By configuring a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to your Asus router, you can rest assured that the traffic to and from every internet-connected device is encrypted, providing you with a secure online experience. Additionally, a VPN can be a powerful tool to bypass geo-restrictions set by sites like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, giving you more control over your online content.
Asus is one of the best options for VPN routers. Most Asus routers come with a built-in OpenVPN client which makes for easy setup. This also means that more VPNs are compatible with Asus routers than with routers made by other brands. The robust hardware and user-friendly interface of Asus routers makes them an ideal choice for VPN setup. However, not all VPNs work well with Asus routers, and those that do offer varying levels of performance.
Ready for our expert recommendations? We’ll delve into more detail shortly, but if you’re eager for a quick overview of the best VPNs for Asus routers, here’s a sneak peek at our list:
- NordVPN:Â Our top recommendation for an Asus router VPN. With a large server network and superfast speeds, NordVPN is great for securely streaming and browsing. Also comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Asus routers. - Surfshark:Â A budget Asus VPN with strong security features and unlimited simultaneous connections. Impressed average speeds and reliable performance with streaming platforms.
- IPVanish: A privacy-focused VPN and a popular option for torrenters. A powerful streaming VPN that works with plenty of streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
- ExpressVPN: This VPN is easy to set up on compatible router models. Optimum speeds for streaming. It offers many key features, including strong security and 256-bit AES encryption.
- ProtonVPN: Speedy servers in over 100+ countries. Can reliably access all manner of streaming services and puts your security first. Simple setup instructions for Asus routers.
- PureVPN: A no-logs service that works almost anywhere in the world. Supports most streaming platforms, offers very high speeds, and provides manual setup guides for Asus routers.
- PrivateVPN: Unblock a ton of geo-restricted content with this small but speedy VPN. A reputable provider with DNS leak protection and 256-bit encryption.
Many VPNs claim to work with Asus routers but most (especially free VPNs) are often blocked.
We regularly test the top 70 VPNs with all major streaming sites and this list only includes VPNs which reliably unblock Asus routers and offer a full money-back guarantee, allowing you to try them risk-free.
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There are no strings attached here—just contact support within 30 days if you decide NordVPN isn't a good fit and you'll get a full refund. Start your NordVPN trial here.
How we found the best VPNs for Asus Routers
There are many solid Asus router VPNs out there, but they differ in terms of security, performance, and other factors. Here are the main criteria used to compile this list of the best VPNs for Asus routers:
- Compatible and easy to configure with Asus routers
- Offers fast speeds
- Utilizes strong security features
- Can unblock most popular streaming sites
- Keeps no logs
- Offers excellent customer support
You can read more about our testing methods and the results of those tests in the methodology section below. First, let’s take a closer look at the providers that impressed us.
Best VPNs for Asus routers – Our hands-on review
We’ve tested and compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for Asus routers.
| No value | NordVPN | Surfshark | IPVanish | ExpressVPN | Proton VPN | PureVPN | PrivateVPN |
| Website | NordVPN.com | Surfshark.com | IPVanish.com | ExpressVPN.com | ProtonVPN.com | PureVPN.com | PrivateVPN.com | Ranking for Asus routers | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Streaming Services | Netflix Amazon Prime BBC iPlayer Hulu | Netflix Amazon Prime BBC iPlayer Hulu | Netflix Amazon Prime BBC iPlayer Hulu | Netflix Amazon Prime BBC iPlayer Hulu | Netflix Amazon Prime | Netflix Amazon Prime | Netflix Amazon Prime | Avg Speed (Mbps) | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps | 74 Mbps | Popular Sites Unblocked | 95% | 88% | 85% | 86% | 87% | 80% | 85% | Total number of servers | 7,164 | 3,200 | 2,400 | Undisclosed | 10,000+ | 6,000+ | 200+ | Simultaneous Connections | 10 | Unlimited | Unlimited | 8 | Free: 1, VPN Plus: 10 | 10 | 10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best deal (per month) | $3.39 Up to 72% off 2 year plans | $2.19 86% OFF + 3 months free | $6.49 Best MONTHLY deal | $4.99 SAVE: 61% + 4 months free on 2 year plans | $2.99 SAVE 70% on a 2-year plan | $1.99 85% off the 5-yr standard plan | $2.00 Save 85% on a one year plan + 24-months free |
Best VPNs for Asus routers
Here’s our ranked list of the best VPNs for Asus routers:
1. NordVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
- FireTV
VPN Ratings:
| Overall score: | 9.7 / 10 |
|---|---|
| Ease of use: | 9.6 / 10 |
| Router suitability: | 10.0 / 10 |
| Security & privacy: | 9.5 / 10 |
| Streaming: | 9.2 / 10 |
| US speed: | 10.0 / 10 |
Website: www.NordVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
NordVPN is our first pick for an Asus router VPN. For manual configuration, NordVPN provides tutorials for both AsusWRT (Asus’ native firmware) and Asuswrt-Merlin (a custom firmware). Pre-configured NordVPN Asus routers are available through FlashRouters. This VPN allows torrenting and has blazing-fast speeds for streaming and downloading. It can access many popular streaming sites such as Netflix and BBC iPlayer.
