How To Set Vpn On Router

Using a VPN router is the easiest way to protect all of your net-connected devices on your dwelling network. With a router-level VPN, you can protect every device on your network without the need to install the VPN on each device individually.

In this article, nosotros talk over the best pre-configured VPN routers and show y'all how to install and configure a VPN onto a router, if you already take ane that'southward capable.

What are the best VPN routers?

We have listed the best VPN routers below. These routers come up pre-configured by FlashRouters, a company that specializes in providing loftier-quality custom-flashed routers for VPN users. If you lot would like more detailed information on the routers listed below, delight keep scrolling to see our in-depth analysis of each VPN router.

Netgear R6700 - The all-time VPN router - It is terrific value for money and bully for home use
Netgear R9000 - The best VPN router for modest businesses and data-intensive households
ASUS AC5300 - The best VPN router for gaming
Linksys WRT3200ACM - The all-time mid-range VPN router for data-hungry households
Netgear R7000 - A fast VPN router that'south budget-friendly

When researching VPN routers we made sure that the routers listed to a higher place offer the following features:

Value for money
Privacy
Speed
Wi-Fi coverage
Ease of utilize

The best VPN routers - In-depth Analysis

We take a closer await at the all-time VPN routers below. Delight accept a few moments to read through each summary to see which router will work best for your particular needs.

The Netgear R6700 DD-WRT is the best value for money FlashRouter, and will be more than than powerful enough for nearly home use

Pricing
- Recertified: ^$149.99/mth
RAM
- 256MB
CPU
- 1GHz Quad-core
Wireless Speed
- 1750Mbps

The Netgear R6700 offers all the power you need at an exceptionally low cost and is more than than capable for most domicile employ-cases. With wireless data speeds of upwardly to 1750Mbps, it'southward a fantastic VPN router for streaming in Hard disk and securely browsing the cyberspace. Its 1GHz dual-core processor encrypts and decrypts VPN traffic with ease – making for fast and secure internet use.

While the R6700 is currently only available in recertified condition, don't let that put you off. FlashRouters offers an extended ii-year warranty (for only $15 more), that gives peace of mind alongside corking savings. We've put this router in our superlative spot considering of the amazing value for money that it offers. It's a solid VPN router that will be more than powerful plenty for near dwelling house users.

The Netgear R9000 DD-WRT VPN router is the most powerful router on this list and gives amazing WiFi coverage

Pricing
- Recert: ^$349.99/mth
RAM
- 512MB
CPU
- 1.7GHz Quad-core
Wireless Speed
- 7200Mbps

The Netgear R9000 is a supremely powerful router that offers data speeds of up to 7200Mbps. Its 1.7GHz quad-core processor is perfect for encrypting and decrypting VPN traffic from multiple simultaneous connections. We wouldn't necessarily recommend this router for simple home utilize, all the same, because it will merely be overkill for your typical everyday internet usage and in that location are other cheaper and very capable options in this guide. But if y'all've got lots of data-intensive connections running simultaneously, this is the all-time VPN router for the job.

This height-tier router comes with a price tag that matches, and despite existence worth every penny, the cost might put some users off. If you're looking to get the all-time VPN router for as cheaply as possible, we recommend buying a recertified router with an extended two-year warranty for $364.99.

The ASUS AC5300 DD-WRT is an absolute monster when it comes to online gaming and 4K streaming

Pricing
- New: ^$449.99/mth
RAM
- 512MB
CPU
- ane.4GHz Dual-core
Wireless Speed
- 5300Mbps

The ASUS AC5300 is a fantastic VPN router for gamers who want to protect themselves while playing competitive matches. Information technology too comes with 4T4R (four-transmit four-receive) antennae and MU-MUMO (multi-user multiple input, multiple output) technology to provide multiple connections without interference. With a one.4GHz dual-core processor and upward to 5300Mbps wireless data speeds, the AC5300 is great for content streamers, competitive gamers, and privacy enthusiasts alike.

The powerful router comes with a high price tag that may put some users off, only we think information technology's a worthy investment for hardcore gamers, privacy-conscious users, and for anyone looking for the best possible streaming feel. For the money y'all pay, yous become a beautifully designed, highly functional piece of hardware that will provide excellent WiFi coverage, and will make short work of encrypting and decrypting VPN traffic for online gaming and 4K streaming. Overall, nosotros recall it's a fantastic investment, just only for data-intensive use.

The Linksys WRT3200ACM DD-WRT is a powerful VPN router that's a perfect mid-range investment

Pricing
- Recert: ^$209.99/mth
RAM
- 256MB
CPU
- ane.8GHz Dual-cadre
Wireless Speed
- 3200Mbps

The Linksys WRT3200ACM boasts an impressively powerful 1.8GHz dual-core processor that cleaves through VPN encryptions and decryptions like butter. Information technology's an impressive mid-range VPN router that performs well on both 5GHz and two.4GHz channels – offer speeds of up to 3200Mbps. With iv powerful antennae, it's a great pick for information-intensive use, streaming, and online gaming.

