Ema Pennell
Setting up a VPN (Virtual Private Network) on your router is a great way to improve online security while also protecting all devices connected to the network: PCs, laptops, smartphones, smart TVs, and even consoles. And don’t worry about the installation process — I’ll guide you through it.
| Question | Brief answer |
|---|---|
| What is a VPN router? | It’s a Wi-Fi router with a VPN installed on it, which provides VPN protection to an entire network and any device connected to it. |
| How do I install a VPN on a router? | To install a VPN on your router, you need to have a VPN subscription and follow the instructions for your particular router. |
| Which routers support VPNs? | You can check whether your router supports VPN in the manual or by searching for such information online. |
| What if my router isn’t VPN-compatible? | If your router isn’t VPN-compatible, you could get a new router or install VPN clients on individual devices. |
| How do I optimize VPN router performance? | Choose the VPN server closest to your physical location. |
What are the pros and cons of installing a VPN on my router?
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Provides security for every connected device | VPN overhead will always include some minor speed penalty |
| No need to install additional VPN clients or to remember to connect to the VPN | Installing a VPN on a router isn’t the easiest task |
Safeguard your entire home network with VPN encryption
Shield all your devices with a VPN router solution
Get SurfsharkWhat is a VPN router?
A VPN router refers to a regular router with VPN software installed on it or a router specially designed for hosting a VPN. VPN routers provide a VPN connection and effectively encrypt the internet traffic on every device connected to your network. In other words, it achieves network-wide data encryption with just one device actually having a VPN set up on it.
How does a VPN router work?
When you set up a VPN on your router and connect to a server, all data from browsers, apps, games, services, and other sources is sent and received through a secure VPN tunnel between your device and the VPN server.
This means you don’t have to install VPN clients on every device you own. Additionally, VPN protection is extended even to devices that don’t natively support VPN apps. So, by setting up a VPN on your router, you inherently protect all devices connected to your Wi-Fi network — smartphones, laptops, TVs, smart home appliances, and more.
How do I know if my router is VPN-compatible?
While not all routers are VPN-compatible (for instance, you can’t install a VPN on Starlink routers if you’ve not upgraded to the provider’s static IP), you can check whether yours can support VPN software by:
- Reading the manual: this information should be in a printed manual that came with the router, or you can find a digital one online;
- Check your router online: entering “[router model] VPN compatibility” in a search engine like Google should give you all the information you need.
How to setup a VPN on a router
VPN installation begins with the VPN itself. If you don’t have one, consider purchasing a Surfshark VPN subscription.
Once you have a VPN subscription, you’ll need to access your router’s configuration panel, go to the VPN settings, and set it up as a VPN client. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Open the router configuration panel. Access it by entering your router’s IP (Internet Protocol) address in your browser, just like a URL. If you don’t know your router’s IP address, here’s how you can find it:
- For Windows 10 users:
- Open the Start menu, type in Command Prompt, and click Open;
- A console window will appear; type ipconfig and press Enter;
- Your router’s IP address should be on the Default Gateway line.
- If you’re using macOS:
- Open System Settings from the Apple menu;
- Click on Network;
- Select Wi-Fi;
- Click on Details next to the network you’re connected to;
- You will find your router’s IP address displayed next to Router.
- Check for a VPN client tab. It is usually found under your router’s advanced settings, but depending on your router’s model and brand, this section may be elsewhere. Click around the settings to find it.
If you didn’t find it, your router is not VPN-compatible. But don’t worry — most routers can be made VPN-compatible with specific firmware (see how to make your router VPN client-compatible below).
- Check for a VPN client tab. It is usually found under your router’s advanced settings, but depending on your router’s model and brand, this section may be elsewhere. Click around the settings to find it.
- Make sure your connection is VPN-protected. One way to do this is to search “what is my IP” on Google and see if it shows a different IP address. If your IP address remains the same, double-check that you followed the instructions correctly and/or contact customer support.
Different types of routers that support a VPN
There are four main router types:
ISP-issued routers
This type refers to routers provided by an ISP (Internet Service Provider), most of which don’t support a VPN and can’t be configured to support one.
Consumer routers
Consumer routers can be bought in stores. Most routers in this category should be compatible with a VPN but aren’t configured to support one right away.
Custom firmware or preconfigured routers
These types of routers are configured (flashed) to support a VPN and already have the appropriate software installed. However, they typically sell for a higher price.
VPN router boxes
VPN router boxes are designed with built-in VPN capabilities. These user-friendly devices offer dedicated VPN settings and can be seamlessly configured with popular VPN services.
If you’re reading this article, chances are you have a consumer router. Here’s how you can check if your router supports VPN software from the get-go:
Having trouble installing a VPN on your router?
If installing a VPN on your router proves to be a tougher nut than you can crack — don’t worry. Surfshark’s support team is here to help you 24/7. You can submit a request or start a live chat at our Help Center, and our experts will help you install Surfshark VPN on your router. So don’t hesitate to contact us.
Find specific instructions for your router firmware
Surfshark’s Help Center has detailed VPN installation instructions for some routers:
- TP-Link Deco (WireGuard®)
- GL.iNet (WireGuard®, OpenVPN)
- Keenetic (WireGuard®, OpenVPN)
- FRITZ!Box (WireGuard®)
- Asus VPN Fusion (WireGuard®, OpenVPN)
- OpenWRT (WireGuard®, OpenVPN)
- DD-WRT (WireGuard®, OpenVPN)
- OPNsense (OpenVPN)
- AsusWRT (OpenVPN)
- Portal (OpenVPN)
- Tomato (OpenVPN)
- Asus Merlin (OpenVPN)
- Sabai (OpenVPN)
- Freebox (OpenVPN)
- pfSense 2.4.4 (OpenVPN)
- Synology NAS (OpenVPN)
- QNAP (OpenVPN)
- Netduma R1 (OpenVPN)
- MikroTik (IKEv2)
- Linksys (requires flashing firmware)
Tips to get the most out of your VPN router
- Connect to the nearest VPN server. If you want speed, connect to a VPN server closest to your location. The more servers a VPN provider offers, the greater your options.
