A Virtual Private Network (VPN) provides much higher levels of security and privacy than your standard Internet Service Provider (ISP) connection. It’s a great way to protect all of your devices against phishing and hacking, and it’s also the easiest way to spoof your IP address and geolocation. The only drawback to using a VPN is that it usually needs to be installed on each device. But, this is where a Tomato router comes in and makes the whole process much easier.
A compatible VPN can be installed directly on the router. This means that every device connected to the router will automatically be connected to the VPN network. Not only is this a huge timesaver, but it also overcomes any VPN compatibility issues. So, for example, if a VPN client isn’t compatible with Playstation, you can connect the Playstation to the VPN-enabled Tomato Router instead.
Don’t worry about finding which VPNs do and don’t work with your router, as we’ve done the hard work for you. In this guide, we explain the very best VPNs for Tomato routers, including the fastest and most powerful servers available. Keep reading to find out more. Show more
Now that we have explained what Tomato routers are, how they work, why you need a VPN, it’s time to get into specific VPN providers. We’ve tried and tested many different apps and providers for their compatibility with Tomato, so keep reading to find out which made the shortlist of the best Tomato router VPNs.
| Max Speed: | 115000 Mbps |
|---|---|
| Type of IP offered: | Dedicated |
| Simultaneous connections / Users: | 6 |
| Number of Netflix Libraries: | 12 |
| Information sharing: | None |
| OS support: | Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows |
Ultra-fast connection
No-logs policy
5400 servers in 54 countries
Limited payment options
No Split Tunneling on desktop
Only 6 simultaneous connection
NordVPN is compatible with almost every device, including home routers. There are step-by-step instructions on setting up the VPN tunnel and 24/7 tech support if you need additional help. With a wide range of VPN servers in over 160 different locations, you can overcome any geographical blocks and access unlimited content worldwide. The NordVPN servers can handle every type of internet traffic, from casual browsing to streaming and gaming.
As well as a strong and stable internet connection, NordVPN also provides the highest levels of security. There is 256-bit AES encryption as standard and an internet kill switch that will cut your internet if the VPN connection drops. The DNS servers also include leak protection and a dedicated IP address for every user. A strict no-logs policy means that NordVPN doesn’t store any of your browsing, location, cookies, or IP address data.
A monthly subscription to NordVPN costs $11.95 but can be purchased for as little as $3.71 per month if you opt for 2 years. In addition, there is a 30-day money-back guarantee if you are not 100% satisfied with your purchase.
| Max Speed: | Unlimited |
|---|---|
| Type of IP offered: | Dedicated |
| Simultaneous connections / Users: | 7 |
| Number of Netflix Libraries: | 4 |
| Information sharing: | None |
| OS support: | Amazon Fire TV, Android, Android TV, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows |
Servers in unusual countries
Great support options
Great blog and guide universe
Limited payment options
Poor press area for affiliates
Few Netflix libraries
CyberGhost is particularly popular amongst gamers and streamers that want to protect every device while maintaining super-fast connection speeds. Not only does CyberGhost have the largest VPN server network of all mainstream VPNs, but they are fast and reliable. In addition, with over 7,000 servers to choose from, geo-restrictions can be easily bypassed.
The OpenVPN configuration files can be downloaded and opened on a simple text editor, so it’s as easy as copying and pasting the information into the router dashboard. CyberGhost has a detailed user manual that explains how to install the OpenVPN client onto your Tomato router in just a few minutes. Once set up, you can benefit from all the perks of a CyberGhost server, including safe internet traffic, fast speeds, and no data limits.
To get started with CyberGhost, all you need is some basic information and an email address. A monthly subscription costs $12.99, but this comes down to $7.99 if you choose to take a 6-month plan. CyberGhost also provides an extended 45-day money-back guarantee.
| Max Speed: | 58000 Mbps |
|---|---|
| Type of IP offered: | Dedicated |
| Simultaneous connections / Users: | 5 |
| Number of Netflix Libraries: | 12 |
| Information sharing: | None |
| OS support: | Android, ChromeOS, iOS, Linux, macOS, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Windows |
Tons of payment options
24-hour live chat suppot
30-day money back guarantee
More expensive than competitors
Only 5 simultaneous connections
No servers in Russia
It’s impossible to create a list of VPNs for a Tomato Router without giving ExpressVPN a special mention. Not only does ExpressVPN have some of the fastest VPN server speeds to handle unlimited content and streaming, but it also includes many great security features. These include private DNS on every connection, 256-bit AES encryption, and a strict no-logs policy.
