Key Takeaways: Best Whole House VPN Service Provider

• Using a whole house VPN helps household members surf the web securely and unblock geoblocked content
• The best whole house VPN is ExpressVPN, followed by Surfshark, NordVPN, Private Internet Access and Windscribe
• If your home router doesn’t support a VPN installation, consider a VPN that allows unlimited simultaneous connections

If you want to give everyone in your house access to a VPN, you’ll need a whole house VPN — a virtual private network that you can install on your router.

However, there are some caveats. Firstly, you’ll need a router that allows you to install a VPN. Secondly, you might need to install different router firmware, like Tomato. The effort is worth it, though, since once you install the VPN all data transmitted via the router will be encrypted and secure.

If you can’t install a VPN on your router, look for VPNs that offer unlimited simultaneous connections. These VPNs for multiple devices are easier to set up, and you can use them to secure your connection even when you and other members of the house are outside the router’s range.

In this guide, we discuss the best whole house VPNs. By the end of this roundup, you’ll know which one fits your needs. Our recommendation, for those who don’t want to read the full guide, is ExpressVPN — our top pick and the best VPN on the market.

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Learn more about our editorial team and our research process.

Best Whole House VPN: Cloudwards Editor’s Choice

ExpressVPN is the best whole house VPN and the best overall VPN for routers. You can install ExpressVPN on many popular routers and connect to up to five server locations simultaneously using a feature called “device groups.”

Alternatively, consider the ExpressVPN Aircove router, which comes with ExpressVPN preinstalled. If you’re looking for a new VPN router, ExpressVPN Aircove is worth considering.

How to Choose the Best Home VPN Service

Our experts have concluded that the best whole house VPNs are ExpressVPN, Surfshark, NordVPN, Private Internet Access and Windscribe. We’ve included VPNs that you can install on your router and that offer unlimited simultaneous connections:

1. ExpressVPN — Fast, secure and unblocks all streaming sites
2. Surfshark — Feature-rich VPN with unlimited simultaneous connections
3. NordVPN — Secure VPN with specialty servers
4. Private Internet Access — Large server network and great user interface
5. Windscribe — VPN with advanced features and a generous free plan

When choosing a whole house VPN client, pick one that you can install on your router or that allows unlimited simultaneous connections. If a VPN service isn’t compatible with routers and doesn’t offer limited simultaneous connections, it won’t work as a whole house VPN.

In addition, consider features that specifically help those wanting to use the VPN on a router. ExpressVPN’s “device groups” feature is a great example. Similarly, Private Internet Access (PIA) gives you the option to set up ad blocking when you install the VPN on a router.

Security and privacy, connection speed and the ability to unblock geoblocked content on services like Netflix are just as important. A VPN that uses an encryption protocol like OpenVPN combined with AES-256 can effectively secure your VPN connection. Encryption reduces the connection speed, but the top VPNs keep this reduction to a minimum. 

The 5 Best VPNs for the Whole House

Choosing any of the five VPNs we suggest below will help you set up VPN access for the whole house. However, if you want to learn more about the feature sets and prices of these services, keep reading.

1. ExpressVPN – Best Whole House VPN

ExpressVPN is fast, secure and offers its own VPN router.

More details about ExpressVPN:

• Pricing: $6.66 per month (15-months plan)
• Free plan: No; 30-day money-back guarantee
• Provider website: www.expressvpn.com

ExpressVPN offers everything you’d expect from a premium VPN, including router compatibility. You can set up ExpressVPN as your router VPN provided you have a compatible VPN router and firmware. ExpressVPN allows eight simultaneous connections, so if your household has eight members or fewer, everyone can use ExpressVPN simultaneously.

ExpressVPN supports devices from the most popular router manufacturers and offers multiple guides to help you manually set up the VPN on a router. However, if you’re thinking about buying a new router, consider their preconfigured VPN router, called ExpressVPN Aircove. Keep in mind, you still need an active subscription to use the VPN.

ExpressVPN Hands-On Testing

ExpressVPN offers great security without any significant overhead on performance. It gets into all the popular streaming platforms, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Hulu. We were able to stream content in high definition without any buffering.

The “device groups” feature is especially helpful when you want to stream content on Netflix U.K. and your sibling wants to stream anime on Netflix Japan. You can connect up to five server locations using device groups, which allows you and your family members to stream content from different countries’ libraries at the same time.

