Recommended Free Tools
A router’s VPN client sends selected home traffic out through a VPN connection; its VPN server lets remote devices connect back to your home network or internet connection. Choose client mode to route home traffic through another VPN endpoint. Choose server mode to reach home while away. Neither role automatically protects every device or works on every router.
How the two router VPN roles differ
| Role | What the router does | Typical use | Main security consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| VPN client | Initiates an outbound encrypted tunnel to a VPN endpoint, such as a commercial provider or a server you control elsewhere. | Send some or all home-device traffic through that endpoint. | Check which devices, destinations, and DNS queries use the tunnel, and what happens if it drops. |
| VPN server | Accepts connections from remote VPN clients. | Connect back to your home network or route remote traffic through your home internet connection. | The server must be reachable from outside, and each connected client receives the access permitted by the server configuration. |
These terms describe the direction and purpose of a connection, not a guarantee that a router supports both roles concurrently. Consult documentation for the exact model and firmware. For example, GL.iNet’s current client profile guide says its OpenVPN and WireGuard client management was combined on one page starting with firmware v4.9: VPN Client Profile.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Choose the role that matches your goal
Use a VPN client to route home traffic through another endpoint
Client mode fits when you want traffic from home devices to exit through a commercial VPN service or a VPN server elsewhere. Confirm that the provider supplies router-compatible configuration and that your router can apply the routing policy you want. GL.iNet’s OpenVPN client documentation describes the client role and setup: OpenVPN Client.
Use a VPN server to connect back home
Server mode fits when you are away and need to reach home resources, or want remote traffic to use your home internet connection. GL.iNet’s example uses a home GL-MT6000 router as a WireGuard server and a travel router as its client: Build your own WireGuard home server with two GL.iNet routers.
#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
If you want both behaviors, verify that the specific router and firmware support both roles at once and determine how their routing policies interact. A product listing that says “VPN” does not establish concurrent-role support.
Security risks to weigh before enabling either role
A home VPN server has to be reachable from outside
GL.iNet’s documented OpenVPN server setup requires a public IP address. If the VPN router is the primary router, the guide says port forwarding is not required; if it sits behind another gateway, upstream configuration may be needed. A connection behind carrier-grade NAT (CGNAT), or otherwise without a reachable public address, may prevent the documented inbound setup from working as described. See OpenVPN Server.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →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.
LAN access grants more than access to the VPN router
A server option can let a remote client reach devices on the home LAN, such as a NAS or IP camera. Enable that scope only when the use case requires it, and account for every device enrolled as a client. GL.iNet documents this option in WireGuard Server and explains LAN access in Access WireGuard Server LAN from Client via domain name.
Client mode needs a plan for tunnel failures and traffic bypass
A client tunnel can disconnect. GL.iNet’s client profile guide describes an optional kill switch that cuts internet access for the local network if the VPN fails unexpectedly. Check whether your router offers an equivalent control, which devices it covers, and whether bypass rules can still send traffic directly over the WAN. The same guide documents DNS-routing choices and warns that an “Allow Access WAN” use case can risk leakage for some direct-public-IP traffic: VPN Client Profile.
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.
Profiles and keys are credentials
Router VPN setup uses exported profiles to connect clients. Keep those files private, revoke access for devices you no longer trust, and reissue credentials if a profile is exposed. An encrypted tunnel protects traffic between its configured endpoints; it does not by itself secure the router’s administration interface, fix weak device passwords, or make every reachable LAN service safe.
Check these prerequisites before setup
- Confirm model and firmware support. Verify that the exact router supports the desired protocol and role. GL.iNet’s consolidated VPN client profile page applies from firmware v4.9; menus can differ on earlier versions. Check the corresponding server documentation as well.
- Check whether an inbound server can be reached. Find out whether your home connection has a reachable public IP, whether the VPN router is the primary router, and whether an upstream gateway needs forwarding configured. CGNAT can block a conventional inbound connection.
- Use non-overlapping LAN subnets. If home and remote networks use the same subnet, routes can conflict. GL.iNet’s travel-router example changes the travel router’s default LAN subnet because the two routers initially shared one.
- Set the intended access scope. Decide whether remote clients should reach only the router or also the LAN. Use LAN-access and client-to-client options deliberately; allowing clients to reach one another over the tunnel does not automatically route each client’s separate LAN subnet.
- Review routing, DNS, and failure behavior. Identify which traffic uses the tunnel, where DNS queries go, which traffic can bypass it, and whether a kill switch blocks traffic when the tunnel fails.
What a router VPN does—and does not—secure
A VPN tunnel encrypts traffic between its endpoints. In client mode, that means the connection from the home router to the configured VPN endpoint; in server mode, it means the connection between a remote client and the home router. The tunnel is not a general security layer for every service on either network. Keep router firmware and administration access appropriately secured, use strong credentials, and limit network access to what each use case needs.
Quick Recap
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.
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.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
