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Once thought of as solely the choice for those conducting nefarious activities, it now just makes sense for everyone to have an extra layer of security with a VPN when browsing online, especially when doing things like checking one's online banking account.
Without a VPN, your data is effectively open to anyone because it's not encrypted. While most people don't have to worry too much about being spied on, it's still a risk that's not worth taking. Circumventing it by installing a VPN really doesn't take much effort. It's simple enough to find a good quality VPN service — such as ExpressVPN or Private Internet Access — before setting it up with your devices.
Setup is where things can get tedious. One method is to install a client onto every single device in your home. The odds are though, you have multiple devices that connect to your WiFi network — from your laptop and smartphone to your TV or even kitchen appliances. Installing a VPN on every device takes time and it's far from the convenient solution.
Instead, you can download a single VPN client directly to your router. That way, every device connected to your router will use the VPN without any need for you to interfere further.
It's the safest option, especially if you have kids or tech novices in your home, and you want to keep things secure with minimal hassle.
What is a VPN?
For an extensive explanation, check out our full deep dive of what a VPN is. Otherwise, we’ll give you a quick rundown. A virtual private network (VPN) encrypts your activity to shield your data and let you 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 secure, which is especially handy if you’re using an unsecured public WiFi network. Even in your own home, a VPN is useful for secure browsing, bypassing some regional restrictions, and more.
What is a VPN router?
Routers don’t automatically come installed with a VPN, but you’re able to download a VPN service onto them. Some support the OpenVPN standard which means you can configure a VPN with any provider that supports this, while others can have their firmware changed to a third-party alternative that supports VPNs.
Setting up a VPN on your router can be tricky, and PCMag’s Max Eddy wrote, “While it makes sense in theory, I've always felt it is more trouble than it's worth.” That said, if you know what you’re doing and you have lots of devices you want to be covered by a centralized VPN, you’ll probably find that the worth outweighs the trouble.
Should I use a VPN with my router?
Configuring your router with a VPN means that any device connected to your router is protected under that VPN. So, you don’t have to get multiple VPNs, and smart home devices that can’t otherwise be configured to use a VPN are able to be protected.
Most VPN subscriptions limit the number of devices you can connect to, and you have to pay extra if you want to add on any additional devices. Configuring your router to a VPN acts as a sort of loophole that gets around those limitations. Because the router pairs with any device connected to your wireless network, they’re all protected by that one VPN.
One instance where a VPN router is actually very useful is if you happen to own a small business like a cafe where random people will be connecting to your WiFi throughout the day. The VPN router will help protect customers’ data and it falls to the individual if they want protection on their devices once they leave.
Drawbacks of using a VPN on your router
Hooking your router up with a VPN isn’t some magic, all-powerful solution. There are a few drawbacks. For starters, as we mentioned earlier, it can be kind of a pain in the ass to set up. It’s not as simple as downloading an app on your computer or phone. Just looking at the ExpressVPN setup instructions might be enough to discourage the average person from attempting to configure their router with a VPN. But if you're techy and good at following instructions, you'll probably be able to figure it out. We believe in you. P.S. there are some routers pre-configured to ease the process, but they can get pretty pricey.
Aside from installation difficulties or high price tags, protecting your devices via a VPN on your router means that they won’t be protected when you leave your home and are no longer connected to your network. This isn’t a problem for devices like gaming consoles and desktop computers. But your mobile phone or laptop will be vulnerable unless you have a VPN installed directly onto them.
Additionally, not every service you use functions properly under a VPN. Streaming services like Netflix and Hulu work to block VPN usage to prevent users from accessing content only available in other countries. Banks might also block VPNs to prevent crooks from accessing accounts. If these services won’t work for you under your VPN router, you’ll either have to switch off your VPN or have a second router that’s not connected to a VPN that you use for certain devices or services. Neither is an ideal solution, but they are workarounds if you’re set on installing a VPN on your router. Using a VPN will also slow down your WiFi speed, but not by a significant amount.
The best VPNs to use with routers
VPNs aren't all the same, so you can't just pick any VPN service to install on your router. Our top picks are NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and SaferVPN.
NordVPN has more than 5,500 servers in 59 countries, operates under a verified no-log policy (meaning the service doesn't collect any information transmitted through the network), has unlimited speed and bandwidth, and is good for streaming.
ExpressVPN has 160 servers in 94 countries, features unlimited bandwidth, is straightforward compared to third-party firmware, comes built in to flash routers from brands like Linksys, Asus, and Netgear.
SaferVPN has more than 1,300 servers in 50 countries, is good for streaming and downloading, and supports multiple VPN connection types like OpenVPN.
Do I need a special router for VPN?
Not every router is designed to host a VPN, though many let you install one even if they aren't pre-configured. As we mentioned, ExpressVPN is configured on some Linksys, Asus, and Netgear routers for easier setup. So, yes, you do need a special router for VPNs. Look for one with intuitive firmware and/or native VPN support. (All of the routers on this list are compatible with a VPN. We wouldn’t do you dirty by including any that aren’t.) Here are our top picks for the best routers to configure with a VPN in 2021.
