Our Top VPN Choices for Your Router

Below you'll find our recommended VPN providers, perfectly suited for use with your TV Box Company Router.

Please note: Some of the links provided below are affiliate links. This has absolutely no influence on our recommendations. Our list is based on over 10 years of experience selling, configuring, and rigorously testing VPNs with our flashed routers for countless customers. We stand by the quality and performance of these providers.

1. Surfshark
2. NordVPN
3. IPVanish
4. ExpressVPN
5. VPN Protocols
6. Wireguard Vs OpenVPN
7. Router CPU Speed
8. What is a VPN
9. How bad is the UK Investigatory Powers Bill?

Finding the Right VPN: Simplify Your Choice with TV Box Company

Choosing the best VPN can feel like navigating a maze. You're looking for that sweet spot – a balance of features, server locations, connection protocols, and a price that won't break the bank. Some VPNs shine for occasional use, others excel at unlocking content restricted by location, and some cater to heavy downloaders seeking online privacy. With so many providers vying for your attention, where do you even begin?

At TV Box Company, we understand this challenge. That's why we've rigorously tested a vast array of VPN providers, cutting through the noise to bring you a curated selection of what we believe are the very best options available. We've focused on the factors that matter most: security, privacy, speed, cost, and ease of use.

Crucially, our recommendations are made with the specific needs of British internet users in mind. We know what matters to you – reliable access, strong protection, and seamless performance.

All the VPN providers we recommend are compatible with our flashed Routers, offering you the flexibility to secure your entire home network. However, if you're planning to run your VPN directly from one of our Routers and want the absolute fastest speeds, it's worth noting that not all providers support the cutting-edge WireGuard® protocol on routers. This is definitely something to consider when making your subscription choice!

Below you'll find our top VPN recommendations along with some helpful insights. Ultimately, the decision is yours, but we're confident our carefully selected options will provide you with a fantastic online experience.

#1 Surfshark VPN

Owned by Nord Security.
In 2022, Surfshark and Nord Security, the parent company of NordVPN, merged. However, both companies continue to operate independently with their own infrastructure and product development teams.

Surfshark VPN, stands out as an exceptional VPN choice in 2025, particularly for users prioritizing affordability alongside robust performance. Our latest review highlights its impressive value, offering unlimited device connections, strong security features, and consistently fast speeds ideal for streaming, secure browsing, and bypassing geographical restrictions.

While its server network may not be as extensive as some competitors, Surfshark compensates with valuable features like CleanWeb and Dynamic MultiHop, delivering significant benefits for both individuals and families. This award-winning service has firmly established itself as a top-tier VPN, celebrated for its powerful security, reliable performance, and intuitive design. With unlimited simultaneous connections, robust encryption, and innovative tools such as IP rotation and ad-blocking, Surfshark caters perfectly to those who prioritize online privacy and convenience.

Secure Your Connection: In today's digital landscape, protecting your online connection is paramount. Surfing the web exposes you to various threats, including data breaches, hacking attempts, and intrusive snoopers. A VPN provides a crucial solution to combat these risks effectively.

Effortless Online Privacy: Surfshark VPN ensures continuous online protection, connecting and reconnecting seamlessly, remaining vigilant, and safeguarding your digital activities 24/7, whether you're at home or on the go outside your usual network.

Surfshark VPN Protocols:

• WireGuard® (Fastest VPN Protocol): Experience a sleek, fast, modern, and secure connection. Notably, WireGuard® is also available for our Routers!
• OpenVPN: A time-tested and reliable open-source protocol.
• IKEv2/IPsec: An older protocol, generally not recommended for optimal performance.

Servers:

• Access a global network spanning 100+ countries with over 3200+ RAM-only servers, ensuring enhanced privacy and speed.

CleanWeb:

• Enjoy a cleaner and safer browsing experience with CleanWeb, a free Surfshark feature that effectively blocks ads, trackers, and annoying cookie pop-ups.
• By identifying and preventing access to malicious websites, CleanWeb provides enhanced protection against phishing attacks.
• Furthermore, by blocking ads before they load, CleanWeb helps conserve your valuable bandwidth.
• CleanWeb can also be configured for use on our Routers. Please inquire if you require this feature.