Notes From the Lab: ExpressVPN Speed Test Results

ExpressVPN is one of the fastest VPNs on the market, according to our speed tests. Our tests revealed consistently low latency, making it an excellent gaming VPN.

Notes From the Lab: ExpressVPN Security Analysis

The ExpressVPN app lets you choose between OpenVPN over TCP or UDP, IKEv2 and Lightway (ExpressVPN’s proprietary protocol).

Our tests for DNS leaks, IP address leaks and WebRTC leaks were clean, confirming that the VPN is reliable and secure.

Pricing & Value: Is ExpressVPN Worth It?

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ExpressVPN is an expensive VPN that offers best-in-class performance.

ExpressVPN costs more than most VPN services. If you want to use a VPN that costs marginally more than others and offers top-notch performance, consider ExpressVPN’s best deal — the annual plan — which costs $6.66 per month. Shorter-term plans include the six-month plan for $9.99 per month and the monthly plan for $12.95 per month.

If you want to learn more, read our comprehensive ExpressVPN review, or try the service yourself using the 30-day money-back guarantee. If you don’t like the service, you can claim a full refund.

2. Surfshark

Surfshark is a feature-rich VPN that offers unlimited simultaneous connections.

More details about Surfshark:

• Pricing: $2.48 per month (two-year plan)
• Free plan: No; 30-day money-back guarantee
• Provider website: www.surfshark.com

Surfshark is fast, budget-friendly and feature-rich. It offers unlimited simultaneous connections and can be installed on a router, making it quite the package. The service provider’s website has extensive guides on how to install the VPN on popular router firmware like DD-WRT and Tomato.

However, we find Surfhark’s unlimited simultaneous connections feature more appealing. Installing Surfshark on your router allows everyone in the house to secure their connection as long as they’re within the router’s range.

Installing Surfshark on all devices allows every household member to stay secure no matter where they are. Plus, each member can connect to a different server location based on their preference without any manual configuration.

Surfshark Hands-On Testing

Surfshark’s fast connection speeds translate to a great streaming experience, even when choosing the highest quality. We also like how it unblocks all the popular streaming sites with ease. The high latency makes Surfshark unappealing for gamers, but it’s an excellent choice for just about any other use case, including torrenting.

Notes From the Lab: Surfshark Speed Test Results

Surfshark offers great download and upload speeds, but has high latency. High speeds are great for everyone, but if you want to use the VPN for gaming, there are better options on this list.

Notes From the Lab: Surfshark Security Analysis

Surfshark offers top-notch security with the OpenVPN, IKEv2 (not available on routers) and WireGuard encryption protocols.

The Surfshark app supports obfuscation (camouflage mode) on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux and routers. Obfuscation is enabled by default when you switch to the OpenVPN (over UDP or TCP) protocol.

Pricing & Value: Is Surfshark Worth It?

Surfshark is a low-cost VPN with an extensive feature set.

Surfshark is a budget-friendly VPN. The two-year plan (Starter) costs $2.48 per month. Shorter-term plans are also available, and you can learn more about these on their website. If you want to take Surfshark for a spin before you commit, you can use its 30-day money-back guarantee to try it risk-free. You can learn more about Surfshark in our Surfshark review.

3. NordVPN

NordVPN offers extensive security features, including five types of specialty servers.

More details about NordVPN:

• Pricing: $1.50 per month (two-year plan)
• Free plan: No; 30-day money-back guarantee
• Provider website: www.nordvpn.com

NordVPN is among our best cheap VPN and supports a wide range of routers and firmware. Like ExpressVPN, NordVPN also offers routers preconfigured with NordVPN via partners like FlashRouters. Using one of these routers or setting up NordVPN on your router and connecting to a VPN server encrypts your internet traffic.

However, if you don’t want to set up NordVPN on your router or if you don’t have a compatible router, you can use NordVPN simultaneously on up to six devices.

Six or fewer members of the household can install NordVPN on their device, connect to a different server location and use different VPN protocols and features like split tunneling (available on Windows, Android and Android TV apps) and the kill switch.

NordVPN Hands-On Testing

NordVPN unblocks all streaming websites, including BBC iPlayer, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, and offers fast connection speeds.

