Best VPN for Netgear routers in 2024 (and how to install them)

Want to connect to a VPN on a Netgear router? We explain how to set up a VPN on a Netgear router and recommend the best VPNs for the job.

Netgear routers are some of the most affordable and well-performing routers on the market, providing excellent speeds and reliability. However, they do not support third-party VPNs that give users a private connection to the internet and a remote IP address.

Connecting a WiFi router to a VPN protects every device in your home and removes the need to connect individual devices on your network. 

Unfortunately for Netgear owners, the built-in VPN function doesn’t work with remote VPN servers. It can create a local VPN server, but won’t let you set up your router as a VPN client.

If you want a VPN for secure torrents, private web searches, and the ability to bypass censorship and online restrictions, then you need to either purchase a different router or change the firmware on your Netgear router to an alternative such as DD-WRT or Tomato.

Changing your router’s firmware isn’t that hard, but it does carry some risks. If you make a mistake, you could accidentally brick the entire router. Flashing a router—replacing the firmware—can void the warranty.

If you aren’t particularly techy, it might be better to get one that is already flashed with the firmware you need. No matter what you decide, we have explained everything in this guide. Scroll down to see the best VPNs for a Netgear router.

Please bear in mind that your Netgear router will not work with any of the VPNs below in its native state. You will need to flash the router with an alternative firmware in order to set up the connection to these VPNs.

Best VPN for Netgear routers:

1. NordVPN: Best VPN for Netgear. Works on Netgear routers flashed with DD-WRT and Tomato. Fast speeds, highly reliable, and super fast. Works with Netflix US and many other streaming services. No-logging policy and strong encryption. Risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. Surfshark: Cheapest VPN for Netgear routers. Fast speeds and strong security. Allows unlimited connections. Works with popular streaming services and has 24/7 live chat support. Compatible with Netgear routers flashed with DD-WRT or Tomato.
3. ExpressVPN: Fast and reliable VPN that has its own firmware. Has a guide that explains how to set up the ExpressVPN firmware on compatible Netgear routers. Also compatible with DD-WRT and Tomato-flashed Netgear routers. Great access to content from abroad. Solid security and access to IP addresses in 105+ countries.
4. CyberGhost VPN: Can be set up on various Netgear routers that are flashed with DD-WRT or Tomato. Provides instructions on how to use the FlashRouters Privacy App to set up a CyberGhost connection on DD-WRT. Works with region-locked content.
5. PrivateVPN: A reliable VPN that is compatible with Netgear routers flashed with DD-WRT. Not the fastest VPN, but works to stream over a dozen Netflix regions. Solid no logs policy and robust AES-256 encryption.

Summary Table

In a perfect world, Netgear routers would function as OpenVPN or WireGuard clients. Sadly, that isn’t the case, so you need to install a different firmware on your router.

Once your Netgear router is prepped with a VPN-compatible firmware, you will be able to set up a VPN connection by using the config files provided on the VPN provider’s website. The VPNs in this guide all provide these important config files, as well as guides for setting up the VPN manually on your router.

Besides this, our recommendations have been thoroughly tested to ensure they offer the highest levels of online privacy and security. Here are some of the main criteria we considered when making our picks:

• Provide compatibility for various Netgear routers, including guides for setting up the VPN on DD-WRT and Tomato-flashed routers.
• Advanced privacy and security features, including strong encryption, OpenVPN protocol, DNS leak protection, a kill switch, and a no-logs policy.
• Speedy connections that can stream in HD, play games, and torrent securely.
• Reliable customer support with live chat.
• Apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and more.
• A money-back guarantee to try the VPN risk-free.
• Global server network to access regional services and bypass online blocks.
• Good value for money.
• Allows torrenting and other P2P activities.
• In order to qualify for one of the top three positions, the VPN must operate a 100% diskless server network and have its infrastructure audited by a reputable third party.

Best VPN for Netgear routers: NordVPN

If you want the very best VPN for a Netgear router, we strongly recommend NordVPN. This service is highly reliable and fast. It is compatible with Netgear routers that have been flashed with either DD-WRT or Tomato. 

If your Netflix router is compatible with DD-WRT, you can use NordVPN’s guide to manually configure your VPN and get it connected to any of Nord’s servers in 61+ countries. Alternatively, if you don’t have the confidence to flash a router yourself, you can easily purchase a router that has been pre-flashed and configured for NordVPN's network from FlashRouters.com.

Once your router is set up, you will easily be able to spoof your IP address to the US or any other country around the world. In our tests, NordVPN worked to stream over a dozen Netflix regions, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+, Peacock, YouTubeTV, BBC iPlayer, ESPN+, and many other popular services.

The NordVPN setup process for Netgear routers will provide every device in your home with string AES encryption through a trustworthy OpenVPN connection. This is a well-known protocol that NordVPN implements with Perfect Forward Secrecy and DNS leak protection. 

