Best VPN Routers in 2026

For protecting an entire home network at the gateway, the ASUS RT-BE92U is the strongest all-round VPN router here: ASUS's spec page lists a 10 Gbps WAN/LAN port, VPN Fusion for running VPNs without slowing other devices, and OpenVPN and WireGuard clients and servers. If you want a router that arrives ready to go, the ExpressVPN Aircove has ExpressVPN's firmware preinstalled — sign in once and every device in the house is covered, up to the maker's 330 Mbps VPN ceiling. For a pocketable pick, the GL.iNet Beryl AX (GL-MT3000) is a 196 g travel router with OpenVPN and WireGuard built in. Specs checked November 5, 2026, from each maker's own pages.

A "VPN router" is any router that can run VPN client or server software itself, so every device behind it shares one encrypted tunnel. Three kinds fill this guide: general-purpose ASUS and TP-Link routers with VPN support buried in their firmware, travel and home routers from GL.iNet and ExpressVPN with VPN apps preinstalled, and Deeper Network's decentralized gateways that need no subscription at all.

Quick picks

Compare specifications and all conditions

ASUS RT-BE92U

Best for

Whole-home, fast plans, business

VPN client (maker ceiling)

OpenVPN + WireGuard (maker lists protocols, no ceiling)

Wi-Fi

Tri-band Wi-Fi 7 (BE9700)

All specifications

Ports

1x 10 Gbps WAN/LAN, 1x 2.5 Gbps WAN/LAN, 3x 2.5 Gbps LAN

Subscription?

Your VPN service

ExpressVPN Aircove

Best for

Pre-configured simplicity

VPN client (maker ceiling)

ExpressVPN app, Lightway/OpenVPN DCO, up to 330 Mbps

Wi-Fi

Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 (AX1800)

All specifications

Ports

1x gigabit WAN, 4x gigabit LAN

Subscription?

ExpressVPN

GL.iNet Beryl AX (GL-MT3000)

Best for

Travel and remote work

VPN client (maker ceiling)

WireGuard 300 Mbps, OpenVPN 150 Mbps; 30+ services

Wi-Fi

Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 (AX3000)

All specifications

Ports

1x 2.5 Gbps WAN, 1x gigabit LAN, USB 3.0

Subscription?

Your VPN service

GL.iNet Slate AX (GL-AXT1800)

Best for

Budget home VPN router

VPN client (maker ceiling)

OpenVPN 560 Mbps (DCO), WireGuard 550 Mbps

Wi-Fi

Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 (AX1800)

All specifications

Ports

1x gigabit WAN, 2x gigabit LAN, USB 3.0, microSD

Subscription?

Your VPN service

Deeper Connect Pico

Best for

No-subscription decentralized

VPN client (maker ceiling)

DPN, no VPN service needed

Wi-Fi

None (gateway)

All specifications

Ports

Ethernet gateway; works with your router

Subscription?

None (DPN)

ASUS RT-AX86U Pro

Best for

Wi-Fi 6 value, VPN server

VPN client (maker ceiling)

OpenVPN + WireGuard client and server

Wi-Fi

Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 (AX5700)

All specifications

Ports

1x configurable 2.5 Gbps WAN/LAN, 4x gigabit LAN

Subscription?

Your VPN service

TP-Link Archer AX55

Best for

Cheapest router with real VPN support

VPN client (maker ceiling)

OpenVPN client and server, plus PPTP/L2TP

Wi-Fi

Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 (AX3000)

All specifications

Ports

1x gigabit WAN, 4x gigabit LAN, USB 3.0

Subscription?

Your VPN service

Full comparison table ↔

Swipe to compare. Row labels stay visible.