You can easily unblock BBC iPlayer with NordVPN.

This combination allows for buffer-free viewing even when streaming in high quality. Plus, NordVPN has a great support team, so you’ll never feel stuck if something doesn’t work.

Notes From the Lab: NordVPN Speed Test Results

NordVPN is the fastest VPN on the market. This means that it’s a great pick if you want to stream or download content via torrents. Latencies are low enough not to cause any lags.

Notes From the Lab: NordVPN Security Analysis

NordVPN offers extensive security features. It offers four VPN protocols: OpenVPN over TCP, OpenVPN over UDP, IKEv2 and NordLynx (NordVPN’s take on WireGuard). NordVPN also offers five types of specialty servers: double VPN, P2P, obfuscated, Onion Over VPN and dedicated IP.

The app includes features like “threat protection,” which protects your device against malware, trackers and ads. However, many of these features are only available via the app and not on the router. For example, “threat protection” is available on macOS and Windows, whereas “threat protection lite” is available on Android, iOS and Linux. Head over to our NordVPN review to learn more about these features.

Pricing & Value: Is NordVPN Worth It?

NordVPN offers similar performance to ExpressVPN for less than half the cost.

NordVPN is one of the most affordable VPN providers considering its feature set and performance. The best deal (the two-year Standard plan) costs $1.50 per month. Shorter-term options are also available on their website. If you don’t feel confident about NordVPN, you can try it risk-free using the 30-day money-back guarantee.

4. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access (PIA) offers a large server network
and unlimited simultaneous connections.

More details about Private Internet Access:

• Pricing: $4.17 per month (one-year plan)
• Free plan: Yes; 7-day trial available on Android and iOS apps
• Provider website: www.privateinternetaccess.com

PIA offers extensive guides on its website that show you how to configure it on a router. Though the guides are a little long, they’re worth following, as you’ll gain flexibility.

For example, you can select a configuration file to aim for the desired level of speed and security. While configuring, PIA also lets you choose from various DNS options — including its unique MACE DNS, which helps block ads.

Since PIA allows unlimited devices and offers unlimited bandwidth, you can use it on multiple devices without impacting performance. Using the app also gives you access to all of PIA’s features that aren’t available when using it on the router.

Private Internet Access Hands-On Testing

We love how PIA’s interface is compact and detailed. Clicking on the system tray icon opens a docked window that you can expand to access more features. The desktop app is designed like a mobile app, so the Android and iOS apps look quite similar to the desktop app.

Unfortunately, our experience accessing geoblocked content using PIA wasn’t great. We couldn’t unblock Hulu or BBC iPlayer. However, we could get into Netflix U.S. and Amazon Prime Video.

Notes From the Lab: Private Internet Access Speed Test Results

PIA offers great speeds and keeps latency to a minimum unless you connect to servers too far away from your physical location. This means that you can stream HD content without buffering and use it for gaming, provided you select servers that are close by.

Notes From the Lab: Private Internet Access Security Analysis

You can encrypt your connection using OpenVPN once PIA is set up on your router. The router configuration files are available for AES-128 and AES-256 encryption.

However, you can use other protocols (IPSec and WireGuard) on the desktop or mobile apps. The desktop app also gives you access to features like multihop servers and split tunneling, which offer more control over your connection’s security.

Pricing & Value: Is Private Internet Access Worth It?

PIA is the cheapest VPN on this list.

PIA is a budget-friendly VPN service. Their three-year plan costs $2.19 per month. If you want a shorter-term subscription, consider the six-month plan or the monthly plan. You can also try PIA before committing by using its 30-day money-back guarantee. You can learn more about PIA’s VPN functionality in our PIA review.

5. Windscribe

Windscribe offers a generous free plan.

More details about Windscribe:

• Pricing: $5.75 per month (one-year plan)
• Free plan: Yes, limited to 15GB of free data
• Provider website: www.windscribe.com

Windscribe is one of our favorite free VPNs — it’s secure, fast and offers a generous free plan. The website has setup guides for DD-WRT, Tomato and ASUS routers. Though there are fewer setup guides overall, they’re shorter and easier to follow than PIA’s configuration guides.

Downloading the configuration file and credentials for router installation requires a pro account, so you can’t set up Windscribe on a router as a free user.

