Best VPN for DD WRT Routers in Canada 2023

Finding the best VPNs for DD-WRT routers in Canada is not easy as most VPNs don’t work with routers. After testing 150+ VPNs, we have shortlisted 5 top providers that are compatible with DD-WRT. ExpressVPN tops the list with its easy-to-use dedicated router app in Canada.

Since most wi-fi routers don’t natively support VPN connections, you must replace the firmware of your router with the one that does. Among the most popular firmware options is DD-WRT. Now, DD-WRT is a free and open-source firmware that significantly improves the security and performance of your routers.

The DD-WRT distributions let users set up OpenVPN server connections directly from their router. A few VPN providers even sell pre-configured DD-WRT routers to save you from the hassle. By installing the best VPN directly onto your router, you can secure each device connected to the same WiFi connection.

So on that note, we’ve compiled an awesome list of super affordable best VPNs for DD-WRT in Canada routers that you can use to secure your entire network. So, without further ado, let’s get right into it!

5 Best VPN for DD-WRT Routers in Canada 2023 [In-Depth Analysis]

Not all VPNs are compatible with DD-WRT routers in Canada. After testing 150+ VPNs, we bring you the top 5 best VPNs for DD-WRT routers that you can use in 2023. These VPNs are compatible with other brands such as Tomato, and more.

1. ExpressVPN – Best VPN for DD-WRT Router in Canada

ExpressVPN is one of the best VPNs for DD-WRT routers in Canada, owing to its super-friendly router app that is easy to set up. It is also our #1 choice because during testing ExpressVPN has the easiest and simplest configuration process as compared to other providers.

What’s best is that ExpressVPN makes its custom firmware that can be installed on DD-WRT routers easily. It took us around 15 minutes to set up ExpressVPN on our DD-WRT router. You can also set up ExpressVPN on ASUS routers.

It also offers pre-configured DD-WRT routers available through FlashRouter. However, it’s an expensive option as the pre-flashed routers start from $224.99.

ExpressVPN also offers in-depth installation guides that will run through the process. There is also 24/7 live chat support in case you need assistance. You can also check out our ExpressVPN router guide for a step-by-step tutorial.

If we talk about its features, ExpressVPN offers 3000+ servers in 94 countries and 4 server locations in Canada (Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver) and you can unblock any streaming site you want with this VPN. These servers are lightning-fast and provide stable connections round the clock which also helps in streaming video content with VPN without any hassles.

Not only that, ExpressVPN uses industry-standard 256-bit encryption, Network lock, Split tunneling, a robust privacy policy that ensures zero data logging, and much more.

ExpressVPN also offers fast connection speeds and is perfectly capable of taking the load of multiple devices. During testing, ExpressVPN managed to deliver an average speed of 88 Mbps on a 100 Mbps base connection.

Apart from DD-WRT, ExpressVPN is also the best VPN for Tomato routers. It is available for  CA$9.13/mo (US$ 6.67/mo) (Get 49% Off + 3 Months FREE on its 12-Month Plan) and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it risk free for 30 days.

Learn about this service provider in our in-depth ExpressVPN review.

2. Surfshark – Budget-Friendly VPN for DD-WRT Router

Surfshark is the most budget-friendly VPN for DD-WRT routers, with plans starting from just CA$2.81/mo (US$ 2.05/mo) (Get 84% + 2 Months FREE on 2-Year Plan). Even though there is no dedicated DD-WRT router VPN app, Surfshark works with all popular DD-WRT routers such as ASUS, Netgear Nighthawk, and more.

Also, Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections, so you can configure Surfshark on your router and protect as many devices as you want. If you don’t want to manually configure it on your router, you can also get a pre-flashed router from FlashRouters.

If we talk about features, Surfshark offers over 3200+ servers in 100 countries and 3 server locations in CA from (Montreal, Vancouver, and Toronto) it has 336 servers in Canada: 180 in Montreal, 93 in Toronto, and 63 in Vancouver. It also comes with excellent unblocking ability and works with various popular streaming platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, HBO, Disney+, and more.

Surfshark also offers tight security with features such as 256-bit AES encryption, adblocker, DNS and IP leak protection, and more. Some of its proprietary features include Multi-Hop, WhiteLister, and NoBorders, using which you can use the Surfshark DD-WRT combo securely.

MultiHop gives you double encryption passing your online traffic over 2 servers. This way you get maximum anonymity and protection in Canada.