Over the years, NordVPN has developed a reputation as one of the fastest services on the market. During our most recent speed tests, it proved that it’s still up there, being one of just two services to exceed 200 Mbps on a 246 Mbps connection. Following three tests, NordVPN delivered an average speed of 194.17 Mbps – quicker than any other service we tested. What’s more, its results were all quite consistent, even at different times of day. See for yourself:
One thing that makes NordVPN stand out is its focus on strong security. It uses military-grade encryption alongside perfect forward secrecy, a kill switch, and leak protection. Extras include automatic wifi protection, double VPN, and Tor over VPN. This provider maintains no logs.
NordVPN has a ton of servers to choose from, with over 6,400 servers in 110+ countries. Native apps are available for Windows, Linux, MacOS, iOS, and Android. Plans allow for up to ten simultaneous connections. Customer support representatives are very knowledgeable and can be reached via the website’s live chat feature at any time of day.
Buy this VPN if:
- You need a speedy, capable VPN that works anywhere
- You want a provider that has a huge amount of support material
- Your main concern is security
- You’d like to be able to access almost any major streaming site
Don’t buy this VPN if:
- You’re not bothered about advanced features
BEST ASUS ROUTER VPN:NordVPN is our #1 choice for Asus routers. It has tons of high-speed servers to choose from and can unblock most streaming platforms. A 30-day money-back guarantee is included, making this a risk-free option.
Check out our in-depth review of NordVPN.
2. Surfshark
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
VPN Ratings:
| Overall score: | 9.5 / 10 |
|---|---|
| Ease of use: | 8.9 / 10 |
| Router suitability: | 10.0 / 10 |
| Security & privacy: | 9.5 / 10 |
| Streaming: | 9.2 / 10 |
| US speed: | 9.8 / 10 |
Website: www.Surfshark.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
Surfshark is a budget-friendly VPN that provides fantastic performance per dollar value. The low price doesn’t stop it from offering the full package, including compatibility with routers. While there isn’t the option to buy a pre-configured Surfshark router, you can configure one yourself. The Surfshark website offers a tutorial for setting up the VPN with routers running the AsusWRT firmware. Surfshark is capable of accessing popular streaming sites such as Netflix and BBC iPlayer. It has great speeds for streaming and downloading.
Surfshark might have a surprisingly low price, but it’s proven time and again that it can compete with more expensive VPNs. It actually boasted the single highest test result of any provider in this list, though its variability brought the average speed down to 189.94 Mbps, putting it in second place. Long story short, this VPN is fast enough to handle whatever you’re planning. Even if your whole family likes to stream at the same time, you should be just fine. Let’s see those speed test results side by side:
Security and privacy features include 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, perfect forward secrecy, leak protection, and the option of using a double-hop VPN. Surfshark maintains a strict no-logs policy.
This provider currently runs over 3,000 servers in 50 countries. One of the perks of a Surfshark plan is you can connect as many devices as you like at one time. Apps are available for Linux, MacOS, Windows, iOS, and Android. Should you run into issues, customer support is always available.
Buy this VPN if:
- You want to access a wide range of geo-blocked sites
- You’d like strong security at an affordable price
- You’re looking for a high-speed, no-logs VPN
- Your provider must offer 24/7 live chat
Don’t buy this VPN if:
- You’d prefer a service that offered its own router firmware
BUDGET ALTERNATIVE:Surfshark is a powerful streaming VPN and doesn’t limit the number of connections per account. Plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our in-depth Surfshark review.
3. IPVanish
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
VPN Ratings:
| Overall score: | 8.7 / 10 |
|---|---|
| Ease of use: | 9.4 / 10 |
| Router suitability: | 10.0 / 10 |
| Security & privacy: | 8.9 / 10 |
| Streaming: | 8.8 / 10 |
| US speed: | 6.6 / 10 |
Website: www.IPVanish.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
IPVanish offers a fast, secure service and can be set up with Asus routers. The website includes tutorials for configuring the VPN with both AsusWRT and Asuswrt-Merlin firmware. If you prefer a plug-and-play solution, pre-configured IPVanish Asus routers can be purchased through FlashRouters. IPVanish is a popular option for torrenters and unblocks some streaming platforms, including Netflix US.
