Updated on: May 13, 2024
Short on time? Here’s the best VPN for routers in 2024:
- 🥇 ExpressVPN : ExpressVPN is one of the only VPNs with a dedicated router app. Plus, it also has its own router, which comes pre-installed with the VPN, and you can purchase it for an affordable price. In addition, the VPN is fast, secure, and excellent for streaming. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Finding a suitable VPN for your router is tricky. Many VPNs aren’t router-friendly and those that are only work with some router firmware — and not all firmware versions receive regular updates, which can pose security risks.
That’s why I tested dozens of VPNs and picked the best ones for routers that are easy to set up as well as compatible with a range of secure firmware options. ExpressVPN is my favorite, as it’s one of the few VPNs with a native router app and maintains blazing-fast speeds on all connected devices. Plus, it has its own affordable router that comes with the VPN pre-installed.
Quick summary of the best VPNs for routers:
- 1. 🥇ExpressVPN — Best overall VPN for routers in 2024 (native router app + super fast speeds).
- 2. 🥈Private Internet Access — Excellent security and privacy features + works with multiple routers).
- 3. 🥉CyberGhost VPN — Easy to set up on routers (great tutorials) and suitable for new users to VPNs.
- 4. NordVPN — Fast connections on routers across all servers + strong security features.
- 5. Surfshark — Good VPN for users on a tight budget (with very affordable pricing plans).
🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best Overall VPN for Routers in 2024
ExpressVPN is my go-to VPN for routers because it has a native router app that you can install in just a couple of steps on several types of routers directly, like Asus, Linksys, and Netgear — all you have to do is download the firmware to your PC and upload it to your router. It took me about 8 minutes to download and set up the app on my router.
The app is based on the OpenWRT firmware, which is regularly updated. Plus, I really like that once the VPN is up and running on your router, it automatically installs available updates, which is super important for keeping your router and all of your connections secure.
ExpressVPN also works with a wide range of third-party firmware that supports VPNs, like DD-WRT, Sabai, and Tomato, via an OpenVPN configuration, and they’ve very easy to use. The provider has easy-to-follow step-by-step guides with screenshots to avoid any hassle, too.
ExpressVPN has its own router, called Aircove. If you buy it, you get access to a secure router that comes with ExpressVPN pre-installed on it. Aircove has passed an independent security audit, comes with a built-in kill switch, as well as WPA3 security that protects your Wi-Fi network against brute-force attacks, and port forwarding.
ExpressVPN offers blazing-fast speeds, so even if your router doesn’t have a powerful processor, you’ll still get uninterrupted streaming, gaming, and browsing. This is because its router app comes with the Lightway protocol, which is the fastest VPN protocol I’ve tested. When I connected to a far-away server in the US, I experienced only minimal speed loss, and HD videos loaded instantly without any buffering or lags.
I’m also happy with ExpressVPN’s security features. You get an independently audited no-logs policy, which means the VPN doesn’t track or collect data about your online activities. Also, it comes with RAM-only servers, meaning that all server data is wiped with every reboot. And it has perfect forward secrecy, which changes the encryption key for each VPN session. Plus, it comes with an ad blocker, which filters out display ads and stops them from loading.
The VPN is also really good for streaming, as customer support confirmed it works with 100+ streaming platforms. This includes popular services like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, and Disney+.
The VPN provides split-tunneling on routers via its Device Groups feature. This feature lets you categorize your Wi-Fi-connected devices into groups that either use or don’t use the VPN. You can also connect different groups to different server locations, turn off the internet for specific devices, and decide whether you want to turn on the ad, tracker, malware, and content blocker for each group.
ExpressVPN offers plans starting at $6.67 / month and often has discounts and extra months for free. Plus, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee if you’re not satisfied.
Bottom Line:
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for routers thanks to its dedicated router app, super fast speeds, excellent security, and user-friendliness. Additionally, it has an advanced split-tunneling tool, excellent streaming and torrenting support, and a lengthy money-back guarantee.
Read the full ExpressVPN review
🥈2. Private Internet Access — Great Security & Privacy Features for Routers
PPrivate Internet Access (PIA) has good router support and strong security features. It works with DD-WRT, AsusWRT, AsusWRT-Merlin, and Pfsense firmware that’s regularly updated via OpenVPN setup. The VPN needs to be manually set up, but it’s a straightforward process thanks to PIA’s easy-to-follow guides that include screenshots.
I managed to get it configured in less than 15 minutes, which is actually pretty fast. However, ExpressVPN is a better option, as it offers a dedicated router app that requires less manual configuration.
In terms of security and privacy, PIA has independently audited no-logs policy that’s been proven true in court documents, and it also regularly publishes transparency reports. Other safety features include RAM-only servers and perfect forward secrecy, and you get streaming and torrenting support, too.
The downside is you don’t get extra built-in features like split-tunneling or a kill switch as with ExpressVPN. However, you can manually enable these on your router and a lot of the router firmware that PIA works with include these tools.
Private Internet Access offers competitively priced plans ($2.03 / month). A 30-day money-back guarantee backs all plans if you’re not satisfied.
