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To use Proton VPN on a router, the router’s firmware must support a VPN client using WireGuard or OpenVPN. Generate a configuration for the Router platform in your Proton account, import it into the router, then check which devices use the tunnel and verify the public IP and DNS behavior. The exact menus depend on the router and firmware; many ISP-supplied routers do not offer VPN-client mode.
What you need before you start
- The router’s exact model and firmware name or version.
- Router administrator access, preferably from a computer connected by Ethernet.
- An active Proton VPN account and a router-compatible WireGuard or OpenVPN client.
- A configuration file generated for the Router platform and the protocol your firmware supports.
- A backup of the router’s existing configuration, so you can restore it if routing changes interrupt internet access.
Update to a stable firmware version supported by the router if needed. Do not install third-party firmware casually: flashing OpenWrt or DD-WRT is model-specific and an error can make a router unusable. Proton’s router installation guide explains the general limitations and links to platform-specific instructions.
Check whether your router is compatible
You need a VPN client: the router uses it to connect outward to Proton VPN. A VPN server lets remote devices connect back into your home network; VPN passthrough merely allows a device to run its own VPN connection. Neither substitutes for a router VPN client.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchCheck the router interface or manufacturer documentation for a setting such as VPN Client, WireGuard, OpenVPN Client, or—in some Asus firmware—VPN Fusion. If it offers only VPN server or passthrough settings, it may not be able to connect the whole network to Proton. Similar router models can have different firmware and capabilities, so check the exact model.
#1 Best Overall
- 【Five Gigabit Ports】1 Gigabit WAN Port plus 2 Gigabit WAN/LAN Ports plus 2 Gigabit LAN Port. Up to 3 WAN ports optimize bandwidth usage through one device.
- 【One USB WAN Port】Mobile broadband via 4G/3G modem is supported for WAN backup by connecting to the USB port. For complete list of compatible 4G/3G modems, please visit TP-Link website.
- 【Abundant Security Features】Advanced firewall policies, DoS defense, IP/MAC/URL filtering, speed test and more security functions protect your network and data.
- 【Highly Secure VPN】Supports up to 20× LAN-to-LAN IPsec, 16× OpenVPN, 16× L2TP, and 16× PPTP VPN connections.
- Security - SPI Firewall, VPN Pass through, FTP/H.323/PPTP/SIP/IPsec ALG, DoS Defence, Ping of Death and Local Management. Standards and Protocols IEEE 802.3, 802.3u, 802.3ab, IEEE 802.3x, IEEE 802.1q
Proton lists setup guides for AsusWRT, AsusWRT-Merlin, DD-WRT, FreshTomato, GL.iNet Flint, MikroTik, OpenWrt, OPNsense, pfSense, and Vilfo. Its router support index links to the relevant guide. Follow that guide for your platform rather than assuming menu names or routing behavior are universal.
Choose WireGuard or OpenVPN
Use WireGuard as the default when your router supports it reliably. Its configuration is often simpler to import and it is generally a good fit for modern router hardware. OpenVPN is the fallback when WireGuard is unavailable, unsupported by that firmware, or required by your router’s guide. Neither protocol guarantees a particular speed: router processing power, firmware, server load, distance, and your connection all matter.
| Protocol | When it fits | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| WireGuard | Modern routers with a native WireGuard client | Usually the simpler choice; model and firmware support vary. |
| OpenVPN | Routers that support OpenVPN but not WireGuard, or setups that require it | May require separate Proton OpenVPN credentials and can place more load on router hardware. |
Proton’s WireGuard configuration guide explains file generation. For platform examples, see its OpenWrt WireGuard guide, AsusWRT WireGuard guide, and AsusWRT OpenVPN guide.
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Rank #2
- 【AC1200 Dual-band Wireless Router】Simultaneous dual-band with wireless speed up to 300 Mbps (2.4GHz) + 867 Mbps (5GHz). 2.4GHz band can handles some simple tasks like emails or web browsing while bandwidth intensive tasks such as gaming or 4K video streaming can be handled by the 5GHz band.*Speed tests are conducted on a local network. Real-world speeds may differ depending on your network configuration.*
- 【Easy Setup】Please refer to the User Manual and the Unboxing & Setup video guide on Amazon for detailed setup instructions and methods for connecting to the Internet.
- 【Pocket-friendly】Lightweight design(145g) which designed for your next trip or adventure. Alongside its portable, compact design makes it easy to take with you on the go.
- 【Full Gigabit Ports】Gigabit Wireless Internet Router with 2 Gigabit LAN ports and 1 Gigabit WAN ports, ideal for lots of internet plan and allow you to connect your wired devices directly.
- 【Keep your Internet Safe】IPv6 supported. OpenVPN & WireGuard pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers. Cloudflare encryption supported to protect the privacy.
Generate a router configuration in Proton
WireGuard
- Sign in to your Proton account.
- Open Downloads → WireGuard configuration.
- Choose Router as the platform, name the configuration, and choose a server or Proton’s recommended server.
- Choose available configuration options, then create and download the
.conffile.
