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 the best 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.
Top 3 router VPNs
The five best router VPNs
✔️ You're looking for a simple, streamlined experience. ExpressVPN's super simple interface that makes getting protected easy for beginners and experts alike.
✔️ You want to stream global content. ExpressVPN's unblocking capabilities are super reliable.
✔️ You value your privacy. Thanks to its countless audits and history of protecting its users, you can be confident in your safety.
❌ You're on a strict budget. ExpressVPN certainly isn't the cheapest on the market. Those looking for a better price may want to consider NordVPN or Surfshark.
❌ You want a fuller suite of software. Other VPNs like NordVPN offer a wider range of additional cybersecurity features.
ExpressVPN is one of the very best VPN I've tested. From its excellent privacy features to its great speeds to its powerful unblocking capabilites, it's an all-round top VPN. Not to mention it's super easy to use – and you can try it out with its 30-day money-back guarantee.
ExpressVPN just about has it all. Not only does it deliver the best service for regular devices, the British Virgin Islands-based firm also offers the easiest and most effective way of installing a router VPN.
Unlike a number of other options further down this list, ExpressVPN offers its own custom router firmware you can use on a wide range of compatible routers. Essentially, that means you can control the router VPN from ExpressVPN’s own easy-to-use dashboard rather than delving into your router’s settings.
The very best way of getting ExpressVPN up and running on a router, though, is to buy Express's own Aircove router. Preloaded with ExpressVPN software and ready to use in five minutes, it's quite simply the easiest way of getting a VPN on a router. Highly recommended if you're looking for a long-term router solution.
However, if you don’t have a compatible router, you can still install a VPN connection manually on a host of other routers. One big benefit of using a compatible router, though, is the fact you can set up split tunnelling – that means you can choose which devices use the VPN connections and which don’t.
If things don’t go to plan – and if it’s your first time installing a VPN on a router, something may well go wrong – ExpressVPN has class-leading 24/7 live-chat support which is pretty much indispensable when undergoing an in-depth process like this.
If you want to test out ExpressVPN, it also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee which lets you get to grips with the service without committing. Head and shoulders above any other VPN on this list, Express really is your best bet if you want a reliable router VPN.
| Feature | Comments | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Simple, navigable design that’s easy on your eyes and straightforward to understand | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Beginner-friendly, little to no expertise needed | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Reliable and very fast, although some others deliver higher peak speeds. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Servers in 160 locations and 90 countries ensure limitless content | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Top-notch security with 256-bit AES encryption | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Expert assistance is available 24/7 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Slightly more expensive than other options | ⭐⭐⭐ |
✔️ You want the very best VPN service on the market. While it may not be the best router VPN, NordVPN tops our list of the best VPNs.
✔️ Netflix access is a priority. NordVPN unblocks more locations than any other provider I've tested, making it our #1 rated VPN for Netflix.
✔️ You want more than just a VPN. Not only is NordVPN a great VPN, it also offers malware detection and ad-blocking on its standard plans, with even more cybersecurity features available on higher tiers.
❌ You like simple apps. Nord's map interface can be quite busy - if you want simple, go for ExpressVPN.
❌ You torrent often. NordVPN can be somewhat slow to download torrented files as only some of Nord's servers are configured for P2P.
NordVPN offers excellent privacy, speed, streaming service unblocking all for very reasonable prices. Its apps may be a little complex, but overall, it's a market-leading VPN for a reason. You can also use its 30-day money-back guarantee to make sure it's the right fit for you.
The name NordVPN is almost synonymous with the VPN industry as a whole, and if you've been on the search for a quality router VPN, you've no doubt been recommended this provider. Thankfully, in our NordVPN review it proved to be seriously capable, and certainly deserves the limelight it lives in.
However, NordVPN doesn’t offer a dedicated router VPN app, which makes setup somewhat difficult. Pre-configured routers are available from providers like FlashRouters, and while they're good to go out the box, they're quite expensive.
Go for that, though, and you can use the FlashRouters Privacy app, and NordVPN is a ‘premium partner.’ While you can use the app with a number of other VPNs including ExpressVPN, premium partners get additional features like automatic server updates and smart server sorting.
