The Best VPN Routers Of 2024

*MSRP at the time of writing. Please note that actual prices may vary depending on available sales, deals, discounts, and coupons.

There are advantages and disadvantages to using a VPN-enabled router or a standalone VPN app, the most important of which are compared below.

A VPN router service is a VPN that can either be installed directly on your router, or has already been enabled on a specific router. Today's routers are often compatible with VPNs, but installing them isn't all the same.

Some VPN providers also offer routers with preinstalled VPN software, but you must sign up for a subscription. You should consider using a VPN-ready router if you do not want to install your VPN manually on all of your devices or if you want to ensure that every device connected to your Wi-Fi network is protected.

Installing a VPN on your router allows all of your devices to access the same VPN network and connection. This creates blanket protection and IP masking, but it can be challenging to set up.

Remember that your router will act as a VPN client rather than a server and share the VPN with devices connected to it. Here are some general steps to take, although they may change depending on your router and existing setup:

• Check your router's compatibility. Not every router will run a VPN natively -- although many modern routers do have the capacity.
• Sign up for a VPN service. Unless your router comes with a built-in VPN, you will likely need a subscription.
• Access your VPN's firmware. You will need to do so through your router's IP address.
• Under settings, you should find a VPN tab, and you will need to enable VPN services and choose between a static or dynamic IP address.
• The VPN client can now be installed, although you may need to tweak your network settings. 

For an extensive guide on installing a VPN on your router, check out:How to set up a VPN on your router

Choosing the best VPN router involves many factors. If you want to purchase a VPN-ready VPN, you will find the best use cases for each of our recommendations below. 

When you are considering a new VPN router, there are some key points you should consider before making a purchase decision:

• DIY: If you want a VPN for your home network, you should consider whether you want to install a VPN directly on your router. 
• Preinstalled options: If you don't want to tamper with router settings yourself to install a VPN, consider a router model that comes with a VPN preinstalled. 
• Affordability: VPN routers are available for a variety of budgets. If you can, you might consider a future-proof VPN router that can support next-generation Wi-Fi and provide good coverage and speeds.
• VPN: You also need to take into account the VPN service you want to use. If you have a preferred VPN, ensure that the router you want supports it. 
• Subscriptions: You will likely need to purchase a subscription. While there are a handful of free VPN plans offered by trustworthy vendors, most of them come with limitations. These may not be suitable for use on a router, as you may quickly run out of bandwidth. As a result, you should factor in the cost of a VPN subscription, even if it is just a basic, paid plan.
• Other purposes: The VPN might be the most important aspect, but you should also consider whether other features are important to you -- such as tri-band functionality, gaming optimization, or additional security features. 

While we were deciding on the best VPN routers of 2024, we considered a number of crucial factors, including:

• Speed: There's no point investing in a new router capable of handling VPN environments unless it serves its core purpose: to provide solid and stable connections to the internet. 
• VPN support: We have included a range of models with built-in VPNs, VPN support for standalone VPN services, and mobile products for VPN protection on the go.
• Budgets: We wanted to provide a variety of options suitable for different budgets, but our priorities were security, speed, and reliability.
• Customer reviews: We have also examined customer reviews in-depth, including both positive and negative experiences.
• Vendor reputation: We have considered the reputation of router manufacturers, including their popularity, variety, and product accessibility.

For a more extensive breakdown, check out our comprehensive VPN testing methodology page.

If you want to install a VPN directly onto a router, the process can be more of a hassle than just signing up for an app. It can, however, save you time in the long run as any device -- like a PC or a smartphone -- that connects to your router will use the VPN and will be automatically protected. In particular, this can be useful if you have internet-connected devices, including TVs and IoT products, that cannot support a VPN on their own hardware. 

You might want to consider setting up a VPN on your router if you have numerous devices needing protection, and you work from home. If you are a remote worker, however, some organizations may require you to use their own VPN to access corporate resources.

A caveat: some online platforms, such as streaming services, will detect when you are using a VPN and may block you. If this is the case, you may have to temporarily disable your VPN service to resume watching.