Pick	Best for	VPN client (maker ceiling)	Wi-Fi	Ports	Subscription?
ASUS RT-BE92U	Whole-home, fast plans, business	OpenVPN + WireGuard (maker lists protocols, no ceiling)	Tri-band Wi-Fi 7 (BE9700)	1x 10 Gbps WAN/LAN, 1x 2.5 Gbps WAN/LAN, 3x 2.5 Gbps LAN	Your VPN service
ExpressVPN Aircove	Pre-configured simplicity	ExpressVPN app, Lightway/OpenVPN DCO, up to 330 Mbps	Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 (AX1800)	1x gigabit WAN, 4x gigabit LAN	ExpressVPN
GL.iNet Beryl AX (GL-MT3000)	Travel and remote work	WireGuard 300 Mbps, OpenVPN 150 Mbps; 30+ services	Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 (AX3000)	1x 2.5 Gbps WAN, 1x gigabit LAN, USB 3.0	Your VPN service
GL.iNet Slate AX (GL-AXT1800)	Budget home VPN router	OpenVPN 560 Mbps (DCO), WireGuard 550 Mbps	Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 (AX1800)	1x gigabit WAN, 2x gigabit LAN, USB 3.0, microSD	Your VPN service
Deeper Connect Pico	No-subscription decentralized	DPN, no VPN service needed	None (gateway)	Ethernet gateway; works with your router	None (DPN)
ASUS RT-AX86U Pro	Wi-Fi 6 value, VPN server	OpenVPN + WireGuard client and server	Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 (AX5700)	1x configurable 2.5 Gbps WAN/LAN, 4x gigabit LAN	Your VPN service
TP-Link Archer AX55	Cheapest router with real VPN support	OpenVPN client and server, plus PPTP/L2TP	Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 (AX3000)	1x gigabit WAN, 4x gigabit LAN, USB 3.0	Your VPN service

Pick	Best for	VPN client (maker ceiling)	Wi-Fi	Ports	Subscription?
ASUS RT-BE92U	Whole-home, fast plans, business	OpenVPN + WireGuard (maker lists protocols, no ceiling)	Tri-band Wi-Fi 7 (BE9700)	1x 10 Gbps WAN/LAN, 1x 2.5 Gbps WAN/LAN, 3x 2.5 Gbps LAN	Your VPN service
ExpressVPN Aircove	Pre-configured simplicity	ExpressVPN app, Lightway/OpenVPN DCO, up to 330 Mbps	Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 (AX1800)	1x gigabit WAN, 4x gigabit LAN	ExpressVPN
GL.iNet Beryl AX (GL-MT3000)	Travel and remote work	WireGuard 300 Mbps, OpenVPN 150 Mbps; 30+ services	Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 (AX3000)	1x 2.5 Gbps WAN, 1x gigabit LAN, USB 3.0	Your VPN service
GL.iNet Slate AX (GL-AXT1800)	Budget home VPN router	OpenVPN 560 Mbps (DCO), WireGuard 550 Mbps	Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 (AX1800)	1x gigabit WAN, 2x gigabit LAN, USB 3.0, microSD	Your VPN service
Deeper Connect Pico	No-subscription decentralized	DPN, no VPN service needed	None (gateway)	Ethernet gateway; works with your router	None (DPN)
ASUS RT-AX86U Pro	Wi-Fi 6 value, VPN server	OpenVPN + WireGuard client and server	Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 (AX5700)	1x configurable 2.5 Gbps WAN/LAN, 4x gigabit LAN	Your VPN service
TP-Link Archer AX55	Cheapest router with real VPN support	OpenVPN client and server, plus PPTP/L2TP	Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 (AX3000)	1x gigabit WAN, 4x gigabit LAN, USB 3.0	Your VPN service

Best overall: ASUS RT-BE92U

The RT-BE92U is the most complete VPN router for a busy home. ASUS's tech-spec page lists the full VPN stack: Instant Guard, OpenVPN, WireGuard, L2TP and PPTP clients, IPSec, OpenVPN, PPTP and WireGuard servers, VPN Fusion, and even Surfshark integration. VPN Fusion is the headline feature for families: it lets some devices use the VPN while others connect directly at full speed, which most routers can't do.

• Tri-band Wi-Fi 7 (BE9700: 1032 + 2882 + 5764 Mbps maximum band rates, not real throughput), 6 GHz band with 320 MHz channels
• 1x 10 Gbps WAN/LAN, 1x 2.5 Gbps WAN/LAN, 3x 2.5 Gbps LAN, USB 3.2 Gen1
• 2.0 GHz quad-core processor, 1 GB RAM — the headroom that matters when the router encrypts traffic for the whole house
• AiMesh, so it can grow into a mesh with other ASUS nodes

The trade-offs: it's a Wi-Fi 7 flagship you're buying mostly for ports and VPN versatility, and ASUS lists no VPN speed ceiling, so throughput depends on the protocol and server you pick. ASUS publishes no fixed support period for it; check the firmware page before buying.

Best pre-configured: ExpressVPN Aircove

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The Aircove is the router for people who never want to see a .ovpn config file. ExpressVPN's Aircove page describes its range of Wi-Fi 6 routers with built-in VPN: the app and firmware are preinstalled, so setup is signing in to your ExpressVPN account, and every device on the network — smart home gear included — is protected.

• Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 (AX1800: 600 Mbps on 2.4 GHz + 1,200 Mbps on 5 GHz, theoretical), up to 1,600 sq ft coverage claim
• VPN speeds up to 330 Mbps for multiple devices simultaneously (maker claim, Lightway TCP, ideal conditions); up to 910 Mbps over Ethernet with the VPN off
• Up to five device groups, each with its own VPN location (or No VPN / No internet)
• Ad blocker, tracker blocker, malicious-site blocker and parental controls included, with or without the VPN
• 1x gigabit WAN, 4x gigabit LAN ports; WPA3; automatic updates

The trade-offs: gigabit ports only, an active ExpressVPN subscription is required for the VPN features, and 330 Mbps is the ceiling — fine for streaming and browsing, not for a multi-gig plan. The router counts as one of the 14 devices an ExpressVPN subscription connects simultaneously. There's also a pocket-sized Aircove Go (750 sq ft claim, 3 gigabit ports, USB-C power) for travel.

Best for travel: GL.iNet Beryl AX (GL-MT3000)

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GL.iNet's product page positions it as a pocket-sized AX3000 VPN router: OpenVPN and WireGuard are preinstalled, it supports 30+ VPN services, and it can host VPN servers and cascade from its server to its client.

• Wi-Fi 6 AX3000 (574 + 2402 Mbps theoretical), 2.5 Gbps WAN port and one gigabit LAN port
• VPN client ceilings (maker claim, local-network client mode): WireGuard up to 300 Mbps, OpenVPN up to 150 Mbps
• 196 g, USB-C powered; 70+ simultaneous devices (maker claim)
• Ethernet, repeater (existing Wi-Fi), USB phone tethering and cellular modem connection sources
• WPA3, DNS over HTTPS/TLS, AdGuard Home

The trade-offs: one gigabit LAN port limits wired clients, and its VPN ceilings are modest — the Slate AX below is the better GL.iNet pick if speed matters more than pocketability.

Best budget home VPN router: GL.iNet Slate AX (GL-AXT1800)

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Don't let the "travel router" name fool you: the Slate AX is GL.iNet's fastest VPN value for a small home. The product page lists VPN client ceilings of OpenVPN up to 560 Mbps with DCO support and WireGuard up to 550 Mbps — the highest published figures in this guide — plus an IPQ6000 1.2 GHz quad-core processor doing the encrypting.

• Wi-Fi 6 AX1800 (600 + 1200 Mbps theoretical), up to 120 simultaneous devices (maker claim)
• 1x gigabit WAN, 2x gigabit LAN, USB 3.0 and a microSD slot up to 512 GB
• OpenVPN and WireGuard client and server, VPN Cascading, Tor (per the maker's user guide); OpenWrt 23.05 base with third-party app support
• 245 g, USB-C powered, retractable antennas; SAMBA/WebDAV file sharing from USB storage

The trade-offs: gigabit ports only, no 6 GHz radio, and VPN speeds drop when it runs as a server. Its three gigabit ports and VPN headroom beat the Beryl AX for a desk or shelf; the Beryl AX wins in a jacket pocket.

Best decentralized VPN router: Deeper Connect Pico

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The Pico answers "decentralized VPN router" searches with a different design: no VPN service at all. Deeper Network's homepage now describes Deeper Connect as a VPN Router (router-level VPN) that can optionally use DPN, a decentralized network of over 200,000 nodes, with a one-time hardware purchase and no subscription fees — ever, per the maker.

• DPN routing with end-to-end encryption and open-access tunneling; no monthly fee, and firmware updates are free
• 7-layer firewall, DNS encryption, threat detection, ad and tracker blocking, one-click parental control
• Unlimited protected devices (maker claim); AtomOS dashboard for monitoring and multi-tunnel routing
• Works in Virtual Wire mode between your modem and router, or Router mode with your gateway

The trade-offs are real. The Pico's maximum bandwidth is 100 Mbps — the lowest of the maker's lineup (Mini tops out at 1 Gbps) — so it will bottleneck a fast plan. In DPN mode it can route your encrypted traffic through other users' nodes rather than a company's servers, but the maker says DPN is optional on top of a router-level VPN: a different trust model from a commercial VPN. And the maker markets optional Web3 bandwidth-sharing features we'd treat as a curiosity, not a buying reason. It suits privacy-focused households on modest plans who want to escape subscriptions.