IPVanish is a quick and reliable service. In fact, in our latest industry-wide speed tests, it outpaced the vast majority of its competitors. After a day of testing at various times, we recorded an average speed of 136.74 Mbps. There was a small amount of variability, though nothing that would be noticeable unless you’re used to extraordinarily high speeds. Suffice to say, IPVanish is fast enough for torrenting, streaming, or browsing the web without any issues. You’ll find the full test results below:
Privacy is at the forefront of IPVanish’s mission, and the VPN keeps no logs whatsoever. Security features include a built-in kill switch and leak protection. Your traffic is concealed using 256-bit encryption alongside perfect forward secrecy.
IPVanish has no connection limit, ideal for families with lots of mobile devices to protect. You can download software versions for iOS and Android, as well as Windows and MacOS. This provider operates around 2,400 servers in 100+ countries. Customer support is available 24/7 via live chat.
Buy this VPN if:
- You’d like step-by-step setup instructions for Asus routers
- You demand steady speeds and reliable connections
- You want a zero-logs provider with a good degree of security
Don’t buy this VPN if:
- You want to pay in cryptocurrency
FAST, PRIVATE VPN:IPVanish boasts strong security and privacy, along with fast speeds. It has no connection or bandwidth limits and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
See our full review of IPVanish.
4. ExpressVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
VPN Ratings:
| Overall score: | 8.6 / 10 |
|---|---|
| Ease of use: | 9.3 / 10 |
| Router suitability: | 10.0 / 10 |
| Security & privacy: | 9.2 / 10 |
| Streaming: | 9.2 / 10 |
| US speed: | 5.4 / 10 |
Website: www.ExpressVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
ExpressVPN is an all-round solid VPN and a reputable provider. You can configure the VPN with your Asus router yourself or purchase a pre-configured ExpressVPN Asus router from FlashRouters (a pricier option). This VPN comes with its own (optional) easy-to-use custom firmware, which is compatible with select Asus models (RT-AC56(U/R/S), RT-AC68U, RT-AC87U). ExpressVPN allows torrenting and can unblock plenty of geo-restricted sites such as Netflix (US, UK, and other libraries), Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu. You have a choice of over 3,000 servers in 100+ countries.
ExpressVPN actually has its own protocol designed to minimize speed loss when using a server in a distant country. You can even use this on routers thanks to this provider’s custom firmware. Our experts tested this VPN multiple times and noted an average result of 115.28 Mbps. That’s not the fastest result we’ve seen, but it’s still respectable. Whether you’re hoping to stream, browse anonymously, or make video calls, ExpressVPN can handle it. Check out the chart below for more details:
A stellar security suite includes 256-bit AES encryption with perfect forward secrecy. ExpressVPN’s network lock (kill switch) is permanently enabled on routers. Protection against DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks further protects your information. This provider doesn’t log any information that could be used to identify you, such as an IP address.
ExpressVPNs plans allow for up to eight simultaneous connections; a router counts as just one. If you need to protect other devices separately, apps are available for Windows, MacOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. 24/7 live chat support is available to help with any issues.
Buy this VPN if:
- You want a VPN with its own router firmware
- You’d like a speedy service that’s great for day-to-day tasks like streaming
- You’d like to use advanced security features, even when the VPN is installed on a router
Don’t buy this VPN if:
- You’re looking for a VPN with lots of customization options
RELIABLE VPN:ExpressVPN is a solid alternative for use with Asus routers. It’s fast and reliable and offers prompt and knowledgeable customer support. Subscriptions include a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read our full review of ExpressVPN.
5. ProtonVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
VPN Ratings:
| Overall score: | 8.6 / 10 |
|---|---|
| Ease of use: | 8.8 / 10 |
| Router suitability: | 10.0 / 10 |
| Security & privacy: | 9.3 / 10 |
| Streaming: | 6.7 / 10 |
| US speed: | 8.2 / 10 |
Website: www.ProtonVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
ProtonVPN has over 10,000 servers and its network covers an impressive 110+ countries. It delivers average speeds in excess of 330 Mbps, so you’re unlikely to notice any performance issues unless you’re already on a very slow connection. This VPN works with all manner of geo-blocked services, from Netflix to Disney+, and can even block ads or malicious downloads both in-app or when installed on a router. There are detailed setup instructions for various Asus models on the official website but if you get stuck, staff are on-hand 24/7 via live chat.
