5 Best VPN Services for DD-WRT

The Buyer’s Guide

Types of DD-WRT

Pre-Flashed Router

A pre-flashed router comes with DD-WRT and the VPN already configured. It’s typically the most expensive choice, but it also takes the least amount of time to set up. ExpressVPN’s custom router firmware is our favorite, though it isn’t technically DD-WRT. To get pre-flashed VPN routers with DD-WRT firmware from various major VPN providers, check out FlashRouters.

If you want to use a pre-flashed router but don’t want to pay for it, some VPN providers will let you flash your own router with their firmware. This is an advanced process, and we only recommend it if you’re comfortable following instructions and troubleshooting any issues that may arise.

Additionally, not all routers can be flashed with DD-WRT. You’ll need to check whether your router is supported before proceeding.

DD-WRT Router

Routers with DD-WRT preinstalled may be used to connect immediately, and the user must only supply VPN configuration data. It might get difficult to add many servers if you’re following your VPN service’s instructions, but it shouldn’t be impossible. Most, but not all DD-WRT versions support VPNs, so double-check before buying to ensure compatibility.

Be aware that not all routers support VPNs right out of the box. In some cases, firmware upgrades may be required to enable VPN compatibility.

Keep in mind that installing DD-WRT voids your warranty, so proceed at your own risk.

DD-WRT Compatible Router

The easiest method to get a VPN up and running on your router is by buying the router of your choice with pre-flashed DD-WRT firmware installed. This will most likely be the cheapest option, but it will take some technical knowledge and might be dangerous.

Some manufacturers’ proprietary firmware may not support VPNs, although you can replace the stock firmware with DD-WRT in what is known as “flashing”.

After that, you’ll need to edit the settings for your VPN connections. Please note that making a mistake while flashing your router may cause it to be permanently damaged or “bricked,” so exercise caution.

If you want to do this, we recommend getting in touch with your VPN’s support team for specific instructions. In general, you’ll need to:

• Download the appropriate DD-WRT firmware for your router;
• Connect to your router and navigate to the Administration tab;
• Select Firmware Upgrade from the drop-down menu and select the firmware file you downloaded earlier;
• Wait for the firmware upgrade process to complete (this could take a few minutes);

Once that’s done, setting up your VPN should be a breeze. If you run into any trouble, contact your VPN’s support team for assistance.[2]

Why Do You Need a VPN for a DD-WRT Router

Protect Your Privacy

If you’re concerned about online privacy, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is the best way to protect your web traffic from prying eyes. A VPN encrypts your internet connection and routes it through a server in another location, hiding your activity from your ISP, government, or anyone else who might be snooping on your traffic.

There are a few different reasons why you might want to use a VPN with your DD-WRT router. Maybe you’re worried about someone hacking into your router and stealing sensitive information, or maybe you want to unblock websites that are blocked in your country. Either way, a VPN can give you the security and flexibility you need [3].

Access New Digital Services

Another great reason to use a VPN is to access new digital services that might be blocked in your country.

For example, China has a strict firewall that blocks many popular websites, including Google, Facebook, and YouTube. By connecting to a VPN server in another country, you can bypass the firewall and access these blocked sites.

Similarly, many countries block streaming services like Netflix and Hulu. If you connect to a VPN server in another country, you can unblock these services and stream your favorite shows and movies.

Finally, if you’re traveling abroad and want to access your home country’s Netflix or Hulu content, you can do so by connecting to a VPN server in your home country. This will allow you to bypass geo-restrictions and watch your favorite shows while you’re abroad.

Protect Your Entire Household

By connecting your router to a VPN, you can encrypt all the traffic passing through your router, ensuring that no one can snoop on your activities. This is especially useful if you have children who use the internet, as it will protect their privacy as well.

Expand VPN Coverage to More Devices

One of the main advantages of setting up a VPN on your router is that you can protect more than just the computer or mobile device that’s connected to it. Any internet-enabled devices in your home—from streaming boxes and gaming consoles to smart TVs and security cameras—can be protected with a VPN if they’re connected to your router.

That means you can enjoy all the benefits of a VPN, like increased privacy and security, no matter which device you’re using.