Nord’s great for streaming, unblocking Netflix, iPlayer, Hulu and tons more, and if it’s active on your router you’ll be able to take advantage of those devices that don’t natively support VPNs like consoles and TVs. Plus, even devices like your Ring doorbell and Alexa will benefit from your fully encrypted connection.
While we’d still recommend you get hold of one, if you don’t have a router that the ExpressVPN app is compatible with – and don’t want to buy one – NordVPN’s FlashRouters integration is a very good alternative.
| Feature | Comments | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Fun interface but might seem a little crowded for some users | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Though simple to use, the map-like design might not work for everyone | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | One of the fastest with an average speed of 950 Mbps | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Effortlessly unblocks most content streaming platforms | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Strong encryption with additional features like Threat Protection for safe streaming | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Reliable 24/7 customer support | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Provides ample value for the price. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
✔️ You're looking for quality on a budget. Surfshark proves that low price does not have to mean low quality.
✔️ You have a need for speed. Surfshark offers the same super fast speeds as NordVPN, topping out at 950 Mbps.
✔️ You have tons of devices. Thanks to its unlimited simultaneous connections policy, you can use one Surfshark plan on as many devices as you like.
❌ You truly rely on your kill switch. Under extreme pressure it testing, I was able break Surfshark's kill switch where ExpressVPN and NordVPN held firm.
❌ You're a hardcore torrenter. While Surfshark can be used torrenting effectively, but if the main thing you want to use a VPN for is sharing P2P, try ExpressVPN.
Surfshark is one of those rare examples of a product combining genuinely premium features with an incredibly low price. While it's not quite as powerful as the leading two providers, it's super secure, can be installed on unlimited devices, and also offers a 30-day refund period.
If you’re looking to spend as little money as possible and still get a premium VPN, Surfshark could be a good option – check out our full Surfshark review for more.
Like Nord, Surfshark doesn’t provide its own router VPN app – but for some, its bargain price and premium performance might be worth that trade-off. With great speeds, excellent apps on other devices and unlimited connections, it’s a top-notch service we really like.
Now, note how Surfshark has unlimited connections. That’s one of the reasons many people install router VPNs in the first place – to avoid simultaneous device restrictions – so if that’s your reasoning for investigating a router VPN, it could make sense to simply get a VPN with no restrictions and leave your router alone.
Otherwise, like all the other VPNs on this list, Surfshark can be set up manually on routers, and you can also use the FlashRouter app with it to make it easier to change your VPN’s settings. So, while it doesn’t have any dedicated router features, Surfshark’s great value, and might offer an alternative to a router VPN entirely.
| Feature | Comments | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Minimalistic, clean, and intuitive design | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Beginner-friendly and easy to understand | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Seriously quick and almost on par with NordVPN | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Great at unblocking streaming apps and getting around censorship | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Kill switch isn’t the best, but everything else is excellent | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Decent 24/7 customer support and tons of help articles | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Cheap VPN with excellent value for money | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
✔️ You want unlimited connections. Like Surfshark, IPVanish allows you to use a single IPVanish plan across unlimited devices.
✔️ You're a fan of in-depth interfaces. IPVanish includes tons of data in its apps.
❌ You want to pay the same price forever. Prices go through the roof if you fail to cancel and resubscribe at the end of your plan.
❌ You're a Netflix addict. While IPVanish is a capable streaming VPN, it can't unblock some niche locations like Japan Netflix.
IPVanish scores fairly consistently across the board when it comes to speed, streaming and customization. Unfortunately, it just can't keep up when it comes to our top providers.
IPVanish has been around for a long time, and it’s a fan favorite with those who like to get techy and in-depth with their VPN. The desktop apps are black and lime green with rolling graphs and data everywhere, and you can configure just about everything you want – something we really liked in our full IPVanish review.
Alongside NordVPN, IPVanish is FlashRouters’ only other premium partner featured on this list. That means that you’ll be able to get full access to the app, which is really useful. You’ll also get great baseline connection speeds with your router VPN, plus useful support.