If you’re in the market for a service with exceptional speed AND strong security, we’d suggest giving ProtonVPN a try. It delivered an average speed of 164.04 Mbps in our latest testing and what’s even more impressive is that there was less than 8 Mbps of difference between its highest and lowest results. We never experienced any performance hiccups during testing, even when performing data-heavy tasks, so it’s ideal for people who like to stream or torrent. Take a look at ProtonVPN’s performance chart:
As you might expect, ProtonVPN uses uncrackable encryption, industry-approved connection protocols, and a kill switch. It also prevents IPv6 and DNS leaks, but it’s the Secure Core servers that really help it stand out from the crowd. These effectively function as multi-hop servers but are kept in high-security underground data centers to prevent third-party interference. Additionally, this provider follows a no-logging policy, which we know for sure thanks to its independent audit. If you’d like to sign up anonymously, you can pay in either cash or Bitcoin.
ProtonVPN works with most router types and firmware but also offers support for Linux, MacOS, Windows, Android, and iOS.
Buy this VPN if:
- You want a provider with lots of documentation and 24/7 live chat
- Your VPN must be ultra-fast and ready for anything
- You’d like a service boasting a spotless privacy record
Don’t buy this VPN if:
- You were hoping to use advanced privacy tools on your router
GREAT MULTIPURPOSE VPN:ProtonVPN is suitable for streaming, torrenting, or gaming and delivers some of the fastest speeds we’ve seen. There’s a first-class customer support team in case anything goes wrong, plus a 30-day money-back guarantee, even on monthly plans.
Learn more with our full review of ProtonVPN.
6. PureVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
VPN Ratings:
| Overall score: | 7.7 / 10 |
|---|---|
| Ease of use: | 9.1 / 10 |
| Router suitability: | 6.7 / 10 |
| Security & privacy: | 8.7 / 10 |
| Streaming: | 7.3 / 10 |
| US speed: | 6.8 / 10 |
Website: www.PureVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 31 DAYS
PureVPN operates roughly 6,000 servers spread across 65 countries. In our latest round of testing, it delivered average download speeds approaching 400 Mbps, making it one of the fastest services on the market. We love that there are virtually no limitations with this provider; it works in countries with extreme censorship, unblocks a wide range of streaming platforms, and allows torrenting across its entire network. The support section of its website walks you through the process of installing the service on your Asus router but if you need help, staff are always available over live chat.
PureVPN is a versatile, affordable service that’s fairly easy to install on most routers. We were able to stream, torrent, and play online games without the slightest performance issue. In fact, after a full day of testing, PureVPN delivered an average speed of 140.50 Mbps – enough to download a 1GB file in less than a minute. Now, it wasn’t the most consistent – one result was almost 70 Mbps lower than the others, but even the slowest one was enough for most tasks. You’ll find its full speed test results below:
It goes without saying that your privacy is paramount. PureVPN shields your online activities from snoopers (such as your ISP) using a combination of uncrackable encryption, leak protection, and a kill switch. Better still, it doesn’t keep any logs, meaning it couldn’t reveal what you get up to even if it wanted to. How do we know? Because this provider has been audited not once, but four times. There aren’t any anonymous payment methods, though, which is a shame because that’d really cement its privacy-first reputation.
In addition to routers, PureVPN works with Android, iOS, Linux, Windows, and MacOS devices.
Buy this VPN if:
- It’s important that your VPN be able to beat most online restrictions
- You’re looking for speed, reliability, and 24/7 support over live chat
- You want to choose from thousands of servers around the world
Don’t buy this VPN if:
- You wanted tracker-blocking tools, not just in-app but on your router too
SAFE BROWSING ANYWHERE:PureVPN works just about everywhere, even places like China and the UAE. It’s very security-conscious and doesn’t compromise on speed. Best of all, every plan includes a 30-day money-back guarantee, so there’s no risk.
Check out our complete PureVPN review.
7. PrivateVPN
Apps Available:
- PC
- Mac
- IOS
- Android
- Linux
VPN Ratings:
| Overall score: | 6.5 / 10 |
|---|---|
| Ease of use: | 8.6 / 10 |
| Router suitability: | 6.7 / 10 |
| Security & privacy: | 8.6 / 10 |
| Streaming: | 7.8 / 10 |
| US speed: | 1.0 / 10 |
Website: www.PrivateVPN.com
Money-back guarantee: 30 DAYS
PrivateVPN is a smaller provider than others on the list in terms of network size, but it still has lots to offer, including compatibility with Asus routers. Two tutorials are provided for setup with Asus RT routers, one for OpenVPN and the other for L2TP. PrivateVPN is fast and reliable and can unblock a ton of popular streaming sites.
