When building secure remote access or connecting networks over the internet, two VPN technologies dominate the conversation: IPsec and SSL VPN.

Both are widely used and both provide strong encryption, but they work in fundamentally different ways and are suited to different scenarios.

This article breaks down the differences in a practical, easy-to-understand way.

What is IPsec VPN?

IPsec (Internet Protocol Security) is a suite of protocols that secures IP traffic at the network layer (Layer 3) .

It encrypts entire IP packets, allowing two networks or devices to communicate as if they were directly connected over a private link.…