The best VPN routers of 2025

When you're deciding on a virtual private network (VPN), you can install the software directly on the devices you want to protect, install a VPN on your router, or buy a router with your favorite VPN pre-installed.

Setting up a VPN environment via your router provides blanket security and privacy coverage across home devices, eliminating the need to install VPN software on each gadget. The process is easier than you think if you have a compatible router. Some router manufacturers also provide hardware with preinstalled VPNs. In any case, opting for a VPN-ready router is an excellent way to improve your home security and privacy online.

What is the best VPN router right now?

ZDNET has years of experience testing VPN solutions and hardware. We closely monitor and test standalone VPN software. The team also takes an interest in any VPN-ready routers that reduce the potential complexities of installing the software. I also frequently conduct speed and security tests to ensure my favorites hold weight against their competitors.

My pick for the best overall VPN router is the Privacy Hero 2. This $190 router has our top preinstalled VPN, saving you the hassle of setting up and configuring the software. It also offers impressive speeds, coverage, and server selection. 

Read on to discover my other favorite VPN routers that offer excellent VPN compatibility, speed, coverage, and additional privacy features. 

Also: Best business VPNs of 2025

The best VPN routers of 2025

The Privacy Hero 2, available from FlashRouters, is my top pick for VPN-ready routers in 2025.

Why we like it: After reviewing this model, what stood out the most is how easy it is to set up and use. The idea of spending time diving into the technical area of a router to configure a VPN won't appeal to most. With the Privacy Hero 2, this job is done for you. 

The Privacy Hero 2 is lightweight, and the VPN itself can be managed through an online dashboard. You can select from VPNs, including NordVPN, Surfshark, and Private Internet Access, or opt for WireGuard. In addition, you can quickly swap between streaming servers and the country you would like to appear from. 

I also liked just how easy it was to switch server locations and countries from my web browser. This is a handy feature if you are checking out different streaming and content libraries.

An ad-blocker is also included by default, and it works pretty well as a way to reduce clutter during online sessions.

Who it's for: This model is suitable for medium-sized homes and offers speeds of up to 3,000Mbps. It also comes with a year of free NordVPN access, so you can enjoy VPN connectivity for 12 months before having to renew.

The Privacy Hero 2's typical recommended retail price (RRP) is $250. However, this model has been on sale at a price of $190 for some time. 

Who should look elsewhere: If you want a VPN router that is cheaper or suitable for travel, check out my other recommendations. 

Privacy Hero 2 features: Dual-band | Wi-Fi 6 - Wireless AX | 1.3GHz CPU | Up to 3,000Mbps | WireGuard compatible | Medium home support | One year of NordVPN free | Currently on sale

• Easy to use
• Streaming options
• VPN flexibility
• Reasonable price
• One year of premium support free

• Short Ethernet cable

The Privacy Hero 2, available from FlashRouters, is my top pick for VPN-ready routers in 2025.

Why we like it: After reviewing this model, what stood out the most is how easy it is to set up and use. The idea of spending time diving into the technical area of a router to configure a VPN won't appeal to most. With the Privacy Hero 2, this job is done for you. 

The Privacy Hero 2 is lightweight, and the VPN itself can be managed through an online dashboard. You can select from VPNs, including NordVPN, Surfshark, and Private Internet Access, or opt for WireGuard. In addition, you can quickly swap between streaming servers and the country you would like to appear from. 

I also liked just how easy it was to switch server locations and countries from my web browser. This is a handy feature if you are checking out different streaming and content libraries.

An ad-blocker is also included by default, and it works pretty well as a way to reduce clutter during online sessions.

Who it's for: This model is suitable for medium-sized homes and offers speeds of up to 3,000Mbps. It also comes with a year of free NordVPN access, so you can enjoy VPN connectivity for 12 months before having to renew.

The Privacy Hero 2's typical recommended retail price (RRP) is $250. However, this model has been on sale at a price of $190 for some time. 

Who should look elsewhere: If you want a VPN router that is cheaper or suitable for travel, check out my other recommendations. 

Privacy Hero 2 features: Dual-band | Wi-Fi 6 - Wireless AX | 1.3GHz CPU | Up to 3,000Mbps | WireGuard compatible | Medium home support | One year of NordVPN free | Currently on sale

The ExpressVPN Aircove is another one of my top picks thanks to its speed, ease of setup, and security. 

Why we like it: When you pick a VPN-ready router, you need to consider stability and speed. The $190 Aircove achieves speeds up to 1,200Mbps (600Mbps/2.4GHz) when the VPN is not in use. You should still expect speeds to drop marginally when you are connected to VPN servers.