No-Logs Policy:

• Rest assured that your online activities while connected to Surfshark VPN remain private. We adhere to a strict no-logs policy, meaning we do not monitor, track, or store anything you do online. Your digital footprint stays with you. This commitment to privacy has been independently verified through a thorough audit.

Strong Encryption:

• Your data is protected with industry-leading encryption, ensuring its confidentiality and security.

Unlimited Devices:

• A single Surfshark subscription allows you to connect and protect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously, providing comprehensive coverage for your entire household without the need for multiple accounts or complex management. (Please note that the free trial allows testing on up to 3 devices.)

24/7 Support:

• Beneath its user-friendly exterior, Surfshark boasts powerful underlying technology. Their Nexus technology empowers you to create custom VPN entry and exit server pairs with Dynamic Multi-Hop or automatically change your IP address every 10 minutes with the robust IP Rotator.
• Surfshark exclusively offer industry-leading connection protocols, including WireGuard® on Routers, ensuring a fast and secure connection without compromise. Their dedicated support team is available 24/7 to assist you with any queries.

#2 NordVPN

Owned by Nord Security.
While both operate as separate entities, NordVPN is the sister company to Surfshark.

For a long time, we consistently advocated for NordVPN as the leading VPN provider. However, due to the fact that their proprietary NordLynx protocol (an adaptation of WireGuard®) is sadly not officially supported for use directly on Routers, NordVPN has now moved to our #2 position.

Despite this limitation for router users, NordVPN remains an excellent VPN provider for the majority of people. It works reliably with the OpenVPN protocol on our DD-WRT flashed routers.

NordVPN continues to be recognized as one of the top VPN providers in the market. It's highly regarded for its strong commitment to privacy, backed by a strict no-logs policy. Users also benefit from its fast connection speeds, an extensive global network of servers, and a user-friendly interface. Advanced features like Double VPN provide an extra layer of encryption, and regular independent audits verify their strong privacy claims. This makes NordVPN a dependable choice for users seeking robust online security and the ability to access geographically restricted content.

Privacy-Focused Jurisdiction: NordVPN's headquarters are located in Panama. While the location of a service provider might not always be significant, it's noteworthy for VPNs. Panama has no mandatory data retention laws, and their government, to our knowledge, does not engage in widespread internet surveillance. This legal environment means that NordVPN is not obligated to keep logs of its users' online activities – a significant advantage for your privacy.

NordVPN Protocols:

• NordLynx (Adaptation of WireGuard®): Sleek, Fast, modern, secure.
  However, NordLynx is NOT officially supported for direct use on Routers by NordVPN!
• OpenVPN: A reliable and secure protocol, ideal for all-around security and works well with our routers.
• IKEv2/IPsec: An older protocol that we generally do not recommend.

Servers:

• Access a vast network of over 7,000 servers across 100+ countries.

No-Logs Policy:

• What you do online while connected to NordVPN is your business alone. They adhere to a strict no-logs policy, meaning they do not monitor, track, or store your online activities. Your privacy is paramount! Independent audits have confirmed NordVPN's commitment to this no-logging practice.

Strong encryption:

• NordVPN employs state-of-the-art encryption that would take even the most powerful computers imaginable billions of years to crack, ensuring your data remains secure.

NordVPN Adblocker:

• Enjoy a cleaner online experience free from intrusive advertisements. We can integrate this ad-blocking feature into your router configuration. Please ask us if you'd like this set up.

Up to 10 Simultaneous Connections:

• A single NordVPN subscription allows you to connect and protect up to 10 devices at the same time.

#3 IPVanish

Owned by: Ziff Davis

An IPVanish VPN subscription is packed with privacy and security features designed to provide you with a safer and more enjoyable online experience.

Great News for Router Users! IPVanish WireGuard® is now officially supported to run directly on Routers! This makes it an excellent choice for users wanting to leverage the fastest VPN protocol across their entire network.

