5 Best VPNs for TP-Link Routers — Install & Use Easily in 2023

Not all VPNs work well with TP-Link routers. Many of them (especially free services) can’t be installed on these devices or don’t deliver reliable connections. That’s why finding the best VPN for a TP-Link router can be challenging.

My team and I tested 80+ VPNs for several TP-Link models. The shortlisted providers have fast global servers to unblock worldwide content without slowdowns easily. Additionally, robust encryption and leak protection enhance online privacy on all devices in your household. These VPNs all offer in-depth setup guides to help you with the installation.

My top choice for TP-Link routers is ExpressVPN. It has many handy features to manage your router connections. The VPN also provides a vast server network and lightning-fast speeds to bypass geoblocks and watch TV shows buffer-free. Plus, it comes with military-grade encryption for secure internet access. You can try ExpressVPN for TP-Link without risk, as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.

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5 Best VPNs for TP-Link Routers — Full Analysis (Updated in 2023)

Every VPN on this list works well with most TP-Link routers. Installing a VPN on your WiFi device safeguards your online privacy with encryption, tunneling protocols, and no-logs policies. None of them limit your bandwidth, meaning you can stream and download as much as you want. Besides, these VPNs have fast worldwide networks that get around international geo-restrictions without significant speed loss.

They also have desktop and mobile versions and support multiple simultaneous connections from a single account. So, it’s possible to keep your VPN working at home on your router while safely browsing on your Lenovo laptop outdoors. These providers offer 24/7 live chat support too, should you need assistance setting up a VPN on your router. Plus, the money-back guarantee lets you try them without risk.

1. ExpressVPN — Impressive Speeds on Devices Connected to Your TP-Link Router

ExpressVPN’s excellent speeds apply to all devices on your TP-Link router network. You can also use the Smart Location feature to find the fastest nearby server for your router. My speeds were super-fast while testing ExpressVPN on the US servers. I recorded an average download speed of 73 Mbps, which is only an 8% drop from my base speed. That’s fast enough to watch 4K videos buffer-free (you need 25 Mbps for smooth UHD streaming).

Torrenting is possible too, thanks to P2P traffic support. The same goes for online gaming — the excellent speeds with low ping allowed me to play the Conquest mode in Battlefield 2042 on my Asus laptop. Plus, this VPN offers unlimited bandwidth. This means it’s possible to stream, download files, and game on all your devices without data caps.

You can configure a VPN manually on your TP-Link router. If you’re unable to use L2TP/IPSec or PPTP manual configuration, ExpressVPN supports OpenVPN. It’s an open-sourced protocol that utilizes SSL/TLS for key exchange. You must enable the OpenVPN server on your router to use it and download ExpressVPN’s manual configuration files. For example, TP-Link ER605 and R7200 models support OpenVPN connections.

ExpressVPN lets you choose several locations you can connect to

There are step-by-step guides on the official website to help you set up ExpressVPN on compatible devices in minutes. You can contact the support service via email and 24/7 live chat too, if your router isn’t on the list. Custom ExpressVPN firmware with a multilingual interface is only available for several Asus, Netgear, and Linksys routers. Plus, you may use it on 8 devices with a single account, with your router counting only as one connection.

The Device Groups lets you assign VPN servers to devices connected to your TP-Link router. This feature resembles split tunneling. I configured my Samsung TV to use the Chicago server for accessing my Netflix US account while connecting my phone to Smart Location for the best speeds. You may also use MediaStreamer (Smart DNS) to bypass geoblocks on devices without native VPN apps, like PlayStation 5 and Xbox One.

Geo-restricted services are easily accessible with 3,000 servers across 94 countries. I watched my usual content from home on my HBO Max and Disney+ subscriptions on devices connected to my home WiFi. There’s an obfuscation feature too, that masks VPN traffic as a regular online activity to avoid advanced firewalls. So, you can watch Rings of Power on your Amazon Prime Video or Peaky Blinders on your BBC iPlayer account abroad.

This VPN secures your activities with cutting-edge tunneling protocols, including OpenVPN (TCP and UDP). I prefer OpenVPN for TP-Link routers, as it offers excellent protection and streaming-ready speeds. However, you may switch to extra-fast and secure Lightway protocol for desktop and mobile devices. Additionally, ExpressVPN uses military-grade encryption to cipher your router traffic.

TrustedServer technology (RAM-only servers) regularly deletes your browsing history on every server reboot. A strict no-logs policy prevents sharing your confidential information. The provider is headquartered in the British Virgin Islands, away from the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances — intelligence-sharing agreements. Your personal information isn’t available for sharing either.

You're protected from accidental data leaks with a Network Lock (kill switch). It terminates the internet connection automatically if the VPN goes down on your TP-Link router. Even though that didn’t happen to me, this ensures your whole network uses secure protocols all the time. Besides, none of the servers I tried had any IP/DNS/WebRTC leaks, so my actual location wasn’t exposed.