ExpressVPN is one of my favorite VPNs of 2025. This is largely due to consistently minimal speed loss during my tests, as well as its suitability for beginners, streaming, and traveling. If you plan to use a VPN on your router 24/7, it is an excellent choice either via Aircove or another VPN-ready router.

There's also a feature to diversify the servers used by devices connected to the router. For example, you might not want to connect your gaming PC to the VPN and have an office laptop run through a U.S. or U.K. server. Parents and guardians can also take advantage of parental control settings.

Also: ExpressVPN vs Surfshark

Who it's for: It offers dual-band connectivity for homes and offices, providing coverage of up to 1,600 square feet, making this router another suitable option for family homes.

You will need an ExpressVPN subscription, but a free trial is included with the router. Plans begin at $5 per month on a two-year contract. Four months of free access are included. 

Customer feedback indicates that users enjoy its excellent speed and performance, but there are some reports of instability. 

Who should look elsewhere: If $5 per month is a bit more than you want to spend on a VPN, I've listed other router options with cheaper or free VPNs included. 

ExpressVPN Aircove features: Wi-Fi 6 | Built-in VPN | 802.11ax, 802.11ac | Diverse server locations | Ad-blocking | Threat manager | Parental controls | Includes free trial 

• Built-in VPN
• Up to 1,600 square feet of coverage
• U.S. and international versions

• VPN exclusivity
• VPN subscription is expensive

The ExpressVPN Aircove is another one of my top picks thanks to its speed, ease of setup, and security. 

Why we like it: When you pick a VPN-ready router, you need to consider stability and speed. The $190 Aircove achieves speeds up to 1,200Mbps (600Mbps/2.4GHz) when the VPN is not in use. You should still expect speeds to drop marginally when you are connected to VPN servers.

ExpressVPN is one of my favorite VPNs of 2025. This is largely due to consistently minimal speed loss during my tests, as well as its suitability for beginners, streaming, and traveling. If you plan to use a VPN on your router 24/7, it is an excellent choice either via Aircove or another VPN-ready router.

There's also a feature to diversify the servers used by devices connected to the router. For example, you might not want to connect your gaming PC to the VPN and have an office laptop run through a U.S. or U.K. server. Parents and guardians can also take advantage of parental control settings.

Also: ExpressVPN vs Surfshark

Who it's for: It offers dual-band connectivity for homes and offices, providing coverage of up to 1,600 square feet, making this router another suitable option for family homes.

You will need an ExpressVPN subscription, but a free trial is included with the router. Plans begin at $5 per month on a two-year contract. Four months of free access are included. 

Customer feedback indicates that users enjoy its excellent speed and performance, but there are some reports of instability. 

Who should look elsewhere: If $5 per month is a bit more than you want to spend on a VPN, I've listed other router options with cheaper or free VPNs included. 

ExpressVPN Aircove features: Wi-Fi 6 | Built-in VPN | 802.11ax, 802.11ac | Diverse server locations | Ad-blocking | Threat manager | Parental controls | Includes free trial 

The Asus RT-AX1800S isn't the best of the best, but it is one of my top choices if you need something entry-level and affordable.

Why we like it: The Wi-Fi 6 model operates on the 2.4GHz frequency and offers up to 1,000Mbps speeds. It also offers free Internet of Things (IoT) device security via Asus AiProtection. The router has a built-in VPN, Asus Instant Guard, which you can activate with the press of a button. This removes the need to subscribe to another service.

This router is compatible with AiMesh and includes five Ethernet ports -- one Gigabit WAN (wide area network) and four Gigabit LAN (local area network). You can also purchase Wi-Fi extenders if you need to increase its range in larger homes.

Customers say this router is great value for money, and many are impressed with the parental controls and security functions. The free VPN is designed to be user-friendly, but some customers report occasional disconnection issues.

Who it's for: This is one of the most affordable VPN-ready routers on the market. Over at Amazon, you will only pay $70 while its on sale, making it a top choice if you need something budget-friendly.

Who should look elsewhere: The built-in VPN will help you preserve your privacy, but it's unlikely to match the standards of competitors such as ExpressVPN or NordVPN. If you want the best in terms of speed and reliability, consider one of my other recommendations.

Asus RT-AX1800S features: Dual-band | 2.4GHz | Up to 1,000Mbps speeds | Parental controls | AiMesh compatible | One Gigabit WAN port and four Gigabit LAN ports | Currently on sale

• Affordable
• Free security
• AiMesh compatible

• Bland design
• Some users report speed issues

The Asus RT-AX1800S isn't the best of the best, but it is one of my top choices if you need something entry-level and affordable.