PrivateVPN doesn’t have the same level of performance that some of the other VPNs we’ve covered do, but it does own its network outright, allowing it to roll out optimizations and updates much more quickly. Unfortunately, it really struggled during our latest speed tests, averaging just 34.91 Mbps. There were consistency issues too, with one result coming in at only 24.40 Mbps. This is still fast enough for most day-to-day browsing, though you may encounter problems if lots of people try to use the connection at the same time. Let’s see those results:
This provider lives up to its name in terms of security and privacy. It keeps no logs at all and protects traffic with 256-bit AES encryption, perfect forward secrecy, leak protection, and a kill switch.
Users have access to around 200 servers in 60 countries. 10 devices can be connected at a time, and native apps are available for Android, iOS, MacOS, and Windows. Live chat support is available most of the time, but not 24/7.
Buy this VPN if:
- You want a VPN capable of accessing just about anything
- You’re looking for a service that puts your privacy above all else
- You’d like to be able to speak to staff directly if something goes wrong
Don’t buy this VPN if:
- You can’t handle having just one server in most locations
- You’re searching for the fastest provider on the market
SECURE, RELIABLE CONNECTIONS:PrivateVPN makes up for its small size with a high-quality user experience. It offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Check out our detailed PrivateVPN review.
Methodology: Finding the best VPNs for Asus routers
There are hundreds, if not thousands, of VPNs out there. This makes it extremely difficult to discover which is best for your needs, especially if you don’t have the time for all that research. To complicate things even more, not every service can be installed on a router, and most lose some degree of functionality if you do. Our experts put together an exhaustive, hands-on testing program, allowing us to find out, once and for all, which VPNs are best for Asus router owners. Here are the five key areas we focused on, a rundown of what we looked for in each, and the results of our testing:
US server speeds
Now, every VPN will reduce your speeds to some degree. Providers have made great progress in this area over the past few years, but we still have to ensure the services we recommend are quick enough to handle any day-to-day task. That’s because your VPN’s speed governs everything you do online. If it’s too slow, you’ll have difficulty loading pages and may not be able to stream video (or have to settle for low-resolution video if you are able). In the worst case, you could find yourself randomly disconnected from the VPN, with your traffic completely unprotected.
So, how can we ensure our tests are fair and accurate? To begin with, we only used US servers and restricted our connection to 246 Mbps (which is roughly the US average broadband speed). Next, we tested each provider three times, at various times of day, and averaged the results. This reduces the impact of one poor result and ensures that we aren’t skewing the results by only testing at less busy times of day. Here’s how our top providers stacked up:
Finally, we weighted and normalized the results, giving each provider a score out of 10. NordVPN was the quickest, with Surfshark coming in close behind. ProtonVPN took third place, scoring 8.2 points. Meanwhile, PrivateVPN had the lowest result, just a 1.0.
Router suitability
Our next challenge was checking to see how well each VPN worked with routers. Generally, installing a VPN on your router means losing access to advanced features like tracker blocking and traffic obfuscation, so it’s worth bearing that in mind. To begin with, we looked into whether providers offered router support at all and, if so, whether they worked with AsusWRT and Asuswrt-Merlin firmware. Here are the results:
As you can see, most of our top providers scored very highly here. The only exceptions were PureVPN and PrivateVPN since they didn’t work with Asuswrt-Merlin routers. However, we do have to give ExpressVPN an honorable mention. Its router app allows you to take advantage of advanced features such as ad-blocking and its custom Lightway protocol, even on devices that don’t support full VPN apps.
