Best VPNs for Linksys router

Linksys is a popular router brand you can find in many households, and, luckily, most models support VPN setup. But the problem is that not every VPN service is compatible with Linksys routers. If left unsecured, these devices are the gateway for cybercriminals to steal your sensitive data.

Installing a VPN on your router is beneficial in several ways. All your internet traffic is encrypted, making you invisible to third parties, hackers included. Furthermore, you’ll be able to access geographically restricted content, like foreign streaming services. Of course, there are plenty of other perks – we break it all down below.

We tested multiple providers and found the best VPNs for Linksys routers. Detailed guides on how to set up a VPN on your router device are also included – whether you can do it straight away or need to flash it with firmware first.

Top 5 best Linksys router VPNs

1. NordVPN – best VPN for Linksys router overall
2. Surfshark VPN – feature-rich VPN for Linksys routers
3. IPVanish – security-first VPN to protect your Linksys router
4. ExpressVPN – performance-focused Linksys router VPN
5. CyberGhost – Linksys VPN with the biggest server fleet

The best VPNs for Linksys router – our detailed list

We tested multiple reputable VPN providers and ranked them accordingly. The ones that made it to our best VPN for Linksys routers list are compatible with this router and offer detailed installation guides. Furthermore, they come with robust security features, superb connection speeds, and plenty of useful perks for an affordable price.

1. NordVPN – best and most secure VPN for Linksys routers

Linksys compatible:	Yes
Servers/countries:	6300+ servers in 111 countries
No-logs:	No-logs, independently audited
Current deal:	🔥 Now up to 74% OFF + 3 months for free! 🔥

Visit NordVPN

The best VPN for Linksys routers is NordVPN. The service is compatible with many Linksys router models, offers industry-leading security features, and facilitates the fastest connection speeds in the market. Add an easy-to-follow installation process, and it’s no wonder why this provider is such a great choice.

Compatibility. NordVPN works with various Linksys models, as you can install it by flashing your router with DD-WRT, Tomato, or OpenWRT firmware. And it uses the OpenVPN protocol to integrate with Linksys, providing excellent speed and security.

Servers. Accessing global content is easy with NordVPN, thanks to the fleet of 6300+ servers in 111 countries. All hardware runs solely on RAM modules, meaning no data can be stored long-term. Plus, depending on your needs, you can connect to specialized servers – P2P-optimized, obfuscated, Double VPN, and Onion Over VPN.

Security. NordVPN shields your data with AES-256 encryption, a robust kill switch, and leak protection. There’s also features for blocking ads & malware (Threat Protection) and split tunneling for customizing the VPN connection, among others.

NordVPN subscriptions start at $3.09/month and are covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can also test the service via the free 7-day trial, available on Android devices.

Learn more in our NordVPN review.

2. Surfshark VPN – affordable and easy-to-use Linksys router VPN

Linksys compatible:	Yes
Servers/countries:	3200+ servers in 100 countries
No-logs:	No-logs, independently audited
Current deal:	🔥 Now up to 86% OFF + 3 months FREE 🔥

Visit Surfshark VPN

Another suitable Linksys router VPN is Surfshark. Coming at a wallet-friendly price, the provider includes plenty of security perks and the largest country selection among VPNs. Plus, every subscription comes with unlimited simultaneous connections.

Compatibility. You can set up Surfshark to work on your Linksys router via the OpenVPN protocol. However, the device has to be flashed with DD-WRT or Tomato firmware beforehand. The VPN offers detailed installation instructions on its page, just in case.

Servers. Surfshark comes with 3200+ RAM-only servers in 100 countries – enough to unblock all kinds of foreign content. There’s even an option to pick from Static IP and MultiHop servers. The former gives you the same IP address whenever you connect to a specific server, while the latter doubles the encryption.

Security. This VPN comes with all the necessary protection features and then some. These include DNS, WebRTC, IPv6 leak protection, a customizable kill switch, and industry-standard encryption. Surfshark also includes a GPS spoofer, Camouflage and NoBorders modes, Bypasser (split tunneling), and CleanWeb.

