Using a VPN is one of the most effective ways to protect your online privacy and security. But did you know you can set up a VPN directly on your router to automatically secure every device on your home network? Installing a VPN on your router has some big advantages:
- Protects all your connected devices without needing to install VPN apps on each one individually
- No limit to how many devices can be protected simultaneously
- Secures smart TVs, game consoles, and IoT gadgets that can‘t run VPN software themselves
- Always-on protection without needing to remember to connect
However, choosing the right VPN service for your router and getting it set up correctly can be tricky. You need a VPN with:
- Easy setup instructions and configuration options for routers
- Fast speeds to minimize the performance impact on your network
- Strong security and privacy to keep your traffic and devices safe
- Affordable pricing, especially since you‘re securing multiple devices
After extensive testing, here are our top picks for the best VPN apps for routers in 2024:
1. ExpressVPN – Best overall router VPN app
Pros:
- Step-by-step instructions with video guides for many popular routers
- Unique Device Groups feature to customize VPN settings for specific devices
- Blazing-fast speeds with minimal slowdown
- Excellent security with advanced encryption and secure VPN protocols
Cons:
- More expensive than competitors, especially on monthly plan
ExpressVPN is our top choice for VPN routers thanks to its winning combination of performance, security, and user-friendliness. Its detailed router setup guides with videos make installation a breeze even for tech novices.
The standout feature is Device Groups, which lets you easily manage VPN settings for different devices – for example, sending your streaming TV‘s traffic through a server optimized for video while the rest of your network connects to the fastest location. Speaking of speeds, ExpressVPN consistently ranks at the top in our VPN speed tests.
If you‘re willing to pay a bit more, ExpressVPN is the best VPN app for maximizing both performance and convenience on your router.
2. NordVPN – Feature-packed router security
Pros:
- Tons of extra security features like ad blocker and malware protection
- User-friendly apps to manage router connection
- Affordable multi-year plans
- Massive server network for finding fast connections
Cons:
- Fewer router models supported than ExpressVPN
- Some advanced features unavailable for routers
NordVPN packs in extra security features beyond basic VPN protection. Its CyberSec suite blocks ads, trackers, and malicious websites at the network level when enabled on your router. So you get comprehensive protection without needing separate ad blocker software.
Setup guides are available for major router brands, plus you can use the NordVPN app to easily manage your router‘s VPN connection. Speeds are excellent with NordVPN‘s new NordLynx protocol. And subscriptions are very affordable if you sign up for a multi-year plan.
Just note that some of NordVPN‘s advanced features like Double VPN, Onion over VPN, and CyberSec are unavailable for routers. But overall it‘s a fantastic value for securing your network.
3. Surfshark – Best budget-friendly VPN for routers
Pros:
- Very affordable prices, especially long-term plans
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Easy-to-follow setup guides for routers
- CleanWeb feature blocks ads and malware at network level
Cons:
- Fewer router setup guides and supported models
- Speeds can be inconsistent
Surfshark proves you don‘t need to spend a lot to get a high-quality VPN for your router. It boasts an excellent slate of privacy features including a verified no-logs policy, secure protocols, and CleanWeb ad/malware blocker. And you can connect as many devices as you want, perfect for large households.
The tradeoff for those low prices is that Surfshark offers fewer router configuration guides than top competitors. It still covers major models from Asus, Linksys, DD-WRT and more – but not as extensively as ExpressVPN for example.
Speeds can also be hit-or-miss, often noticeably slower than our top picks. But Surfshark is an incredible value if you want router VPN protection on a budget.
4. ProtonVPN – Open-source VPN with unique router features
Pros:
- Only VPN with open-source apps for full transparency
- Secure Core servers add extra protection against network attacks
- Easy router setup app for select models
- Strict no-logs policy and Swiss privacy laws
Cons:
- Expensive unless you opt for basic plan
- No WireGuard protocol support yet
ProtonVPN stands out for its commitment to transparency and security. It‘s the only VPN that open-sources all its apps, meaning anyone can audit the code. ProtonVPN‘s Secure Core architecture adds an extra layer of protection by routing your traffic through multiple servers, making it very difficult to track.
The ProtonVPN app for Invizbox routers makes setup a snap, with easy configuration options. You can get basic ProtonVPN features for routers fairly cheaply. But to access Secure Core, you need to spring for pricier plans.
ProtonVPN‘s biggest downside is it doesn‘t support WireGuard, the speedy new VPN protocol used by most top providers. OpenVPN speeds are still decent, and you get top-notch privacy and unique security features for your router.
5. Private Internet Access – Flexible VPN for tinkerers
Pros:
- Supports a wide range of router firmware for advanced setups
- MACE feature blocks domains associated with ads, trackers, and malware
- Very affordable plans
- Huge server network with 84 countries
Cons:
- Barebones router app
- Limited customer support options
Private Internet Access (PIA) is a great VPN for router enthusiasts who like to dig into the technical details. It offers extensive setup guides for many open source router firmware options like DD-WRT, Tomato, and pfSense. So you can really customize your VPN router setup.
PIA‘s MACE feature blocks connections to domains associated with ads, trackers, and malware at the DNS level, similar to NordVPN‘s CyberSec. So your entire network is protected from online threats and annoyances.
On the downside, PIA‘s router app is pretty basic, lacking the configuration options of ExpressVPN or NordVPN. And while support articles are very detailed, live support is not 24/7. But PIA is an excellent choice for power users who want a highly customizable VPN for routers at a low price.
How to Choose the Best VPN App for Your Router
Here are the key factors to consider when picking a VPN service for your router:
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Router compatibility – Make sure the VPN supports your router brand and model. Look for detailed setup instructions, ideally with videos.
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Speed and performance – Using a VPN will always slow down your connection a bit due to the extra encryption. Pick a service with a reputation for fast, consistent speeds to minimize performance loss. WireGuard support is ideal.
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Security features – The VPN should have strong encryption, a kill switch, and a strict no-logs privacy policy at minimum. Extra features like malware blocking and multi-hop servers are great bonuses.
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Configuration options – Look for a VPN with apps and settings to customize your router connection. Features like split tunneling and choosable protocols help you optimize performance.
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Price – Protecting your entire network with a VPN router can be very cost effective, since you only need one subscription. But prices vary widely. Make sure to compare long-term plan discounts.
Once you‘ve chosen a VPN, be sure to follow the setup instructions carefully. Some routers support VPN connections out of the box, while others require flashing new firmware like DD-WRT first. When in doubt, contact customer support for help.
For best speeds and reliability, connect to the closest VPN server to your physical location. And consider using split tunneling to route speed-sensitive activities like gaming or streaming outside the VPN.
Securing Your Network with a VPN Router
A VPN-enabled router is one of the best ways to blanket your entire home network with ironclad privacy and security. By carefully choosing a trustworthy VPN service and optimizing your setup, you can protect every device without needing to run separate apps.
Our top recommendation is ExpressVPN for its stellar speeds, ease of use, and handy Device Groups feature. NordVPN and Surfshark are strong contenders as well, packing in lots of extra security features at very reasonable prices. ProtonVPN is our pick for maximum privacy and transparency, while PIA offers loads of flexibility for advanced setups.
No matter which VPN you choose, you‘ll enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing your digital life is safe from prying eyes and online threats. Your data and devices will thank you.