IPVanish Protocols:

• NordLynx (WireGuard®): (Fastest VPN Protocol): Sleek, fast, modern, and secure.
  Importantly, WireGuard® is officially supported for direct use on Routers!
• OpenVPN: A reliable and well-established open-source protocol.
• SOCKS5 Proxy: IPVanish also includes a SOCKS5 proxy, offering an additional layer of privacy for specific applications if needed.
• IKEv2/IPsec: An older protocol that we generally do not recommend for optimal performance.

Servers:

• Benefit from a broad network with servers in 108+ countries. This extensive reach helps you bypass geographical restrictions and find fast, reliable connections wherever you are.

No-Logs Policy:

• IPVanish maintains a strict no-logs policy. They do not record any of the traffic passing through their servers. This means they do not track where or how you connect to the internet, nor the websites you visit. Their commitment to no-logging has been independently audited and verified by third-party cybersecurity experts, providing you with peace of mind.

Unlimited Simultaneous Connections:

• Enjoy the convenience of connecting an unlimited number of devices simultaneously with a single IPVanish subscription – perfect for families or individuals with multiple devices.

Strong Encryption:

• IPVanish employs AES-256 encryption, a highly robust standard for safeguarding your sensitive data.

24/7 Customer Support:

• Their dedicated customer support team is available around the clock to assist you with any questions or issues you may encounter.

#4ExpressVPN

Owned by Kape Technologies.

ExpressVPN is part of the Kape Technologies family, which also includes CyberGhost, PIA, and ZenMate.

With every ExpressVPN subscription, you gain access to a robust set of privacy and security features, all designed to enhance your online experience and keep you safer.

For customers interested in a pre-configured solution, we offer a selection of Routers with ExpressVPN Firmware already installed. Please visit our ExpressVPN Flashed Routers Section for available models.

ExpressVPN Protocols:

• Lightway: (ExpressVPN's in-house protocol, built as an adaptation of WireGuard®, offering both TCP and UDP connections)
  Lightway is available with ExpressVPN firmware on SELECT Router models!
• OpenVPN: A time-tested and reliable open-source protocol.
• IKEv2/IPsec: An older protocol that we generally do not recommend for optimal security.
• PPTP: Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol – a very old protocol with significant security weaknesses; we strongly advise against its use.

Servers:

• Connect to a vast network of servers located in over 100 countries.

Trusted Server Technology:

• ExpressVPN employs its unique Trusted Server technology. This innovative approach ensures that data is never written to physical hard drives. Instead, all information is stored on RAM, which is wiped clean with every server reboot, providing an extra layer of security.

Strict No-Logs Policy:

• ExpressVPN is committed to your privacy and maintains a strict no-logs policy. They do not record any details about your online activities, including your browsing history, the destinations of your traffic, or your DNS queries.

Connect Up to 8 Devices:

• A single ExpressVPN subscription allows you to secure up to 8 devices simultaneously.

Exploring Other VPNs with Router-Friendly WireGuard®

Below, we've compiled a list of additional VPN providers that explicitly support the WireGuard® protocol for use directly on routers.

While these providers offer WireGuard® compatibility for your router, they are not currently included in our primary recommended list above. This is due to various factors we've identified during our extensive testing and evaluation. These factors can include aspects such as service reliability, server stability, performance with streaming services, pricing, or other considerations that didn't meet our stringent criteria for our top recommendations.

We're providing this list simply to assist you in your broader search for VPN providers that offer WireGuard® support for routers. We will not be detailing the specific reasons why each provider below is not part of our primary recommendations.

VPN Providers Supporting WireGuard® on Routers:

• StrongVPN
• Mullvad VPN
• IVPN
• Proton VPN
• Tourguard VPN
• Unlimited VPN
• PIA - Private Internet Access

We encourage you to explore these options further and conduct your own research to determine if they meet your specific needs and preferences.

VPN Protocols

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Experience Unrivaled Speed and Security with WireGuard®

WireGuard® stands out as the lightest and fastest VPN protocol available today. Its remarkably streamlined codebase, comprising just around 4,000 lines of code, offers a significant security advantage. This lean structure makes it easier to audit, manage, and scale, inherently reducing its susceptibility to potential security vulnerabilities

This lightweight design translates directly into blazing-fast connection speeds without any compromise on security. While it utilizes the robust ChaCha20 encryption, it's worth noting that it offers less configurability compared to the more complex OpenVPN protocol.