Options such as NetShield filtering, Moderate NAT, and VPN Accelerator depend on plan availability. Free accounts have fewer server and configuration choices; consult Proton’s plan information for current terms.
OpenVPN
- In your Proton account, open Downloads → OpenVPN configuration files.
- Select Router, then choose the server and protocol/settings offered for your setup.
- Download the
.ovpnfile. - If the router requests a username and password, retrieve the separate OpenVPN credentials from your Proton account. Do not assume your ordinary Proton account login is the correct credential.
Proton’s OpenWrt OpenVPN guide and AsusWRT OpenVPN guide describe their platform-specific credential and import steps.
Import and enable the VPN on the router
- Sign in to the router’s administration interface and open its VPN-client or tunnel section.
- Create a new profile and select the same protocol used to generate the Proton file.
- Import the
.confWireGuard file or.ovpnOpenVPN file. Enter separate OpenVPN credentials if requested. - Save the profile and enable the connection. Configure routing and firewall options according to the router-specific Proton guide.
- Choose whether the profile applies to every device or only selected devices, if the firmware supports that choice.
On supported Asus RT-AX models, Proton’s WireGuard guide gives this path: open the router interface, commonly at 192.168.50.1 or router.asus.com, then go to VPN → VPN Fusion → Add profile, choose WireGuard, import the file, and apply and enable the profile. Use Apply to all devices only if you want the whole network routed through the VPN. Some RT-AC models and some RT-AX models do not support WireGuard; check the exact model and use OpenVPN where appropriate.
Rank #3
- New-Gen WiFi Standard – WiFi 6(802.11ax) standard supporting MU-MIMO and OFDMA technology for better efficiency and throughput.Antenna : External antenna x 4. Processor : Dual-core (4 VPE). Power Supply : AC Input : 110V~240V(50~60Hz), DC Output : 12 V with max. 1.5A current.
- Ultra-fast WiFi Speed – RT-AX1800S supports 1024-QAM for dramatically faster wireless connections
- Increase Capacity and Efficiency – Supporting not only MU-MIMO but also OFDMA technique to efficiently allocate channels, communicate with multiple devices simultaneously
- 5 Gigabit ports – One Gigabit WAN port and four Gigabit LAN ports, 10X faster than 100–Base T Ethernet.
- Commercial-grade Security Anywhere – Protect your home network with AiProtection Classic, powered by Trend Micro. And when away from home, ASUS Instant Guard gives you a one-click secure VPN.
For OpenWrt WireGuard, Proton’s current guide describes installing the relevant LuCI WireGuard packages, adding a WireGuard interface, importing the configuration, and configuring peer and firewall settings. In the peer settings, ensure Route Allowed IPs is selected. Package availability and interface details can vary by OpenWrt release, so follow the current OpenWrt instructions for the final routing and firewall setup.
For OpenWrt OpenVPN, Proton specifies OpenWrt 22.03 or newer and lists openvpn-openssl and luci-app-openvpn among the required packages. Its guide assumes factory-default settings and warns that modified settings can cause DNS leaks. For DD-WRT, Proton’s DD-WRT guide uses OpenVPN, calls for a recent build, and includes IPv6 guidance; older builds may not import .ovpn files.
Choose which devices use Proton VPN
A router may send all household internet traffic through one VPN profile, or let you assign selected devices. Some firmware supports policy-based routing, multiple profiles, a VPN-only SSID, or VLANs; other firmware offers only whole-network routing. Check the router guide before relying on a particular option.
Rank #4
- 【DUAL BAND WIFI 7 TRAVEL ROUTER】Products with US, UK, EU, AU Plug; Dual band network with wireless speed 688Mbps (2.4G)+2882Mbps (5G); Dual 2.5G Ethernet Ports (1x WAN and 1x LAN Port); USB 3.0 port.
- 【NETWORK CONTROL WITH TOUCHSCREEN SIMPLICITY】Slate 7’s touchscreen interface lets you scan QR codes for quick Wi-Fi, monitor speed in real time, toggle VPN on/off, and switch providers directly on the display. Color-coded indicators provide instant network status updates for Ethernet, Tethering, Repeater, and Cellular modes, offering a seamless, user-friendly experience.
- 【OpenWrt 23.05 FIRMWARE】The Slate 7 (GL-BE3600) is a high-performance Wi-Fi 7 travel router, built with OpenWrt 23.05 (Kernel 5.4.213) for maximum customization and advanced networking capabilities. With 512MB storage, total customization with open-source freedom and flexible installation of OpenWrt plugins.
- 【VPN CLIENT & SERVER】OpenVPN and WireGuard are pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers (active subscription required). Simply log in to your existing VPN account with our portable wifi device, and Slate 7 automatically encrypts all network traffic within the connected network. Max. VPN speed of 100 Mbps (OpenVPN); 540 Mbps (WireGuard). *Speed tests are conducted on a local network. Real-world speeds may differ depending on your network configuration.*
- 【PERFECT PORTABLE WIFI ROUTER FOR TRAVEL】The Slate 7 is an ideal portable internet device perfect for international travel. With its mini size and travel-friendly features, the pocket Wi-Fi router is the perfect companion for travelers in need of a secure internet connectivity on the go in which includes hotels or cruise ships.