You can get this great Linksys router VPN for as little as $2.19/month. A 30-day money-back guarantee protects all annual plans, so subscribing is not risky. And you can always try Surfshark for free via the 7-day mobile trial.

Still can’t decide? Check out our Surfshark VPN review or compare Surfshark vs NordVPN to find the perfect fit.

3. IPVanish – feature-packed Linksys router VPN

Linksys compatible:	Yes
Servers/countries:	2400+ servers in 55 countries
No-logs:	No-logs, independently audited
Current deal:	🔥 Now up to 83% OFF + 3 months FREE! 🔥

Visit IPVanish

IPVanish is highly-compatible with Linksys routers. You get great performance, an easily-configurable client, and a customizable VPN experience. Plus, there’s no device limit, meaning you can connect as many devices as you want, via a router or not.

Compatibility. By flashing it with DD-WRT firmware, you can configure IPVanish on your Linksys router with the OpenVPN protocol. The installation process is relatively easy, but you can also follow a detailed guide on the provider’s website. And if you need a new Linksys router altogether, there is an option to purchase one with IPVanish pre-installed.

Servers. Whether streaming, torrenting, or browsing, the 2400+ servers in 55 countries lets you do that anonymously from anywhere. Furthermore, all hardware is bare metal and owned solely by IPVanish. It means the provider has total control over quality and security.

Security. Besides the essential VPN security features, IPVanish has a few additional perks. The Scramble option hides all tracks of VPN usage, split tunneling lets you route the VPN connection via select apps, and the SOCKS5 proxy is useful for torrenting. Lastly, there’s a free antivirus included with every subscription.

Secure your Linksys router with IPVanish for $2.19/month. While there is no trial version, you can technically test it for free with the help of the 30-day money-back guarantee.

You’ll find more in-depth information in our IPVanish review.

4. ExpressVPN – versatile VPN to secure your Linksys router

Linksys compatible:	Yes
Servers/countries:	3000+ servers in 105 countries
No-logs:	No-logs, independently audited
Current deal:	🔥 Now up to 48% OFF + 3 months FREE! 🔥

Visit ExpressVPN

Another recommended VPN for Linksys routers is ExpressVPN. It supports plenty of Linksys models, facilitates solid connection speeds, and offers a powerful toolkit. Although the feature list could be lengthier, it’s not a service to pass up on.

Compatibility. ExpressVPN offers custom firmware for seamless integration with Linksys. Done via OpenVPN, you can install it on various models, from WRT1200AC to WRT3200ACM. The provider even has interactive VPN configuration guides for popular Linksys routers, making the process quicker and easier.

Servers. The service includes thousands of RAM-only servers in 105 countries, so there are plenty of options to pick from. Most are 10 Gbps, meaning solid connectivity and speeds great enough for smooth streaming, file-sharing, and browsing. In addition, Stealth VPN is integrated with every server to help bypass restrictions.

Security. ExpressVPN secures your internet traffic with secure tunneling protocols and AES-256 encryption. A reliable kill switch prevents accidental data leaks, while Threat Manager blocks online threats from causing damage. Finally, you can use split tunneling if you want particular applications to work only when you’re connected to a VPN server.

The starting price for an ExpressVPN subscription is $6.67/month. You can take the service out for a spin with the 30-day money-back guarantee without any risks.

Gain insights from our Express VPN review or make a well-informed choice by comparing NordVPN vs ExpressVPN.

5. CyberGhost – fast Linksys router VPN with a massive server fleet

Linksys compatible:	Yes
Servers/countries:	11500+ servers in 100 countries
No-logs:	No-logs, independently audited
Current deal:	🔥 Now up to 84% OFF + 4 months FREE! 🔥

Visit CyberGhost VPN

CyberGhost is a fast and affordable VPN for Linksys routers. The service boasts great unblocking capabilities, a vast server fleet, and speeds good enough for all online ventures.

