Best VPNs for DD-WRT router
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A VPN for DD-WRT is an excellent tool for encrypting your IP address, securing your identity, and preventing data leakage. When you set up a VPN on DD-WRT, it protects your entire network, and there is no need to install it on each device. Additionally, a DD-WRT VPN secures devices that don’t natively support a VPN.
However, to access the benefits of a VPN for DD-WRT, you should consider a reliable VPN to secure your IP address. While DD-WRT firmware offers perks, such as bandwidth monitoring, it’s important to add an extra layer of security. Otherwise, the router's IP address could be exposed, compromising all connected devices.
Be aware that the best VPN for a DD-WRT router must include the OpenVPN protocol, an extensive network of servers distributed across many countries, excellent performance, high-level encryption, and a strict privacy policy. Therefore, based on these factors, we tested and compiled a list of the best VPNs for DD-WRT. So, read further to find your best pick.
Top 5 best DD-WRT router VPNs
- NordVPN – the best VPN for DD-WRT
- Surfshark – excellent price-to-quality ratio
- IPVanish – private DD-WRT VPN
- PureVPN – VPN for DD-WRT with many servers
- ExpressVPN – premium VPN with a router applet
The best VPNs for DD-WRT router – our detailed list
We have tested numerous VPNs to identify the top five options that work seamlessly with DD-WRT firmware and provide exceptional security. Our detailed list includes providers that offer top-notch security and privacy, a vast server network, and excellent performance.
1. NordVPN – overall the best VPN for DD-WRT
| Server fleet: | 9,500+ servers in 149 countries |
| Supported devices: | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Customer support: | 24/7 chat and email, guides and FAQs |
| Current deal: | 🔥 Get 75% OFF NordVPN + 3 months free 🔥 |
NordVPN is the best DD-WRT VPN with a massive 9,500+ server fleet distributed over 149 countries, high-level security measures, a strict privacy policy, and fast performance on all devices connected to your home router.
Security and privacy: NordVPN is one the most secure VPN because of the AES-256 encryption it uses to secure your traffic. Moreso, an independently audited no-logs policy proves that the company doesn’t collect any of your activity logs. With this combo, the provider promises that no one can see, track, or monitor what you do online.
Performance: NordVPN ensures you get a seamless experience online with its NordLynx tunneling protocol, which is built around the WireGuard tunneling protocol. The provider also includes the OpenVPN protocol – a crucial element for a successful setup on DD-WRT.
Compatibility: NordVPN doesn’t have a dedicated applet for a router but it offers comprehensive guides on how to do it on your router and/or particular firmware. For example, NordVPN supports OpenVPN protocol so you’ll easily set up the firmware with NordVPN using the DD-WRT OpenVPN client UI.
NordVPN costs only $3.49/month, making it the best VPN for DD-WRT. You also get a 30-day money-back guarantee on top.
Find out more about this VPN in the NordVPN review.
2. Surfshark – a robust VPN for DD-WRT firmware
| Server fleet: | 4,500+ servers in 100 countries |
| Supported devices: | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Customer support: | 24/7 chat and email, guides and FAQs |
| Current deal: | 🔥 Now up to 85% OFF Surfshark + 3 months FREE 🔥 |
Surfshark is a next-gen VPN for routers which is compatible with DD-WRT firmware. Thanks to its 4,500+ servers spanned 100 countries, robust security, exceptional performance, and strict privacy policy, it’s one of the greatest VPNs for DD-WRT. It's one of the cheapest, too. Use our Surfshark coupon code: OFFCN if you want to save even more.
Security and privacy: Surfshark made it into a list of the best VPNs for DD-WRT because of its impenetrable AES-256 encryption, which turns your data into an unreadable cipher. And of course – an independently audited no-logs policy makes sure that no one, including Surfshark, can see what you do online.
Performance: You won’t miss by choosing this VPN for your DD-WRT firmware because it operates with one of the fastest WireGuard tunneling protocols. Most importantly, it includes OpenVPN tunneling protocol, so you’ll easily set up DD-WRT on your router and have a fast experience online.
