Being connected to the internet 24/7 is far from risk-free, only the very best VPNs will stop your personal data from being pilfered and protect your hardware. The most comprehensive place to install this essential wall of security is at the source - with the best router VPN. Without one, your traffic is open to being snooped on. Your device's IP address is exposed and incoming threats have a direct line to your hardware.
So, if you're new to VPNs, you're probably thinking: isn't this what my internet security suite is for? Well, not really. Antivirus software installs onto each of your devices individually, but that software is really the last resort. It springs into action when malicious software is detected - but that means you're already exposed. What you really need is a VPN installed right onto your router - protecting all of your internet traffic at the source.
The best router VPN at a glance:
• Best overall router VPN: ExpressVPN - View on ExpressVPN
• Best value router VPN: Surfshark - View on Surfshark
• Best router VPN for privacy: NordVPN - View on NordVPN
• Best router VPN for speed: Private Internet Access - View on Private Internet Access
The best router VPN software hides your device's IP address and all traffic goes through a secure Virtual Private Network. Your VPN can do more to keep you even safer, from kill switches to split tunnelling, and more. Not to mention the freedom to roam the globe to find content and services your ISP may normally restrict; from news sites to streaming entertainment services.
Whether you're a gamer using multiplayer servers, working from home, or just browsing the web; the best router VPN solution for you is just around the corner. And they don't cost the earth. Some excel in certain areas, such as VPNs for gaming, but most will cater for all needs at once. One thing's for sure, only the fastest VPN providers will do when it comes to streaming media or file-sharing. All of our picks below are renowned for speed and reliability.
Our experts have assessed the best router VPNs based on price, feature set and special features. But, we've also made sure they're not a nightmare to set up. Everyone's router is going to be different, so it's best to keep things simple when getting a router VPN up and running. We, and the following VPNs, have your back.
About our expertise
The team at What’s The Best are true technophiles. We don't just cover hardware like smartphones, TVs and computers, we also put operating systems and user interfaces through their paces. Very few devices we use at work or at home come without an internet connection, so security is always paramount.
Most of the time, we put a VPN between us and the outside world - and you should consider doing the same. After all, it's a small price to pay for peace of mind. Our shared knowledge and experience here means we can select the best VPNs for you. If we wouldn’t buy it ourselves, What's The Best won’t recommend it.
Please note: All prices are correct at the time of writing. VPN deals and savings are subject to change at short notice.
1.
ExpressVPN
Best overall router VPN
go.expressvpn.com
It's clear why ExpressVPN comes in at the top spot here, as not only is it thoroughly tried and tested it's currently the only VPN provider that has dedicated firmware for a massive range of UK routers. Why is this such a great idea? Well, having access to all of your VPN features right from the router itself makes everything simple. Plus, having first-party firmware on the router means fewer steps to create and secure your network.
And let's not forget that this is ExpressVPN. You will benefit from super-fast and reliable connection speeds to all of your connected devices. What better way to protect all traffic to and from every device in your home? As long as your gadgets are connected to the web through your router - with ExpressVPN installed - they're all safe and secure.
Protection is comprehensive - with a kill switch to terminate incoming threats on demand, and enhanced security features like IP masking to effectively hide your location from prying eyes. Also, ExpressVPN will prevent your internet provider from throttling your bandwidth - so wave goodbye to wondering if your connection is being limited at the exchange. Check out our quick guide to VPN jargon at the end of the page - despite the technobabble, it's actually quite easy to grasp. As always, there are cheaper options - but, not if you want dedicated firmware. New members often get special deals too.
Pros
- Dedicated router app
- Reliable security
- Constant high speeds
Cons
- Cheaper options offer nearly as much
2.
Surfshark
Best value router VPN
surfshark.com
When we use the term 'value' don't read that as 'cheap' - Surfshark is a fully-featured but affordable VPN with a suite of security features that will work perfectly with your router. With super-solid protection against multiple threats, you'll have a direct secure line to the internet at equally impressive peak speeds. Additionally, the company provide an excellent router VPN setup guide
Surfshark has well-earned credentials too, so we recommend this if you want a secure and fast connection for all of your devices at once. The issue of too many concurrent connections when running Surfshark from multiple individual devices (and by multiple, we mean a lot) and some reported kill switch issues won't happen here; that's because you're only running it once, from the router itself. Surfshark's server network is slightly larger than ExpressVPN’s too, but that means you may find a few slower servers due to the sheer number available.
Pros
- Best value for money VPN
- Impressive peak speeds
- Strong privacy
Cons
- Occasional slow server
- Kill switch issues under serious pressure
Best router VPN for speed
www.privateinternetaccess.com
Private Internet Access is, of course, a brilliant option when it comes to protecting your privacy - and there are 35,000 servers on its books. Aside from that massive coverage, the fast connection and dedicated IPs - particularly when matchmaking for multiplayer game sessions - will add up to speedy and safe global web access. There's also split tunnelling, which - in basic terms - allows you to quickly bypass the VPN on one or more devices if you need to.
