A VPN router can make it much easier to protect your home network. Instead of installing a VPN application separately on every computer, phone, smart TV, game console, or other connected device, a compatible router can connect directly to a VPN service and route network traffic through the VPN.

However, not every router advertised as a “VPN router” works in the same way. Some routers only support VPN servers, which allow you to connect back to your home network while away. Others support a VPN client, which lets your home network connect to a commercial VPN service.

For most people looking for a router to use with a service such as NordVPN, Surfshark, Proton VPN, or another provider, VPN client support is the feature that matters most.

This guide looks at what makes a good VPN router, the types of routers worth considering, and what to check before buying one.

What Is a VPN Router?

A VPN router is a router that can create a VPN connection at the network level.

With a normal VPN setup, you might install a VPN application on your laptop and connect to a VPN server. Only that device is using the VPN connection.

With a VPN router, the router itself can act as the VPN client. Devices connected to that router can then use the VPN connection without requiring individual VPN applications.

Depending on the router and its configuration, you may be able to route:

• Every device through the VPN
• Only selected devices through the VPN
• Different devices through different VPN tunnels
• Certain types of traffic through the VPN

For example, ASUS describes its VPN Fusion feature as allowing different devices to be assigned to VPN tunnels, while GL.iNet provides VPN client functionality for its routers.

What Makes a Good VPN Router?

The fastest router isn’t necessarily the best VPN router.

When shopping for one, pay attention to these features.

Feature	Why It Matters
VPN client	Allows the router to connect to a VPN provider
WireGuard	Modern VPN protocol generally designed for high performance.
OpenVPN	Widely supported and useful for compatibility
Device selection	Lets you decide which devices use the VPN
VPN policies	Useful for routing different devices differently
Gigabit Ethernet	Important for wired high-speed connections
Strong Wi-Fi	Determines wireless performance
Firmware support	Determines available VPN features
Kill switch	Can prevent traffic from leaving outside the VPN in supported configurations
Easy configuration	Makes VPN setup considerably easier

One of the biggest mistakes is buying a router simply because it mentions “VPN” on the specifications page.

VPN server and a VPN client are different features.

A router with VPN server functionality may allow you to connect to your home network remotely, but that does not necessarily mean the router can connect to your commercial VPN subscription.

Best Types of VPN Routers

Rather than treating one router as universally best, it makes more sense to choose according to your needs.

1. GL.iNet Routers for Dedicated VPN Use

GL.iNet is particularly focused on VPN-capable networking equipment.

Its current router lineup includes models designed specifically around VPN use, and GL.iNet states that its routers support more than 30 commercial OpenVPN and WireGuard VPN services.

Its current software also provides a dedicated VPN client interface. Depending on the firmware, users can configure VPN providers directly or upload configuration files.

This makes GL.iNet routers particularly interesting for people who want a router primarily for VPN use rather than adding VPN functionality to an ordinary wireless router.

GL.iNet Flint 2

The Flint 2 (GL-MT6000) is a high-performance home router designed with VPN use in mind.

GL.iNet lists up to 900 Mbps WireGuard client performance and up to 880 Mbps OpenVPN client performance under its test conditions. Real-world performance can vary based on the VPN server, network connection, configuration, and other factors.

The router supports VPN client functionality and can also operate as a VPN server.

For someone with a fast home internet connection who wants substantial VPN throughput, this type of dedicated VPN router can be worth considering.

GL.iNet Beryl 7

For people who want something smaller, GL.iNet’s Beryl 7 is another VPN-oriented option.

GL.iNet currently lists the Beryl 7 as a VPN client router with support for WireGuard and OpenVPN.

A compact router like this can be useful when you need portability, a secondary VPN network, or a router for travel.

2. ASUS Routers With VPN Fusion

ASUS is another strong option if you want a traditional full-size home router with advanced VPN functionality.

Selected ASUS routers include VPN Fusion, which allows VPN profiles to be configured on the router and assigned to particular devices.

ASUS’s documentation explains that compatible routers can use VPN Fusion to connect to VPN servers and assign devices to particular VPN profiles.

This can be useful if you don’t want every device in your home to use the VPN.

For example:

• Work laptop → normal internet
• Gaming PC → normal internet
• Smart TV → VPN
• Streaming device → VPN
• Personal laptop → VPN

The exact options depend on the ASUS router model and firmware.

ASUS also supports WireGuard on compatible models and firmware versions.

Why Choose ASUS?

ASUS can make sense if you want a conventional home networking system with additional VPN capabilities.

It can be especially useful for households that want:

• Strong Wi-Fi
• Multiple Ethernet ports
• VPN client functionality
• Device-level VPN assignments
• Gaming features
• Advanced networking controls

However, VPN Fusion is not available in the same form on every ASUS router. Always check the specific model before purchasing.

3. TP-Link Routers With VPN Client Support

TP-Link also offers routers with VPN client functionality.

Its current documentation states that compatible routers can connect to a third-party VPN server as a VPN client. Supported protocols vary by model and can include OpenVPN, PPTP, L2TP/IPSec, and WireGuard.