Compatibility. Despite no direct Linksys router support, you can easily install it on models flashed with DD-WRT firmware. If any questions arise during the process, there are plenty of tutorials on the provider’s knowledge base. And while CyberGhost works just with OpenVPN on routers, the results are great performance-wise.

Servers. CyberGhost is another service with an extensive fleet of 11500+ servers across 100 countries. The connections remain stable, whether connecting near or far, with no significant performance drops. Finally, the service is switching to 10 Gbps servers, meaning faster data transfers and better coverage.

Security. With CyberGhost, a functional kill switch and advanced encryption shield you from prying eyes. Subscribers also get access to the Security Suite (anti-malware & antivirus tool), split tunneling, ID Guard Monitoring, and more.

This Linksys router VPN is available for $2.03/month, with the option to test it with various free trials. Plus, all plans are insured with the 45-day money-back guarantee, so the commitment isn’t absolute if you decide CyberGhost is not for you.

Check out our CyberGhost review and get to know more about it.

How we selected and tested these VPNs

A suitable VPN for Linksys routers must meet certain requirements. We thoroughly researched and ranked top providers that check the following criteria:

• Linksys compatibility. The VPN should support Linksys hardware directly or indirectly by flashing appropriate firmware on it (DD-WRT, Tomato, OpenWRT, etc.).
• Installation guides. Installing a VPN on a router requires technical knowledge and can be quite challenging if you’re not tech-savvy. Thus, we checked whether the providers include easy-to-follow guides on how to do it.
• Great performance. Routing your web traffic via an encrypted server naturally slows down your speeds. Depending on the VPN and the tunneling protocol, it can range from barely noticeable to detrimental. The Linksys router VPNs that made it to our list showed minimal connection speed drops during testing.
• Robust security. We checked for must-have features like market-standard encryption, kill switch, and leak protection and tested their effectiveness. Then we also considered additional security perks, like RAM-only servers, obfuscation, malware-blockers, etc.
• Reasonable price. Our top Linksys router VPNs are light on the wallet and come with plenty of robust features. So, you won’t break the bank securing your device.

Comparison of the best VPNs for Linksys routers

Brand	Compatible with Linksys	Price	Based in	No-logs	Servers/countries	Streaming capabilities
NordVPN	Yes	$3.09/month	Panama	No logs, independently audited twice by PwC	6300+ servers in 111 countries	Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more
Surfshark	Yes	$2.19/month	The Netherlands	No logs, independently audited by Deloitte	3200+ servers in 100 countries	Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and more
IPVanish	Yes	$2.19/month	United States	No logs, independently audited by Leviathan	2400+ servers in 55 countries	Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube, Disney+, and more
ExpressVPN	Yes	$6.67/month	British Virgin Islands	No logs, independently audited by Cure53	3000+ servers in 105 countries	Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more
CyberGhost	Yes	$2.03/month	Romania	No logs, independently audited by Deloitte	11500+ servers in 100 countries	Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+

What are the reasons to use a VPN for Linksys?

Installing a VPN on your Linksys router is beneficial in several ways. First and foremost, it adds a much-needed boost in security across all household devices, including the router itself. It is the go-to target of cybercriminals, after all. But if your internet is encrypted, malicious parties can’t read your data or use it to hack into your router.

Building on the encryption aspect, no one will see what you’re doing online, your ISP included. It means you are free to engage in data-intensive activities without being throttled. Or share files via P2P without paranoia.

Finally, you gain access to foreign content usually unavailable in your region. Most VPNs come with servers across all continents, letting you bypass geographical restrictions. Thus, you can peruse country-specific libraries of various streaming platforms, use locked services, enter blocked websites, and more.

How do I connect my Linksys router to a VPN?

At the time of writing this article, ​​only the Linksys WRT32X model supports VPNs natively. If you have a different model, you’ll have to flash it with firmware – DD-WRT, Tomato, OpenWRT, or other. Ensure your Linksys model supports such firmware before attempting to configure the VPN on your router.