With this solid functionality comes a very reasonable price tag, and even greater savings if you lot buy recertified. We love how the WRT3200ACM throws back to the design of the WRT54G, adding a modern touch to that classic bluish router face up. If you want to go a powerful router without breaking the bank, then the WRT3200ACM is the mode frontward (and with the extended warranty, peace of listen is nonetheless cheaper than buying new).

The Netgear R7000 offers faster speeds than the R6700 with just a small increase in price

Pricing
- Recert: ^$179.99/mth
RAM
- 128MB (Wink)
CPU
- 1GHz Dual-core
Wireless Speed
- 1900Mbps

The Netgear R7000 is the R6700's faster sibling, with the same 1GHz processing power and 3 powerful antennae for solid WiFi coverage. With speeds of up to 1900Mbps, information technology's a great selection for someone who wants something a little faster without having to spend a lot more than. The R7000 besides has 256MB of RAM and 128MB of flash memory, so it'due south a good choice for a abode VPN router with multiple simultaneous connections.

The R7000 used to pinnacle this listing, just it even so makes a swell case equally 1 of the best VPN routers available in its price range. While we think the R6700 is better value for money, the R7000 is a great upgrade overall for just $30 more.

What is a VPN router?

A VPN router is a router that comes with VPN-ready firmware already installed (as well known as flashed). In order to work with a VPN, the router must beginning be compatible with a specific type of firmware that allows yous to encrypt the traffic passing through your wireless router and configured with a VPN on the device (such as DD-WRT). While at that place are other variants of this technology (such every bit Tomato), non every router can be a VPN router.

Why do I need a VPN router?

Usually, a VPN client is installed on an private (internet-connected) device, creating a tunnel around the traffic being sent and received past the device. This increases your online privacy and security by blocking other people from viewing your IP accost and cyberspace usage. Doing so hides your online presence from hackers, internet service providers (ISPs), governments, or whatsoever other entity looking to steal your data or snoop on what you get up to on the internet. A VPN router can also allow you to unblock regional content on services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, hulu, and more than.

So why put your VPN on your router? Well, installing a VPN onto a router allows you to protect the traffic of whatsoever device connected to it, without having to install the VPN on every device separately.

This saves you both time and money, as a VPN router tin protect households with lots of cyberspace-connected devices at once. VPN subscriptions usually restrict users to a limited number of simultaneous connections, but a router connection only counts as a single device used, significant you can protect everything from your smartphone or laptop to net-connected devices incapable of running VPN software (such as smart TVs, Roku boxes, and gaming consoles).

What to look for in a VPN router

When it comes to using a VPN router, encrypting and decrypting VPN data is extremely processor-intensive (specially if you're using OpenVPN). Most routers would struggle with this task (particularly if there are multiple devices connected to information technology), and this can result in poor internet connectedness speeds.

Considering of this, information technology is of import to look for a router that is powerful enough to handle these connections, without slowing down your internet speed too much. Unfortunately, getting a VPN router that will piece of work to a reasonable standard ways you will need to invest actress coin in a quality router to become what you need.

Why should I use FlashRouters?

We've opted for routers that come pre-flashed with VPN software as they're much more than straightforward to fix and far simpler to use for newer VPN users. FlashRouters offers an excellent diverseness of options to come across the needs of all users, and its extended warranties and support provide real value for your coin. FlashRouters also offers routers configured specifically for ExpressVPN, letting you combine exceptional WiFi with meridian-of-the-line VPN protection.

When it comes to getting the most value for money with your router, nosotros recommend buying a recertified router with the extended two-yr warranty. This is the same warranty that yous can go for a new router, simply you can save a lot of coin by buying recertified. Alternatively, FlashRouters also offers to flash your router for yous.

One app to dominion them all

When you purchase a router from FlashRouters, you get a dedicated Privacy App that offers VPN connections and command beyond all devices instantly. Information technology\'s a groovy way to relieve time as it lets you protect your devices without having to install the VPN separately on every private device you lot want to protect. If you desire to know more than about the app, you can besides check out our review of it.

flashrouters app

Could I apply a costless VPN for my router?

We strongly recommend not using a free VPN service for your router for the following reasons:

Free services regularly accept data and speed caps, meaning that your WiFi may be slow, and even finish working altogether if your data limit is reached. The speed restrictions may also make using multiple devices impossible.
Encryption from a free service is rarely strong plenty to featherbed government restrictions and unblock regional content.
Gratis services regularly sell on user information to generate income. This can exist your internet usage, connectedness information, and even personal information.
Some free services have been known to infect devices with malware.
Free services, such as Hola, turn your device into an exit node, and hijack your bandwidth, significant your internet speeds may be slower, and someone else could exist using your IP accost.

