom protocol showdown
| Aspect | Lightway (ExpressVPN) | NordLynx (NordVPN) |
|---|---|---|
| Based on | wolfSSL (built from scratch) | WireGuard (modified) |
| Nearby speed retention | 85-92% | 90-95% |
| Connection time | Sub-second | Sub-second |
| Network switching | Excellent (seamless) | Good |
| Open-source | ✅ | Partial (WireGuard base is open) |
| Mobile optimization | Excellent | Very good |
NordLynx is slightly faster on raw speed benchmarks. Lightway edges ahead on mobile with smoother network transitions and better battery efficiency. Both are excellent — the speed difference is small enough that most users won’t notice it day-to-day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I always use Lightway on ExpressVPN?
Yes, for most situations. Lightway gives you the best combination of speed, security, and battery life. Use OpenVPN as a backup only if your network specifically blocks Lightway connections.
Is Lightway secure?
Yes. Lightway uses ChaCha20 encryption with perfect forward secrecy, and the code has been independently audited. Its small codebase also means fewer places for vulnerabilities to hide.
Is Lightway better than WireGuard?
They’re comparable in speed and security. Lightway has an advantage in network switching (great for mobile), while WireGuard is available across many VPN providers, not just ExpressVPN. NordVPN’s NordLynx (based on WireGuard) is slightly faster in raw benchmarks.
Conclusion
Lightway is a genuinely impressive protocol that makes ExpressVPN one of the fastest and most reliable VPNs available. Sub-second connections, seamless network switching, and 85-92% speed retention make it excellent for everyday use. NordVPN’s NordLynx is marginally faster on benchmarks, but Lightway’s mobile optimization gives ExpressVPN an edge for phone and tablet users.