- Don’t double up unnecessarily. Don’t have a VPN running on both your router and your device — your VPN-protected router has got you covered! Doubling up on the VPN connections will decrease your internet speed.
- Look for the latest encryption standards. Newer encryption standards are faster and more secure. WireGuard, IKEv2, and OpenVPN are the best, most secure protocols on the market. However, not all VPN routers support them. Make sure your VPN client isn’t going to waste on a VPN router that can’t fully support it.
- Be cautious of free VPN services. Free VPN service providers may not have the security standards of paid ones. You may find yourself dealing with slower performance, intrusive ads, and possibly even having your online activity logged and sold to third parties.
- Bookmark your router settings. That’s the router’s IP address we talked about before. Have it bookmarked on your browser so you can easily access the VPN router settings whenever you need.
Setting up a VPN on a router: pros and cons
You might be wondering why you should install a VPN on your router. The fact is, it all boils down to personal preference. Convenience might be the answer for most, but here are some pros and cons to help you form an informed opinion:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Saves time when installing the VPN | Harder-to-control settings |
| Secures all home devices at all times | Router-dependant capability |
| Ensures buffer-free & private streaming | Unencrypted connection between the device and router |
| Protects your guests that connect to your Wi-Fi | More involved installation |
| Also works on devices you can’t install a VPN on |
Pros
- Saves time when installing the VPN. A VPN router comes with a preconfigured VPN, which makes setting up your VPN connection on all your devices much quicker than managing all of them individually. This is especially true for a home network with multiple devices, as it eliminates the need for repetitive installations.
- Secures all home devices at all times. You can protect every device on your home network with a VPN router. It ensures that all internet traffic within your home benefits from an encrypted connection, minimizing the risk of sensitive data being exposed.
- Ensures buffer-free & private streaming. Routing your internet traffic through a VPN tunnel makes it easier to access streaming services without the fear of ISP bandwidth throttling based on traffic type. Linking your VPN service to a router can pave the way for safer, uninterrupted streaming — even on mobile devices.
- Protects your guests that connect to your Wi-Fi. When guests use your Wi-Fi connection, they also benefit from the security your VPN client provides. Adding more devices to your network connection won’t automatically put a heavier load on your VPN server.
- Also works on devices you can’t install a VPN on. Some devices are harder to connect to a VPN service than others. Setting up a VPN router extends your protection to a wider range of devices, including smart TVs, gaming consoles, and more.
Cons
- Harder-to-control settings. Fiddling with a router’s settings is often more challenging than adjusting a VPN client directly. If you want to assign different settings to your devices, you may have to use a configuration file or your router’s advanced settings.
- Router-dependent capability. A VPN’s performance greatly relies on your chosen router’s capabilities. Some router models have limited processing power and bandwidth, and these underpowered, outdated options may struggle to deliver a secure, stable internet connection.
- Unencrypted connection between the device and router. A VPN encrypts traffic between your router and the internet, but the connection between your device and the router itself can technically remain unencrypted. Since your device isn’t directly linked to a VPN server, data may be more exposed to prying eyes.
- More involved installation. Some VPN users might feel overwhelmed by setting up a network connection with a router. For those unfamiliar with the ins and outs of VPN servers, establishing a new connection or going through a configuration file may seem intimidating.
In conclusion: Take your VPN router out for a spin
Setting up a VPN router may seem daunting, but it’s relatively easy when well-informed. The benefits — such as saving time on VPN installation and securing all connected devices in one go — speak for themselves. Having read this article, you’re now armed with the knowledge of how to set up your home VPN router.
May we suggest Surfshark? Our VPN has excellent setup guides for various routers and an optimized server network that offers great speeds. If anything goes amiss, you can rely on the 24/7 support service to help you get back on track. Even better: you can choose from a variety of pre-flashed (read: preconfigured) VPN routers — with Surfshark already installed.
Disclaimer: Please note that using Surfshark services for any illegal activities is strictly forbidden and violates our Terms of Service. Make sure that any use of Surfshark services for your particular activities conforms to all relevant laws and regulations, including those of any service providers and websites you access using Surfshark.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I set up a VPN on a router?
1. Access your router’s control panel by typing in your IP in the browser’s address bar;
2. Install the VPN firmware on your router by downloading it from the DD-WRT website;
3. Install a VPN app;
4. Go to the VPN tab in the router’s control panel;
5. Enable the OpenVPN Client and enter your server info;
6. Hit Save and Apply Settings.
Can I use a VPN on a Wi-Fi router?
Yes, you can install and use a VPN on your router, but first, check the router model and whether it’s VPN-compatible. A VPN on a router encrypts ALL of your network’s data, enhancing your online safety on any device using Wi-Fi.
Can you set up a VPN on any router?
You can install a VPN on most routers, but in some instances, it might breach some terms of service or agreements. ISP-issued routers naturally don’t support a VPN but can be flashed to support it; some internet providers state in their terms of service that changing their issued firmware or software may result in fines.
Should I put a VPN on my router?
Generally speaking, it’s more convenient and solves the problem of your device not supporting a VPN app. A router with a VPN setup encrypts all network traffic, eliminating the need to install and activate VPN apps on individual devices.