Best Wi-Fi 6 value: ASUS RT-AX86U Pro

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Not everyone needs Wi-Fi 7. The RT-AX86U Pro is ASUS's long-standing VPN workhorse: the spec sheet lists the same full VPN stack as the RT-BE92U — OpenVPN, WireGuard, L2TP and PPTP clients, IPSec, OpenVPN, PPTP and WireGuard servers, and VPN Fusion — with a 2.0 GHz quad-core processor and 1 GB RAM.

• Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 (AX5700: 861 + 4804 Mbps theoretical)
• One configurable 2.5 Gbps WAN/LAN port plus 4x dedicated gigabit LAN
• AiMesh primary-router and node roles; USB 3.2 Gen1 and USB 2.0

The trade-offs: only one 2.5 Gbps port (use it for WAN and you're back to gigabit LAN), ASUS lists no VPN speed ceiling, and the maker's US purchase feed has shown stock inconsistency — check availability before committing. ASUS lists the RT-AX86U Pro as end of life in the EU, though not the US.

Cheapest capable option: TP-Link Archer AX55

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The Archer AX55 shows up in "cheap VPN router" searches because it's one of the few budget Wi-Fi 6 routers with real VPN support rather than VPN passthrough. TP-Link's spec table lists an OpenVPN and PPTP VPN server plus OpenVPN, PPTP and L2TP clients.

• Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 (AX3000: 574 + 2402 Mbps theoretical), 4x fixed high-gain antennas
• 1x gigabit WAN, 4x gigabit LAN, USB 3.0 port with Time Machine, FTP, media and Samba server functions
• OneMesh and EasyMesh for later mesh expansion; HomeShield security and parental controls

The trade-offs: no WireGuard, a dual-core CPU with no published VPN speed figure, and gigabit ports only. It's the pick when budget rules and your VPN needs are light; spend up to the Slate AX or RT-AX86U Pro for serious VPN throughput.

How to choose a VPN router

1. 1

   Match the VPN you already pay for

   Check the router's supported protocols: WireGuard and OpenVPN cover most services; the Aircove needs ExpressVPN; the Pico needs none.

2. 2

   Compare maker-published VPN speed ceilings

   Slate AX tops this guide at WireGuard 550 / OpenVPN 560 Mbps (DCO); Beryl AX sits at 300 / 150; Aircove at 330. Your plan and VPN server set the rest.

3. 3

   Count wired ports for office and media gear

   10 Gbps + 2.5 Gbps ports (RT-BE92U), four gigabit LAN (Aircove, AX55, AX86U Pro), or three gigabit (Slate AX).

4. 4

   Decide on subscriptions

   Pre-configured routers need their service; generic routers need your existing service; Deeper's DPN needs none.

Speed is the spec makers hide. A router's Wi-Fi class (AX3000, BE9700) says nothing about VPN throughput — the CPU encrypting every device's traffic is the bottleneck. GL.iNet and ExpressVPN publish client-mode ceilings; ASUS and TP-Link don't. Prefer published numbers, and assume real-world throughput below them.

• Slate AX OpenVPN (DCO)560Mbps
• Slate AX WireGuard550Mbps
• Aircove (Lightway)330Mbps
• Beryl AX WireGuard300Mbps
• Beryl AX OpenVPN150Mbps

Source: each maker's product page, client mode, local-network tests

Client, server or both? A VPN client router sends your household's traffic out through a VPN service — the common case. A VPN server router lets you connect into your home network remotely, which is what many small businesses and homelab owners actually want. ASUS's two picks, both GL.iNet routers and even the Archer AX55 run servers; the Aircove and the Pico do not.

Where it sits in your network. Most picks here replace your existing router. The Pico instead sits between your modem and router (Virtual Wire) or behind your gateway (Router mode) — useful if you love your current Wi-Fi. The Aircove can likewise hang off an existing mesh node to cover one cluster of devices.

Compatibility and fit

Homes and apartments. The Aircove's ~1,600 sq ft coverage claim suits a medium home; TP-Link quotes "3-bedroom houses" for the AX55. Both are single routers — see our mesh Wi-Fi guide if you need multi-floor coverage, and note ASUS's AiMesh routers can mesh with other ASUS nodes while keeping VPN features.