On the downside, the subscriptions are quite expensive — the most wallet-friendly option starts at $6.67/month. However, ExpressVPN frequently offers generous discounts. For example, I got my 12-month plan with 49% off and 3 extra months for free.

Best of all, the service is backed by a 30-day refund period. If you’re not 100% happy with it, you can quickly get your money back. I canceled my subscription using the online chat (it took me only a few minutes). My money was back in my bank account in just 2 days.

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2. CyberGhost — Extensive Server Network to Unblock Popular Streaming Platforms When Connected to a TP-Link Router

Unblocking popular online services is easy with CyberGhost’s vast server network. You can enjoy watching worldwide content with 9,487 servers in 91 countries — from Canada to South Africa and China. For example, I accessed my Netflix US subscription abroad without issues while testing CyberGhost’s US servers on my router. The VPN also lets you watch shows on your BBC iPlayer account while outside the UK.

TP-Link routers are available with pre-configured CyberGhost firmware, but they’re pretty expensive. It’s better to manually set up the VPN connection on models that support DD-WRT and Tomato firmware or OpenVPN protocol. Many tutorials on the provider’s and manufacturer's sites help you with a hassle-free installation. Plus, the apps are beginner friendly, and you can conveniently use the 24/7 live chat support if you get stuck.

It’s possible to use CyberGhost’s dashboard to create, edit, or delete VPN configurations for your TP-Link router

Although not as fast as ExpressVPN, this VPN offers excellent speeds for streaming and gaming. I averaged 68 Mbps on the Seattle servers. There’s an option to connect to P2P-oriented locations for faster torrenting. Besides, unlimited bandwidth allows you to download as many files as possible.

A robust AES 256-bit standard encrypts your router traffic. The VPN supports OpenVPN for routers, while desktop and mobile users can switch to extra-fast WireGuard protocol. I also used the ad blocker (available with WireGuard protocol) to prevent pop-ups and trackers on my HP laptop while browsing Yahoo News from a cafe. Additionally, you can turn on auto-connect on startup and a kill switch to safeguard your data all the time.

I ran several IP/DNS leak tests, and none of my personal information was exposed. The provider is based in privacy-friendly Romania — outside 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances and EU data retention laws. Plus, you may connect to super-secure NoSpy servers managed by CyberGhost's team (albeit for an extra fee). Other than that, the VPN has a strict no-logs policy that prevents your personal information from being shared with any third party.

My only gripe is that the monthly plans are expensive and offer a limited 14-day money-back guarantee. However, CyberGhost’s long-term subscriptions are available for only $2.19/month. I chose the 2-year plan to get the best value for money and an extended refund period.

With a 45-day money-back guarantee, you can try CyberGhost on your TP-Link router for free. I requested a refund via email. The process is very straightforward, and my PayPal wallet was reimbursed 3 days after I received a reply.

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3. Private Internet Access — Top-Grade Security for Safe Browsing on Your Router-Connected Devices

PIA secures traffic on your network with high-grade encryption once installed on your TP-Link router. You can choose between two encryption levels: AES 128-bit to maximize your speeds and AES 256-bit for even safer internet access. It also supports OpenVPN, which is the preferred protocol for most routers. For extra protection, a kill switch feature prevents your location or data from being exposed.

This provider safeguards your privacy with a trustworthy zero-logs policy. I used the ad blocker feature (MACE) to block shady ads while browsing sites like Forbes. You can enable it on your router by configuring the DNS server. Additionally, PIA successfully passed all IPv6/DNS/WebRTC leak tests I ran. So, you're safe from DNS hijacking, ISP monitoring, and hackers.

It’s possible to configure the VPN on your TP-Link router to keep your home WiFi network protected. Plus, PIA provides detailed installation guides and configuration files for different routers. If needed there’s 24/7 live chat support to help you install and use the VPN.

Use PIA’s server list and guides to configure a VPN router connection with different encryption standards

I recorded a 62 Mbps average download speed on the US servers. My tests showed that TP-Link routers with AES Acceleration hardware generally have slightly better speeds. But even on older routers, PIA’s speeds let you comfortably stream in UHD and game without lag. Torrenting isn’t a problem either, as the VPN offers P2P support and unlimited bandwidth.

My only complaint is that PIA doesn’t allow torrenting on its US servers. However, it has plenty of P2P-ready servers throughout Europe and other locations. Accessing worldwide content is easy too, thanks to 29,650 servers in 84 countries. While outside of the US, I watched NHL live streams with my ESPN+ subscription and The Great on my Hulu account.

All subscriptions are pocket-friendly — you can get PIA for only $2.03/month. I opted for a 3-year plan, as it’s the most affordable in the long run.