The config file and setup instructions are easy to follow, and ExpressVPN has a lot of help and support available for OpenVPN and router configuration. There are also ExpressVPN apps specific for certain devices and operating systems like macOS, Windows, and Linux. If you experience a VPN drop, the network kill switch will also temporarily end your internet so that your browsing is never left unprotected.
Despite being one of the best VPNs on the market, ExpressVPN is affordably priced. A monthly plan costs $12.95, whereas 6 months costs $9.99 per month. The cheapest plan is just $8.32 per month when you commit to a year. A 30-day money-back guarantee is also included.
Tomato firmware is completely free and was created to replace the original firmware installed on a standard router. There are many different versions, including Tomato, Tomato USB, and Advanced Tomato, but the principle remains the same across each interface.
In short, a router with Tomato firmware installed becomes a Tomato router. Overwriting the original firmware gives the user more freedom when it comes to the setup and configuration of the internet network. It’s worth noting that not all routers are compatible with Tomato, making a VPN configuration impossible on some models.
There are many reasons for using a VPN with a tomato router. The first and most obvious reason for using a VPN is the additional privacy and security it provides. Not only is your internet activity not logged, but your true IP address and location are also masked, allowing you to browse anonymously. This helps to combat hackers and phishing scams, keeping internet users safe.
Another popular reason for a VPN on your router is to bypass geographical content blocks. Whether it’s on Netflix, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, or any other streaming service, if you’ve ever faced the dreaded ‘this content is not available in your region’ message, a Tomato router VPN can make it a thing of the past. You can unblock content from across the world while maintaining high levels of security.
One of the main benefits of using a VPN connection on your router instead of apps on each device is that it only needs to be set up once. Once your VPN connection is up and running on Tomato, every device that uses the wireless network will also be protected. This is a particularly great feature if a VPN provider only supports a certain amount of simultaneous connections. Many will expect you to upgrade or pay more for extra connections, but a router VPN provides it for free.
Setting up a VPN on a Tomato router may seem complicated, but it only needs to be done once unless you reset your router in the future. The specific steps will vary depending on your VPN provider, as configuration files can be slightly different. Check out the instructions below for an example VPN set up on a Tomato Router:
Although a router VPN is a very convenient thing to have, it’s not without its drawbacks. The biggest issue you may come up against is congestion and slow speeds, particularly if you have several devices connected to the wifi network simultaneously. This is because each connection is tunneled through the router, which can overload the VPN server. It also requires a specific type of router, which you may need to purchase at an additional cost, so it’s not as easy as just switching it on.
Although free VPNs do exist, it isn't easy to find a free VPN with router compatibility. Installing OpenVPN on your router is a premium feature, often exclusive to a paid VPN service. Even if you find a free VPN that works with routers, it is likely to have many server limitations and fewer security and privacy tools. Another common issue with a free VPN is bandwidth limits and speed throttling. We recommend avoiding any free VPN on your router and opting for one of the premium providers on our recommended list.
A config file is specific to a VPN provider, and each will have its own server address, server certificate, and tls auth information. It can get a little complicated, especially if it's your first time, and most router interfaces aren't very user-friendly. To get help with setup and configuration, you will need to contact the tech support team, which will usually be available 24/7. Otherwise, check out the how-to articles which are available on the VPN website.
There are many different VPN protocols, including OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec, and Wireguard. Each protocol has a particular strength, whether it be faster speeds or enhanced security. Tomato Router VPNs work on OpenVPN because it has the most customization options and can be easily configured. It performs great in all areas, including power and security, especially when run with UDP (User Datagram Protocol) instead of TCP (Transmission Control Protocol).
Hi there! I'm Monique, and I am a writer at VPNSurfers. I live in New York, but I'm originally from Delware. I love traveling, but the US will always be home to me.
I have more than 5 years of experience using VPNs, and I ha...
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