Important Note for Router Users: While WireGuard® offers significant benefits, it's not yet universally available on routers from most VPN providers. If you intend to run your VPN directly from a router using WireGuard®, we strongly advise you to confirm compatibility with the VPN provider before making your purchase.

WireGuard®: Our Top Protocol Recommendation for our Router!

Here at TV Box Company, WireGuard® is our preferred VPN protocol for all our DD-WRT Flashed Routers. Its superior speed and lower resource overhead compared to OpenVPN make it the ideal choice for achieving maximum VPN throughput and lightning-fast download speeds on your router. You can be confident that WireGuard® is fully supported on all our DD-WRT Flashed Routers, allowing you to experience the internet at its fastest, secured by a modern and efficient protocol.

OpenVPN: The Trusted and Versatile Open-Source Protocol

OpenVPN is a highly respected and widely adopted VPN protocol, renowned for its open-source nature. This means its code has been thoroughly reviewed and scrutinized by security specialists across the globe, ensuring its robustness and identifying any potential vulnerabilities.

Comprising a more substantial codebase, ranging from 70,000 to 400,000 lines of code, OpenVPN offers both TCP and UDP protocol options and utilizes the industry-standard AES-256 encryption for strong security. Furthermore, it is highly configurable, allowing for tailored setups to meet specific security and network requirements.

Rest assured, OpenVPN is fully supported on all our Routers, providing you with a reliable and secure VPN connection for your entire network.

IKEv2: Fast and Mobile-Friendly, But Showing Its Age

IKEv2 (short for Internet Key Exchange version 2) is recognised as a fast VPN protocol that has undergone several improvements over time. Its speed and ability to seamlessly switch between networks make it a popular choice, particularly for mobile users who frequently transition between Wi-Fi and cellular data.

While IKEv2 offers speed and convenience for mobile devices, we generally recommend using the more modern and secure WireGuard or the highly trusted OpenVPN protocols for a more robust overall experience.

It's important to note that IKEv2 is increasingly considered outdated by today's security standards and has known security concerns. For optimal protection and performance, we strongly advise prioritizing WireGuard or OpenVPN on your devices and routers.

Why WireGuard® Reigns Supreme for Speed and Efficiency

In simple terms, WireGuard® is generally faster than other VPN protocols like OpenVPN due to its simpler and more efficient design. Its less complex encryption algorithms result in lower CPU overhead and faster processing times, which is particularly beneficial for less powerful hardware like routers. This streamlined approach allows for smoother and quicker data transmission. Additionally, WireGuard® primarily utilizes the UDP protocol, which is inherently faster for data transfer compared to TCP, often used by OpenVPN.

As stated on the official WireGuard® homepage:

WireGuard® is an extremely simple yet fast and modern VPN that utilizes state-of-the-art cryptography. It aims to be faster, simpler, leaner, and more useful than IPSec, while avoiding the massive headache. It intends to be considerably more performant than OpenVPN. WireGuard is designed as a general purpose VPN for running on embedded interfaces and super computers alike, fit for many different circumstances. Initially released for the Linux kernel, it is now cross-platform (Windows, macOS, BSD, iOS, Android) and widely deployable.

The simpler and leaner nature of WireGuard® is a key advantage. With its codebase around 4,000 lines compared to OpenVPN's hundreds of thousands, it's easier to audit and inherently less prone to vulnerabilities. This, combined with its modern cryptography, delivers impressive performance that has generated significant excitement within the tech community. Comparisons consistently highlight WireGuard's advanced design and performance advantages over OpenVPN.

OpenVPN vs. WireGuard® Speeds: The Performance Leap

Many users are now choosing the WireGuard® protocol specifically for its superior performance, particularly its faster speeds.

Based on our extensive testing over the past few years, we can confidently confirm that WireGuard's performance is exceptional. It not only offers significantly faster speeds but also establishes connections much quicker and demonstrates remarkable stability when running on a router.