Of course, not all routers are created equal. Some models don’t support VPNs at all, while others come pre-installed with proprietary firmware that makes it difficult (or even impossible) to install a third-party router firmware like DD-WRT.

Main Features

High Performance

Make sure the VPN you choose offers pre-flashed routers and detailed setup guides. Keep in mind that a single mistake during configuration might end up damaging your router firmware [4].

Easy Configuration

Since DD-WRT is such a versatile firmware, it can be tricky to configure. The best VPNs for DD-WRT make the process as easy as possible with user-friendly apps and step-by-step tutorials.

If you want to take full advantage of your DD-WRT router, you need to use a VPN service that’s compatible with it. Not all VPN providers offer this compatibility, so it’s important to do your research before you commit to a subscription.

Speed and Reliability

When you’re using a VPN, speed and reliability are crucial. No one wants to deal with a slow, unreliable VPN connection. The best DD-WRT VPNs offer fast speeds and stable connections so you can stream HD video, download large files, or do anything else without interruption.

Unblocking Ability

If you want to unblock geo-restricted content, you need a VPN that offers servers in the locations you want to access. The best DD-WRT VPNs have servers all over the world so you can always find one that meets your needs.

Money-Back Guarantee

The best VPN providers for DD-WRT offer risk-free money-back guarantees. This means you can try out the service and get your money back if you’re not satisfied. It’s a great way to make sure you’re happy with the service before you commit to a long-term subscription.

The greatest VPN providers should give at least a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can test the service without risking your money.

Budget-Friendly Plans

Not all VPN providers are created equal. Some offer expensive plans with features you’ll never use, while others have budget-friendly plans that don’t skimp on the essentials. The best DD-WRT VPNs strike a balance between price and value so you can get the features you need without breaking the bank. Most VPN providers offer trials and free versions of their services with limited features.

When it comes to choosing a VPN for DD-WRT, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, make sure the provider offers pre-flashed routers and detailed setup guides. Second, look for a VPN with user-friendly apps and step-by-step tutorials. And finally, make sure the VPN has fast speeds and stable connections.

How to Setup a VPN on DD-WRT Routers

If you want to set up a VPN on your DD-WRT router, there are two main ways to do it. You can either go the route of installing a VPN-compatible firmware on your router or you can manually configure your router to work with a VPN service [5]:

Installing a VPN-Compatible Firmware

One of the easiest ways to set up a VPN on your DD-WRT router is to install VPN-compatible firmware. This will typically be provided by your VPN provider and will already have all of the necessary settings configured. All you need to do is flash (update) your router with the new firmware and then connect to the VPN.

Manually Configuring Your Router

If you don’t want to install new firmware on your router or your VPN provider doesn’t offer one, you can still set up a VPN by manually configuring your router.

• Choose a VPN Service. The first thing you need to do is choose a reputable and trustworthy VPN service. We’ve reviewed dozens of VPNs and can recommend some good ones in our article on the best DD-WRT compatible VPNs;
• Sign Up for an Account. Once you’ve chosen a VPN, the next step is to sign up for an account. This will usually just involve entering your email address and choosing a password;
• Configure Your Router. Now it’s time to configure your router. Each VPN service will have its own specific instructions on how to do this, so be sure to follow them carefully. You’ll typically need to enter in some basic information like your username and password as well as the IP address or server name of the VPN server you want to connect to;

And that’s it! Once you’ve completed these steps, your router should be successfully configured to work with your VPN service.

How to Use a VPN with DD-WRT Routers?

If you want to use a VPN with your DD-WRT router, you will need to set up the VPN connection manually.

This can be done by following these steps:

• First, you will need to log in to your router’s control panel;
• Next, go to the “Services” tab and then select “VPN” from the drop-down menu;
• Now, enable the “Start OpenVPN Client” option;
• After that, you will need to enter the IP address or domain name of the VPN server that you want to connect to;
• You will also need to enter your username and password for the VPN account;

Your VPN service will protect all of the devices you connect to your router (smartphone, tablet, game console, streaming device, smart TV, etc.). However, DD-WRT gives you the option of routing specific traffic via split tunneling.

