When setting up remote access or site-to-site connectivity, two VPN technologies are almost always compared: IPsec and SSL VPN. Both provide secure encrypted communication over untrusted networks like the internet, but they differ in architecture, performance, and ideal use cases. This article breaks down the differences in a practical way so you can understand when to use each. What is IPsec VPN? IPsec (Internet Protocol Security) is a suite of protocols that secures IP communications by encrypting and authenticating data at the network layer (Layer 3) . It works by protecting entire IP packets between two endpoints, typically forming a secure tunnel between networks or devices. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0} In simple terms, IPsec makes two networks behave as if they are directly connected over a private link. What is SSL VPN? SSL VPN (more accurately TLS-based VPN) operates at a higher layer in the network stack, typically between the transport and application layers.…