On full fibre internet lines, WireGuard® is approximately 3 times faster than OpenVPN, resulting in a massive improvement in throughput (download speeds)

WireGuard® consistently outperforms OpenVPN on every router we sell. Therefore, it's crucial to choose a VPN provider that supports a WireGuard® client that can run on a DD-WRT flashed router. Our top recommended VPN provider, Surfshark, not only offers competitive pricing and all the benefits of a leading VPN service but also fully supports WireGuard® for seamless integration with our routers. Experience the internet at its fastest with the speed and efficiency of WireGuard® on your TV Box Company Router.

Unleashing Your Router's Potential: The Importance of CPU and RAM for VPN Performance

Think of your router's Processor (CPU) and RAM as its brain and short-term memory. Just like a computer, a router needs sufficient processing power and memory to handle demanding tasks efficiently. When you're using a VPN, especially a high-speed one, this becomes even more critical.

A router equipped with a powerful and fast CPU processor is absolutely essential for the resource-intensive tasks of encrypting and decrypting the data that VPNs require to secure your connection.

To ensure smooth and uninterrupted performance, particularly when streaming in high definition or engaging in online gaming while connected to a VPN, it's crucial to look for routers that boast both a fast CPU and ample RAM.

Why it Matters: VPNs Demand Processing Power!

High-speed VPNs, such as Surfshark, rely on your router's processing capabilities to maintain their performance. Without a CPU that's fast enough or sufficient RAM, your internet speeds will inevitably suffer a significant drop when the VPN is active. Your router simply won't be able to keep up with the encryption demands!

Recommended Router Specifications for Your Internet Line Speed:

10Mbps to 80Mbps Download Speed - FTTC (Fibre To The Cabinet - ADSL, VDSL & VDSL2):

• For good and fast VPN Throughput on these line speeds, we recommend a router with a minimum CPU clock speed of 1.0GHz up to 1.7GHz.

80Mbps to 3.0Gbps (3000Mbps) Download Speed - FTTP / FTTH (Fibre To The Premises or FTTH Fibre To The Home Aka - Full Fibre):

• To achieve good and fast VPN Throughput on these high-speed connections, a router with a minimum CPU clock speed of 1.6GHz up to 3.0GHz is highly recommended.

The Optimal VPN Protocol for Any VPN Router: WireGuard®

• We strongly recommend using the WireGuard® protocol for the best possible VPN performance on any router.
• However, it's crucial to note that not all VPN providers support the WireGuard® protocol running directly on a router!
• Always verify with your chosen VPN provider before subscribing if you intend to use WireGuard® on your router.
• WireGuard® can deliver speeds 2 to 3 times faster than OpenVPN, making a significant difference in your throughput (download speeds).

While the OpenVPN Protocol will function on all our routers, it generally offers slower throughput compared to WireGuard®. When selecting a VPN provider in the future, prioritize those that support the WireGuard® protocol for router use. Our recommended VPN provider, Surfshark, offers excellent performance and fully supports WireGuard® on routers.

Important Considerations:

• The guidelines above are designed to help you achieve excellent VPN throughput (download speed while running a VPN on your router).
• All our routers are compatible with any internet line speed. However, choosing a router with the appropriate CPU clock speed and utilizing the WireGuard® VPN protocol will allow you to get as close as possible to your full line speed when the VPN is active.
• In simple terms: the faster your internet download speed is without a VPN, the faster the router's CPU you will need to maintain that speed while the VPN encryption is running.

Currently, our fastest VPN throughput Router is the Dynalink DL-WRX36 with CPU Clock speed 2.2GHz & 1GB RAM

A Word of Caution: If you're serious about achieving fast VPN speeds through your router, avoid budget routers! Investing in a router with sufficient processing power is essential – skimping on this will likely lead to disappointment and a waste of money. This is a fundamental truth for good VPN performance on a router!

What's a VPN Video - Hover over with Mouse or Click Play on Mobiles

If you would like to subscribe to Surfshark, TV Box Company's recommended VPN provider, using our affiliate link with great discounts please click HERE

Why a VPN is Essential for Your Digital Life

Do you enjoy streaming services? Value your online security? If so, it's crucial to consider a VPN (Virtual Private Network) service today! You really should be using a VPN, and even if it doesn't seem vital now, you might one day consider it as essential as your internet connection. The core function of a VPN is to secure your devices' internet connection by encrypting all the data you send and receive, effectively shielding it from prying eyes.

