Setting up your VPN access on OpenWRT routers.
Why Use OpenWRT with VPNUK?
OpenWRT provides native support for WireGuard and OpenVPN, making it an excellent choice for VPNUK users. Using OpenWRT with VPNUK allows:
Secure and Encrypted Browsing – Hide your IP and encrypt your data with WireGuard/OpenVPN.
Full Network Protection – All devices connected to the router are secured under a single VPN connection.
Flexible VPN Routing – Choose which devices use the VPN and which bypass it.
Bypass Geo-Restrictions – Access content from different regions with VPNUK’s VPN servers.
Improved Speed with WireGuard – WireGuard offers a lightweight and faster VPN experience compared to OpenVPN.
Which OpenWRT Routers Work Best with VPNUK?
The following routers are compatible with OpenWRT and support WireGuard/OpenVPN VPN connections with VPNUK:
Best OpenWRT-Compatible Routers for VPN
| Router Model | VPN Support | Best For | Processor | RAM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Netgear Nighthawk R7800 | WireGuard/OpenVPN | Performance & Speed | Dual-core 1.7GHz | 512MB |
| Linksys WRT3200ACM | WireGuard/OpenVPN | High-speed streaming & gaming | Dual-core 1.8GHz | 512MB |
| TP-Link Archer C7 | OpenVPN (Limited WireGuard) | Budget VPN use | Single-core 720MHz | 128MB |
| Xiaomi Mi Router 4A | WireGuard/OpenVPN | Entry-level VPN setup | Dual-core 880MHz | 128MB |
| GL.iNet GL-AX1800 (Flint) | WireGuard/OpenVPN | Best for WireGuard | Quad-core 1.2GHz | 512MB |
We strongly recommend this OpenVPN setup when you are creating a VPN connection from any router that has the latest ASUS firmware installed. This setup will provide you with an ‘Always On’ connection, however, you can quickly and easily toggle this connection on/off.
OpenVPN Compatibility
OpenWRT natively supports OpenVPN.
Recommended if your VPN provider only offers OpenVPN.
Ideal for routers with strong processing power due to OpenVPN’s heavier encryption overhead.
WireGuard® is an extremely simple yet fast and modern VPN that utilises 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. “WireGuard” and the “WireGuard” logo are registered trademarks of Jason A. Donenfeld. WireGuard® is available and should always be updated from the developers website at wireguard.com
WireGuard Compatibility
OpenWRT fully supports WireGuard as of version 19.07 and later.
Faster and more lightweight compared to OpenVPN.
Provides low-latency, high-speed VPN encryption.
Requires WireGuard package installation via OpenWRT’s LuCI interface or SSH.
What is OpenWRT?
OpenWRT is a powerful, open-source firmware designed for routers and embedded devices. Unlike stock router firmware, OpenWRT provides advanced features such as custom firewall configurations, QoS (Quality of Service), enhanced security, and full VPN integration with WireGuard and OpenVPN.
This flexibility makes OpenWRT an ideal choice for users who want complete control over their network while ensuring secure, encrypted VPN connections through VPNUK.