Cloudflare has launched a new virtual private network (VPN) called Warp, which the company calls “a VPN for people who don’t know what V.P.N. stands for”.
On the same day last year, Cloudflare had launched a new DNS service called 1.1.1.1 to deliver internet’s fastest and private internet experience to the customers.
Now, the company is taking the next step with the launch of Warp. The new solution promises to turn the weaknesses of other VPN solutions into strengths.
Rather than just securing and optimizing DNS queries, the Warp VPN will secure all the internet traffic and optimize it. This VPN not only works in web browsers but also applies to all the apps running in the phone. Once enabled, it will automatically encrypt all the unencrypted connections.
“We’ve built Warp around a UDP-based protocol that is optimized for the mobile Internet. We also leveraged Cloudflare’s massive global network, allowing Warp to connect with servers within milliseconds of most the world’s Internet users,” wrote Matthew Prince, Cloudflare Chief Executive, in a blog post.
“With our network’s direct peering connections and uncongested paths, we can deliver a great experience around the world. Our tests have shown that Warp will often significantly increase Internet performance.”
In addition to security, performance and reliability are the main factors that make Warp VPN stand apart from other such solutions. Other VPNs impact internet speed, but Cloudflare’s new solution doesn’t affect internet performance.
Cloudflare also mentioned that their tests show increased internet performance when the Warp is enabled. “The worse your network connection, the better Warp should make your performance.”
On the power consumption front, Warp has been built around WireGuard VPN protocol. This protocol is a modern one that is more efficient than legacy VPN protocols.
Also read: Cloudflare to provide domain names at wholesale price, with no rise in renewal costs
For wider adoption of the new VPN, Cloudflare has launched the basic version of Warp as an option with the 1.1.1.1 App for free. Cloudflare is also developing a premium version of the new VPN, called Warp+. This will leverage Cloudflare’s virtual private backbone and Argo technology, and will be even faster.