To enable split tunneling, go to Service > VPN > Policy Based Routing. Then enter IP addresses for each device you’d want to use your VPN on. The remainder of your devices will continue to connect to the Internet using their regular connection (your VPN won’t protect them).

Alternatively, you may apply it to a certain destination. To do this, go to Administration > Commands > Firewall > Edit and set up IPtables firewall rules. This is where you can use IPtables to direct your traffic to specific websites, applications, servers, or other similar destinations [6].

FAQ

Does DD-WRT support OpenVPN?

Yes, DD-WRT does support OpenVPN protocols. OpenVPN is a great option for those looking for a fast, reliable, and secure VPN service. It is also one of the most popular protocols among DD-WRT users.

OpenVPN uses the OpenSSL library to provide encryption and authentication. It is available in two versions: OpenVPN Community Edition (CE) and OpenVPN Access Server (AS). The CE is free and open-source, while the AS requires a subscription [7].

Is DD-WRT still good?

DD-WRT is still a great option for those looking for an alternative to traditional router firmware. It offers many features not found in stock firmware, including support for OpenVPN protocols.

While DD-WRT does have some limitations, such as a lack of built-in parental controls and limited VPN server locations, it is still a great option for those looking to improve their home network security and privacy.

Which VPN is best for a server?

There are many great VPN services available, but not all of them are well-suited for use on a server.

Some important factors to consider when choosing a VPN service for your server include [8]:

• Speed. Your server will need a fast connection to stream video or download large files;
• Reliability. You’ll need a VPN that is up and running 24/ Seven;
• Security. Choose a VPN with robust security features to protect your data;
• Customer Support. Look for a VPN with good customer support in case you have any problems setting up or using the service;

Is DD-WRT stable?

DD-WRT is a stable and reliable option for those looking for an alternative to stock firmware. It offers many features not found in traditional router firmware, including support for OpenVPN protocols.

While DD-WRT does have some limitations, such as a lack of built-in parental controls and limited VPN server locations, it is still a great option for those looking to improve their home network security and privacy.

The DD-WRT firmware enables you to connect your router to VPN providers using the OpenVPN connection mechanism. Some VPN businesses even provide pre-configured routers that work with their service.

You can protect all of your devices through a single account when you set up your DD-WRT router to work with your VPN of choice. Even non-VPN-supporting devices, such as the Xbox One, PS4, Apple TV, and other game consoles and streaming devices – will be able to use the VPN thanks to this feature.

Which VPN is the strongest?

The answer to this question is not as simple as it might seem at first. It really depends on what you need a VPN for. If you are looking for a VPN to unblock websites or stream geo-restricted content, then you will need a different VPN than someone who is only interested in online privacy.

That being said, there are some general characteristics that the strongest VPNs tend to have in common. For instance, they usually have robust security features, fast speeds, and large server networks.

Which is the fastest VPN server?

The answer to this question is highly dependent on your specific needs. Some people need a fast VPN server for gaming, while others need a fast server for streaming.

If you are looking for a fast VPN server for gaming, most privacy experts recommend NordVPN. Their servers are optimized for gaming and they offer a low ping time of just 12 ms.

For those who need a fast server for streaming, it is recommended to test ExpressVPN. They have servers in 94 countries and offer unlimited bandwidth with no speed caps.

Both NordVPN and ExpressVPN offer money-back guarantees, so you can try out their services risk-free.

How do I get more speed on my DD-WRT router?

If you want to get more speed on your DD-WRT router, make sure that you are using a quality VPN service. A good VPN service will provide you with the fastest speeds possible. In addition, a good VPN service will also provide you with security and privacy features that will help to keep your data safe.

By default, DD-WRT routers do not distinguish between bandwidths.

Streaming movies, file downloads, game downloads, and Internet phone calls are all given the same amount of bandwidth as they require.

If you’re multitasking or have a lot of people using the Internet on the same router, use the router’s Quality of Service, or QoS mechanism to prioritize bandwidth for any vital apps. This way, your movies will not lag and phone conversations will not be interrupted due to someone downloading an email attachment [9].