The setup process depends on your chosen VPN provider. We recommend checking whether your chosen service has detailed instructions on their website. For now, here’s a guide on how to set up NordVPN on a Linksys router using DD-WRT:

1. Check if your Linksys router is compatible with DD-WRT firmware and install it on your device. You can find the installation process here.
2. In the DD-WRT Administrative Interface, go to Setup > Basic Setup > Network Address Server Settings (DHCP). Enter NordVPN’s DNS addresses in the necessary fields. Then click Save and Apply Settings.
3. Go to Setup > IPV6. Set IPv6 to Disable, click Save, and then Apply Settings. This step makes sure your IP doesn’t leak.
4. Go to Service > VPN. Under OpenVPN Client, set Start OpenVPN Client to Enable.
5. Enter the necessary details for the configuration. You can copy the information provided in NordVPN’s DD-WRT setup guide.
6. Head to nordvpn.com/servers/tools/, choose a location on the drop-down menu, and click on Show available protocols. Download the UDP or TCP configuration file, you will need it later in the setup process.
7. Open the OpenVPN configuration file using WordPad or Notepad++ and scroll until you find the field. Copy everything except for the and tags and paste it in the CA Cert field.
8. Now scroll down the OpenVPN file again until you find the key field. Again, copy the contents and paste it into the TLS Auth Key field.
9. Click Save and then Apply Settings.
10. To check if the VPN is working, go to Status > OpenVPN. Under State, you should see the message Client: CONNECTED SUCCESS.

Secure Linksys with NordVPN

How do I add the VPN to my Linksys Smart Wi-Fi?

Linksys Smart Wi-Fi routers let you give access to your home network via the OpenVPN client. Only WRT3200ACM, WRT1900AC, WRT1900ACS and WRT1200AC models have this feature. Before using it, you must ensure your router is running the latest firmware with OpenVPN support.

You also need to download and install OpenVPN client software. A VPN is necessary, too. We covered how to do it here.

1. Log into your router using http://192.168.1.1. Click Local Access and enter the admin’s password.
2. Click on OpenVPN Server on the tools navigation menu.
3. Turn the server On and select Edit under the Configure OpenVPN Settings section.
4. Head to Server Address, and pick either IP Address x.x.x.x or Existing DNS name. Press Save.
5. Under the Manage OpenVPN Users section, click on Edit and then + Add User. Create as many profiles as you need by entering the Username and Password for each user. Press Save.
6. Navigate to Configure OpenVPN Settings, select OVPN Profile, and download it. You can send the file to people you wish to give access to your network.
7. Enable the VPN, and that’s it.

Are free VPNs good for Linksys?

You could use a free VPN for your Linksys router, but we recommend against it. Costless services usually don’t support router devices in the first place. And even if you find one that does, you’ll be risking your security. Unfortunately, most free VPNs tend to spy on their users and sell their data.

If you don’t have money to spare, the best option here would be to go for freemium VPNs for your Linksys device. For example, Proton VPN and Windscribe include router support via DD-WRT and Tomato firmware. Still, your experience will be limited as such services impose data caps, server limits, and functionality restrictions on the free tier.

An alternative we highly encourage is taking advantage of free VPN trials and money-back guarantees. You can combine them to use the service without paying a dime for well over a month.

1. NordVPN – offers a 7-day free trial and 30-day money-back guarantee. You can secure your router and utilize all the features according to your needs.
2. Surfshark – secure the Linksys router and access foreign content with servers in over 100 countries for free. All thanks to the 7-day trial and 30-day money-back guarantee.

Conclusion

Since routers often become targets of cyber attacks, it only makes sense to elevate their security with a VPN. This way, you’re eliminating vulnerabilities of your Linksys router and protecting all devices connected to it.

According to our research, the best VPN for Linksys routers is NordVPN. It works with various models, is fairly easy to configure, and provides excellent security measures along with superb performance. Plus, it comes with extra features useful for browsing, streaming, torrenting, and more.

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