- Route everything: convenient for devices that cannot run a VPN app, but services on any device will see the VPN server’s public IP.
- Route selected devices: useful for a TV, console, or IoT device while leaving work, banking, or latency-sensitive devices on the normal connection. This requires per-device routing support.
- Use Proton apps instead: more practical when devices need different server locations, app-level controls, or VPN protection away from home.
Changing a router’s VPN location normally means changing or replacing its active configuration profile, rather than selecting a server instantly in an app. Router setups may not provide app features such as a kill switch, split tunneling, Smart Protocol, or advanced DNS controls.
Verify the tunnel and check for leaks
- Connect a device that should use the VPN and visit Proton’s IP address checker. Confirm the public IP and approximate location differ from the ordinary ISP connection as expected.
- Run a reputable DNS leak test and confirm DNS requests use the intended VPN path rather than an ISP resolver.
- Check IPv6 behavior as well as IPv4. If the router does not route IPv6 through the VPN, IPv6 traffic may bypass an IPv4 tunnel; follow your platform’s instructions for handling IPv6.
- Test a device assigned to bypass the VPN, if supported, to confirm it still uses the ordinary connection.
- Restart the router and repeat the checks to confirm the profile and routing policy persist.
A connected status alone does not prove every traffic path is protected. The router VPN covers internet traffic routed through its tunnel; it does not encrypt local traffic between a phone and printer or Bluetooth connections, and it does not fix compromised devices, malware, or phishing.
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The router has no VPN-client option
Confirm the exact model and firmware, then check the manufacturer documentation and Proton’s router support index. ISP firmware may omit client features. If neither WireGuard nor OpenVPN client mode is supported, consider a compatible second router behind the ISP gateway or replace the router. Third-party firmware is an advanced, model-specific option, not a safe generic fix.
Best Value
- Next-Gen Gigabit Wi-Fi 6 Speeds: 2402 Mbps on 5 GHz and 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz bands ensure smoother streaming and faster downloads; support VPN server and VPN client¹
- A More Responsive Experience: Enjoy smooth gaming, video streaming, and live feeds simultaneously. OFDMA makes your Wi-Fi stronger by allowing multiple clients to share one band at the same time, cutting latency and jitter.²
- Expanded Wi-Fi Coverage: 4 high-gain external antennas and Beamforming technology combine to extend strong, reliable, Wi-Fi throughout your home.
- Improved Battery Life: Target Wake Time helps your devices to communicate efficiently while consuming less power.
- Improved Cooling Design: No heat ups, no throttles. A larger heat sink and redefined case design cools the WiFi 6 system and enables your network to stay at top speeds in more versatile environments.
The configuration file will not import
- Regenerate the file with Router selected and the protocol your router supports.
- Check that the firmware’s VPN implementation accepts that file format and update firmware if appropriate.
- Follow the platform-specific guide; do not alter cryptographic keys unless official instructions require it.
- For OpenVPN, check that you entered Proton’s separate OpenVPN credentials if requested.
The tunnel connects, but websites do not load
Check the default route or Route Allowed IPs setting, firewall rules, DNS settings, MTU, IPv6 handling, and whether the VPN policy includes the affected device. If possible, disable the profile temporarily to restore ordinary WAN routing while you troubleshoot.
A DNS leak appears
Check whether the router forwards DNS to the ISP, whether custom DNS settings override the VPN interface, and whether IPv6 DNS remains outside the tunnel. Follow the router-specific DNS instructions, test IPv4 and IPv6, and retest after a reboot. On OpenWrt, modified settings can affect DNS behavior; Proton specifically warns of leak risk in its OpenVPN guide.
Internet access stops when the VPN disconnects
This can result from a fail-closed firewall or missing fallback route. Disable the VPN profile to regain normal WAN routing, then review the firewall and route configuration. Keeping a wired device available and saving a known-good router backup makes recovery easier.
Speeds fall or streaming stops working
A router’s processor may be the bottleneck, particularly with OpenVPN on modest hardware. Try WireGuard if supported, a nearer Proton server, or VPN routing for only selected devices. Streaming services may block VPN server addresses, so access is not guaranteed; try another compatible server or exclude the streaming device from the VPN. Proton associates streaming support with paid plans, but service availability can change; see its plan details.
When router setup is worth it
A router VPN is useful when you want compatible smart TVs, consoles, or other devices to use a VPN without installing an app on each one. It is less convenient if you often switch locations, need different VPN settings per app or device, or want protection while traveling. If only a few devices need the VPN, Proton’s apps may be simpler. If your ISP router cannot run a VPN client, a second VPN-capable router can route selected devices without replacing the gateway, though it can add double NAT and complicate gaming or port forwarding.
Proton says router connections are available on all plans, including Free; a router counts as one connection on Free regardless of how many devices use it through that router. Free has more limited server selection and performance than paid plans, so check the current plan terms if you need a particular country, streaming, or more server choice.
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