Security and privacy
A VPN’s primary purpose is to shield your traffic from anyone who might be monitoring the network. This is still a vital consideration, even if you’re installing it on your home router! After all, your internet service provider may impose speed limitations if you stream or torrent, or you may live somewhere where the internet is heavily surveilled. We evaluated providers on more than a dozen relevant security criteria, which you’ll find in the table below:
| VPN Provider | Activity logs | IP logs | Encryption | Authentication | Keys | Perfect Forward Secrecy | DNS leak protection | IPv6 leak protection | Private DNS | Torrenting allowed | Kill switch | HQ outside 9 eyes | Obfuscation | Supported protocols | Anonymous payment options | Additional security features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Security | Security | Security | Security | Security | Security | Security | Security | Security | Security | Security | Security | Security | Security | Security | Security |
| NordVPN | No activity logs | No IP logs | AES-128 or higher | SHA-384 | 4096-bit | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | All platforms | Yes | Stealth | Own protocol | Multiple | Yes |
| Surfshark | No activity logs | No IP logs | AES-128 or higher | SHA-512 | 4096-bit | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Mobile app-level | No | Stealth | Secure protocols only | Multiple | Yes |
| IPVanish | No activity logs | No IP logs | AES-128 or higher | SHA-256 | 4096-bit | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | All platforms | Yes | Stealth | Secure protocols only | None | No |
| ExpressVPN | No activity logs | No IP logs | AES-128 or higher | SHA-512 | 4096-bit | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Mobile app-level | Yes | Automatic | Own protocol | Multiple | No |
| Proton VPN | No activity logs | No IP logs | AES-128 or higher | SHA-512 | 2048-bit | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | All platforms | Yes | Stealth | Secure protocols only | One | Yes |
| PureVPN | No activity logs | No IP logs | AES-128 or higher | SHA-256 | 4096-bit | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Some platforms | Yes | Automatic | Secure protocols only | One | No |
| PrivateVPN | No activity logs | No IP logs | AES-128 or higher | SHA-256 | 2048-bit | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Some platforms | Yes | Stealth | Secure protocols only | One | No |
First, we assigned points based on what each provider had to offer. Then, just like before, our experts weighted and normalized these scores to provide them with a final rating out of 10. Right away, we can see that two of our top VPNs are tied for first place:
Our two highest scorers are NordVPN and Surfshark, each with 9.5 points. ProtonVPN came in close behind with 9.3, while ExpressVPN took third place with 9.2. PrivateVPN had the lowest score. Though 8.6 points is still an impressive result, this VPN would have ranked higher had it offered a few more advanced privacy features (tracker blocking, for instance, or a way to pay without revealing your personal information).
Streaming abilities
Most popular streaming services have some form of VPN-detection system these days. Major VPNs have generally gotten quite good at evading detection, and even if they struggle sometimes, it’s often just a matter of trying a different server. The problem is that swapping servers when your VPN is installed on a router is much less convenient, so we wanted to see which providers worked the most reliably with popular streaming platforms. We also looked into whether streaming-optimized servers were available. Let’s see what each VPN has to offer:
| VPN Provider | Number of locations in relevant country | Regional speed test results | Includes ad-blocker? | Works in high-censorship countries | Offers a smart DNS service | Streaming device apps | Can Unblock Tier 1 Streaming | Can Unblock Tier 2 Streaming | Can Unblock Tier 3 Streaming |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Streaming | Streaming | Streaming | Streaming | Streaming | Streaming | Streaming | Streaming | Streaming |
| NordVPN | 5+ locations | 300-500 Mbps | Yes | Yes | Yes | 2+ apps | Reliably | Yes | Yes |
| Surfshark | 5+ locations | 500+ Mbps | Yes | Yes | Yes | 2+ apps | Reliably | Yes | Yes |
| IPVanish | 5+ locations | 300-500 Mbps | Yes | Yes | No | 2+ apps | Reliably | Yes | Yes |
| ExpressVPN | 5+ locations | 300-500 Mbps | Yes | Yes | Yes | 2+ apps | Reliably | Yes | Yes |
| Proton VPN | 5+ locations | 100-299 Mbps | Yes | No | No | 1 app | Unreliably | Yes | Yes |
| PureVPN | 5+ locations | 100-299 Mbps | No | Yes | No | 2+ apps | Unreliably | Yes | Yes |
| PrivateVPN | 5+ locations | <100 Mbps | No | Yes | No | 2+ apps | Reliably | Yes | Yes |
Once again, we assigned scores and normalized them to get a final result out of 10:
Three providers (NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN) managed to score 9.2 points, putting them in the lead. All of these providers work in countries with high censorship and offer a Smart DNS service, which definitely helped. Conversely, ProtonVPN delivered the lowest score of the bunch, 6.7 points. It lacks the aforementioned features and is slightly less reliable when it comes to accessing larger streaming platforms. It also only offers an app for one low-powered streaming device (Amazon Fire Stick).