Bottom Line:
Private Internet Access is a reliable and secure VPN for routers. It provides excellent speeds, along with robust security and privacy features, and simple manual router configuration with detailed guides. Also, the overall ease of use, great streaming support, and competitive pricing make PIA a strong contender among router VPNs.
Read the full Private Internet Access review
🥉3. CyberGhost VPN — Intuitive Router Setup for Beginners
CyberGhost VPN stands out as a beginner-friendly VPN for routers. It provides easy-to-follow step-by-step guides with screenshots for those new to VPNs who’d like to manually configure a VPN on their routers. By following its guides, I managed to set up this provider on my router in less than 15 minutes.
CyberGhost is compatible with popular DD-WRT and Tomato firmware, including Netgear, Asus, and Linksys routers. But unlike ExpressVPN, you can only use the OpenVPN protocol on your router as this is the only tunneling protocol CyberGhost supports for routers.
The provider offers excellent privacy and security. I really like that it lets you turn on its ad, tracker, and malicious site blocker when configuring the VPN files for your router. CyberGhost also automatically converts unsecured HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) traffic to the more secure HTTPS traffic on all devices connected to the VPN router.
CyberGhost’s plans cost as low as $2.19 / month. All long-term plans come with a generous 45-day money-back guarantee, while its monthly subscription comes with a 14-day guarantee.
Bottom line:
CyberGhost is a great router VPN for beginners. Its easy setup (thanks to its easy-to-follow guides), decent speeds, top-notch security, and excellent router support make it very user-friendly. Plus, it comes with a generous 45-day money-back guarantee on all long-term plans.
Read the full CyberGhost VPN review
4. NordVPN — Delivers Fast Speeds on Your Router
NordVPN is an excellent choice for routers thanks to its fast speeds across all servers. When I connected to a UK server from Serbia, websites loaded instantly and playing games went smoothly, too.
NordVPN works with lots of router models that support the OpenVPN protocol, including ASUS WRT, ASUS Merlin, Privacy Hero, Sabai, Tomato, pfSense, and even TP-Link. I especially like how the provider also keeps a list of routers it doesn’t support.
You have to manually configure the VPN on your router, but its comprehensive guides complete with screenshots make the entire process a breeze. In my tests, I got NordVPN running on my router in approximately 14 minutes.
The VPN also has really good streaming support, as it’s compatible with 10+ streaming services, such as Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime. Still, if streaming is your main reason for using the VPN on your router, I recommend ExpressVPN since it works with 100+ streaming platforms.
NordVPN offers affordable plans that start at $3.09 / month. It also backs each purchase with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom line:
NordVPN offers high speeds, top-tier security features, and excellent router support. Plus, its comprehensive router setup guides and extra features make it super user-friendly. Also, its affordable plans are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
5. Surfshark — Budget-Friendly VPN for Your Router
Surfshark is a great VPN for those on a budget wanting router support. It’s the most affordable VPN on our list with multiple competitively-priced plans.
With Surfshark, you’ll get great router support. It works with DD-WRT, AsusWRT, GL.iNet, and Tomato routers that support OpenVPN, WireGuard, and L2TP protocols.
Setting up the VPN on your router is a straightforward process thanks to the comprehensive tutorials available on its website. These easy-to-follow guides come with screenshots on each step, making it simple for users of all technical levels to configure the VPN on their router.
Surfshark’s plans are very cheap ($2.29 / month) and come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom line:
Surfshark is a budget-friendly choice for people who need a router VPN. It has highly affordable plans, comprehensive guides for its manual router setup, decent router compatibility, fast speeds, and great security features for all devices connecting through your router. Plus, it has a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full Surfshark review
Quick Comparison Table
Testing Methodology: Comparison & Ranking Criteria
To determine the best VPNs for routers, I followed our well-established testing methodology, conducting thorough evaluations of numerous VPNs on the market. This process included testing each VPN under a range of scenarios specifically tailored to router usage, to assess their capabilities and effectiveness. Below, you’ll find the criteria I used to test, compare, and ultimately rank the VPNs:
- I looked for VPNs that are router-compatible. I made sure the VPNs on my list are compatible with different router models.
- I considered the setup and configuration process. All the VPNs I recommend provide a quick and easy setup process with helpful tutorials and guides.
- I tested each VPN’s speeds. Most VPN/router combos can be slow due to limited processing power of routers, which struggle with the demands of VPN encryption. Additionally, the distance to VPN servers and server load can increase latency and reduce speeds. In my tests, all VPNs on my list minimized the speed loss. The fastest one was ExpressVPN.
- I checked for security features. All the providers on my list come with industry-standard security measures like military-grade 256-bit AES encryption, a no-logs policy, and protection against leaks.
- I picked VPNs that offer good value for money. All the VPNs on my list come with affordable plans, extra features, easy-to-use apps, and a reasonable money-back guarantee.
3 Ways to Use a VPN With a Router
Preconfigured VPN Routers
Preconfigured VPN routers come with a VPN already set up on the hardware, which eliminates the need for any additional setup. For example, ExpressVPN’s Aircrove router comes with the VPN software pre-installed and all the convenient features that the provider offers.
