The best router VPN in 2023
A virtual private network (VPN) router is like a normal router you would use in your home except it has a VPN installed inside it. It is powered by firmware that allows it to manage VPN connections and then allow various devices in the home to connect to the VPN service. The best VPN routers come with random access memory (RAM) that lets them efficiently manage their workloads. Once you get the VPN working, you can connect devices such as computers, mobile devices, smart TVs, and more.
What Are VPN Routers? Types of VPN Routers
A virtual private network (VPN) router is like a normal router you would use in your home except it has a VPN installed inside it. It is powered by firmware that allows it to manage VPN connections and then allow various devices in the home to connect to the VPN service. The best VPN routers come with random access memory (RAM) that lets them efficiently manage their workloads. Once you get the VPN working, you can connect devices such as computers, mobile devices, smart TVs, and more.
With VPN Wi-Fi router protection, you can connect your local-area network (LAN) to your favorite VPN service or set up a site-to-site VPN. For a home-based connection, the wireless router security you get from a VPN router may preclude the need for extra firewall protection because the VPN encrypts your communications, providing you with a secure, anonymous tunnel through the internet.
What Is the Need for VPN Routers?
1. Protect Multiple Devices at Once
A VPN router allows you to connect several devices at the same time, protecting them all with a secure, encrypted connection. You can link to it through either a Wi-Fi connection or Ethernet, depending on the device and how you want to use it. Because they can handle multiple devices, VPN routers for home can provide safer internet browsing for every member of your household.
2. Extreme Convenience
Once you have installed your VPN router and connected to it, there is no need to remember to sign in to your VPN. You only have to enter the login credentials one time, which means you can connect automatically with several devices, providing you with a safe browsing experience without the hassle of reconnecting each time you get online.
3. Superior Compatibility
With a VPN router, you can connect a variety of different kinds of devices, regardless of the operating system. Many support macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, and more. With this feature, you do not have to worry about whether the next device is going to work with your VPN router.
4. Completely Automated
With a VPN router, you can connect to your VPN service, such as OpenVPN routing, automatically. There is no need to assign each device its own password because once you connect to the router, you can access your VPN connection automatically.
5. Secure Non-native Devices
Many devices, despite being popular, do not typically support VPN use. For these kinds of non-native devices, a VPN router is an ideal solution. Some of such devices include Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Roku, and Apple TV. A VPN router provides these devices and more with secure, anonymous internet connections.
6. Unblock Applications and Content
For applications and content that require you to be in a specific location to access them, a VPN router can allow you to connect freely. You can choose a different Internet Protocol (IP) address, making it seem like you are connecting from an approved location.
Disadvantages of VPN Routers To Watch Out For
Expense
VPN routers are not cheap. They tend to cost significantly more than a regular router. For some users, it may not be worth the upfront investment.
Lack of Flexibility
With a VPN router, you are limited to using the server you set up when you first configured it. If you want to use a different server, you have to set that up on the router again.
The More Devices, the Lesser the Speed
As you connect more devices to the router, the speed each device receives drops accordingly. You may have to prioritize which devices can connect at one time.
Types of VPN Routers
VPN-compatible Routers
If you are not positive you want a VPN router but are considering the idea, you can get a normal router that is VPN-compatible. You may have to double-check to make sure it works with your favorite VPN service, but in many cases, a VPN-compatible router is a convenient solution.
Preconfigured Routers
A preconfigured router has already been flashed with the appropriate software. Therefore, they come with a higher price tag. You can inform the provider which VPN service you want the router to be used for, and they will install the necessary files for you.
Manually Flashed Routers
You can upgrade the router you already have by flashing it yourself. For those that do not mind taking on the technical task of installing the firmware, this can be an easy and inexpensive way to obtain a VPN router.
How To Get the Right VPN Router
Express VPN Router
Router: Netgear R6700 DD-WRT FlashRouter
Benefits: Firmware already installed, low cost, 1 GHz processor
NordVPN Router
Router: NordVPN Linksys WRT3200ACM AC3200 DD-WRT FlashRouter
Benefits: 1.8 GHz dual-core processor, four antennas, specifically configured for high performance with multiple devices
Surfshark Router
Router: Synology RT2600AC
Benefits: 4 LAN ports and antennas, 2.4 GHz with 800 Mbps speed and 5 GHz with 1,733 Mbps speed, online dashboard for custom configuration
How To Set Up VPN on a Router
To set up VPN on a router, it takes a few, fairly simple steps:
- Subscribe to a VPN service.
- Make sure the router you get is compatible with the service.
- Get provider-specific instructions for configuring your VPN on your router. This may vary from one provider to the next.
- Enter the login credentials your VPN provider gave you.