In terms of getting PIA up and running, it can be set up on your router's VPN page as usual, but the company themselves recommend installing one of several third-party open-source firmware packages onto your router; However, we're not a huge fan of doing this unless you're a VPN veteran. Thankfully, PIA is also well-regarded for customer support if you need it. Once set up, the operation is easy thanks to PIA's intuitive privacy settings. There is no independent audit, so you'll need to put your trust in PIA if it is to be your chosen router VPN. No problem for us, as this is right up there with the best of them.
Pros
- Easy well-supported router installation
- 35,000 servers
- Useful privacy features
- Dedicated IPs
Cons
- No independent audits yet
4.
NordVPN
Best router VPN for privacy
nordvpn.com
NordVPN has a well-deserved rock-solid reputation for protecting your privacy. An ideal router VPN option for the especially security-conscious, its list of data-protection features is most impressive. Firstly, there's double data encryption using Nordlynx and WireGuard that work together for a truly belt-and-braces approach. Secondly, if you're a gamer there are dedicated IPs for running your own servers.
Thankfully, no matter what you like to use the internet for, NordVPN is lightning fast. A whopping 5709 super low-latency servers mean that your router will be nicely connected to a secure private network in the blink of an eye. Price-wise, these advanced privacy features do come at a premium price - but for those who need that extra layer of security, there is no other. Virtual Private Network veterans will love the wide range of customisation options, although novices will need to read up first. Lastly, you have the peace of mind of a 30-day money-back guarantee as well.
Pros
- Super security
- Fast worldwide servers
- First choice for gaming
Cons
- Tricky interface for beginners
5.
CyberGhost
Best router VPN for features
www.cyberghostvpn.com
With CyberGhost you can set up your router VPN to effectively become a ghost when venturing out onto the World Wide Web. And this etheric experience is made even more slick thanks to CyberGhost's painless router VPN setup - although, like PIA above, they advocate third-party addition router firmware over manual setup. Once done, its massive set of features is at your disposal. Strong 256-bit AES encryption, almost 10,000 servers across 91 countries - the majority are lightning-fast too.
Then you have the kill switch - instantly blocking all traffic if your VPN drops for any reason. There are no logs to maintain your privacy, you have a dedicated IP, and tons of flexibility. Despite offering 24/7 support, some users found CyberGhost’s to be a little lacking at peak times; but given the easy setup and intuitive options this is likely to be a smooth experience all around.
Pros
- Abundance of useful features
- Generous coverage
- Solid kill switch
Cons
- Customer support could be sharper
Best router VPN: Buyer's guide
Before we dive in, just a quick mention of VPN routers. Just to confuse things, a 'router VPN' is not a 'VPN router'. The latter is a physical router that comes with a comprehensive VPN function already installed. Since most users will have standard home routers provided by their ISP, we're looking at how to add a 'router VPN' to it.
How to get a VPN on a router
When you subscribe to a VPN, you can normally customise your settings by logging into your VPN account. Then you can easily install a VPN to your router by following the guidelines provided. Normally this is logging onto your router directly, accessing the VPN setting page, and inputting the info your VPN provider has given you. This info is normally DNS (Domain Name System) IP numbers for routing your traffic through the right servers, and the like.
Although we talk about 'installing' a VPN, at present only one company - ExpressVPN - provides first-party firmware that installs onto the router itself. This gives full integration with the router's functions and extended settings. The rest require entering standard router DNS settings and logging into your account on the VPN website for extended settings.
How to use a VPN with a router
The essential settings to control the Virtual Private Network are made on the router's VPN page accessed via a computer. Essentially, once you've subscribed to a VPN service, it will give you the information you'll need to configure your VPN connection settings on your router. Some VPN services provide a browser extension that will let you modify more settings that way.
Virtual Private Network Jargon explained
VPN – Virtual Private Network
DDoS attack
When an attacker floods a server with internet traffic, preventing users from accessing connected online services and sites.
ISP throttling
When your internet service provider restricts your bandwidth or speed without telling you in order to control internet traffic.
Kill switch
This kills an unprotected internet connection until a secure VPN link is re-established.
Frequently asked questions
Can my router support a VPN?
Most routers, particularly the latest ones provided by ISPs like BT, have a VPN setup page where you can input all of the settings provided by your chosen VPN. If you'd like to know more, Surfshark has an informative video on how to check if your router supports VPN.
Can I use a free VPN on a router?
Most free VPNs don’t offer router support. But if you find one that does, we still wouldn’t advise it. They normally come with a heavily restricted plan, such as strict limits on data, fewer servers, and possibly unreliable speeds. The best free VPNs do have their uses though, but they're not as feature-rich or streamlined as some of the more premium brands.
Is a VPN worth it?
Having a VPN to protect your device and your personal data is essential. It'll protect every device attached to that network or router, therefore you'll be safe no matter what tech you're using. Of course, how much you're willing to pay will come down to how much you value your data and privacy. But, as we all use our devices for gaming, shopping, entertainment and more, having a good router VPN is nothing but a wise move.
Chris Duffill is a Tech Product Writer for What's The Best. He specialises in audiovisual, computing, and gadgets. He also writes for Yours.
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