Compatibility: Surfshark is compatible with numerous routers and firmware, including DD-WRT. Thanks to this VPN’s OpenVPN tunneling protocol, you can set the DD-WRT up with Surfshark on your router in no time using a manual OpenVPN configuration.
All in all, Surfshark offers the best price-to-quality ratio and is one of the greatest VPNs for DD-WRT. It’s affordable, costs only $2.49/month, and has a 30-day money-back guarantee!
For a detailed analysis, check out our Surfshark VPN review or compare Surfshark vs NordVPN to see how they differ.
3. IPVanish – security-oriented DD-WRT VPN
| Server fleet: | 3,400+ servers in 112 countries |
| Supported devices: | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Customer support: | 24/7 chat and email, guides and FAQs |
| Current deal: | 🔥 Now up to 83% OFF IPVanish 🔥 |
With 3,400+ servers in 112 countries, IPVanish is one of the most secure and configurable VPNs for DD-WRT. It’s packed with top-notch security, privacy measures, and offers a seamless performance online.
Security and privacy: Regarding security, IPVanish provides top-of-the-line AES-256 encryption. Nevertheless, if you prioritize a faster network connection over a more secure one, you can switch the encryption from 256-bit to 128-bit. Whatever you choose, IPVanish will always ensure they do not gather your online activity logs, thanks to its no-logs policy.
Performance: Opting for IPVanish means seamless streaming or browsing experience online, free from lags and buffering. Regarding the DD-WRT firmware, IPVanish offers OpenVPN and ensures a consistently stable connection speed without any noticeable performance interruptions.
Compatibility: IPVanish supports the OpenVPN protocol. Therefore, this VPN is fully compatible with DD-WRT firmware. This way, users get to secure their traffic with high-level encryption and enjoy enhanced router functionality.
IPVanish is an excellent VPN option for everyone who is looking for fast speeds, security, and VPN for routers that also support DD-WRT. The starting price of this VPN is $2.19/month, and you can try it risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Get to know more from our IPVanish review.
4. PureVPN – server-rich VPN for DD-WRT
| Server fleet: | 6,000+ servers in 65 countries |
| Supported devices: | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Customer support: | 24/7 chat and email, guides and FAQs |
| Current deal: | 🔥 Now 83% OFF PureVPN + 3 FREE months 🔥 |
Next to a robust network of 6,000+ servers spanning 65 countries, PureVPN also provides strong data encryption, numerous secure protocols, and a strict no-logs policy. All of it makes it an ideal VPN for DD-WRT firmware.
Security and privacy: PureVPN is a reliable VPN option for DD-WRT routers, employing AES-256 encryption to guarantee top-level security. Moreover, it follows an always-on audit no-logs policy, ensuring that your online activity remains inaccessible to anyone.
Performance: This provider ensures a remarkable online experience across all your devices while streaming, browsing, and gaming. Its fast tunneling protocols, like WireGuard and OpenVPN, guarantee that your online activities are speedy, secure, and free from buffering and lagging.
Compatibility: PureVPN is compatible with DD-WRT routers, allowing users to enjoy enhanced security features and privacy protection for online activities. It supports OpenVPN, a widely-used VPN protocol for DD-WRT setups, and enables secure and reliable communication between the VPN server and the router. With its easy step-by-step guides, you can set up the VPN in no time.
Starting at just $2.15/month, PureVPN is an affordable VPN solution for DD-WRT. Cherry on top is that you can try it risk-free with a 31-day money-back guarantee.
For more information, check out our PureVPN review.
5. ExpressVPN – VPN for DD-WRT with an app for the router
| Server fleet: | Undisclosed number of servers in 105 countries |
| Supported devices: | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Customer support: | 24/7 chat and email, guides and FAQs |
| Current deal: | 🔥 Now up to 80% OFF ExpressVPN + 4 months FREE 🔥 |
ExpressVPN stands out for its dedicated router application, which is indeed a rare find. Though, it's important to note that recently the provider announced that its router app no longer works with non-Aircove routers, potentially narrowing setup choices for some users. This VPN offers access to servers across 105 countries, ensuring fast connection speeds and high-level security, making ExpressVPN an excellent choice for users seeking top-notch performance online.