TP-Link’s VPN Client feature can route selected devices through a VPN without requiring VPN software on every device.

This makes TP-Link worth considering if you already prefer its networking ecosystem.

The important word here is compatible.

You should not assume that every TP-Link router supports VPN client functionality simply because another TP-Link model does.

Check the specifications and firmware documentation for the exact model you intend to buy.

Best VPN Router Options by Use Case

There isn’t one router that is automatically right for every household.

Use Case	Router Type to Consider	Important Features
Dedicated VPN home router	GL.iNet	VPN client, WireGuard, OpenVPN
High VPN performance	GL.iNet Flint 2	High WireGuard/OpenVPN throughput
Traditional home router	ASUS	Wi-Fi, VPN Fusion, device assignment
Advanced device routing	ASUS VPN Fusion models	Multiple VPN profiles
TP-Link ecosystem	Compatible TP-Link models	VPN Client, WireGuard/OpenVPN
Travel VPN	Compact GL.iNet router	Portability, VPN client
Smart TV VPN	Any compatible VPN client router	Device-based routing
Gaming + VPN	High-performance router	WireGuard, device selection
Multiple VPN connections	Compatible advanced router	Multiple profiles/tunnels

WireGuard vs OpenVPN on a VPN Router

The VPN protocol can have a major effect on performance.

WireGuard

WireGuard is a modern VPN protocol designed to be relatively lightweight and efficient.

Many newer VPN routers, including compatible models from ASUS, GL.iNet, and TP-Link, support it.

ASUS describes WireGuard as a modern protocol with a relatively lean design, while GL.iNet’s documentation emphasizes its performance advantages compared with OpenVPN.

For a router-based VPN, WireGuard is often worth looking for if your VPN provider supports it.

OpenVPN

OpenVPN is older and has extremely broad support.

It remains useful when compatibility is more important than maximum performance.

Some routers also implement OpenVPN optimizations such as DCO, which can improve performance compared with older implementations.

The best choice ultimately depends on the router, VPN provider, firmware, and network environment.

Do You Need a VPN Router If Your Router Already Supports VPN?

Not necessarily.

Before buying another router, check your current router’s specifications.

Your existing router may already support:

• VPN client
• WireGuard
• OpenVPN
• VPN server
• Device-based VPN routing
• VPN policies

If it supports the features you need, replacing it may not provide much benefit.

For example, TP-Link currently documents VPN client functionality on supported routers, while ASUS provides VPN client and VPN Fusion functionality on selected models.

VPN Router vs VPN App

The biggest advantage of a VPN router is that it can protect devices that don’t support VPN applications.

Consider a home with:

• Two smartphones
• Two laptops
• A smart TV
• A PlayStation
• Several smart-home devices

Installing a VPN application individually can become inconvenient.

A router-based VPN can place the VPN connection at the network level.

However, there is also a disadvantage.

If everything uses the VPN, some applications may experience:

• Higher latency
• Lower speeds
• Location-related issues
• Streaming compatibility problems
• Captcha or verification prompts

That’s why device-based routing can be useful.

Should Every Device Use the VPN?

Not necessarily.

A better configuration for some households is to use the VPN selectively.

For example:

Device	VPN
Personal laptop	Yes
Smart TV	Yes
Streaming device	Optional
Work computer	No
Gaming console	Optional
Printer	No
Smart-home devices	Optional
Guest devices	No

This approach can reduce unnecessary VPN traffic while allowing specific devices to use the VPN.

The exact capability depends on your router.

What About Gaming?

Gaming requires special consideration.

A VPN can sometimes increase latency because your traffic travels through an additional VPN server.

That doesn’t mean VPNs are always unsuitable for gaming. It depends on the distance to the VPN server, the VPN provider’s quality, your ISP, and the game’s network architecture.

If gaming is your priority, look for:

• WireGuard support
• Fast VPN processing
• Gigabit Ethernet
• Device-level VPN routing
• The ability to bypass the VPN for your gaming system

A router that lets you choose which devices use the VPN can be particularly useful.

VPN Routers for Smart TVs

Smart TVs are another common reason people choose a VPN router.

Many TVs don’t offer the same VPN application support as computers and smartphones.

A VPN-enabled router can provide the VPN connection to the TV through the network.

This can also work with other devices such as:

• Streaming boxes
• Media players
• Game consoles
• Blu-ray players
• Certain smart-home devices

ASUS specifically notes that router-based VPN access can be useful for devices such as smart TVs that cannot install VPN software directly.

How Fast Should a VPN Router Be?

Your internet plan matters, but the router’s VPN processing capability matters too.

A router might advertise extremely high Wi-Fi speeds while delivering much lower VPN throughput.

For example, a router may have fast Wi-Fi hardware but a processor that struggles to encrypt and decrypt VPN traffic.

When comparing VPN routers, look for actual VPN performance where the manufacturer provides it.

GL.iNet, for example, publishes separate WireGuard and OpenVPN client performance figures for the Flint 2 rather than relying solely on its general Wi-Fi specifications.

Remember that manufacturer test results are not guarantees of your actual speed.

