Ben Gorman Published on February 23, 2023

TCP vs UDP: Differences between the protocols

The main difference between TCP (transmission control protocol) and UDP (user datagram
protocol) is that TCP is a connection-based protocol and UDP is connectionless. While TCP is
more reliable, it transfers data more slowly. UDP is less reliable but works more quickly. This
makes each protocol suited to different types of data transfers.
Protocols are rules that govern how data is formatted and sent over a network. TCP and UDP
are two different methods for doing the same job: transferring data via the internet. They
enable servers and devices to communicate so you can send emails, watch Netflix, play games,
and browse web pages.

TCP creates a secure communication line to ensure the reliable transmission of all data. Once
a message is sent, the receipt is verified to make sure all the data was transferred.
UDP does not establish a connection when sending data. It sends data without confirming
receipt or checking for errors. That means some or all of the data may be lost during
transmission.

Here are the main differences between TCP and UDP:

Factor TCP UDP

Connection type Requires an established connection No connection is needed to start

before transmitting data and end a data transfer

Can sequence data (send in a specific

Data sequence order) Cannot sequence or arrange data

Data Can retransmit data if packets fail to No data retransmitting. Lost

retransmission arrive data can’t be retrieved

Delivery Delivery is guaranteed Delivery is not guaranteed

Minimal error-checking covers
Thorough error-checking guarantees the basics but may not prevent
Check for errors data arrives in its intended state all errors

Broadcasting Not supported Supported

Fast, but at risk of incomplete

Speed Slow, but complete data delivery data delivery
Which protocol is better: TCP or UDP?
It depends on what you’re doing online and the type of data being transferred. UDP is better if
you’re gaming online, because its speedy data transfer allows for mostly lag-free gaming. TCP
is better if you’re transferring files, like family photos, because it ensures the data arrives
exactly as it was sent.
Overall, TCP and UDP are both useful protocols, so to think in terms of TCP vs UDP is a bit
misleading. But depending on the type of data transfer, TCP or UDP might be better for the
job. Here are some examples:
TCP is best for:
• Email or texting
• File transfers
• Web browsing
UDP is best for:
• Live streaming
• Online gaming
• Video chat
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the advantages and disadvantages of TCP and UDP:

Advantages of TCP
Transmission control protocol (TCP) is the protocol to choose for maximum reliability and
quality. It may not be the fastest, but it gets the job done right. Here are a few advantages of
the TCP protocol:
• It sets up and maintains a connection between sender and receiver.
• It operates independently of the operating system.
• It supports many routing protocols.
• It checks for errors, guaranteeing data arrives at its destination unaltered.
• It confirms data arrival after delivery, or attempts to retransfer.
• It’s able to send data in a particular sequence.
• It optimizes the pace of data transmission based on the receiver.

Disadvantages of TCP
TCP isn’t suited for some types of data transfers, especially ones that require faster speeds.
These are the drawbacks of TCP packet transmission:
• It uses more bandwidth and is slower than UDP.
• It’s especially slow at the beginning of a file transfer.
• It can prevent data from loading if some data is lost. For example, it won’t load
images on a web page until all of the page data has been delivered.
• It reduces its transfer rate if the network is congested, resulting in even slower
speeds.
• It’s not suited for LAN and PAN networks.
• It can’t multicast or broadcast.
Despite its slower speeds, TCP is the only protocol that can retransmit lost data
packets. When reliability is critical, TCP is the best option.

Applications of TCP
When should you enable TCP data transfer? Most data transfers automatically use the best
protocol option. But in certain circumstances — such as when using a VPN — you may need
to choose a protocol to optimize your browsing experience. Enable TCP for the following
activities:
• Email and text messaging
• Streaming pre-recorded content on sites like Netflix, Hulu, or HBO Max
• Transferring files between apps and devices
• General web browsing
• Remote device or network administration

Advantages of UDP
UDP delivers data rapidly, and it doesn’t slow down or turn back to recollect lost data. This
makes it an ideal protocol for delivering continuous data or broadcasting, such as for live
streaming, video calling, and matching servers with IP addresses. Here are some of the
advantages of UDP:
• No connection is needed to send or receive data, so apps and operating systems
work faster.
• Broadcast and multicast transmission is available, meaning one UDP transmission
can send data to multiple recipients.
• It endures packet loss, delivering data even if it's incomplete.
• Smaller packet size and less overhead reduce end-to-end delay.
• Operates over a larger range of network conditions than TCP.
• UDP communication is more efficient.
• It can transmit live and real-time data.

Disadvantages of UDP
While UDP provides the speed you need to live a comfortable digital life, UDP isn’t as reliable
as TCP. This is something to be aware of when setting up a VPN, because most VPNs run on
UDP protocols to keep connection speeds high. Here are some disadvantages of using UDP:
• It’s connectionless, which makes data transfer unreliable.
• There’s no system in place to acknowledge a successful data transfer.
• There’s no way to know if data is delivered in its original state, or at all.
• It has no error control, so it drops packets when errors are detected.
• In case of a data collision, routers will often drop UDP packets and favor TCP
packets.
• Multiple users accepting UDP data can cause congestion, and there’s no way to
mitigate this.
• It cannot sequence data, so data can arrive in any order or out of order.
 Applications of UDP
UDP is best suited for transferring a steady flow of live data. This allows many users to access
data easily and quickly, if not in perfect condition. A good example is playing an online game.
UDP can keep the action moving in spite of potential errors or data loss. Here are a few
applications of UDP in real life.
• Online gaming
• Multicasting
• Video chatting/conferencing
• VoIP (in-app voice calling)
• Domain Name Systems (which translates domain names into IP addresses)

How does TCP work?