Security and privacy: For users seeking a highly secure VPN provider, ExpressVPN is an excellent choice. It uses industry-leading AES-256 encryption to ensure data security. Furthermore, ExpressVPN has a strict no-logs policy, guaranteeing user privacy by refraining from collecting any user activity logs.
Performance: This VPN provides the OpenVPN protocol for firmware, such as DD-WRT. On top of that, users can switch to the Lightway tunnel on ExpressVPN, which ensures lightning-fast connection speeds without compromising security.
Compatibility: ExpressVPN is a user-friendly VPN, with a simple setup process on DD-WRT. First, its router application allows users to monitor their secured network, view connected devices, and optimize VPN connections by selecting server locations. Secondly, with OpenVPN and a wealth of helpful guides, users can get easy guidance for setting up ExpressVPN on routers with DD-WRT firmware.
ExpressVPN is among the best picks for users seeking a VPN to use with DD-WRT, especially with the decent starting price at $2.49/month. Moreover, you can always try it risk-free with a 3-day free trial or a 30-day money-back guarantee.
To make the right choice, read our Express VPN review or compare NordVPN vs ExpressVPN directly.
How we selected and tested these VPNs
We tested and selected the best VPNs for DD-WRT firmware based on such criteria:
- VPN includes OpenVPN. DD-WRT only works with VPNs that use the OpenVPN tunneling protocol. Therefore, we only selected providers fully compatible with DD-WRT firmware.
- Installation guides and support. Setting up a VPN on DD-WRT requires several complex steps, so we only chose providers with thorough guides on how to do it.
- A number of servers. We recommended VPNs with a massive global server fleet distributed across many countries. This way, you can change the IP address in no time!
- Audited no-logs policy. All of the selected VPNs run on an independently audited no-logs policy, and therefore, do not collect or keep any of your activity logs.
- Excellent performance. Nobody wants to experience annoying lags online. So, we picked only the fastest VPNs because you don’t need to compromise your speeds for the sake of using a VPN.
Comparison of the best VPNs for DD-WRT routers
| Brand | Rating | Servers | Includes OpenVPN | Max connections | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | 9,500 servers in 149 countries | Yes | 10 | $3.49/month | |
| Surfshark | 4,500 servers in 100 countries | Yes | Unlimited | $2.49/month | |
| IPVanish | 3,400 servers in 112 countries | Yes | Unlimited | $2.19/month | |
| PureVPN | 6,000+ servers in 65 countries | Yes | 10 | $2.15/month | |
| ExpressVPN | Undisclosed number of servers in 105 countries | Yes | 14 | $2.49/month |
What are the reasons for using VPN for DD-WRT?
There are several reasons why VPN for DD-WRT is beneficial:
- Protection for all devices. When you set up a VPN on your router, it protects the whole network. Therefore, you don’t need a VPN for every device.
- Security for devices that don’t support VPNs. Some devices, like gaming consoles or smart TVs, do not natively support VPN applications. Therefore, a VPN for DD-WRT helps users stream or game securely and get access to all the benefits various providers offer.
- No cap on simultaneous connections. For example, NordVPN has a 10 simultaneous connections cap, and you can quickly run out of them. So, connecting a router to a VPN protects all devices connected to the network.
How do I add a VPN to DD-WRT?
To successfully add a VPN to DD-WRT, you must first flash your router with DD-WRT. The next step is to add a VPN to DD-WRT. We prepared two guides to successfully set the firmware on your router and then protect it with a VPN.
Flashing router with a DD-WRT firmware
Beware that most routers provided by ISPs cannot be flashed with DD-WRT firmware. You may consult the official DD-WRT website to determine whether your router can be flashed. Secondly, be careful when updating the router, as incorrect flashing can result in its malfunction. Lastly, we suggest utilizing HTTP to update the router.