How Fortinet Can Help
The FortiGate scalable Crypto VPNs keep you protected from data breaches and man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks. The secure tunnel created by FortiGate can connect you to multiple networks and a variety of devices. FortiGate uses Internet Protocol security (IPsec) and secure sockets layer (SSL) technology to maintain safety for users.
Also, FortiGate takes advantage of FortiASIC, which provides hardware dedicated to enhancing speed without sacrificing security.
FAQs
What are VPN routers?
A VPN router is like a normal router you would use in your home except it has a VPN installed inside it. It is powered by firmware that allows it to manage VPN connections and then allow various devices in the home to connect to the VPN service.
What is the need for VPN routers?
With a VPN router, you can:
- Protect multiple devices at once
- Enjoy convenient connections
- Benefit from superior compatibility
- Take advantage of automated functions
- Secure non-native devices
- Unblock applications and content
What are the disadvantages of VPN routers?
Some disadvantages include:
- High cost
- Lack of flexibility
- The more devices, the lesser the speed
The best router VPN in 2023
Using a router VPN isn’t the most common way of setting up the software, but for many it will be the most efficient way of protecting every single device in your home. By securing your Wi-Fi connection at its source, it allows the best VPN to be used with not only your PC and phone, but also other devices like PlayStations, Roku, and smart lights that don’t natively support VPN connections.
It’s worth noting that set-up can be a little more complex than simply installing an app, although more an more providers are offering dedicated software that makes the process much simpler.
If you’re ready to get going with a router VPN, you’ll find our top choices just below. If you’re still wondering whether using a VPN on your router is the best choice for you, just keep scrolling for our complete guide.
Our top router VPN picks
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1. ExpressVPN – undeniably the best router VPN
ExpressVPN offers more support for routers than any other provider. It has a dedicated app, and if you’re willing to invest, it even makes its own custom router. It’s by far the best router VPN available – and you’ll also have a 30-day money-back guarantee to test it out yourself.
2. NordVPN – easiest of the app-less options
While it doesn’t have a dedicated router VPN app, NordVPN is one of the easiest VPNs to set up manually. With useful installation guides, the process is made as simple as possible (with the exception of Express’s app, of course), and Nord’s decent value, too.
3. Surfshark – great alternative with unlimited connections
Perhaps you’ve decided you don’t want a router VPN. Well, Surfshark offers a tempting alternative. You might not get VPN cover on your Smart TV or Xbox, but you will be able to use Surfshark on as many devices as you want. And for less than $2.50 a month, it’s an absolute steal.
What is a router VPN?
In essence, a router VPN is exactly the same as any VPN you might install on your phone or PC – it diverts your internet traffic away from your ISP’s servers towards its own. Your traffic is encrypted in the process, meaning you’ll be able to surf in peace, knowing that no one can see or track your activity.
But why would you want one on your router? Most commonly, router VPNs are used so that a VPN-protected connection can be used by devices that can’t have a VPN installed directly. That includes Smart TVs and Apple TV, games consoles, Roku, and many others, and means you’ll be able to access blocked streaming content and stay anonymous on any device attached to your Wi-Fi connection.
Plus, most VPNs have a limit to how many devices can use a single subscription. If you install a router VPN, then any number of devices or individuals can use your VPN connection – friends, family, your date that you’ve wooed with your intimate knowledge of the Netgear Nighthawk AX8 (RAX80) Wi-Fi 6 router.
- Check out how to set up a virtual router and share VPN
The downsides of a router VPN
The biggest drawback is that you may well discover that your current router can’t support your chosen VPN’s dedicated router VPN app, if it has one at all. And, as you’ll notice in the next couple of paragraphs, it can get a bit confusing.
You’ll have to either buy a new router that does, or install DD-WRT firmware to allow you to manually set up a VPN connection – a list of DD-WRT-compatible routers is here. There are also some other options, including Tomato.
The other problem is that it’s more difficult to change your VPN’s settings because your router doesn’t have a screen or interface. Any alterations will have to be done through your router’s dashboard on a PC, some of which are still very basic and difficult to use. A company called FlashRouters does provide a very useful router setup service, plus a great app that makes things a lot easier – but it’s expensive.
However, some VPN services have made the process far simpler than expected – one of which being ExpressVPN. It has a dedicated website for setting up your router VPN, and apps specifically designed to get your router protected quickly. It’s easily our first choice when it comes to router VPNs, but there are a few other options that you’ll find below.
The five best router VPNs today
1. ExpressVPN
The best router VPN, plus boutique router hardware
Dedicated router app: Yes | Peak speeds on 1Gbps line: 630Mbps | Streaming services unblocked: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, YouTube, Disney+ | 24/7 customer support: Yes | Setup guides: Yes