Note that although the NordVPN clients for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android have additional features, such as a kill switch, obfuscation, Double VPN, Tor over VPN, and split tunneling, you will not be able to use these features directly on your router. If you want to torrent safely with a kill switch, we recommend installing the VPN directly on your torrenting device to ensure that you never leak traffic outside of the VPN tunnel.

NordVPN has a solid no-logging policy, and it is based in Panama, which is excellent in terms of privacy. You can get help with using the VPN thanks to its 24/7 live chat support and can test it yourself on your router and individual devices using its risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

BEST VPN FOR NETGEAR: NordVPN is a fast and reliable VPN that gives you access to region-locked platforms and censored content on every device in your home. Has a guide to install the VPN on numerous routers, including Netgear, which has been pre-flashed with compatible firmware. Strong encryption and a no-logs policy to prevent surveillance online. Also keeps you safe on public WiFi. Includes a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee to try it yourself.

Read our full review of NordVPN.

Netgear VPN testing methodology

Few VPNs are compatible with Netgear routers. They are often slow or do not provide the necessary config files and security features you need. 

At BleepingComputer, we use a rigorous evaluation process to find VPNs that are not only compatible but excel in terms of privacy and security. We test for leaks, scrutinize each VPN's encryption methods, assess the reliability of the kill switch, and gauge the VPN's speeds. This ensures that our recommendations offer excellent performance and reliability.

Our VPN testing methodology prioritizes privacy and security. However, we also consider the VPN's server network, and whether it works to access popular services like Netflix US or BBC iPlayer, as well as for torrenting. Our recommendations are highly versatile and can be trusted on your Netgear router. 

Below, we have included some of the features we looked for when recommending the best VPNs for Netgear routers:

• Compatibility with Netgear routers: All the VPNs in this guide provide config files for OpenVPN and let you connect to their servers directly from a Netgear router. This includes Netgear routers compatible with DD-WRT and Tomato. 
• Global server network: Our recommendations grant access to secure IP addresses across a diverse range of global locations, making it easy to change the IP address of all the devices on your network. VPN locations should be available in numerous popular countries. 
• High-speed Tier-1 network: These VPNs ensure optimal internet speeds for streaming, torrenting, gaming, and making private video calls. 
• Stringent no-logs policy: The VPNs in this guide have a no-logs policy that protects your privacy and safeguards your online activities against data snoops both now and in the future.
• Feature-rich apps: We exclusively recommend VPNs equipped with an extensive array of security and privacy features. These include a kill switch, obfuscation, MultiHop, split tunneling, and more, guaranteeing robust protection.
• Compatibility with popular streaming platforms: With our recommendations, you can gain access to regional streaming services like Netflix, Hulu HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, and many others. 
• Affordability: These VPNs offer a reliable and secure service at a fair price. This makes them affordable and ensures that you aren’t overpaying to get a reliable privacy tool for your Netgear router.
• Robust encryption: Our VPN recommendations all employ robust 256-bit encryption to protect your data whether you are at home, at work, or using a public Wi-Fi network. This ensures the confidentiality of your data.

Besides the important features and tests mentioned above, we look for two additional things for our top three recommendations. To make it into the top three positions, VPNs must also have:

• A comprehensive third-party security audit of their service. This rigorous evaluation ensures that their apps, policies, and network implementation have been thoroughly examined for any flaws or vulnerabilities.
• A network operating on diskless servers that function in RAM. This configuration enables the provider to remotely deactivate any of its servers, preventing any data retrieval in the event of a server seizure by the authorities. This also allows the VPN to erase a server remotely in case of an emergency.

Netgear VPN compatibility explained

Netgear routers don’t work with popular consumer VPNs like NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN, despite having some VPN functionality built in.

The built-in VPN feature on Netgear routers sets up your router as a home VPN server, rather than a client. It will allow you to connect to your home’s network from a remote location. This is perfect if you want to access resources on your home network remotely. Alternatively, a small business could set up a VPN server for employees to remotely access the business network. While this is a useful feature, it is not the primary VPN feature needed by average home users. 

Most people want to set up their router as a VPN client with a secure connection to a server in a remote location. This allows them to encrypt their internet connection and access to region-locked or censored parts of the web. Users can unblock regional video services, torrent safely and without being tracked, and access services like YouTube and Facebook in countries where they are blocked.

Netgear’s default firmware doesn’t include a VPN client, so you’ll need to replace it. Free and open-source alternatives like DD-WRT and Tomato retain all the normal functions of your normal router and can be used as VPN clients.

How to change firmware on a Netgear router

If you want to connect your router to a remote VPN server to gain privacy and location spoofing on every device in your home (or business network), you will need to update the firmware on your Netgear router.