Understanding the Fundamentals

When you connect to a VPN, your real IP address, network location, and other identifying session details are replaced by those of the VPN server. This means websites and online services see the VPN server's information, not your own, regardless of whether you're using your home, office, or public Wi-Fi.

Crucially, once your data is encrypted by a VPN, it becomes unreadable to anyone who might intercept it, including attackers or packet sniffers like your Internet Service Provider (ISP).

Investing in a VPN service is a small price for significant peace of mind. It ensures your privacy and security are maintained online at a minimal cost. Protecting your digital life is always a smart move, no matter what you're doing online!

Connecting all your devices (via Ethernet or Wi-Fi) to a router running a VPN provides comprehensive protection behind a single encrypted connection. This typically uses only one of your allowed simultaneous connections, leaving the rest available for your mobiles and other devices when you're away from your home or office. Running a VPN on your router offers numerous benefits, including the ability to protect more devices at once. If you're interested in purchasing a router optimized for VPN use, explore our DD-WRT Flashed Routers or ExpressVPN Flashed Routers.

The Stark Reality of UK Internet Surveillance

If you wish to read or download UK Snoopers Charter PDF document, Please click the image above to open it. It's truly frightening !

Are you truly aware of the extent to which your online activities can be monitored in the UK? A recent report highlights a concerning lack of public awareness. A staggering 76% of Brits are completely unaware of the highly controversial Investigatory Powers Act, commonly known as the Snoopers Charter. This legislation grants the government sweeping powers to access virtually everything you do online. Furthermore, 23% of respondents couldn't name any of the 48 government bodies with access to their full browsing history, including the police, secret services, and even departments like Health, HM Revenue & Customs, and the Food Standards Agency.

As Jim Killock, executive director of Open Rights Group, pointed out to The Independent. “The public and parliamentary debate about the Investigatory Powers Act was overshadowed by Brexit so it is perhaps unsurprising that many people are not aware of the Government’s extreme surveillance powers.”

The message is clear: online surveillance is a real and present issue. A VPN provides a vital layer of defence, encrypting your data and obscuring your online activities from prying eyes, including your ISP and government agencies. Don't wait to take control of your online privacy and security – implement a VPN today.

Keep Your ( ISP’s ) Eyes Off Your Traffic !

A VPN effectively blinds your ISP to the content and origin of your internet traffic. Keep your browsing and streaming activities private and secure by using a VPN!

Stream From Servers Anonymously

Conversely, when you browse, download, and stream through a VPN, not only is your ISP unable to see your traffic, but the servers you interact with are also blind to your true identity and location.

Your actual IP address cannot be tracked by the servers you download or stream from. They only see the IP address and location of the VPN server your traffic is routed through. The VPN companies we recommend do not keep logs of your online activity!

Access Geo-Blocked Content and Bypass Internet Censorship

Many streaming platforms and websites implement geographical restrictions, meaning their content is only available to users in specific countries. With a VPN, you can effortlessly choose a server in your desired country. These servers will then perceive you as being located in that region, granting you access to the content with a simple click within your VPN application.

Gain Early Access to New Releases

Another popular benefit of using a VPN is gaining early access to new releases. For example, if a new video game is launching at midnight in a specific time zone, a user in the USA can connect their VPN to a server in Asia to potentially download and play the game almost a full day before their local release.

How to Verify Your VPN is Working

Before connecting to your VPN, visit websites like myiplocation.org or whatsmyip.org to see your current IP address and location as the internet perceives you without a VPN. The location displayed is usually an approximation of your general area, though it can sometimes be further away, depending on your ISP.

Next, connect to your VPN and refresh the same website in your browser. You should now see a different IP address and location, matching that of the VPN server you've connected to. This confirms that your internet traffic is now being routed through the VPN and your true IP address is masked.

We sincerely hope this information has been helpful.
TV Box Company Team.