If y'all all the same desire to effort a free service, check out our best free VPN guide for a list of recommendations. Even so, a good VPN service does non accept to be expensive, and there are plenty of cheap VPNs that provide router support.

VPN routers for pocket-sized businesses

If you lot're running a small business concern and looking for a VPN router to protect all of your devices and employees at the same time, and then we recommend the Netgear R9000 DD-WRT . Information technology has everything y'all'll need, and its fantastic WiFi coverage can handle upwardly to 12 simultaneous devices without getting sluggish. Opting for a recertified router with an extended warranty volition also aid you cut costs without sacrificing quality.

The best VPNs for businesses

How to install a VPN on a router

The process of installing a VPN on your router will differ depending on the make and model. Yet, the method will commonly become as follows:

Download the configuration files (.config). These are available from your VPN provider'due south website.
Access the control panel for your router through your web browser (for almost DD-WRT, the default accost is 192.168.one.1).
Go to the VPN client on your router's control panel (this will usually exist under the Services tab).
Set the OpenVPN client to Enabled (this will open a configuration console).
Add your server and connection details for your VPN. Most providers offer guides for this on their website.
Connect to your called VPN server.

After you lot take configured the VPN to your router, any device that is connected to it volition utilise that server location and will be protected past the VPN's encryption. For a more than in-depth caption of how to install a VPN on your router, head over to our out our in-depth DD-WRT VPN installation guide.

Don't forget, FlashRouters has a defended app to accept the hassle out of installing a VPN on your router, and information technology comes pre-installed on all of their routers.

Configuring a VPN Router

Some DD-WRT routers that support VPNs will utilise PPTP protocol. Unfortunately, this is not the most secure protocol, and, for most cases, we recommend switching to OpenVPN protocol. Keep in mind that the basic framework for DD-WRT supports OpenVPN, only that does non mean that all routers with DD-WRT will work with it. If y'all're ever unsure, information technology is best to bank check earlier buying a router whether it will provide the right support and security for your needs.

Fortunately, many VPN providers supply guides on how to prepare up your router to use either PPTP or OpenVPN. For the most part, they volition follow this general procedure:

Subscribe to the service that suits y'all best.
Log in and download the configuration files from your VPN provider's website. Pick your desired geolocation(s) merely remember that picking a country far abroad will upshot in slower net speeds. It is all-time to choose a nearby server for optimal connectedness speeds whenever possible (depending on what you are using the VPN for).
Downloading the .config files from the provider'southward website volition provide y'all with a username and password for your router'southward control panel. Keep it at hand, y'all'll need it shortly.
In a new tab, access your router past typing in 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 (if this does not work, take a look on your router's website). You can usually find the password for your router's dashboard on the router itself.
Sign in to your control console and navigate through VPN > VPN Client > Add Contour.
Select your protocol (in this case OpenVPN) and write a contour clarification.
Enter your username and countersign from stride 3.
Click on Cull File and add together the .config file from pace 2.
Upload the file and select OK when information technology is finished.
Click on Activate next to the profile to connect to that VPN location.

If you want to add together multiple locations to your VPN router, simply repeat the procedure and and so actuate and conciliate as necessary.

Different Types of VPN Router

At that place is more one type of VPN router, but the 2 most pop are DD-WRT and Tomato. Both have their pros and cons, only to briefly depict them:

DD-WRT

DD-WRT is an open-source, Linux-based firmware project that removes the restrictions placed on routers by their default programming. Flashing your router with DD-WRT gives is a nifty mode to achieve the full functionality of a business-course router, but without the extra toll. DD-WRT tends to be uniform with more routers and is particularly improve for VPN router novices. Check out our DD-WRT routers guide for more than details.

Tomato

Tomato is also a Linux-based firmware package for routers. Similar to DD-WRT, it tin can be used to flash a compatible router and turn it into a VPN gateway (though there are differences between the ii). Tomato routers are pop for their real-time network monitoring and fantastic user interface. Check out our Tomato routers VPN page for more data.

Conclusion

If you're looking for a VPN router, it'due south always best to think about what yous need it to do and start from in that location. Knowing what you need your VPN router to do will brand information technology easier to avert spending any more money than necessary (and buying recertified can take that one step further). For now, here's a quick reminder of our top picks for VPN routers:

Netgear R6700 - The best VPN router - It is terrific value for money and great for home utilize
Netgear R9000 - The best VPN router for small businesses and data-intensive households
ASUS AC5300 - The best VPN router for gaming
Linksys WRT3200ACM - The all-time mid-range VPN router for data-hungry households
Netgear R7000 - A fast VPN router that'southward budget-friendly

FAQs

While nosotros've tried to cover as much as nosotros tin in this article, if something about VPN routers is still confusing y'all, perhaps this Frequently Asked Questions department can aid:

If your question remains unanswered, try our search bar at the top of the page to find more than specific manufactures, or contact your VPN provider/router manufacturer for more data.