The flashing process is primarily reliant on the router model. You can do it using the Web GUI, TFTP (a straightforward protocol), and the command line. While we can offer the most frequently employed approach (using Web GUI), it is important to note that the specific steps may vary depending on the router. Here’s how you do it:
- Download the firmware restoration utility and backup of the current firmware. This way, you’ll be able to restore the router if anything goes wrong while flashing.
- Download DD-WRT firmware into the computer. You can do it on the official site.
- Reset your router.
- Disable Internet connection on the router level and use LAN connection.
- Access the router's GUI through the web by typing its IP address. Mostly it’s 192.168.1.1. Then, log in if it’s required.
- Upload the DD-WRT file. It can be under “Firmware upgrade” or similar in the settings menu, administrators menu, etc.
- Upload the file and click “Upgrade”. This could take anywhere from a couple of minutes to 10 minutes but it shouldn’t take too long. VERY IMPORTANT: it is crucial to keep your computer, router, and a browser on. If you interrupt the process, it will likely result in your router being "bricked," rendering it unusable.
- Once you upgrade and ensure the process is completed, restart your router. Turn off the router, wait 10-15 seconds, and turn it back on.
- That’s it! Now your router is successfully flashed with DD-WRT firmware, and you are ready to set up the VPN connection.
Setting up a VPN on DD-WRT
If VPN includes OpenVPN tunneling protocol, then you can set up a VPN on DD-WRT following these steps:
- Go to the router’s GUI you visited before.
- Change static IP and DNS addresses. Use your VPN’s addresses. You can find them in your VPN’s account section or simply google “DD-WRT setup with [your VPN]”. Apply changes.
- Disable IPv6 in the Setup section on a DD-WRT control panel.
- Find Service > VPN. Under OpenVPN Client, enable the start toggle.
- Find the server from your VPN’s list that you want your connection to go through. Fill out the details. Also – download the config file.
- In the Additional config box, paste these commands:
remote-cert-tls server
remote-random
nobind
tun-mtu 1500
tun-mtu-extra 32
mssfix 1450
persist-key
persist-tun
ping-timer-rem
reneg-sec 0
#log /tmp/vpn.log
#Delete `#` in the line below if your router does not have credentials fields
#auth-user-pass /tmp/openvpncl/user.conf
- Open the OpenVPN file you downloaded in a text editor (WordPad, Notepad++). This file has .ovpn format.
- In the notepad, you should find a certificate between and commands. Copy that part without and . Paste it into CA Cert field, in the DD-WRT control panel.
- After that, go back to the same .ovpn file. Scroll down to find the TLS key which is between and . Copy it, without mentioned commands and hashtags.
- In the DD-WRT control panel, paste the TLS key into the TLS Auth Key field. After that – save and apply settings.
- This wraps up setting VPN on a router. For confirmation, go to the DD-WRT control panel and open Status > OpenVPN. You’ll be able to see that the connection is confirmed.
Conclusion
A VPN for DD-WRT firmware provides comprehensive security for your entire network and ensures a private browsing, streaming, or gaming experience. It’s a secure tool to protect consoles that don’t natively support a VPN.
Moreso, if your VPN has a simultaneous connection limit, setting up a VPN on DD-WRT protects all devices connected to the Internet, as the router counts as one device.
To access all these benefits, you should opt for a trustworthy VPN, such as NordVPN. This VPN proved to be the best VPN for DD-WRT, thanks to its compatibility with the firmware, vast server fleet, and excellent performance.
FAQ
Does DD-WRT support VPN?
Yes, DD-WRT supports a VPNs. However, the firmware only works with a VPN that has OpenVPN tunneling protocol.
What VPN works with DD-WRT router?
Any VPN service that includes the OpenVPN tunneling protocol works with DD-WRT. One of the examples is NordVPN. It includes the OpenVPN tunneling protocol and is also one of the most secure VPNs on the market.
Does DD-WRT support IPSec?
No, DD-WRT doesn’t support IPSec. Therefore, you have to pick a VPN provider with the OpenVPN tunneling protocol. Our recommendation for the job is NordVPN.
