Using a VPN is not a privilege anymore. Instead, it is the need of the hour. With internet supervision crossing new boundaries daily, creating a shield of anonymity is important. Fortunately, VPN helps you do that. One of the most common ways users implement VPNs in their connections is by using a VPN-enabled router which can interact with a VPN and establishes and convert the received network traffic into a private network, ensuring zero intrusion.
However, a VPN router slightly differs from a traditional VPN client. Multiple VPN service providers offer a router VPN plan separately. But to use them, you must have a particular type of router supporting a VPN.
In this post, let us learn to identify if the router is VPN enabled, the types of routers available in the market and what can be done if the current router does not support a native VPN pass-through.
Without further ado, let’s get started!
The best way to check if your router has built-in VPN support is to check the manufacturer manual (user manual) that comes with the product. You can also do a quick Google search with the router’s serial number or model name to find out if it has built-in capabilities to handle a router VPN.
Usually, it depends a lot on the type of router you have. Yes, there are multiple types of router manufacturers as well. People do not pay attention while setting up a router. Later, they realize that using a VPN is important, and it could be done easily with a VPN device.
The three types of routers available in the market are –
Custom firmware routers allow you to customize the type of router, gateway, connectivity, and of course, a VPN right into the device. The only downside is that it is completely custom and requires an expert user to ensure everything is configured correctly.
Regular routers, often referred to as off-the-shelf routers, are other devices a user is open-to-choose. These routers are available off the shelf, which means a simple Google search for routers will give you an option for plug-and-play usage. A few options in these types of routers offer internal VPN configuration, provided the product’s feature list has OpenVPN Client mentioned in it.
Last but the most common routers used are ISP-offered router devices. Usually, users only call their ISP to set up their internet connection. And in the process, the ISP has the option to give you a router and of course, charge you for it. The routers offered by the service provider do not have a dedicated VPN capability as these are cheap and only meant for the internet.
Knowing what type of device you have right now, you may have got the answer to whether the router you are using is VPN-enabled or not.
Suppose you are setting up the internet connection at your new place or want to upgrade your connectivity. In that case, you should go for off-the-shelf routers that offer VPN compatibility, as using a custom firmware router may not be ideal for every user, and the router offered by ISP does not have the required OpenVPN Client compatibility.
WireGuard Vs. OpenVPN: Choose Your VPN Protocol Wisely!
Now that you have enough information about identifying your router, you may wonder what to do if your current router does not support an internal VPN setup.
To protect your connection from getting compromised, you require good VPN support. But if you are using a device that does not have the required support, things may become a little tricky as now you only have a single option left, i.e., going for a VPN client.
A VPN client is an application that allows you to choose a server and connect to a server available anywhere in the world. These clients are also a safe way to use a VPN, provided you are using a solid client. For instance, Systweak VPN is a top-notch client that comes to mind.
First, you should avoid a free VPN client if you want to use a secure connection regularly. The number of clients available is confusing, but do not let it lead you to a wrong decision. To ease your solution, we highly recommend Systweak VPN. It has some of the finest features an ideal VPN client should have.
Some of the highlights of Systweak VPN are –
The best part about using this VPN client is that it is absolutely easy to set up and connect. All you have to do is –
Step 1 – Download the application from the link below.
Step 2 – Set up credentials using the sign-up button on the launch screen.
Step 3 – Click on Connect for an instant VPN connection.
If you need to connect to a dedicated server, you can change it at any time by choosing it from the range of servers the tool offers.
Isn’t that easy?
If you intend to use a VPN connection, you don’t need to opt for a router VPN. Neither you need to change your current connectivity device just to install a virtual private network straight into it.
You can go for a decent VPN client like Systweak VPN and forget about your connection being tracked. For complete anonymity and upgraded encryption, we recommend using a VPN client that is not free. Sure, free alternatives are available, but they are never a good option as all your browsing data is their way to monetize the connection.
With that being said, we have reached the end of this post. We hope you now have options to decide wisely and will not go overboard with your expenses to invest in a router and a VPN connection when all of it can be done with a single VPN client.
Let us know your thoughts via the comments section below. The debate between a router VPN and a VPN client is an ongoing one. So which side are you on?
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View Comments
hi Dishank
My question if you would be so kind is I have a two router set up in piggy back form one supplied by my ISP dor normal traffic and the other which I use only for my streaming gadgets and banking is a dd wrt enabled router. How can I confirm that my streams are routed through his second router thus being protected ?
many thanks
Brian
Hello Brian,
Thank you for writing to us.
Please, note every router has a dedicated identification number SSL to connect. If you are connected to a particular Wi-Fi router while streaming then it will be routed through the same. Also if both the routers use the same connection but one has VPN then using the SSL with VPN you can ensure the traffic is sent through it.
Thanks and Regards