Why we like it: The Wi-Fi 6 model operates on the 2.4GHz frequency and offers up to 1,000Mbps speeds. It also offers free Internet of Things (IoT) device security via Asus AiProtection. The router has a built-in VPN, Asus Instant Guard, which you can activate with the press of a button. This removes the need to subscribe to another service.

This router is compatible with AiMesh and includes five Ethernet ports -- one Gigabit WAN (wide area network) and four Gigabit LAN (local area network). You can also purchase Wi-Fi extenders if you need to increase its range in larger homes.

Customers say this router is great value for money, and many are impressed with the parental controls and security functions. The free VPN is designed to be user-friendly, but some customers report occasional disconnection issues.

Who it's for: This is one of the most affordable VPN-ready routers on the market. Over at Amazon, you will only pay $70 while its on sale, making it a top choice if you need something budget-friendly.

Who should look elsewhere: The built-in VPN will help you preserve your privacy, but it's unlikely to match the standards of competitors such as ExpressVPN or NordVPN. If you want the best in terms of speed and reliability, consider one of my other recommendations.

Asus RT-AX1800S features: Dual-band | 2.4GHz | Up to 1,000Mbps speeds | Parental controls | AiMesh compatible | One Gigabit WAN port and four Gigabit LAN ports | Currently on sale

This VPN-ready router is powerful enough to see you through the years to come and is hardware to consider if you want to utilize multiple connections simultaneously. 

Why we like it: The Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 is optimized for gamers who will appreciate its gaming accelerator, 2.5G/10G LAN and WAN ports, and quad-core processing power. This option also includes Asus' VPN Fusion feature.

VPN Fusion lets you connect to multiple VPN servers simultaneously. You can assign your devices to different VPN tunnels such as selecting a server for your PC, another for your smart TV, and so on.

Also: Best Mini PCs of 2025

Who it's for: Customer reviews suggest the VPN is an excellent option for gamers, and the VPN Fusion feature is popular with those who do not mind getting technical. 

This router is currently on sale for $299 if you opt for the 10G port model. 

Who should look elsewhere: Some customers consider the price point to be high, and it's far from the most affordable router on the market. 

Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 features: Wi-Fi 6E | Tri-band | 6GHz band | VPN Fusion | 2.5G, 10G LAN/WAN ports | Quad-core processor | Gaming accelerator | Range booster | Currently on sale

• Stylish
• Flexible VPN server options
• 6GHz compatible
• 10G port

• Expensive

This VPN-ready router is powerful enough to see you through the years to come and is hardware to consider if you want to utilize multiple connections simultaneously. 

Why we like it: The Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 is optimized for gamers who will appreciate its gaming accelerator, 2.5G/10G LAN and WAN ports, and quad-core processing power. This option also includes Asus' VPN Fusion feature.

VPN Fusion lets you connect to multiple VPN servers simultaneously. You can assign your devices to different VPN tunnels such as selecting a server for your PC, another for your smart TV, and so on.

Also: Best Mini PCs of 2025

Who it's for: Customer reviews suggest the VPN is an excellent option for gamers, and the VPN Fusion feature is popular with those who do not mind getting technical. 

This router is currently on sale for $299 if you opt for the 10G port model. 

Who should look elsewhere: Some customers consider the price point to be high, and it's far from the most affordable router on the market. 

Asus ROG Rapture GT-AX11000 features: Wi-Fi 6E | Tri-band | 6GHz band | VPN Fusion | 2.5G, 10G LAN/WAN ports | Quad-core processor | Gaming accelerator | Range booster | Currently on sale

The GL.iNET Beryl-AX is an excellent option if you want flexibility in your VPN choice, and you want to take your router with you when you travel.

Why we like it: This pocket-sized, powerful router has a 1.3GHz processor and can reach speeds of up to 3000Mbps. It also includes a Gigabit Ethernet port and a USB port.

The router offers implementation options with all the major VPN providers, including NordVPN, ExpressVPN, IPVanish, and Private Internet Access, as it supports the OpenVPN, WireGuard, and OpenWRT protocols.

As a bonus, you can have your router preconfigured with your preferred VPN upon purchase.

For further protection when you're traveling, check out ZDNET's extensive research on the best travel VPNs.

Who it's for: Customers say this router is portable, works extremely well, and is easy to configure, making it my top choice for a travel-friendly VPN router. 

Who should look elsewhere: It's small, but its $150 price point may deter some customers. However, it is cheaper on Amazon, or you can use the code ZDNET on Flashrouters for $30 off. In addition, service plans are expensive, and so this might make you look elsewhere. 