VPN-Ready Routers
VPN-ready routers are designed to support VPN configurations natively without the need for replacing firmware. Brands like Asus, Netgear, and Linksys offer models that can be configured with most major VPN services that support router configuration directly through their standard firmware options.
Installing Firmware on a Router
Installing custom firmware like DD-WRT or Tomato on compatible routers can add VPN functionality to routers that don’t support it out of the box. This is a great option, especially if you’re tech savvy and want to enhance an older router or customize your network management.
How to Get the Best Speeds With a VPN Router
Using a VPN router slows down your internet speed because of the encryption process. The processing power required for VPN encryption is intensive and can overwhelm the router’s CPU, especially in consumer-grade models.Here’s how you can optimize your VPN router’s speed:
Choose the Right Router
You router’s processing power significantly affects your speeds when using a VPN. For optimal performance, it’s best to select a router with a powerful processor and sufficient RAM designed to handle VPN traffic, such as those with dual-core processors or higher.
Update Router Firmware
Elways make sure your router’s firmware is up-to-date. Manufacturers often release updates that improve performance and security. If your router supports VPNs but struggles with speed, checking for firmware updates should be your first step.
Optimize VPN Server Location
The physical distance between you and the VPN server can impact your internet speed. To get the fastest speeds possible, you should choose a server that is geographically closer to you unless you need to connect to a specific region. Also, less crowded servers can provide faster speeds, so consider switching servers if your current connection is slow.
Adjust VPN Encryption Levels
Higher encryption levels offer better security but can slow down your connection. If speed is a priority and you are using your network for less sensitive tasks, consider lowering the encryption level.
Use Wired Connections
Whenever possible, connect devices directly to your VPN router via Ethernet. Wired connections are typically faster and more stable than Wi-Fi (I always prefer them for gaming), which can suffer from interference and signal degradation.
Limit VPN on Necessary Devices
Connecting only specific devices that require VPN services, such as those used for sensitive transactions or accessing restricted content, can improve the VPN speeds because it limits the number of devices routing their traffic through the VPN, reducing the processing demand on the router’s CPU. This allows the router to manage encryption more efficiently and maintain higher speeds for connected devices.
Top Brands That Didn’t Make the Cut
- PrivateVPN. Even though PrivateVPN comes with good security features, intuitive apps, and pretty fast speeds, it has a very limited server network (200+ servers). Also, its no-logs policy hasn’t been independently audited.
- Proton VPN. Despite its excellent privacy measures and very intuitive user interface, I didn’t include it in the list. The main reason is its limited router compatibility, which restricts its use on many popular router brands.
- TunnelBear. A user-friendly VPN that has a good free plan and is also really intuitive, Unfortunately, TunnelBear doesn’t support routers at all.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it a good idea to use a VPN on routers?
Yes, using a VPN on a router offers good perks. If you set up a good VPN on your router, like ExpressVPN, you’ll secure all the devices connected to that router. This is really helpful if you want to use a VPN on devices that don’t support VPN apps, like certain smart TVs or gaming consoles. Moreover, having a VPN on your router allows you to bypass the device limit set by some VPN services, as the router counts as just one connection.
What is the best VPN for routers?
ExpressVPN is my top choice for a VPN for routers. It has a dedicated router app that makes setup easy, and it also lets you purchase a pre-configured router to make the whole process even simpler. Moreover, ExpressVPN offers a large server network in 105 countries, lightning-fast connections, excellent streaming support, and strong privacy and security features. It also has a comprehensive split-tunneling feature for managing your VPN usage.
Do routers have a built-in VPN?
Yes, some routers do come pre-configured with a VPN, ready for use. These routers can be a good option for those who want to secure all devices on their home network without the need for a manual setup. For instance, FlashRouters offers devices pre-configured with VPN software. These routers are typically partnered with certain VPN providers, such as ExpressVPN or Private Internet Access.
Is using a VPN on a router safe?
Yes, using a VPN on a router increases the overall security of your internet connection. By setting up a VPN on your router, all traffic passing through it is encrypted, which enhances the privacy and security of your entire network.
How do I activate the kill switch feature on my VPN router?
The exact steps vary depending on your VPN configuration, but these are the general steps to follow: log into your router’s control panel, navigate to the VPN settings, and look for an option labeled as “Kill Switch,” “VPN Disconnect Protection,” or something similar, and enable it.
This setting ensures that if the VPN connection fails, all internet traffic will be blocked to prevent data leaks. Keep in mind that not all VPNs include a kill-switch option when configured on a router, but a lot of the router firmware that work with the VPNs I mention here include extra features like a kill switch.
How do I configure split-tunneling on my VPN router?
To set up split-tunneling on a VPN router, access the router’s admin panel, looking for a tab or section dedicated to network routing or VPN configurations — the feature is usually labeled as policy-based or selective routing.
Here you can specify which devices or IP addresses should bypass the VPN. This is often done by entering specific IP addresses or selecting which apps use the VPN and which do not.