Surfshark also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can also try it risk-free for 30 days and test the service yourself. Read more about the service in our Surfshark review.

3. NordVPN – Secure VPN for Router in Canada

NordVPN is a powerhouse of VPN service that’s popular for its privacy and security features in Canada. Even though there is no dedicated app for routers, it works with various DD-WRT routers such as TP-Link, Linksys, and more. You can also configure NordVPN on an ASUS router.

If you don’t want to manually configure the on your DD-WRT, you can also get a pre-configured router for the easy way out. It has partnered with FlashRouters, which offers pre-flashed routers. This way you can skip the tricky configuration part.

If we talk about performance, NordVPN doesn’t disappoint. It offers 5500+ servers in 60 countries and 480+ servers from 3 locations in Canada (Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver). NordVPN also works with popular streaming sites like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and more in Canada.

NordVPN is among the very few VPN providers that offer a DoubleVPN feature. It protects your traffic with double encryption by passing it over 2 servers. Other than that, you also get obfuscated servers that disguise your VPN traffic like regular internet traffic. It makes the NordVPN DD-WRT combo a great option for users in China, UAE, and other countries with high restrictions.

You can even set up OpenVPN on your router with NordVPN. There is 24/7 chat support as well, in case you need assistance during configuration.

Considering all the awesome features, and a ridiculously low discounted price of CA$4.78/mo (US$ 3.49/mo) (Get 57% Off + 3 Months FREE on 2-Year Plan), NordVPN is a great choice for DD-WRT router for privacy-conscious users.

Find out more about this VPN in our complete NordVPN review.

4. VyprVPN – Encrypted VPN for DD-WRT Router in Canada

VyprVPN is the best-encrypted VPN for DD-WRT routers in Canada. Although there is no dedicated app for DD-WRT routers, VyprVPN does offer a native router app for Tomato firmware, but it is only compatible with Tomato MIPS/ARM firmware.

You can manually configure it on your DD-WRT router. Good thing is that VyprVPN offers 24/7 customer support, along with step-by-step installation guides so you can get assistance whenever you want.

VyprVPN is famous among DD-WRT users because of its amazing security features like a kill switch, NAT Firewall, and a proprietary Chameleon protocol. The Chameleon protocol scrambles your metadata allowing you to bypass Deep Packet Inspection (DPI). This way you can use VyprVPN in countries with heavy censorship, such as China, Russia, Turkey, and more.

VyprVPN offers 700+ servers in 70 countries and 1 server location in Canada (Toronto) and works with most streaming platforms such as Netflix, HBO, Disney+, and more. VyprVPN does not support P2P, so if you are into torrenting, you might want a different VPN.

VyprVPN also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can test it out risk-free. Check out our VyprVPN review in Canada for more details.

5. CyberGhost – User-friendly VPN for DD-WRT Router

CyberGhost is the most user-friendly VPN for DD-WRT routers in Canada with easy-to-use apps, perfect for beginners. Although there is no dedicated DD-WRT router app, CyberGhost supports various firmware, including DD-WRT, and Tomato.

CyberGhost offers a variety of features to users as well. For example, when you are configuring the VPN from your dashboard, you can enable features such as ad-blocking, data compression, tracking prevention, and force HTTPS.

It is also equipped with industry-standard features of 256-bit encryption, kill switch, and IP leak protection.

CyberGhost is a reliable VPN offering 9700+ servers in 91 countries and 486 servers in Canada from (Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver). All these servers are perfectly capable of bypassing geo-restrictions and censorship on streaming platforms and websites. With CyberGhost you can access Netflix US, Hulu, BB iPlayer, ESPN, and more.

You can connect up to 7 devices on a single subscription. You can even set up OpenVPN on your DD-WRT router and secure multiple devices over the internet. You can also get a preconfigured DD-WRT Asus router from FlashRouters as well, but it starts from $299 which is very expensive.

You can configure CyberGhost on your DD-WRT router yourself, as there are well-written step-by-step guides available on its official website. There is also 24/7 live chat support in case you need assistance.

This VPN DD-WRT costs only CA$2.78/mo (US$ 2.03/mo) and is covered by an extensive 45-day refund policy. To check out the complete list of features, read our CyberGhost review.