What really stands out with IPVanish, though, is its comprehensive setup guides for pretty much every compatible router on the market. They’re long, detailed, and have useful screenshots to assist you through the whole process if you don’t fancy splashing out on a preconfigured one.
As a router VPN to set up manually, IPVanish is an excellent option – but it's worth noting that it has slipped rank overall due to the fact that while IPVanish has stayed reliable, others have innovated and now simply outperform the old hand. And, it's worth noting that over the past year or so it hasn't been incredibly useful for streaming, and currently can't unblock amazon Prime Video.
| Feature | Comments | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Fairly attractive, but complex to navigate | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Not as easy as many other providers | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Very good speeds of around 770Mbps | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Pretty reliable, but not flawless | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Audited, reliable, and trustworthy | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Articles aren't hugely helpful, although live chat is available | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | Decent to begin with, but renewals hikes are hefty | ⭐⭐⭐ |
✔️ You don't want to worry about third-party influence. VyprVPN owns all of its servers, meaning you don't need to worry about third-party breaches.
✔️ You want support for many different types of devices. Vypr has support for a huge range of different devices and operating systems.
❌ You want high speeds. VyprVPN does not have the best speeds of the other VPNs on this list.
❌ Streaming is a top priority. VyprVPN struggles to unblock some streaming sites including US Netflix.
IPVanish has been around for a long time, and is pretty good across the board. It's fast, decent for streaming, and offers plenty of customization. However, compared to the leading providers, it hasn't quite kept up with the pack.
VyprVPN is a smaller provider, but it’s got a fair bit of clout in the VPN world. As a verified no-logging service you can be pretty sure your data is being kept private, but one of the bonuses we outline in our VyprVPN review is that it’s the only other VPN on this list to have a dedicated, in-house router VPN app.
The few steps needed to get the app set up are clearly outlined on Vypr’s site, and the app itself is crisp, clear, and functional. However, VyprVPN’s not higher on this list because the app only supports Tomato routers – and even then, there are a number of caveats. For example, split tunnelling is available, but on some later versions of Tomato it’s not. A little awkward, then.
Regardless of the app’s downfalls, though, we’re glad it’s there – but if you don’t have a Tomato router you can still install the VPN like normal by flashing and setting up a VPN connection. Although not a premium partner, VyprVPN is still compatible with the FlashRouter Privacy app, so that can make things a little easier.
However, if you're a big streamer, VyprVPN may prove to be a let-down. It can't unblock Netflix in any region, and hasn't always been reliable in the past for other sites.
So, if you’ve got a Tomato router it's a decent choice. For any other router, though, there are better options.
| Feature | Comments | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Fairly attractive and easy to navigate | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of use | Very easy to use | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Performance | Decent speeds, not as good as other providers | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Unblocking | Cannot unblock everything, but is transparent about this | ⭐⭐ |
| Security and privacy | Great security, could do with another audit | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Customer support | Helpful articles, live chat and email support all available | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Price | More expensive than other VPNs for a per-month subscription | ⭐⭐ |
Router VPN FAQs
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.
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, if you install a router VPN, then any number of devices or individuals can use your VPN connection.
Do I really need a router VPN?
If you're on this page you've probably made the decision that you do. That might be because you want to stream geo-blocked content on your games console or smart TV, or perhaps you just want that blanket protection.
However, if you just want to get around the limits on how many devices you can have simultaneously connected to a VPN, we'd suggest a service like Surfshark or IPVanish, which provide unlimited connections. That way you can install the app on as many devices as you want without entering your router's settings at all.
How should I get a router VPN?
Router VPNs can be complex and tricky to set up – and there's a chance you'll brick your router if you configure it wrongly. That's why we highly recommend either signing up to ExpressVPN and using the dedicated app, or buying a pre-configured router.
If you're up for a challenge, though, there are some great guides that – if followed correctly – should be able to direct you though the process successfully.
What are the downsides of using 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.
If this happens, 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 – you can find a list of DD-WRT-compatible routers 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.
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.
Disclaimer
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
