A VPN – virtual private network – has had a somewhat dodgy reputation. It was once considered a way to carry out nefarious activities online. These days, it makes sense for everyone to have an extra layer of security when browsing online. Especially when doing things like checking online banking.
Without a VPN, your data is effectively open to anyone because it is not encrypted. While most people don’t have to worry too much about being spied on, it still represents an unnecessary risk. Circumvent this risk by installing a VPN. It’s easy to find a quality VPN.
But before you buy yourself a VPN, we recommend getting a router to install it first. It’s easier than installing a VPN client on each device. confused? It seems a bit complicated if you’re not into technology. To help, we’ve put together a guide and list of the best routers for VPNs.
What is a VPN?
The world of VPNs can quickly get very complicated, but we’ll give you a quick summary. A VPN encrypts your activity to protect your data and allows you to use the Internet anonymously. It gives you an extra layer of privacy and security against hackers and data collectors. A VPN on your device will make your IP address untraceable and keep your data safe, which is especially useful if you’re using unsecured public WiFi. Even at home, a VPN is useful for secure browsing, bypassing some regional restrictions, and more.
How do you install a VPN?
Preparation is where things can get trivial. One way is to install a VPN client on every device in your home. However, you likely have many devices connecting to your WiFi network, from your laptop and phone to your TV — and maybe even your kitchen appliances if you’ve decided to go all-in smart home. Installing a VPN on each device takes time and effort. Alternatively, you can download a single VPN client directly to your router. This way, every device connected to your router will automatically use the VPN. It’s the safest option, especially if you have kids or tech newbies in your home, and if you want to keep things secure with the least amount of hassle.
What is a VPN router?
Routers (usually) don’t have a VPN pre-installed, but you can download a VPN on them. Some support the OpenVPN standard which means you can configure the VPN with any provider that does, while others can change their firmware to a third-party alternative that supports VPNs. Setting up a VPN on your router can be difficult. But if you know what you’re doing and have a lot of devices you’d like to cover with a central VPN, you’ll likely find that the benefit outweighs the problem — it’s certainly less hassle than setting up a VPN on each device individually.
Should you use a VPN with your router?
Configure your router Using a VPN means that any device connected to your router is protected under this VPN. So, you don’t have to have multiple VPNs, and smart devices that can’t be configured to use a VPN are protected. Most VPN subscriptions limit the number of devices you can connect to, and you’ll have to pay extra if you want to add any additional devices. Configuring your router to have a VPN is a kind of loophole that gets around these limitations. Since the router pairs with any device connected to your wireless network, they are all protected by one VPN.
One example where a VPN router would actually be very useful is if you own a small business like a coffee shop where random people will connect to your WiFi all day long. A VPN router will help protect customer data and it is the individual’s responsibility whether they want protection on their device once they leave.
What are the downsides of using a VPN on your router?
As mentioned earlier, setting up VPNs can be difficult. It’s not like downloading an app on your phone. Just looking at ExpressVPN’s setup instructions may be enough to discourage the average person from trying. But if you are interested in technology or good at following instructions, you will be able to master it. We believe in you. And remember, protecting your devices via a VPN on your router means that the devices will not be protected when they leave your home and will no longer be connected to your network.
Additionally, not every service you use works properly under a VPN. Streaming services like Netflix and Hulu block the use of a VPN to prevent users from accessing content that is geo-blocked (i.e. only available in other countries). Banks may also block VPNs to prevent cybercriminals from accessing accounts.
What are the best VPNs to use with routers?
Our top picks are probably NordVPN and ExpressVPN. It pays to take your time when it comes to choosing a VPN, because there are a lot of different services that offer similar sets of features. Fortunately, we can help you find the best VPN.
What is the best VPN router?
The decision is ultimately yours and depends on your smart home setup and internet usage, but we’ve done the hard work researching and compiling this list of the best VPN routers. There is something for everyone here.
These are the best VPN routers in 2025.