Internet plans. The WAN port caps everything behind it: the RT-BE92U's 10 Gbps port handles any plan, the Beryl AX's 2.5 Gbps WAN handles 2 Gig, and everything else here is gigabit. But when the VPN is on, the CPU — not the port — is the ceiling, so a gigabit router loses little on a VPN that tops out at 330–560 Mbps.

NAS, homelab and small business. A VPN server on your router is the cheapest remote-access path to a NAS or homelab: connect over WireGuard from outside and you're on the LAN. The RT-BE92U's 2.5 Gbps LAN ports feed a NAS faster; see our NAS guide. For bigger setups, our firewall router guide covers dedicated gateways that pair well with any router here.

Your existing gear. VPN passthrough (letting a VPN app on your laptop connect out) is universal — that's not what these picks are for. What you're buying is the router itself running the VPN. Also check ISP compatibility basics in our modem-router combo guide.

Setup and long-term use

• Yes: Aircove: sign in to your ExpressVPN account; firmware updates automatically
• Yes: GL.iNet routers: pick a service from the built-in list of 30+ providers and sign in
• Yes: ASUS routers: add your VPN config in the web interface's VPN Fusion section
• Yes: Deeper Pico: plug-and-play between modem and router, per the maker
• Partly: GL.iNet routers as VPN server: slower, and hotel captive portals can need a browser login first
• No: Aircove without an ExpressVPN subscription: VPN features inactive (router and ad blocking still work)
• No: Pico on a fast plan: capped at its 100 Mbps maximum bandwidth

Firmware matters more on a VPN router than a normal one. VPN protocols and server lists change, so the maker's update cadence is part of the product. ExpressVPN updates the Aircove automatically; GL.iNet routers update through the web Admin Panel, and the Slate AX guide documents an OpenWrt 23.05 base (the version varies by model and firmware); ASUS and TP-Link publish firmware on their support pages; Deeper describes continuous free updates. None of ASUS's, TP-Link's or Deeper's pages here carry a dated support commitment — eero-style end dates are the exception in this category, not the rule.

Maintenance: re-test your VPN speed after firmware updates (protocol performance shifts), and if you run a VPN server for remote access, confirm you can still reach it from a phone on cellular after each update. GL.iNet's docs cover the captive-portal and tethering cases travelers hit most.

FAQ

What is the difference between VPN client and VPN server on a router? A client connects your home out to a VPN service for privacy; a server lets you connect in to your home network while away. The ASUS and GL.iNet picks do both, so one box can hide your household's traffic and open a private door to your NAS.

Can I use my existing VPN subscription? On the ASUS, TP-Link and GL.iNet picks, yes, if the service offers OpenVPN or WireGuard configs (most do). The Aircove requires ExpressVPN; it's the only pick locked to one provider.

Will a VPN router slow my internet? Yes, while the VPN is on — the maker ceilings in the table above are the realistic maximums. With the VPN off, the Aircove delivers up to 910 Mbps over Ethernet per ExpressVPN. GL.iNet's VPN policies let you exempt devices that need full speed, and ASUS's VPN Fusion does the same.

Is the Aircove a mesh system? No — ExpressVPN states it's a single router, though it can be attached to an existing mesh node to protect a group of devices.

How we choose

We haven't lab-tested or speed-tested these routers. VPN protocols, ports, VPN speed ceilings, coverage claims and update behavior come from each maker's own product and spec pages — ASUS, ExpressVPN, GL.iNet, Deeper Network and TP-Link — linked in each section and in the product cards, checked November 5, 2026. Picks are ranked by published VPN capability first (protocols, client/server roles, speed ceilings) and by the wired and Wi-Fi hardware around it second. Where a maker publishes no VPN speed figure, we say so instead of guessing. Full method: How we choose.

Verdict

Buy the ASUS RT-BE92U if you want one router that does everything — a 10 Gbps WAN port, VPN Fusion, and both VPN client and server — and you already pay for a VPN. Buy the ExpressVPN Aircove if you value simplicity over speed: it's the only pick that's genuinely pre-configured, and 330 Mbps of maker-claimed VPN throughput covers streaming and browsing for the whole house. Travelers should get the GL.iNet Beryl AX, and value-hunters with a shelf instead of a pocket should get the Slate AX (GL-AXT1800) for its 560 Mbps OpenVPN ceiling. The Deeper Connect Pico is the no-subscription wildcard for modest plans, the RT-AX86U Pro is the proven Wi-Fi 6 workhorse, and the Archer AX55 is the cheapest router with real VPN client and server support.