If you want to skip the setup or are looking for compatible routers, you can either buy a preconfigured router from FlashRouters or just use the desktop or mobile VPN clients. The apps allow unlimited simultaneous connections and access to the complete feature set.

Windscribe Hands-On Testing

Our streaming and gaming experience with Windscribe was top-notch. It’s fast and unblocks most content without a hitch. Though Windscribe can be installed on compatible routers, we recommend using the app for the best experience. This gives you access to features like R.O.B.E.R.T. — Windscribe’s powerful ad blocker.

Notes From the Lab: Windscribe Speed Test Results

Windscribe is one of the best router VPNs thanks to its fast connection speeds and low latency. You can use it for streaming content in high definition, torrenting and gaming.

Notes From the Lab: Windscribe Security Analysis

Windscribe offers six protocols: OpenVPN (over UDP and TCP), IKEv2, WireGuard, Stealth and WStunnel. If you’re setting up Windscribe on your router, you’ll be able to choose between OpenVPN and WireGuard.

Pricing & Value: Is Windscribe Worth It?

Windscribe offers a generous free plan and has a flexible pricing option.

Windscribe’s paid plans are slightly more expensive than others on the list. The best-value plan (the yearly plan) costs $5.75 per month. The monthly plan costs $9 per month.

However, you can also build your own plan using the build-a-plan option. This option lets you add server locations for $1 per location per month and provides access to R.O.B.E.R.T. and unlimited data for another $1 per month.

The minimum checkout value is $3 per month. Try Windscribe risk-free using its three-day money-back guarantee or read more about the service in our Windscribe review.

Can a Free VPN Cover Your Whole House?

Many free VPNs can’t cover your whole house for various reasons. For example, many VPNs exclude the option to configure them on a router or connect unlimited devices. Many free VPNs are also slow and can’t effectively secure your connection. In many cases, free VPNs can even harm your devices — see our list of the worst VPNs to learn about some of these services.

The Best Free Whole House VPN: Proton VPN

Proton VPN is the best free whole house VPN because it offers unlimited data on the free plan. You can set up Proton VPN on routers that support OpenVPN as a client. Proton VPN is secure, fast and offers a generous free plan. You can learn more in our Proton VPN review.

How to Set Up a VPN for the Whole House

Here’s the general process to set up ExpressVPN for the whole house on an ASUS router. 

1. Download the ExpressVPN firmware for your router from the ExpressVPN website. Keep the window open once the firmware finishes downloading — you’ll need the activation code later.
2. Connect the ASUS router to the internet and connect your device to the router. Head over to 192.168.1.1 or router.asus.com using the browser’s address bar.
3. Install the firmware. Go to “administration” > “firmware upgrade,” select “upload” and upload the firmware file you downloaded in the first step to install the firmware. Reboot the router after installation.
4. Connect your device to the router to complete the setup. You’ll see a screen to set up ExpressVPN. If you don’t see this screen, go to expressvpnrouter.com and select “get started.” Note the WiFi name and password and the router password once the setup is complete.

Final Thoughts

Setting up a VPN on a router is a great way to give everyone in your household access to geoblocked content and secure devices on your network. However, though installing a VPN such as our top choice — ExpressVPN — on your router offers convenience, it can remove access to some features.

Our team of experts believes it’s better to install a VPN that offers unlimited simultaneous connections on all of your devices instead, so that users can stay secure even when outside the router’s range. Using the app instead of setting up the VPN on a router also allows access to more features.

Have you used a VPN on a router before? Did you find the setup process simple or difficult? Let us know in the comments below, and as always, thank you for reading.

FAQ: VPN for the Whole House

• Can I Get a VPN for My Whole House?

  Yes, you can get a VPN for your whole house by installing a VPN on your router. For this to work, the VPN and the router must be compatible. Alternatively, you can use a VPN with unlimited simultaneous connections and install it on every household member’s device.

• Is There a Router With a Built-In VPN?

  Yes, there are many routers on the market with a built-in VPN. The ExpressVPN Aircove router is a great example. Buy the router and a subscription to ExpressVPN and you’ll be ready to use the VPN without any manual effort.

• How Much Does a Home VPN Cost?

  The price of a home VPN depends on the service you choose. If you don’t mind paying a premium for the best VPN on the market, we recommend ExpressVPN.

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