Ease of use
When we talk about ease of use, it’s often largely about the design of a VPN app or how simple it is to find the feature you want. These factors don’t apply if you’re running it from a router, but there are several other things you might want to consider. For instance, can you still use the task-specific servers? Is it easy to sign up (or cancel, should you decide not to keep using the service)? How straightforward is the router installation process? We looked into all of this and more, as you’ll see below:
| VPN Provider | Apps for all major platforms | Novice-friendly design | Ease of signup (reviewer to score) | Router support | Unblocking consistency | Task specific servers | Network | Ease of cancellation | Interface | Feature parity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Ease of Use | Ease of Use | Ease of Use | Ease of Use | Ease of Use | Ease of Use | Ease of Use | Ease of Use | Ease of Use | Ease of Use |
| NordVPN | Yes | Yes | 5 (easy) | Standard | Great | Yes | 60+ countries | Very easy | Well-organised | Most features available on all versions |
| Surfshark | Yes | Yes | 4 | Standard | Great | No | 60+ countries | Very easy | A little cluttered | Most features available on all versions |
| IPVanish | Yes | Yes | 5 (easy) | Standard | Great | No | 60+ countries | Very easy | Well-organised | Most features available on all versions |
| ExpressVPN | Yes | Yes | 5 (easy) | App | Generally works | No | 60+ countries | Very easy | Well-organised | All features available on all versions |
| Proton VPN | Yes | Yes | 4 | Standard | Great | Yes | 60+ countries | Very easy | Takes some getting used to | Most features available on all versions |
| PureVPN | Yes | Yes | 3 | App | Great | Yes | 60+ countries | Very easy | A little cluttered | Most features available on all versions |
| PrivateVPN | Yes | Yes | 4 | Standard | Generally works | No | 60+ countries | Very easy | Well-organised | Most features available on all versions |
Again, we assigned scores and normalized them to get a score out of 10. Let’s see how our top VPNs compared on ease of use:
NordVPN had the top score again, with 9.6 points. We really appreciated its simple registration and extensive router setup guides. Next came IPVanish and ExpressVPN with 9.4 and 9.3 points, respectively. Even PrivateVPN, which had the lowest score, still managed a respectable 8.6, though we would have liked to have seen a slightly higher level of unblocking consistency.
Using a free VPN with an Asus router
Most free VPNs support the major operating systems, but they are unlikely to support router configuration. Even if you do manage to set one up, you’re opening yourself up to a host of other issues.
Free VPNs have few servers to choose from, and many users are trying to access them. This means you’ll have to endure slow, unreliable connections, which clearly isn’t ideal when you’re trying to cover all the devices in your home. You may even have to wait to connect to a server, which means you’ll be unprotected indefinitely.
What’s more, free VPNs are known for their shady business practices. If they’re not constantly bombarding you with ads, they’re likely tracking your activity and selling the data to advertisers who will target you with ads themselves. Some free VPNs fail from a security standpoint, too, by using weak or non-existent encryption. There have even been reports of free VPNs infecting devices with malware.
When protecting every device in your home, it’s essential that you go with a reputable VPN provider that prioritizes security, privacy, and user experience. If you’re concerned about the cost, remember that every VPN listed here comes with a money-back guarantee of at least 30 days, so you can make sure you’re 100% happy with your choice before committing long-term.
How to set up your VPN with an Asus router
The exact setup you use will depend on your Asus router model, the firmware it’s flashed with, your chosen VPN provider, and which protocol you want to use. We provide links to some individual guides below, but the general steps will be similar.
Here’s how to configure an Asus router (with AsusWRT firmware) with OpenVPN:
- Choose a suitable VPN provider and submit payment. We recommend NordVPN.
- Log in to the VPN website and download the VPN configuration files for your desired location (these are usually available within the setup tutorial section of the site). You should be provided with a username and password for later use.
- Open a new tab in a web browser and go to your router dashboard, which you can usually access by entering 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1 into the URL bar.
- Sign in to your Asus router control panel. Navigate to VPN > VPN Client > Add Profile.
- Select your protocol, in this case OpenVPN.
- Add a description for your profile and enter the username and password you were provided with in step 2.
- Click Choose File, add the configuration file you downloaded earlier, and hit Upload.
- Once the file has finished uploading, select OK. The profile has now been added.
- To connect to the VPN, select Activate next to the new profile.
Note that this will configure the VPN for one location. You can download configuration files for multiple locations and repeat this process to add a new profile for each location. Then, you simply activate and deactivate profiles as needed.
VPNs for Asus routers FAQs
Can I run an Asus router with the original Tomato firmware?
Yes, you can use the original Tomato firmware on an Asus router, but not all models are compatible. A better idea may be to use The FreshTomato project, a fork of the original Tomato firmware that offers support for several Asus routers. Some of the supported models include the Asus RT-AC66U, Asus RT-AC66U_B1, Asus RT-AC67U, Asus RT-AC68U/R/P, Asus RT-AC5300, and Asus TUF-AX3000_V2.
