Best VPNs for pfSense router

Routers are often targeted by online threats and cybercriminals for DDoS attacks and to steal your data. pfSense is open-source software that can be set as a virtual router and firewall. It is more secure than regular routers but still faces online threats.

The best way to secure your router is to add a secure and reliable VPN. A VPN encrypts your connection, so your data becomes unreadable to hackers. In addition, it allows you to connect to different servers and change your location to access geo-restricted sites.

In this article, we prepared a list of the five best VPNs for pfSense router for you. We tested these VPNs to ensure they are compatible with the newest pfSense software versions. In addition, they have reliable security features, good connection speeds, and offer other valuable features.

Top 5 best VPNs for pfSense

1. NordVPN – best VPN for pfSense router overall
2. Surfshark – feature-rich VPN for pfSense routers
3. IPVanish – secure and simplistic pfSense VPN
4. ExpressVPN – versatile pfSense VPN provider
5. PureVPN – great VPN to secure your pfSense router

The best VPNs for pfSense router – our detailed list

We tested all the best VPN providers to deduce a list of only the best VPNs for the psSense router. The top 5 providers in our list are compatible with the pfSense router and have set-up guides. In addition, they have great security features, offer fast connection speeds, and other useful features for a great price.

1. NordVPN – best VPN overall for pfSense router

pfSense compatible:	Yes
Servers/countries:	7700+ servers in 118 countries
No-logs:	No-logs, independently audited
Current deal:	Get 76% OFF NordVPN + free eSIM data

Visit NordVPN

NordVPN is the best VPN for pfSense routers. This VPN is compatible with different pfSense software versions, offers excellent security features to protect you from data leaks and DDoS attacks, and is one of the speediest for best browsing or streaming experiences.

Compatibility. NordVPN is compatible with pfSense routers and has installation instructions for different versions. It also has apps for all popular OS, like Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.

Servers. With more than 7700+ servers in 118 countries, NordVPN opens unlimited access to different global content libraries and platforms. Also, there are obfuscated servers for more secure browsing.

Security. NordVPN provides AES-256 encryption for your data, works on RAM-only servers, and has an independently audited no-logs policy. In addition to that, this VPN is based in a privacy-friendly jurisdiction.

Speed. NordVPN is known for having great connection speeds with the NordLynx tunneling protocol. However, OpenVPN isn’t far behind. You’ll get speedy connections, a lag-free streaming experience, and all that without sacrificing your security,

Features. With a strong kill switch, you’ll prevent accidental data leaks. Also, a double VPN feature, the Threat Protection feature that secures your device from malware, and other features. More so, this is an excellent streaming VPN that unblocks all popular streaming sites.

You can purchase your NordVPN subscription for $3.39/month and cover 10 devices simultaneously. In addition, there’s a 7-day free mobile trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Learn more in our NordVPN review.

2. Surfshark – budget-friendly and feature-rich VPN for pfSense routers

pfSense compatible:	Yes
Servers/countries:	3200+ servers in 100 countries
No-logs:	No-logs, independently audited
Current deal:	Now up to 87% OFF Surfshark + 3 months FREE

Visit Surfshark VPN

Surfshark is another great VPN option to secure your pfSense router. This VPN offers great security features for a very budget-friendly price and secures your data and your device from malware threats.

Compatibility. Surfshark is compatible with the pfSense routers and has set-up instructions. In addition, Surfshark has dedicated apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.

Servers. With more than 3200+ servers in 100 countries, Surfshark is a great choice for accessing geo-blocked content sites and streaming libraries.

Security. Surfshark ensures your data protection with AES-256 encryption, RAM-only servers, and an independently audited no-logs policy. In addition, there’s protection against DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leaks.

Speed. Surfshark is one of the speediest providers on the market, so you’re certain to get amazing connection speeds without buffers or lags. This VPN is great for seamless browsing and a high-quality streaming experience.

Features. This VPN has a customizable kill switch, no borders feature to bypass restrictions, and a GPS spoofer, amongst other features. In addition, you can also get a Surfshark antivirus to secure your devices from malware threats. More so, This VPN unblocks all popular streaming sites, like Netflix, Hulu, and others.

Surfshark is a very budget-friendly provider, one subscription costs as little as $1.99/month and covers unlimited simultaneous connections. You can try this VPN out with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

To get a better understanding, read our comprehensive Surfshark VPN review or compare it with the top choice in our Surfshark vs NordVPN analysis.

3. IPVanish – secure, fast, and feature-rich VPN for pfSense routers

pfSense compatible:	Yes
Servers/countries:	2400+ servers in 109 countries
No-logs:	No-logs, independently audited
Current deal:	Now up to 83% OFF IPVanish

Visit IPVanish

IPVanish is another top VPN for pfSense routers. The VPN checks all the right boxes with robust encryption, strong and diverse security features, and fast speeds for smooth browsing or streaming experiences. Moreover, it delivers all these at a very affordable price.

Compatibility. IPVanish is compatible with pfSense routers as it supports OpenVPN, a protocol commonly used to integrate VPNs with pfSense. However, unlike other VPNs like NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN, IPVanish doesn’t provide a setup guide. So, you’ll need a basic level of technical know-how. The VPN is also compatible with major operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.