1. Download third-party firmware that is compatible with your specific Netgear router model. You can find out whether your router is compatible with DD-WRT, Tomato, or other firmware variants online. ExpressVPN has its own firmware, so you can install that onto compatible routers (check its website to find out more). Be sure to get the firmware designed for your exact router model.
2. Open your web browser and head over to: http://www.routerlogin.net.
3. Access your router admin panel by entering the username and password. The default username is “admin" and the default password is "password." Be sure to update these login credentials if you haven't already as this will make your router more secure in the future.
4. Navigate to the Router Update section by selecting Advanced > Administration.
5. Click on Browse and navigate to the place on your hard drive where the firmware you downloaded in step one is located.
6. Initiate the firmware update by clicking Upload. This will begin the flashing process on your Netgear router.
7. After the update is complete, your router should restart on its own. If it doesn't restart, we recommend that you restart the router yourself to finalize the configuration process.

Can I get a free VPN for a Netgear router?

No. Although there are some free VPNs on the market that we can recommend, you will not be able to use these on a router. Some reliable VPNs offer a limited free plan that allows you to connect to a small selection of server locations. However, free users are not able to access config files to set up the free VPN on a router. Get a subscription if you want to use a VPN directly on your Netgear router.

We urge you to stay away from the majority of free VPNs on the market. Most of the free VPNs advertised on app stores have dodgy privacy policies that allow them to harvest user data and sell it to third parties to create a revenue stream. These kinds of free VPNs use your data for profiling, and sell your web history to third parties such as advertisers and data brokers, which runs contrary to the privacy a VPN is designed to provide.

In addition, many free VPNs have been found to suffer from leaks, lack reliable encryption, and even contain spyware in their apps. Most free VPNs are a threat to your data and digital footprint.

You can use the VPN feature built into a Netgear router for free. So, if you want to set up your home router as a VPN server that you can connect to remotely, then you will be able to do this for free. We have included a guide below.

How to setup your Netgear as a home VPN server

Setting up your home router as a VPN can be useful if you want to access any of the resources on your LAN remotely. For example, you can use it to manage smart home devices, access home media servers, or establish a remote connection to a computer. If this sounds appealing, we have included a guide on how to set it up below.

1. Launch a web browser and navigate to http://www.routerlogin.net.
2. Access your router's admin panel (Netgear Genie) by entering the username and password. By default, the username is 'admin,' and the password is 'password.' It's advisable to change these credentials if you haven't already.
3. Navigate to Advanced > Advanced Setup > VPN Service.
4. Enable VPN Service and click Apply.
5. Configure the VPN service settings according to your specific requirements, depending on how you intend to use the VPN.
6. Download the OpenVPN configuration onto the device that you will be connecting with remotely.
7. Select the OpenVPN profile you created on your router, and establish the connection.

You can make use of the official OpenVPN apps to connect to your home-spun VPN server. These are available for most major operating systems. You can find them in your device's app store or on the OpenVPN website.

VPN for Netgear routers – FAQs

Will a VPN work on my Netgear Nighthawk router?

Netgear made changes to Nighthawk routers a few years ago, which prevented them from being flashed. The good news is that open-source developers have found a way around the problem, and Nighthawk routers can now be flashed again.

You can set them up to connect to any of the consumer VPNs recommended in this guide. Remember that the quality of your connection will depend on the speed of your router and the specific VPN provider you choose.  A slower Nightgear router with less memory and processing power will struggle to run a VPN efficiently, which will have an impact on the speed of the connection. 

However, if you have a fast model like the Netgear Nighthawk R7000, you will be able to flash custom firmware and get good speeds as long as you stick to our top recommended VPNs for Netgear. 

Will a Netgear router VPN protect all the devices in my home?

Yes. When you set up a VPN on your router, every device that connects to the WiFi is routed through the VPN. This removes the need for you to install the VPN directly onto your smartphone, computer, tablet, or any other device. It also ensures that devices like Apple TV boxes or smart home IoT devices are all protected by the VPN. 

This increases the security of all your internet-connected devices and allows you to get a remote IP address on any devices that wouldn't usually let you connect to a VPN – such as a games console.

That said, stand-alone VPN clients provided by world-class services like NordVPN and Surfshark have many additional privacy and security features built into their custom apps. These useful features (such as split tunneling, kill switch, and MultiHop) are not necessarily compatible with a VPN setup directly on your router. 

Standalone VPN clients are also useful if you intend to use your VPN while on the move, such as at work or when connected to public WiFi. For this reason, it is a good idea to have the VPN client installed on your favorite devices as well as on your router.

How do I check if my Netgear router is VPN-compatible?

As long as your router can be flashed with either Tomato or DD-WRT, then you will be able to connect to the VPN we have recommended in this guide. If you aren’t sure whether you can flash your specific router, then you can find out online by searching for your router model.

How many devices can connect using a Netgear router VPN?

With a VPN setup on your router, you no longer need to worry about how many simultaneous connections the VPN provider allows. The router counts as just one VPN connection, and you can connect nearly 250 devices to your router. You can get the protection of the VPN on every device in your home.

Is DD-WRT or Tomato firmware better?

Both of these open-source router firmware variants are excellent and easy to use. Unless you have very specific requirements it is unlikely that you will notice much difference between these different options. That said, DD-WRT is probably the best-known of the two and is often supported by a larger number of routers. If you are in a rush and can't decide, we recommend DD-WRT.