NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access are three of the world’s most recognizable VPN brands. They are all solid VPN alternatives but they, like all other VPNs, have one weakness. You can only connect a finite number of devices at once.
- You can protect five devices simultaneously via ExpressVPN.
- You can protect six devices simultaneously via NordVPN.
- You can protect ten devices simultaneously via Private Internet Access.
A device limit, like the one mentioned above, is very common in the VPN niche. But if you want to squash that limitation, buying a VPN router is the way to do it.
The Best VPN Routers for PIA, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN
- Vilfo: An extremely powerful VPN router which encrypts traffic up to 500 Mbit/s and is very easy to use.
- Linksys WRT 3200: A VPN router with DD-WRT compatibility. It is cheaper compared to Vilfo, but also a lot weaker.
- TP-Link Archer C5400 v2: A powerful VPN router within the same price range as Vilfo. Solid VPN performance, but the software is a bit lacking.
- Asus RT-AX58U: A popular VPN router from Asus, which is even cheaper than the Linksys WRT 3200 router. The VPN performance is not much to write home about though.
Below we’ll talk more about the above-mentioned VPN routers in greater detail.
Vilfo: The Best VPN Router out There ($399)
Most router manufacturers focus on selling their products to home users that don’t use a VPN. And that is fine since many customers simply do not care about VPN performance. But if you are paying for a premium VPN service like NordVPN, Private Internet Access, or ExpressVPN and want to use it on a VPN router, then Vilfo is the smartest choice. See the integrated VPN provider list on Vilfo’s website for a full list of all the VPN providers currently supported.
With Vilfo, you will be able to connect to multiple VPN servers at once. Other than that, the install process is seamless, and it only takes minutes to install a VPN on it. No fiddling with install files is necessary when it comes to all the major VPN providers, including PIA, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN.
Vilfo is also a powerhouse when it comes to performance. As they say on their web page, Vilfo supports VPN encryption speeds of up 500 Mbit/s, and that number has been confirmed by external reviewers. Do note that Vilfo will be compatible with the WireGuard protocol in the autumn of 2021. And when that happens, the max speed will rise to 1,000 Mbps (1 Gbps) when connected to a VPN via ethernet.
The Vilfo router is a bit pricey, but if you care about simplicity, ease of use and VPN performance, Vilfo is the most solid VPN router out there.
Linksys WRT 3200: An Acceptable Budget Alternative ($219)
Linksys WRT 3200 is not built for VPN use, at least not out of the box. If you want to install a VPN on it, you will have to flash it with a new operating system, preferably OpenWrt. OpenWrt is a powerful and flexible router OS, but the install process is a bit tedious. And if you install OpenWrt the wrong way, you will end up bricking your router.
The performance is solid if you do not install a VPN on it. But if you do, you will be limited to the PPTP and OpenVPN protocol. OpenVPN is a safe and popular VPN protocol, but it is a bit much to handle for this router. Do not expect a connection speed that exceeds 80 to 100 Mbps when you are connected to a VPN server with this router.
TP-Link Archer C5400 v2: A Powerful VPN Router with Mediocre Software ($350)
TP-Link Archer C5400 v2 offers great performance for regular use, and good enough performance when using it with a VPN. The design is, well, how should we put it, unique. The router looks like a giant spider, which makes it a router that stands out. Some say the design is horrific, while others like it.
As we said previously, you can install a VPN on it, but the interface is a bit difficult to understand. Common settings are easy enough to handle, but installing a VPN is tricky, at least for consumers that are new to how VPNs work. Also, you cannot connect to multiple servers at once, which is another shortcoming.
In theory, the TP-Link Archer C5400 v2 can be a great VPN router, but the software is lacking, i.e. not user friendly at all.
Asus RT-AX58U: A Discreet and Cheap VPN Router ($149)
Asus RT-AX58U is one of Asus top sellers, and it’s easy to understand why. The interface is beginner friendly, and the wireless performance is good enough to cover a small to medium sized home.
But what about the VPN capabilities? Well, they are not great. The hardware power that is needed for using this router as a VPN router just is not there. This router offers parental controls, a capable traffic monitoring tool, and an easy-to-use interface, but you will not be able to use multiple VPN connections at once, and the performance is not good enough to provide you with a good VPN experience.
The process of installing a VPN is easy enough though. But like many other things, Vilfo is miles ahead when it comes to ease of use.
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