Servers. With 2400+ servers in 109 countries, IPVanish makes it easy to access geo-blocked content and platforms from around the world. That said, the fleet is on the smaller side if you compare it to VPNs like NordVPN.

Security. IPVanish uses 256-bit AES encryption to protect your data. Additionally, it operates RAM-only servers and enforces a strict no-logs policy that has been audited by the Leviathan Security Group to reassure you that your data remains private and accessible only to you.

Speed. While it might be slightly outpaced by the incredibly fast NordVPN, IPVanish performed remarkably well in our speed tests. Fast connections free of lags and buffers ensure that you have a smooth browsing and streaming experience.

Features. IPVanish doesn’t skimp on its features. A kill switch, Double VPN, auto-connect, Threat Protection, split tunneling, SOCKS5 proxy, and DNS leak protection are all included in its subscriptions.

It is a cost-friendly solution. IPVanish’s plans are available from as low as $2.19/month. Additionally, one subscription covers unlimited simultaneous connections. You can try it out with its 30-day money-back guarantee.

Gain better insight into the provider by reading our comprehensive IPVanish review.

4. ExpressVPN – versatile VPN to secure your pfSense router

pfSense compatible:	Yes
Servers/countries:	3000+ servers in 105 countries
No-logs:	No-logs, independently audited
Current deal:	Now up to 61% OFF ExpressVPN + 4 months FREE

Visit ExpressVPN

One more VPN for pfSense, is ExpressVPN. This versatile VPN provider has setup guides for pfSense, offers great protection features for your data, and has solid speeds. However, this VPN could improve the features list.

Compatibility. ExpressVPN is another VPN compatible with pfSense routers and has a setup guide available. In addition to that, this VPN is also compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS devices.

Servers. The last time ExpressVPN’s server number was public, it was more than 3000 servers in 105 countries. So, you have plenty of options to pick whichever location you prefer to connect.

Security. To ensure that your data is secure, ExpressVPN has AES-256 data encryption, works on RAM servers, a strict independently audited no-logs policy, and secure tunneling protocols. Moreover, there’s a reliable kill switch to prevent accidental data leaks.

Speed. ExpressVPN provides solid connection speeds for torrenting and streaming in HD. More so, there are plenty of protocols to pick from, like OpenVPN that works with pfSense.

Features. ExpressVPN has a split tunneling feature, a router applet to configure your port forwarding settings, and a Threat manager tool to block all trackers and other online threats.

You can purchase ExpressVPN for $4.99/month and connect up to 8 devices simultaneously. In addition, there’s a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

Need more insights? Check out our detailed Express VPN review or see how ExpressVPN fares against #1 in our NordVPN vs ExpressVPN comparison.

5. PureVPN – secure VPN for pfSense routers

pfSense compatible:	Yes
Servers/countries:	6000+ servers in 65 countries
No-logs:	No-logs, always-on audit
Current deal:	Now 83% OFF PureVPN + 6 FREE months

Visit PureVPN

Another great option for pfSense VPN is PureVPN. This VPN has great security features to protect your data and router software. More so, PureVPN comes with great additional features.

Compatibility. PureVPN is compatible with the latest pfSense routers and has a setup guide. This VPN is also compatible with different OS, like Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.

Servers. You'll easily find your preferred connection point with more than 6000+ servers in 65 countries. More so, PureVPN allows you to pick so-called Quantum-Resistant servers, which offer better security than regular servers.

Security. PureVPN uses AES-256 encryption to hide your data, is based in a privacy-friendly jurisdiction, has a strict no-logs policy, and has an always-on audit. So, you can be certain that your data is secure and not logged anywhere for any purpose.

Speed. PureVPN provides stable connection speeds and supports different tunneling protocols. While torrenting won’t be as speedy as with other top providers on this list, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about to get a lag-free streaming experience.

Features. With a PureVPN subscription, you’ll get a reliable kill switch to prevent accidental data leaks. There are also split tunneling and port forwarding features. Moreover, PureVPN has a password manager to secure all your credentials.

You can get a PureVPN subscription for as low as $2.14/month and cover up to 10 devices. What’s more, you can test this VPN with a 31-day money-back guarantee.

Check out our in-depth PureVPN review for more information.

How we selected and tested these VPNs

To provide you with a list of only the best VPNs for the pfSense router, we tested the top-rated VPNs to meet our certain required criteria. Here are the main criteria for it:

• Compatibility. The most important feature while making this list was ensuring that the VPNs were compatible with the newest versions of the pfSense router and had setup instructions available.
• Security. We looked for providers with robust security features like the market-standard encryption and tunneling protocols list, no-logs policy, security audits, and secure infrastructure, like RAM-only servers.
• Speed. For seamless browsing with no lags or buffering, we only selected the VPNs with fast connection speeds. This feature is essential for the browsing experience and streaming as well, as fast speeds lead to buffer-free HD streaming.
• Additional features. Considering that a VPN is not only for protecting your pfSense router, additional features like optimized servers, antivirus software, ad blocker, and others are also a great addition to your package.

