Forget OpenVPN, WireGuard: This is the VPN protocol of the future
As censorship tactics and VPN blocking get ever more sophisticated, NordWhisper gets ready for when the classical VPN protocol won't be enough. NordVPN's CTO explains how.
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VPN providers and internet censors are locked in constant battle, with success often determined by whoever develops new techniques first.
The best VPN services understand this and are increasingly investing in censorship-resistant technology to stay ahead. For NordVPN, 2025 was a defining year. The company launched its "revolutionary" NordWhisper protocol in January, specifically designed to bypass strict network filters.
NordVPN CTO Marijus Briedis told TechRadar that censors now have "bigger and better technologies" to detect protocols, making the evolution of the "classical" VPN inevitable. NordVPN aims to be the first to transition, ensuring its tools remain effective in the world’s most highly restricted digital environments.
Where is NordWhisper at right now?
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NordWhisper was launched with a simple, yet challenging, mission – bypass network restrictions without sacrificing the smooth browsing experience users expect. To do this, it had to move beyond standard obfuscation.
Unlike the likes of OpenVPN and WireGuard, NordWhisper uses the innovative web tunnel technology, which is designed to mimic normal web traffic.
This method, originally championed by experts at the Tor Project, encapsulates data within standard HTTP packets. By mimicking regular web traffic, NordWhisper creates a hidden tunnel that blends in with everyday internet activity, making it nearly invisible to the firewalls that typically flag and block VPN signatures.
At the moment, the provider suggests using NordWhisper while in restricted environments, as the additional layers of disguise can lead to slightly slower connection speeds.
It also lacks compatibility with some additional features, including Dedicated IP, Meshnet, and Onion Over VPN. However, the protocol’s footprint is expanding rapidly. Originally limited to Windows, Android, and Linux, NordWhisper is now available for iPhone and Mac users as well.
Another major milestone arrived in August with the introduction of Encrypted Client Hello (ECH).
