Why I Chose WireGuard VPN and Why It Actually Makes Sense
Since I work remotely I needed a solution so that I could use my Belgian IP address to identify myself towards the VPN of the customer.
WireGuard is not just another VPN solution. It is a fundamentally different approach to secure connectivity. Instead of trying to cover every possible scenario, it focuses on doing one thing extremely well: creating a fast, secure, and reliable encrypted tunnel between systems.
Simplicity as a security feature
One of the strongest aspects of WireGuard is its simplicity. There are no usernames, passwords, or certificates. Each device has a cryptographic identity based on a key pair. If the keys match, the tunnel works. If they do not, nothing happens.
This design reduces the attack surface dramatically. Fewer moving parts means fewer configuration mistakes. Fewer configuration mistakes means fewer security problems.
Security here is not achieved by adding layers. It is achieved by removing unnecessary ones.
Performance without compromise
WireGuard is extremely fast. The protocol is lightweight and modern, using strong cryptography without the overhead of legacy features. In practice this means lower latency, higher throughput, and better performance on modest hardware.
Even on small firewalls or virtual machines, WireGuard performs consistently well. For remote work, mobile connections, and site to site tunnels, this makes a noticeable difference.
Predictable behavior
What I appreciate most is that WireGuard behaves predictably. It does not negotiate settings dynamically. It does not silently fall back to weaker options. What you configure is exactly what you get. Once a WireGuard tunnel works, it keeps working. There is no mystery state, no hidden negotiation, and no unexpected renegotiation. This predictability is valuable in professional environments where reliability matters more than flexibility.
Privacy by design
WireGuard itself does not track users, applications, or activity. It knows keys, endpoints, and traffic volume. Nothing more. This is an important distinction. WireGuard is a transport mechanism, not a monitoring platform. Any visibility comes from the firewall or services behind it, not from the VPN protocol itself. For users and administrators who value privacy and clear separation of responsibilities, this is a strong advantage.
Is WireGuard suitable for professional use
Yes, absolutely. WireGuard is used today in production environments, cloud infrastructure, remote access solutions, and embedded systems. It scales well and integrates cleanly with modern network designs. However, it does require understanding. WireGuard does not hide complexity behind wizards. It expects the administrator to understand routing and access control. Once that understanding is there, the result is a robust and elegant solution.
What WireGuard deliberately does not include
What WireGuard does not have is native integration with Microsoft Active Directory, LDAP, or centralized identity platforms. There are no user objects, group policies, or role based access controls inside the protocol itself. This is not a limitation by accident, but a conscious design choice. WireGuard operates strictly at the network layer and treats peers as cryptographic endpoints, not users. Identity, authorization, and auditing are expected to be handled by systems around the tunnel, such as firewalls, routing rules, or external access control mechanisms. This separation keeps WireGuard small, predictable, and secure, while allowing organizations to integrate it into their existing identity architecture in a way that matches their own security model.
Final thoughts
WireGuard is not the easiest VPN if you expect it to guide you. It is the easiest VPN once you understand it. I chose WireGuard because it values speed and efficiency through a minimal and transparent design that remains secure by default. It does exactly what a VPN should do, create a reliable and encrypted tunnel, and nothing more. And sometimes, doing less is precisely what makes a system better.