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Lightway Protocol Explained: ExpressVPN's WireGuard Alternative

Lightway is ExpressVPN's proprietary VPN protocol, designed as a modern alternative to both WireGuard and OpenVPN. Like WireGuard, it uses a minimal codebase (around 2,000 lines of core code) for speed and auditability. It supports both UDP and TCP, giving it an advantage over WireGuard in restricted network environments.

Speed
9/10
Security
9/10
Stability
9/10
Year
2021
Open Source
Yes

How Lightway (ExpressVPN) Works

Lightway uses the wolfSSL cryptographic library wrapped in a D/TLS transport layer. In UDP mode, it delivers speeds comparable to WireGuard. In TCP mode, it can run on port 443 to bypass firewalls, similar to OpenVPN TCP. The protocol is designed to establish connections in under a second and uses minimal battery on mobile devices.

Technical Details

Encryption
wolfSSL with AES-256-GCM or ChaCha20/Poly1305, D/TLS 1.2 for transport
Ports
UDP (default) and TCP (port 443 for firewall bypass)
Developer
ExpressVPN
Best For
ExpressVPN users who want maximum speed with TCP fallback

Advantages & Disadvantages

Advantages

  • + Approximately 2,000 lines of core code -- even smaller than WireGuard
  • + Supports both UDP and TCP modes
  • + Open-source and independently audited by Cure53
  • + Sub-second connection times
  • + Excellent battery efficiency on mobile
  • + TCP port 443 for firewall bypass
  • + Seamless server switching without dropping the VPN

Disadvantages

  • - Only available on ExpressVPN
  • - Smaller user base means less community scrutiny
  • - Not integrated into any OS kernel
  • - Relatively new with less track record
  • - ExpressVPN is the most expensive premium VPN

VPNs That Support Lightway (ExpressVPN)

ExpressVPN (exclusive)

Our Verdict on Lightway (ExpressVPN)

Lightway is an excellent protocol that combines WireGuard-level speed with OpenVPN-like versatility (TCP support). Its open-source codebase has been audited by Cure53. The main limitation is that it is exclusive to ExpressVPN, which is the most expensive premium VPN. If you use ExpressVPN, Lightway is the protocol to choose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lightway better than WireGuard?
They are comparable in speed, but Lightway adds TCP support for firewall bypass. WireGuard has a larger community, kernel-level integration, and is available across many VPN providers. Both are excellent modern protocols.
Is Lightway open-source?
Yes. ExpressVPN open-sourced Lightway's core protocol in 2021, and it has been independently audited by Cure53, a respected cybersecurity firm.

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