What Is PPTP?

PPTP is one of the oldest VPN protocols still in use - simple and fast, but with known security weaknesses. Here's what it is, when it still makes sense, and what to use instead.

PPTP - the lowdown

The Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP) is one of the earliest widely used methods for building a VPN. It sets up a control channel over TCP and tunnels PPP packets inside a GRE tunnel.

The original PPTP specification doesn't define its own encryption or authentication - it depends on the underlying PPP connection for that. Microsoft's implementation, built into Windows since the 1990s, added authentication and encryption on top, which is why PPTP became so widespread despite its limitations.

A note on security: PPTP's encryption has known weaknesses and it is not recommended as your primary protocol. We still support it because some older devices, routers, and networks have no other option - if that's you, PPTP will get you connected; for everyone else, Wireguard or Stealth Wireguard via the app is the best choice, with OpenVPN as a solid fallback.

The pros and cons of PPTP

Pros

Very easy to set up - built into Windows, macOS, and most routers with no extra software.
Low overhead, so it's usually fast and gives consistent performance.
Broadly compatible with older devices and hardware that doesn't support newer protocols.

Cons

Known encryption weaknesses - it's the least secure protocol Le VPN supports.
Easy for internet service providers and networks to detect and block.
Not built into any current Le VPN app - manual setup only.

Set up PPTP with Le VPN

PPTP is manual-setup-only on every platform. If you don't specifically need it, the Le VPN app offers Wireguard or Stealth Wireguard for the best speed and security, with OpenVPN as a solid fallback - see our apps. Otherwise, pick your device below.

Want to compare PPTP to Le VPN's other protocols first? See the full protocol overview.

Quick recap

PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol) is one of the oldest VPN protocols still in use - simple, fast, and built into Windows, macOS, and most routers. However, its encryption has known weaknesses, so it is not recommended as your primary protocol. Le VPN still supports it for older devices and networks that have no other option; for everyone else, Wireguard or Stealth Wireguard is the better choice, with OpenVPN as a solid fallback.

PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol) - an early VPN method that tunnels traffic with very low overhead.
Easy to set up and usually fast, with broad compatibility across older devices and hardware.
It has known encryption weaknesses - the least secure protocol Le VPN offers - and is easy for networks to detect and block.
Not built into any current Le VPN app; PPTP is a manual setup on every platform.
Use it only if an old device or network requires it - otherwise choose Wireguard, Stealth Wireguard, or OpenVPN.