Testing Methodology: How to Choose the Best VPN for DD-WRT Router in Canada

As discussed above, not all VPNs work with DD-WRT routers. For that reason, here are a few options you’ll see while choosing a DD-WRT VPN router:

• DD-WRT router: A few router models already have DD-WRT installed in them. So, all you need to do is get the best VPN for DD-WRT routers and insert the configuration details to connect. The process of adding multiple servers can be difficult, but it won’t be too hard if you follow the VPN’s tutorial. Since all DD-WRT versions don’t support VPNs, ensure purchasing the one that does.
• Pre-flashed router: This is a router that already has DD-WRT and VPN configured on it. Even though it’s pretty expensive, it requires the least amount of effort. The custom router firmware of ExpressVPN is the top option, but it’s technically not DD-WRT.
• DD-WRT compatible router: The budget-friendliest option, but the trickiest one so far. Most router models come with pre-installed proprietary firmware of the manufacturer that usually doesn’t support VPNs. However, you can replace that firmware with DD-WRT using a process called flashing. Once you’re done, configure a VPN connection in your settings. Please note that any mistake while flashing your router can result in permanent damage. Moreover, ensure that your router is compatible with a DD-WRT version that works with VPNs.

Why Do You Need a VPN for DD-WRT Router in Canada?

A router is the main gateway that computers and other devices use to gain access to the Internet. If the router is protected through strong encryption protocols, then every device connected to it can have a secure connection.

A DD-WRT routing VPN is, therefore, an extremely useful security-enhancing tool.

For VPN users who want ultimate security without the hassle of installing VPN apps on different devices, a VPN for a DD-WRT router is a powerful solution.

How to Set Up OpenVPN on a DD-WRT Router in Canada?

To start, visit the website of your VPN and download the OpenVPN configuration files. They’ll either have .conf or .ovpn extensions for every server you desire to connect to. You’ll also require a username and password for your VPN.

Once you connect to your router preferably through LAN, visit your router’s dashboard using your browser. You can do this by typing http://192.168.1.1 into the address bar. If this doesn’t work, enter http://192.168.0.1. Then, sign in to your dashboard with the credentials you set when you initially installed DD-WRT.

After that, click on the Services tab > VPN. Below OpenVPN Client, turn the toggle on of Enable. Then, the configuration panel will appear.

Your next steps will depend on your DD-WRT version. You’ll be required to launch your chosen DD-WRT VPN server’s configuration file with any text editor if your firmware has User Pass Authentication. Copy the settings from the configuration file, including the username, password, or server address.

Depending on the VPN, you’ll also be required to set up encryption cipher, tunnel protocol, port, and/or hash algorithm. You can get these details from your VPN’s customer support representatives.

However, if your DD-WRT firmware doesn’t have User Pass Authentication, then locate the Additional Config text box and insert the following command:

auth-user-pass /tmp/auth.txt

You’ll see multiple files that correspond to the ones in your OpenVPN config file. Launch the config (.ovpn) file in a text editor and copy the port number and server address that is displayed after the “remote” line in the config file.

For configuring certificates and keys, you’ll need the help of your VPN’s knowledgebase or customer support representatives to get the right commands to enter in the Additional Config box. Copy the CA cert, public client cert, TLS auth key, and private client key, and then paste them into the respective fields in your DD-WRT dashboard.

As soon as you’re done, click Apply settings to start the VPN connection.

These are a few quick steps to set up OpenVPN on a DD-WRT router. For a detailed guide, check out our blog on DD-WRT VPN setup. Moreover, since the OpenVPN setup process is similar across all supported VPN services, here’s Surfshark’s OpenVPN configuration setup.

Configure PPTP VPN on your DD-WRT Router in Canada

VPNs on DD-WRT routers can also be set up using the PPTP protocol. For setting up a DD-WRT VPN in Canada, follow the link mentioned below.

Since the setup process for the PPTP protocol is exactly the same across most VPN apps, we’ve only provided the setup tutorial for PureVPN.

• https://support.purevpn.com/how-to-setup-pptp-on-ddwrt-router

Note:  Although most VPN providers offer PPTP protocols, this protocol is quite vulnerable and should be avoided whenever possible. Therefore, it is generally a good practice to set up the best VPN for the DD-WRT routers using the OpenVPN protocol in Canada.

FAQs – Best VPN for DD-WRT in Canada

Wrapping UP

DD-WRT firmware has become quite popular among users who want to go beyond the restrictions of their built-in router firmware. Being open-source and completely free, you can configure it on your router and install any VPN app of your choice.

Choosing the best VPNs for DD-WRT routers in Canada will not only allow you to secure all of your devices at once, but you can also massively save on your VPN subscription cost due to the virtually limitless number of simultaneous connections.

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