On top of that, getting your money back is convenient during the 30-day refund period. I canceled my subscription via the Client Control Panel on the website and used the online chat to request a refund. After 4 days, my credit card was fully reimbursed.

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4. IPVanish — Easy Setup on TP-Link Routers with Comprehensive Installation Guides

Installing IPVanish is straightforward, using its easy-to-follow guides for TP-Link routers. You may set it up using DD-WRT or Tomato configurations. It’s possible to connect to a VPN server manually using OpenVPN and L2TP/IPSec protocols. I quickly configured my router via OpenVPN protocol when testing IPVanish. The whole process took less than 15 minutes using step-by-step guides.

IPVanish’s guides help you set up the VPN on your TP-Link router

There is a dual router setup feature to switch between a VPN and a regular connection trouble-free. So, you can instantly turn off the encrypted connection when you don't need extra protection on the whole network.

My speeds were stable during testing. I got over 55 Mbps on the US servers — 4K videos preloaded almost instantly. IPVanish doesn’t cap your bandwidth either and supports P2P traffic, allowing you to download files without limits.

This VPN owns and manages all of its servers to maximize your privacy. It also offers hefty AES 256-bit encryption and robust tunneling protocols (like OpenVPN) to protect your router connections. Similar to CyberGhost, it provides a kill switch and a strict no-logs policy for extra data protection. Unsurprisingly, my tests detected no IP or DNS leaks on the servers I tested.

Conversely, I experienced difficulty accessing certain streaming services, such as Amazon Prime Video, while using IPVanish. Nonetheless, the VPN performs seamlessly with other widely used platforms, such as Netflix US, Disney+, and HBO Max. Moreover, it may assist in accessing region-specific pricing. For instance, I frequently connect to international servers to save money on games available on the Epic Game Store.

The most affordable long-term subscription is available for $2.49/month. Shorter plans are more expensive overall without any additional features. So, I signed up for one year to save more money.

You can try IPVanish for free, thanks to its 30-day money-back policy. I tested it to make sure the refund process is effortless in case it doesn’t work out for you. Canceling and requesting my money back took only a few minutes via the website’s dashboard. The provider sent the full payment to my PayPal account 5 days later.

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5. PrivateVPN — Network-Wide P2P Support for Reliable Torrenting on Your WiFi Network

File sharing is possible on all PrivateVPN’s P2P-supported servers. You can set up a SOCKS5 proxy to boost your downloading speeds. During my PrivateVPN tests, I also used port forwarding for faster and safer transfers. It’s available on specific servers. Plus, fast speeds let me download 5GB in around 13 minutes using BitTorrent. There are no bandwidth limits to torrent and stream without restrictions.

PrivateVPN offers easy guides on installing a VPN on TP-Link routers with DD-WRT and Tomato firmware. You can get a router with pre-flashed firmware, but it’s too costly. Besides, there’s an option to speak with the developers via the 24/7 live chat if you need help. Thanks to their tips, I quickly installed the VPN on my TP-Link router.

PrivateVPN’s website contains OpenVPN config files for numerous router firmware

I encountered no difficulties accessing popular streaming platforms on my devices connected to the router. The servers undergo regular maintenance to circumvent advanced firewalls and VPN blocks, enabling seamless access to international content from any location. As an illustration, I was able to watch the complete series of Shameless on my Netflix US account even while abroad.

It was disappointing to see this provider is headquartered in Sweden, which is a part of the 14 Eyes Alliances. However, its strict zero-logs policy means the VPN doesn’t share your personal data. Besides, your traffic is protected with AES 256-bit encryption, secure tunneling protocols, and an automatic kill switch. There were no IPv6/DNS leaks on my Archer C7 TP-Link connection.

You can get PrivateVPN for as low as $2/month. All subscriptions are identical in terms of features. So, I found the 3-year plan to be the most budget-friendly overall.

As a bonus, it’s convenient to get your money back with PrivateVPN’s 30-day refund period. I applied for a refund via live chat. It was effortless, and I had my subscription money back on my credit card after 6 days.

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Quick Comparison Table: TP-Link Router VPN Features

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Tips on Choosing the Best VPN for TP-Link Routers

I've ensured that all VPNs on my list are compatible with a majority of TP-Link router models. These VPNs protect your information, successfully overcome advanced geo-blocks, and provide superior speeds. However, if you wish to carry out your own investigation, the following criteria can serve as your guide:

• Compatibility and ease-of-use — Pick a VPN that can be quickly set up on your TP-Link router, provide installation guides, and offer 24/7 support to help you out.
• Fast connection speeds — All VPNs slow your router speeds due to encryption, but the best ones do it unnoticeably. Choose a VPN with at least 25 Mbps download speed for smooth UHD streaming.
• Global server network — Worldwide servers let you access your Netflix US, Disney+, and other streaming services on all devices in your network despite geoblocks.
• High-grade security and privacy features — Top-tier encryption (AES 256-bit), no-logs policy, and OpenVPN protocol ensure round-the-clock protection of your data.
• Trustworthy money-back guarantee — Make sure your VPN offers a refund policy if you want to try it on your TP-Link router without risking your money.