Your real-world VPN performance depends on:

• Internet connection speed
• VPN protocol
• VPN server location
• VPN server load
• Router processor
• Firmware
• Encryption overhead
• Wi-Fi conditions
• Network congestion

What About Mesh Wi-Fi?

Mesh systems can be convenient for large homes, but VPN functionality needs additional research.

A mesh system may support VPN server functionality without supporting VPN client functionality.

Another system might support VPN client mode but provide limited device-routing controls.

If VPN use is one of your main requirements, check:

• Whether the system supports VPN client mode
• Which protocols it supports
• Whether WireGuard is available
• Whether individual devices can be assigned to VPN profiles
• Whether all mesh nodes support the same VPN configuration

Don’t purchase a mesh system based solely on its Wi-Fi coverage.

Can You Use a VPN Router Behind an ISP Router?

Yes, but the network configuration matters.

For example:

ISP gateway → VPN router → home devices

This setup can work, but it may create a double-NAT configuration.

Depending on your equipment, you may instead be able to:

• Put the ISP gateway into bridge mode
• Disable its routing functions
• Place the VPN router in the appropriate DMZ configuration
• Use the ISP device only as a modem

The correct approach depends on the ISP equipment.

If you’re using fiber internet, the ISP’s optical network equipment may also have specific requirements, so don’t change bridge or routing settings without checking the equipment documentation.

What Should You Check Before Buying?

Use this checklist before purchasing a VPN router.

VPN Client

Make sure the router can act as a VPN client if you want your home network to connect to a commercial VPN service.

WireGuard

If performance is important, look for WireGuard support.

OpenVPN

OpenVPN remains useful for compatibility.

VPN Provider Compatibility

Check whether the router supports your specific VPN provider.

GL.iNet, for example, provides integrated support for multiple commercial VPN providers and also allows manual configuration files for other providers.

Device-Based Routing

This allows you to select which devices use the VPN.

VPN Performance

Look for real VPN throughput rather than only advertised Wi-Fi speeds.

Firmware

VPN features can vary between hardware revisions and firmware versions.

Updates

A router that receives regular firmware and security updates is preferable to an abandoned model.

Common Mistakes When Buying a VPN Router

Mistake 1: Assuming “VPN” Means VPN Client

A router may advertise VPN support while only offering VPN server functionality.

Always check specifically for VPN client support.

Mistake 2: Ignoring WireGuard

If your VPN provider supports WireGuard, buying a router without it may limit your options.

Mistake 3: Looking Only at Wi-Fi Speed

A router’s maximum wireless speed doesn’t tell you how quickly it can process encrypted VPN traffic.

Mistake 4: Forgetting Device Routing

If you want some devices on VPN and others outside the VPN, make sure the router supports that configuration.

Mistake 5: Assuming Every Model in a Series Has the Same Features

VPN capabilities can differ between models, regions, hardware revisions, and firmware versions.

Always verify the exact model.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best type of router for a VPN?

A good VPN router should support VPN client mode, WireGuard or OpenVPN, sufficient processing power, and preferably device-based VPN routing.

Is a VPN router better than a VPN app?

Neither is automatically better. A VPN router is convenient for protecting multiple devices, including devices that don’t support VPN applications. A VPN app usually provides more flexibility on an individual device.

Does a VPN router slow down internet?

It can. VPN encryption and routing require additional processing, and the VPN server itself can affect speed and latency.

Can I use NordVPN or Surfshark on a VPN router?

Potentially, depending on the router and its supported protocols. Some routers provide integrated configuration options, while others require configuration files.

Is WireGuard better than OpenVPN for a router?

WireGuard is often attractive for router use because of its lightweight design and performance characteristics, but OpenVPN remains useful for compatibility. The practical result depends on the router and VPN service.

Can a VPN router protect my smart TV?

Yes, if the smart TV connects through a router configured as a VPN client. This can be particularly useful when the TV itself doesn’t support the VPN application you want to use.

Can I choose which devices use the VPN?

Some routers support device-based routing or VPN policies. ASUS VPN Fusion and compatible TP-Link VPN Client implementations provide examples of this type of functionality.

Do I need a special VPN router?

Not necessarily. Some standard consumer routers already support VPN client functionality. However, dedicated VPN-oriented routers can simplify configuration and may deliver stronger VPN performance.

Conclusion

The best VPN router depends on what you actually need from your home network.

A dedicated VPN-focused router such as a compatible GL.iNet model can be appealing if VPN functionality is your main priority. ASUS routers with VPN Fusion can be useful when you want advanced device-based VPN routing alongside traditional home networking features. Compatible TP-Link routers are another option for users who want VPN client functionality within the TP-Link ecosystem.

Regardless of the brand, look beyond the words “VPN supported.” Check specifically for VPN client support, WireGuard or OpenVPN compatibility, VPN throughput, device-based routing, firmware support, and compatibility with your VPN provider.

For many households, the ability to choose which devices use the VPN is just as important as raw VPN speed. A flexible configuration lets you use the VPN where you need it, without forcing every device on your network to use the same connection.