Why Use a VPN on Your Router
Most VPNs work through an app you install on each device. A router-level VPN is different: it routes all traffic from every device on your network through the VPN without requiring an app on each device. This protects smart TVs, gaming consoles, smart home devices, and anything else that connects to your Wi-Fi but cannot run a VPN client. You also use only one VPN connection slot for the entire household.
Router Compatibility
Not every router supports VPN client mode. Consumer routers from most major brands (TP-Link, Netgear, Asus) support OpenVPN or WireGuard on their higher-end models. Check your router's admin panel under VPN or WAN settings. Asus routers are particularly well-supported: most Asus routers running Asuswada firmware support OpenVPN and WireGuard natively. If your router does not support VPN client mode natively, you can flash open-source firmware like DD-WRT or OpenWrt, though this voids the warranty and requires technical comfort.
Getting the Configuration Files
Your VPN provider gives you OpenVPN (.ovpn) or WireGuard configuration files in your account dashboard. Download the configuration file for the server location you want to use. Most providers have specific guides for router setup. NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Mullvad all publish detailed router setup instructions for Asus, TP-Link, and other compatible routers.
Setting Up OpenVPN on an Asus Router
Log into your router admin panel (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.50.1). Navigate to VPN, then VPN Client, then Add Profile. Select OpenVPN and upload the .ovpn configuration file from your provider. Enter your VPN username and password. Click OK and then Activate. The router will connect to the VPN server and all devices on the network will route through it. Verify the connection by checking your IP address from any device on the network.
WireGuard on Compatible Routers
WireGuard is faster than OpenVPN with lower CPU overhead, which matters on router hardware that has limited processing power. Asus routers with Merlin firmware support WireGuard. Mullvad and ProtonVPN both offer WireGuard configuration files for routers. The setup process is similar to OpenVPN but the configuration file format is different. Follow your provider's specific WireGuard router guide.
Performance Considerations
Running a VPN on a router adds encryption overhead to every connection. Budget routers with slow processors will noticeably reduce your internet speed when the VPN is active. A modern mid-range router with a dual-core processor (Asus RT-AX88U, TP-Link Archer AX6000) handles VPN encryption with minimal speed loss. Test your connection speed with and without the VPN active after setup to measure the overhead on your specific hardware.