TCP works by using a “three-way handshake” — a three-step process that forms a connection
between a device and a server. The completion of the three-step process establishes the non-
stop connection, starts the transfer of data packets across the internet, delivers them intact,
and acknowledges delivery.
Here’s how TCP works:
1. The client device initiating the data transfer sends a sequence number (SYN) to
the server. It tells the server the number that the data packet transfer should
begin with.
2. The server acknowledges the client SYN and sends its own SYN number. This step
is often referred to as SYN-ACK (SYN acknowledgement).
3. The client then acknowledges (ACK) the server’s SYN-ACK, which forms a direct
connection and begins the data transfer.
The connection between the sender and receiver is maintained until the transfer is successful.
Every time a data packet is sent, it requires an acknowledgment from the receiver. So, if no
acknowledgment is received, the data is resent. If an error is acknowledged, the faulty packet
is discarded and the sender delivers a new one. Heavy traffic or other issues may also prevent
data from being sent. In that case, the transmission is delayed (without breaking the
connection).Thanks to these controls, successful data delivery is guaranteed with TCP.

TCP uses a three-

step process that forms (and keeps) a connection between a device and a server.
How does UDP work?
The UDP protocol works by immediately firing data at the receiver who made a data
transmission request, until the transmission is complete or terminated. Sometimes called a
“fire-and-forget” protocol, UDP fires data at a recipient in no particular sequence, without
confirming delivery or checking if packets arrived as intended.
While TCP establishes a formal connection via its “handshake” agreement before sending
data. UDP doesn’t have time for that. It speeds up data transfer by sending packets without
making any agreement with a receiver. Then, it’s up to the recipient to make sense of the data.

UDP works by rapid-firing data from sender to receiver until the transfer is completed or
terminated.
Here’s an analogy to help you understand how TCP and UDP work:
Imagine you’re having lunch at the office and a friend in a different cubicle asks you for half of
your sandwich. You have two options: You can walk through the maze of office desks and
hand it to her, guaranteeing a secure delivery. Or, you can throw the sandwich into her
cubicle from across the room, leaving the quality of the delivery up to her speed and reflexes.
The first method (TCP) is reliable, but slow. The second method (UDP) is fast, but the
sandwich might not arrive in its original state — or at all.

What is TCP (transmission control protocol)?

The transmission control protocol (TCP) is one of the primary ways that data is transmitted
across networks on the internet. It is a connection-oriented communication protocol that
allows computing devices and applications to send data and verify delivery. Along with the
user datagram protocol (UDP), TCP forms the foundation of global data transferring.

What is UDP (user datagram protocol)?

The user datagram protocol (UDP) is one of the protocols that enables data transfer across
networks on the internet. It is a message-oriented communication protocol that allows
computing devices and applications to send data without verifying delivery. UDP is best
suited for real-time communication and broadcast systems.
What are three differences between TCP and UDP?
1. TCP requires a reliable connection between server and recipient, which can slow
down data transfer. UDP is a connectionless protocol, therefore much quicker.
2. TCP guarantees flawless data delivery, even if lost or damaged packets are
retransmitted. UDP is a “fire-and-forget” protocol that won’t check for errors or
resend lost data packets.
3. UDP is better for broadcasting and live streaming. TCP is better for direct
communication, like email, web browsing, or transferring files.
What are TCP and UDP used for?
TCP is best used for direct communication in which a reliable connection is needed, such as
web browsing, email, text messaging, and file transfers. UDP is best used for live and real-time
data transmission when speed is more important than reliability. UDP is normally used for
online gaming, live streaming, and DNS protocols.
Are TCP ports different from UDP ports?
Yes, TCP and UDP ports are different, but they sometimes use the same port number. For
example, UDP/53 and TCP/53 are both used for DNS, but they are different connection types.
TCP ports comply with transmission control protocols, while UDP ports comply with user
datagram protocols.
Is UDP the default for VPNs?
Generally, yes. VPN protocols (such as WireGuard) are often built on UDP protocols. This
prevents your device from establishing direct connections across networks, and it’s ideal for
streaming, gaming, and video chatting. For a more reliable connection while emailing and
messaging, switch to TCP.
Is TCP better for VPNs than UDP?
TCP is the more reliable option when using a VPN, but UDP is better in certain instances. If
you’re sending messages or transferring files, TCP is the best protocol to use with a VPN. TCP
is also recommended for all VPN-secured web browsing. Because of its faster speeds, UDP is
the better option for gaming on a VPN, live streaming, and VoIP.
Source: https://www.avast.com/c-tcp-vs-udp-difference#