GL.iNET Beryl-AX features: Multi VPN-compatibility | Travel-friendly | 1.3GHz processor | Gigabit Ethernet port | OpenVPN, Wireguard, and OpenWRT compatibility

• VPN flexibility
• Gigabit Ethernet port
• Portable
• Sleek design

• Lack of ports
• Expensive support plans

The GL.iNET Beryl-AX is an excellent option if you want flexibility in your VPN choice, and you want to take your router with you when you travel.

Why we like it: This pocket-sized, powerful router has a 1.3GHz processor and can reach speeds of up to 3000Mbps. It also includes a Gigabit Ethernet port and a USB port.

The router offers implementation options with all the major VPN providers, including NordVPN, ExpressVPN, IPVanish, and Private Internet Access, as it supports the OpenVPN, WireGuard, and OpenWRT protocols.

As a bonus, you can have your router preconfigured with your preferred VPN upon purchase.

For further protection when you're traveling, check out ZDNET's extensive research on the best travel VPNs.

Who it's for: Customers say this router is portable, works extremely well, and is easy to configure, making it my top choice for a travel-friendly VPN router. 

Who should look elsewhere: It's small, but its $150 price point may deter some customers. However, it is cheaper on Amazon, or you can use the code ZDNET on Flashrouters for $30 off. In addition, service plans are expensive, and so this might make you look elsewhere. 

GL.iNET Beryl-AX features: Multi VPN-compatibility | Travel-friendly | 1.3GHz processor | Gigabit Ethernet port | OpenVPN, Wireguard, and OpenWRT compatibility

• Tri-band
• Extreme speed
• Game accelerator
• Great square-foot coverage

• Requires configuration
• Expensive outside of sales
• Bulky design

Our favorite VPN routers, compared

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

VPN router vs VPN app: How do you decide?

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

What is a VPN router service and why should you use one?

A VPN router service is a VPN that can either be installed directly on a compatible router or has already been enabled on a specific router. 

Today's routers are often compatible with VPNs but installing them isn't always the same process. You may have to be comfortable with a deep dive into technical settings and have a basic understanding of networking to do so. 

Some VPN providers offer routers with preinstalled VPN software, but you must sign up for a subscription. Consider using a VPN-ready router if you do not want to have to go through the process of installing the software manually on all of your devices or if you want to ensure that every device connected to your Wi-Fi network is protected. Just keep in mind that you may be locked to a particular VPN and it may be difficult to switch providers in the future.

How to set up your VPN router: Configuration and encryption made simple

Installing a VPN on your router allows all 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, but 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 internet protocol (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 installation guide, check out:How to set up a VPN on your router

Choosing the right VPN router

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

Factors to consider when choosing a VPN router

When you are researching a new VPN router, consider these points before making a purchase:

• Do it yourself? If you want a VPN for your home network, consider installing one directly on your router. DIY options often require some technical knowledge, and you will need to be comfortable changing your router settings. 
• 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. Pre-installed VPNs may be custom VPNs provided by the router manufacturers or they will be the result of partnerships with third-party VPN providers. 
• Affordability: VPN routers are available for a variety of budgets. If you can, consider a future-proof VPN router that can support next-generation Wi-Fi and provide good coverage and speeds. Larger homes will need more square footage of coverage. 
• 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, as free VPNs will usually limit your device connections. 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 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.

How did I choose these VPN routers?

While compiling my recommendations for the best VPN routers of 2025, I considered a number of important factors, including:

• Speed: There's no point investing in a new router capable of handling VPN environments unless it serves its core purpose: providing fast, solid, and stable connections to the internet. 
• Home coverage: I considered traditional router models and options that provide scalable mesh networking for larger homes needing a wider internet coverage net.
• VPN support: I included a range of models with built-in VPNs, standalone VPN support, and mobile products for VPN protection on the go. I know that what might suit one user won't always suit another, so the VPN options must be flexible.
• Budgets: I covered different budgets. Although my priorities are security, speed, and reliability, I wanted to ensure that we included affordable products alongside future-proofed routers.
• Customer reviews: I also examined customer reviews in depth, including positive and negative experiences, and factored this feedback into our recommendations.
• Vendor reputation: I considered the reputation of router manufacturers, including their popularity, variety, and product accessibility. 

The bottom line: Is a VPN router worth it?

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 also save you time in the long run as any device that connects to your router will use the VPN and be protected. This can be particularly 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 work from home with numerous devices needing protection. If you are a remote worker, some organizations may require you to use their own VPN to access corporate resources.

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.

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