Most people who use VPN only use it to stream movies and play games on their computers. But your other internet activities are not secure without a VPN. We explained it in our article on “why should you use a VPN“. Hackers and malicious attackers can easily access data such as your browsing history, IP address, and even more personal information. To prevent this from happening, most VPNs allow you to use the services on multiple devices. You can also configure your VPN on your home router so that all the devices connected to your router will be protected. However, not all VPNs are compatible with your routers. In this article, we’ve provided the 12 best VPN for your router. Let’s take a look.
1. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is our number #1 VPN for your router. Not only is it very fast, but it also provides you will fantastic services that you can use on your router. We picked this VPN first because of its lightning speed and pre-configured routers. So, you don’t need to go through so much trouble trying to connect routers. Express VPN also provides well-detailed guides to help you connect your VPN if you already have a router. It offers 24/7 live chat, email, and ticket support to assist you if you still encounter problems along the way. With ExpressVPN, you can gain access to restricted services like Netflix and Hulu, and engage in P2P data sharing.
2. NordVPN
NordVPN is another top choice for routers. It has one of the largest networks of servers, with over 5,000 across the world. With NordVPN, you can easily stream on restricted servers like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer. It is also optimized for anti-DDoS and double VPN. NordVPN also has preconfigured routers, which makes it very easy to set up. If you already have a router, you can connect your NordVPN using the guide in NordVPN’s library. It uses automatic Wi-Fi protection, DNS leak protection, strong encryption, and a kill switch to keep your data secure. You can also connect it on up to six devices on all major operating systems such as iOS, Windows, Linux, and macOS.
3. IPVanish
IPVanish has a huge network, with over 1,300 servers across 75 locations. With this VPN, you have over 40,000 IP addresses available to use on up to 19 devices. You can either buy a router that already has IPVanish installed on it or set the VPN on your current router. In any case, you can set up your VPN in a short time. To keep your data secure, IPVanish uses 128-bit and 256-bit AES encryption with PPTP and OpenVPN if you’re using DD-WRT firmware. It is a bit more expensive than other VPNs, but you’ll get the best deal if you go for the annual plan.
4. VyprVPN
VyprVPN gives you extra settings for Tomato firmware only. We picked it because it offers a lot of features including over 200,000 IP addresses and a custom stealth protocol. It even has a ‘Router app’ which allows you to easily switch servers, and pick the devices that will be features that come with the router app only work on the Tomato firmware. If you have problems connecting your VyprVPN, they offer a 24/7 live chat support. The only problem we have with VyprVPN is that it doesn’t support P2P connection. So, if you want to carry out activities like torrenting, you should opt for a different provider.
5. CyberGhost
CyberGhost doesn’t come with router-specific features, but it works great nonetheless. This VPN service ensures that your data is secure while giving you access to restricted content and services. Although there are no extra goodies, all its VPN features like lightning-fast speed, top-grade encryption, multiple servers, and stable connection can be moved to the router. It doesn’t take time to connect your VPN to your router – you should be done in a few minutes. If you encounter difficulties, you can use the prepared guides or send a message on the live chat. If you’re not sure about using CyberGhost, you can test it for 45 days and get your full money back if you don’t like it.
6. Surfshark
Surfshark is another VPN that can connect easily with your router. We love this VPN because it also allows you to connect to an unlimited number of devices simultaneously. So, whether you have a large house or you are using the VPN for your company, there are no limitations with Surfshark. Apart from providing unlimited connections, Surfshark is also very cheap. But, this doesn’t affect its quality at all. It uses MultiHop (a feature that provides double encryption), an automatic kill switch, and a no-logging policy to keep your browsing secure.
7. PrivateVPN
PrivateVPN is a small VPN service with a limited network, but it has a variety of features that can be used on your router. Just like ExpressVPN and NordVPN, it also has pre-configured routers that make it easy to use. If you want to configure your VPN and router manually, PrivateVPN has detailed guides to help you get through it easily. Even with the limited number of servers, this VPN service has fast connections. So, you can play games and enjoy streaming Ultra HD pictures seamlessly. You can use PrivateVPN on all major operating systems including Android, Amazon Fire TV, Windows, IOS, and macOS, and can connect on up to six devices at a time.
8. Buffered VPN (Encrypt.me)
If you want a VPN with minimal latency, Buffered VPN which is currently Encrypt.me is your best pick. With this VPN service, you get fast connections on both long and short hops. So, you can watch high-quality videos and play games without experiencing any lags. Buffered VPN uses 256-bit Blowfish encryption and OpenVPN protocol to keep your browsing data secure. This VPN only has 37 servers across 29 locations but is even more expensive than some VPNs with wider coverage. Also, there’s no free trial, but you can get a full refund within the first 30 days of use. You save more on Buffered VPN when you go for the annual plan.
9. Astrill VPN
Astrill VPN might be the costliest provider on the list, but it gets the job done. As one of the strongest privacy and security service providers, Astrill VPN is a treasure trove of useful features. The VPN employs the latest WireGuard protocol and offers AES-256 encryption. Furthermore, it also houses proprietary protocols and encryption to circumvent VPN blocking and geo-restrictions. Hence, those users who want to strengthen their wireless network with a VPN router should consider it. However, as said earlier, the VPN can cost $12.5 per month even with the lowest subscription plan.
10. Private Internet Access
Private Internet Access works with Tomato, pFsense, and DD-WRT gateways. It is one of the most affordable VPN services with great features for your router. We love it because it is also very easy to use and works well for its price. PIA is also very transparent, letting users know that it is not the creator of any firmware you use with it. So, you’re using them at your discretion. While you may experience some setbacks in accessing some restricted services, Private Internet Access offers 100% data privacy. You also get a 7-day money-back guarantee, so you can give it a shot.
11. Windscribe
Windscribe has over 400 servers across 60 locations. We picked this VPN service because of its pro plan that offers unlimited connections. So, you can connect as many devices as you want to your router. To keep your data secure, Windscribe uses OpenVPN and 256-bit encryption. It also has a zero logs policy. Its performance is very fast on short-range hops, but you may experience some lagging on long-range connections. If you want to use a DD-WRT router, you have to use Windscribe pro, because the free version doesn’t offer OpenVPN configuration.
12. VPN.ac
I’m sure many readers would be wondering why VPN.ac is on the list. To be honest, the new and improved VPN has much to offer, and that too at a considerable price of $3.75 per month. The VPN now comes with DNS filtering which can help routers. Furthermore, it offers WireGuard alongside propriety obfuscation to defend your network. Although its current server strength of 130 VPN servers across 21 nations might be a bit lackluster, the service makes up for it by offering innovative Elliptic Curve Cryptography, multiple connections, and cross-platform support. And since it operates from Romania with a history of over a decade, it is fairly privacy-centric.
Conclusion
To choose the best VPN for your router, ensure the VPN is fast, does not lag, have good network coverage, and uses top security features to keep your data hidden. Also, make sure it offers the best support including OpenVPN, web guides, and customer support.