It’s important to note, before installing, to check your router model’s compatibility. The installation can be a little tricky, so being tech-savvy is a big plus. If not, consider getting professional help. You can always switch back to the Asus firmware if things go wrong. You do this by using the Asus Firmware Restoration Utility.
However, remember that while Tomato firmware offers more features and customization, it might deliver a different WiFi performance than the Asus firmware due to differences in driver versions.
What are the limitations of VPN routers?
There are four main limitations with VPN routers. The first is that the manual configuration process is far trickier than simply installing an app and has the potential to brick your router if done incorrectly.
Additionally, because only your home network’s traffic is encrypted, you won’t have the same level of privacy when browsing away from home. Conversely, if each device installed the VPN app, you’d be protected regardless of which network you were using.
Changing location in a VPN app is as simple as selecting your desired server from a list. If your VPN is only installed on your router, though, you’ll have to download the configuration file for each server you’d like to use, then manually go into your router’s settings panel and tell it to use the appropriate one for a given situation.Â
Finally, all devices on your network are locked to the same location. In other words, if your router sends data through a US server, no device on your network could access UK-only services like BBC iPlayer.
What is VPN passthrough on an Asus router?
VPN passthrough sounds complicated, but you might know it by its other name: split tunneling. This feature effectively allows specific websites to bypass the VPN entirely, which can be helpful for ensuring you get the highest possible speeds. It’s important to enable this only for websites that aren’t processing sensitive information since you won’t get any of your VPN’s privacy benefits.Â
You can also use VPN passthrough to access foreign and local services simultaneously. Say, for instance, that you were visiting the UK and wanted to stream TV from back home but also watch BBC iPlayer. In this case, you could connect to a US server and simply add the iPlayer website to your exemptions list.
Is it possible to set up a router to be a VPN server and client?
Some of the more expensive home routers can be run as both a VPN server and client, although generally, homebrew solutions involve hosting your own VPN server on a separate device (such as a PC) and simply giving your router the information it needs to connect.Â
It’s worth mentioning that while free, this process is more time-consuming than setting up a commercial VPN. Additionally, you will be restricted by your network’s upload speed, which usually means significantly slower speeds overall.
How many devices can I connect to an Asus Router VPN?
The good news is that you can connect as many devices as you like to an Asus Router VPN. Any device you connect to the router will benefit from the encrypted connection. This includes devices that you normally wouldn’t otherwise be able to connect to your VPN, such as a games console. Needless to say, it’s a more practical way to secure many devices simultaneously because you won’t have to download and install individual apps for each. This is also a great way to overcome the device limitations set by many VPN providers.
Are VPN routers slow?
The short answer is yes. VPN routers can be slower than non-VPN routers. However, this speed decrease is minimal and should not drastically hinder your internet experience.
When using a VPN router, you may notice slight drops of around 10-20% in speed as the router encrypts and routes your connection through its servers. This drop in speed is normal and doesn’t necessarily mean that the device itself is slow; rather, more steps are being taken to secure your data before transmitting it across the Internet.
How do I check which version of OpenVPN my Asus router has?
To check the version of OpenVPN on your Asus router, you can follow these steps:
- Log into your router’s control panel and select VPN in the left sidebar menu.
- Once logged in, look for the “Advanced Settings” tab in the router’s interface. Click on it to expand the options.
- Locate and click on the “VPN Settings” option.
- You should find information about the installed OpenVPN version on the VPN settings page. The specific location of this information may vary depending on the router’s firmware version and interface design.
- The OpenVPN version number will be in the format of “2.x.x” or “2.x.x-xxxx” where “x” represents specific version numbers.
By following these steps, you should be able to identify the version of OpenVPN installed on your Asus router.
Asus router setup tutorials for the above providers
Below are links to the Asus router setup tutorials for the providers in our list above.
ExpressVPN:Â
- How to set up ExpressVPN with OpenVPN on your Asus router
- How to set up the ExpressVPN router app for Asus RT-AC68U, RT-AC87U, RT-AC56R, RT-AC56S, and RT-AC56U
NordVPN
- How to configure your Asus router running original firmware (AsusWRT)
- AsusWRT Merlin setup with NordVPN
IPVanish:
Surfshark:
PrivateVPN:
See also:
- Best VPNs for DD-WRT routers (+ set up guide)
- Best VPNs for Tomato routers (+ set up guide)
I have in-house interest speeds of 950mbps for both download and upload. When I enable my new ASUS ZenWiFi AX Mini (XD4) router with NordVPN, my speeds drop to 60mbps for both download and upload. That is over 15x slower. I tried multiple times with consist results. Asus routers do not have VPN throughput to maintain faster speeds. Seek other options.