WireGuard is a modern VPN protocol known for its simplicity, high performance, and strong security. It uses cutting-edge cryptography to create fast, encrypted tunnels for secure internet traffic.

WireGuard creates encrypted peer-to-peer connections between devices using public-key authentication. It runs inside the Linux kernel for maximum speed and efficiency, unlike older VPN protocols with more overhead. For tuning tips, see our “ Maximizing WireGuard Performance: Advanced Tuning and Benchmarking ” guide on the Contabo Blog.

WGDashboard is a web-based interface for managing your WireGuard VPN server. Instead of manually editing configuration files or using the command line, you can log in, view connection status, add new peers, and even scan QR codes to connect devices - all from your browser.

It’s ideal for users who want the power of self-hosted VPNs with a more user-friendly experience. With WGDashboard, you get full control over your VPN setup without needing advanced technical skills.

There are two main ways to set up WireGuard on your VPS:

1. The Easy Way: 1-Click Script via Contabo
If you choose a Cloud VPS from Contabo, you can automatically install WireGuard using our 1-click WireGuard script during deployment. It runs via Cloud-Init and sets up a secure, ready-to-use WireGuard server in minutes, so no manual configuration is required.

2. The Manual Way: Full Setup Guide
Prefer to configure everything yourself? You can also install and set up WireGuard manually on any Linux VPS using the command line. This includes generating keys, creating configuration files, and setting up tunnels. You can find our guide for the setup here:  WireGuard VPS – The Definitive Guide For Self-Hosted Approach .

Hosting WireGuard on your own VPS gives you full control over your VPN — no shared servers, no third-party logging, and complete transparency. Unlike commercial VPNs, which may store connection data or limit your configuration, a Contabo VPS lets you self-host with dedicated resources and customizable security. It’s a private, flexible solution built entirely on your terms.

For tips on how to make your self-hosted setup even more secure, check out our article:  Hardening Your WireGuard Security: A Comprehensive Guide.

It depends on how you plan to use WireGuard. If you're hosting it for speed and low latency, choose the location closest to where you'll be connecting from. But if you're using WireGuard to appear as if you're in another region - for example, to access location-specific services - choose a server in the country or region you want to route your traffic through. With Contabo’s global data center options, you have full control over where your VPN lives.

Yes. WireGuard is compatible with all major Linux distributions, including Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS, AlmaLinux, and more. At Contabo, our 1-click WireGuard installation is based on the latest Ubuntu LTS release to ensure maximum stability and broad compatibility. WireGuard is also available on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS for client-side use.

Yes. All Contabo VPS plans come with always-on DDoS protection at no extra cost. Your WireGuard server benefits from the same protection against network-based attacks.

Both protocols are secure and widely used, but WireGuard is known for its simplicity, modern cryptography, and faster performance. Its lean codebase makes it easier to audit and maintain, while offering quicker connection times and better speeds - especially on VPS setups.

You can find out more in our guide  WireGuard vs. OpenVPN: A Deep-Dive Protocol Comparison

You can easily install WireGuard free of charge on any existing Contabo VPS or VDS instance via your  Customer Control Panel . Simply follow our  step-by-step guide .

Yes, you can add as many users (also called "peers" or "clients") as you need to your WireGuard VPN instance. WireGuard is designed to support multiple peers, each with its own unique key pair and IP address.

​The WireGuard website provides an official  Quick Start guide  that covers peer creation, configuration, and management.

The entire provisioning process including installation of the WireGuard image can take up to 30 minutes in two stages:

1. Your server will be provisioned, and you will receive login details via email. For standard configurations, this usually takes no more than a few minutes.
2. Once the server itself is up and running, please allow the remainder of 30 minutes for the WireGuard instance to be installed and activated.

We provide full technical support for the Contabo VPS itself - including the network, hardware, and initial setup of the 1-click Add-On. For help configuring WireGuard or managing tunnels, we recommend the  official WireGuard documentation , which offers clear guidance and examples for most use cases.