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FAQs on VPNs for TP-Link Routers

Why do you need a VPN for a TP-Link router?

A configured router distributes an encrypted connection to an unlimited number of devices in your network, including those without native VPN apps. It’s a great way to use the full potential of your device. The best VPNs with top-class encryption and security protocols safeguard your online activities from hackers and snoops.

They also have a strict no-logs policy, IP/DNS/WebRTC leak protection, and a kill switch. Using a TP-Link VPN router is one of the safest and most cost-efficient ways to enable a reliable and secure Wi-Fi network in households, schools, banks, hospitals, etc.

Since your traffic is encrypted, it prevents ISPs from slowing your speeds for specific activities (like torrenting). VPNs with P2P traffic support allow fast and reliable file sharing.

Finally, having a VPN on your TP-Link router lets you bypass geoblocked services on all connected devices. VPNs reroute your traffic and replace your IP with the address of the servers you’re connected to. You can shop with region-based prices and stream international content regardless of location.

Do VPNs work on Deco TP-Link routers?

You can set up a VPN on Deco. It supports VPN passthrough connections and PPTP/L2TP client mode. Just enter your VPN credentials into the router’s admin panel. Besides, the most reliable providers can help you set up your routers if you contact them via the 24/7 live chat. Configuration is straightforward, even though you may need to contact your ISP for extra information.

What can I do if my VPN doesn’t work with the TP-Link router?

You need a compatible VPN that supports manual configurations with OpenVPN or L2TP/IPsec standards. Thankfully, some of the best VPNs offer advanced tunneling protocols that work on TP-Link routers. If you can’t access the internet when connected, try one of these methods:

• Connect to another VPN server. Choose a different VPN server and insert its IP address (domain name) in your router’s admin panel.
• Change the VPN connection protocol. Try connecting with a different protocol (L2TP/IPsec, OpenVPN, or PPTP) using the TP-Link setup guide.
• Configure the anti-malware software. Add the VPN to trusted apps in your antivirus, grant an exception to UDP ports 1194 to 1204, and lower the security level.
• Contact your ISP. You may need additional configuration information from your ISP for the VPN to work on your TP-Link router. The ISP may also need to assign you a public IP address to fix connection problems.
• Update the VPN version. Flash your router with a newer version of the VPN firmware.
• Reach out to VPN support. Contact the VPN customer support for immediate assistance and troubleshooting.

How to use a VPN on a TP-Link router?

TP-Link routers can be connected to VPN servers manually to bypass geoblocks securely and at high speeds. The best VPNs are compatible with most routers. Here’s how you can connect your TP-Link router to ExpressVPN:

1. Log in to your ExpressVPN setup page.
2. Copy the settings of the VPN server you want to use (different locations are available for OpenVPN, PPTP, and L2TP configurations).
3. Go to your router’s admin panel through the app or web browser (the default address is 192.168.1.1).
4. Navigate to the Network tab and set your connection to OpenVPN, L2TP, or PPTP (I prefer OpenVPN for the best balance of security and speeds).
5. Enter the VPN server settings and your account credentials in the Advanced Routing section.

You can access your router's admin panel and add multiple VPN connections to your TP-Link device.

Can I install a free VPN on my TP-Link router?

Yes, but it’s not recommended for TP-Link routers. For the best online experience, you should try a low-cost premium VPN with a trustworthy money-back guarantee. If you still want a free VPN, be aware that most have slower speeds and data caps. Many come with smaller networks and can’t access popular online platforms like Netflix US.

More importantly, free VPNs usually lack high-grade encryption (AES 256-bit), leak protection, and a kill switch. Unlike trustworthy services, they share your personal information with ad networks and third parties. Some free VPN apps contain trackers and malware that can damage your device.

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When you install a VPN on your TP-Link router, you enhance the online security of all devices connected to your network. However, it's important to note that not all VPNs work consistently on every type of router. Therefore, it is advisable to opt for reliable VPNs specifically designed for TP-Link routers, which utilize high-quality protocols and advanced security features. Additionally, these services typically provide comprehensive tutorials to assist you throughout the installation process.

ExpressVPN is my favorite pick for TP-Link routers, with top-notch encryption and a kill switch to safeguard traffic on all your devices. It lets you access global content with a vast worldwide network. You also get fast protocols, P2P support, and unlimited bandwidth for unrestricted streaming and torrenting. Plus, you can try ExpressVPN on your router risk-free — it’s backed by a 30-day money-back policy.

To summarize, here are the best VPNs for TP-Link routers