Most DD-WRT routers have a web interface that makes it easy to manage your router’s settings. However, if you want to get the most out of your router, you should consider using a VPN service that provides custom firmware for DD-WRT routers.

Custom firmware will allow you to access more advanced features and settings that are not available on the stock firmware. In addition, custom firmware will also allow you to take advantage of the many benefits that a VPN service can offer.

What is the client bridge on DD-WRT?

The Access Point (AP) extends a wireless network using a wired connection, whereas the Client Bridge (CB) uses a wireless connection to extend an existing wired LAN network. CB is just used for connecting two routers over the air (NOT through the internet). All device connections, other than the primary router, must be connected to the CB router via a wire [10].

What is the default IP address for DD-WRT?

If you are using a router with DD-WRT, the most common IP address is 192.168.1.1. If you can’t determine the IP address, see Getting a Router’s IP Address for assistance. If that doesn’t work, clear the NVRAM (machine settings) [11].

How do I remotely access my DD-WRT router?

Before you can access the router’s web-based setup interface remotely, the Network Address & Management (NAM) feature must be enabled. This will give your router a unique address on the Internet, which can be used to access the router’s web-based setup interface.

To enable NAM [12]:

• Log in to the router’s web-based setup interface;
• Click the Services tab;
• Under Network Address & Management, select Remote Access;
• Enter a username and password for remote access;
• Select Enable Web GUI Management;
• Click Apply Settings;

Now that NAM is enabled, you can remotely access your DD-WRT router by entering its IP address into a web browser.

Why has my HTTP stopped working after flashing DD-WRT?

Both before and after downloading the firmware, reset your router to its factory defaults. Check “Hard reset” or “30/30/30 and Reset And Reboot” for details. Confirm that the computer is on the same subnet as the router [13].

If you can still not access the router’s web interface after trying all of the above, check that your browser is not set to work offline. From the Tools menu, select Work Offline (see figure). If this option is checked, uncheck it to re-enable your browser’s online mode.

What about PPTP VPN for routers?

A PPTP VPN Server is used to establish a VPN connection on a remote device. To use the VPN functionality, you must first enable the PPTP VPN Server on your router and set up the PPTP connection on the remote device.  The remote device must have a public IP address or be assigned a static IP address.

The PPTP VPN Server supports the following encryption methods: MPPE 40-bit, MPPE 128-bit, and MPPC.

To set up a PPTP VPN connection, you need the following information from your VPN provider [14]:

• The IP address or hostname of the PPTP VPN server;
• Your username and password;
• The preshared key (optional);
• The MTU size (optional);
• The DNS server address (optional);

Once you have all the required information, you can follow these steps to set up a PPTP VPN connection on your router:

• Log in to the web interface of your DD-WRT router;
• Go to the “Services” tab and select “VPN” from the submenu;
• Enable the “PPTP Server” option and enter the IP address or hostname of the PPTP VPN server in the “Server
• IP/Name” field;
• Enter your username and password in the “PPP Username” and “Password” fields;
• If your VPN provider gave you a pre-shared key, enter it in the “Pre Shared Key” field;
• If you need to change the MTU size, enter the MTU size in the “MTU” field;
• If you need to use a different DNS server, enter the IP address of the DNS server in the “DNS Address” fields;
• Click “Apply Settings” to save your changes;
• Connect to the PPTP VPN on your remote device and enjoy privacy and security while browsing the internet;

Is there a downside to using a VPN on my router?

A VPN won’t prevent unsolicited traffic from entering or exiting your network, as a firewall would, nor will it protect you from malware. Finally, even with a VPN on your router, each device that leaves your network will need a separate VPN.

Useful Video: How to setup a VPN server on your home router using DD-WRT

Final thoughts

If you’re looking for a VPN provider that supports DD-WRT, we’ve got you covered. In this comprehensive guide, our privacy experts have looked at the best VPNs for DD-WRT routers and offered their recommendations for the best service in each category. So whether you’re looking for a provider with strong security features or one that is easy to use, we’ve got you covered. Have you decided which VPN service is right for you?