Comparison of the best VPNs for pfSense routers

Below, you’ll find a table of the best VPNs for pfSense router comparison.

Brand	Price	Compatible with pfSense	Based in	Servers/countries	No-logs policy	Streaming capabilities
NordVPN	From $3.39/month	Yes	Panama	7700+ servers in 118 countries	No-logs, independently audited by PwC	Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more
Surfshark	From $1.99/month	Yes	The Netherlands	3200+ servers in 100 countries	No-logs, independently audited by Deloitte	Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and more
IPvanish	From $2.19/month	Yes	United States	2400+ servers in 109 countries	No-logs, independently audited	Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube, Disney+, and more
ExpressVPN	From $4.99/month	Yes	British Virgin Islands	3000+ servers in 105 countries	No-logs, independently audited	Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more
PureVPN	From $2.14/month	Yes	British Virgin Islands	6000+ servers in 65 countries	No-logs, always-on audit	Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube

What are the reasons to use a VPN for pfSense?

A reliable VPN adds another layer of security to the pfSense routers. Even though this open-source software is updated regularly, routers are still common targets to cyber-criminals. However, a VPN encrypts your traffic, so even if cyber threats access your data, it’s unreadable to them.

More so, with your traffic encrypted, your ISP won’t be able to traffic your online activity and throttle the bandwidth if they think you’re downloading torrented files. In addition, top-rated VPNs come with additional security measures. Those features include anti-malware, ad blockers, and leak protection features.

Lastly, a VPN helps you change your connection location, and since you can pick your location, you can access unrestricted global content sites and libraries. So, with a VPN, you can select whatever server you want and unblock geo-restricted content.

Can a VPN protect the pfSense router?

Yes, a VPN can protect your pfSense router, especially from possible DDoS attacks. A secure VPN encrypts your traffic, so it becomes unhackable. So if any threats target your connections and get access to your logs, they are unreadable.

In addition, all best-rated VPNs have a reliable kill switch to prevent accidental data leaks. So, even with a VPN configured on your pfSense router, the kill switch works the same. It kills your Internet connection if your connection with a VPN is disrupted.

Using a VPN for pfSense: things to consider

Even though pfSense is more secure than other routers and is updated regularly, a VPN is the best way to strengthen your pfSense router security. However, you shouldn’t blindly pick a VPN and hope it will work.

Some of the main things you should consider when using a VPN for pfSense routers are:

• Compatibility with pfSense – before purchasing your VPN subscription, you should make sure that the VPN is compatible with pfSense and has setup guides.
• VPN security features – if you intend to secure your router software, you need a secure VPN with strong encryption, secure tunneling protocols, a no-logs policy, and other security features.
• Connection speeds – to enjoy browsing securely, you need stable connection speeds. Therefore, when picking your VPN provider, you must check that they provide stable connections for lag-free browsing and streaming.
• Additional features – you’re most likely not getting a VPN only for the pfSense router but also your daily use. So check to see if the VPN meets all your requirements, unblocks different streaming sites, has an ad blocker, and others.

Setting up a VPN with pfSense

The guide on how to set up a VPN on your pfSense router will differ depending on your VPN provider. A compatible VPN service will have a guide with all the necessary information to set up the software successfully.

Here’s a guide on how to set up NordVPN on the pfSense router:

1. Choose a VPN compatible with pfSense software. Our top pick is NordVPN, now 76% OFF!
2. Download the configuration files for the selected server location from your VPN provider’s website.
3. log in to the pfSense dashboard and head over to Systems > Cert. Manager.
4. Under Certificate authority (CA), select Add to add a new CA.
5. Name your CA and select “Import an existing Certificate Authority” from the method dropdown.
6. For the Certificate data field, add the data from the section from the VPN configuration files.
7. Click “Save”.
8. Head to the Certificates tab and click Add to add a new certificate.
9. Name the certificate and click on Import and existing Certificate from the method dropdown.
10. For the Certificate data field, add the data from the section from the VPN configuration files.
11. For the Private key data field, add the data from the section from the VPN configuration files.
12. Click “Safe”.
13. Add your VPN client by going to VPN > OpenVPN > Clients and select Add.
14. Add the needed information from your VPN setup guide:14.1. General Information14.2. User Authentication Settings14.3. Cryptographic Settings14.4. Tunnel Settings14.5. Advanced Configuration
15. Check if you successfully connected to the OpenVPN protocol by going to Settings > OpenVPN. In the Client Instance Statistics tab, you need to find Status and the word up to confirm your secure connection.

If your IP address doesn’t change after all these steps and setting up your VPN, try restarting the pfSense router and rechecking the IP address.

If you need more setup help, head to NordVPN’s extensive setup guide for pfSense router.

Conclusion

Adding a reliable VPN to your pfSense router is the best way to strengthen your network security and prevent cyber threats from obtaining your sensitive data or targeting your device.

Our top choice for the best VPN for pfSense is NordVPN. This VPN is compatible with different versions of pfSense, is highly secure and speedy, so you can safely enjoy browsing online, streaming, or torrenting without buffering or lags. In addition, it secures your device from malware and has a vast list of other valuable features.

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