Ahmed Khaled
Published on: May 7, 2025
Fact-checked by Eric Goldstein
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🥇 ExpressVPN
: It has its own router app that supports multiple Nighthawk router models. Additionally, it’s the fastest VPN available, highly secure, and compatible with 100+ streaming services. Moreover, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee for first-time users.
Nighthawk routers come with built-in VPN functionality, but it’s not the same as using a full-featured, premium VPN. The built-in option is mainly designed for remote access to your home network — it lacks the advanced security features, global server coverage, and more that top-tier VPNs offer.
To unlock full VPN functionality — including encryption, streaming access, and whole-network protection — you’ll need to install third-party firmware and connect it to a compatible VPN. However, compatibility varies; not all VPNs work with Nighthawk routers. Some don’t support routers at all, while others may lack compatible firmware.
I tested dozens of premium VPNs to find the best options for Nighthawk routers. ExpressVPN came out on top — it offers a user-friendly router app for select Nighthawk models, has multiple manual configuration options, delivers blazing-fast speeds, and provides strong security. Editors’ Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
Quick Summary of the Best VPNs for Nighthawk
Editors’ Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best Overall VPN for Nighthawk
Approved by our experts
ExpressVPN is my top pick for Nighthawk routers and the best overall VPN in 2025. A major highlight is its native router app, which can be installed on the Nighthawk R7000 and R7000P models. Installation is quick and beginner-friendly — it took me just under 8 minutes to download and set up. Plus, the app automatically updates and has a kill switch to prevent accidental data leaks, so your Nighthawk is fully secured at all times.
- Dedicated router app
- Custom firmware for Nighthawk
- Fastest speeds for routers
- Split-tunneling on Nighthawk router
- No specialty servers
The VPN also works with third-party firmware options like DD-WRT, Sabai, and Tomato (all of which can be installed on other Nighthawk models), and it offers clear step-by-step guides with helpful images for those. Some models also support manual setup via MediaStreamer, the VPN’s smart DNS (which doesn’t provide full VPN protection). But manual setups don’t have the same performance and functionality as the VPN’s router app.
I love the router app — it’s super easy to use and packed with handy features. My favorite is Device Groups, which lets you use split-tunneling on your Nighthawk router. It lets you manage all your connected devices in one place, give them custom names, and sort them into groups based on how you want each one to connect. For example, you can route your smart TV through the VPN for streaming, while keeping your work laptop on the regular internet. Plus, changing VPN server locations only takes a click — no complicated setup needed.
Bottom Line:
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Nighthawk routers in 2025. It’s super easy to install, has its own router app & MediaStreamer manual setup that supports multiple Nighthawk router models, and offers great features like Device Groups. Plus, it supports third-party firmware like DD-WRT and Tomato for other Nighthawk models.
Read the full ExpressVPN review
🥈2. Private Internet Access — Excellent VPN for Streaming on Nighthawk With Dedicated Servers
Private Internet Access (PIA) has dedicated streaming servers for Nighthawk routers, which are frequently tested to make sure they work. The IPs are updated frequently to avoid streaming blacklists and filters. PIA also supports 30+ streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+.
- Dedicated streaming servers
- Supports P2P on all servers
- User-friendly installation guides
- No dedicated router app
- Doesn’t support Tomato firmware
The VPN supports a range of firmware options, including DD-WRT and OpenWRT (RAX120 Nighthawk model only) for Nighthawk routers. Unfortunately, it doesn’t support Tomato firmware installs, which is sometimes needed for older Nighthawk models.
PIA’s manual setup guides include lots of images, so it’s easy to follow, and I was able to complete all the steps in less than 15 minutes.
PIA doesn’t offer split tunneling on routers, and a manual setup of this feature is pretty technical. If you want to control which devices use the VPN on your Nighthawk router, ExpressVPN is the better choice. The Nighthawk manual setup is also missing a kill switch.
Bottom Line:
Private Internet Access works great for streaming on Nighthawk routers thanks to its dedicated servers and wide platform support. It doesn’t have a native router app and lacks split-tunneling and a kill switch on routers, but the detailed setup guides make installation easy.
Read the full Private Internet Access review
Editors’ Note: Private Internet Access and this site are in the same ownership group.
🥉3. NordVPN — Great VPN for Torrenting on Nighthawk
NordVPN is an excellent choice for torrenting on Nighthawk routers. It supports P2P file sharing on servers in 110+ countries, making it easy to find a nearby server for fast and secure downloads.
- Multiple firmware options
- Detailed setup tutorials
- Excellent P2P support
- No dedicated router app
- No specialty servers on router
It’s compatible with Nighthawk routers through multiple firmware options, including Nighthawk-compatible DD-WRT and Tomato. NordVPN provides detailed setup tutorials with screenshots and video guides. That said, I still prefer ExpressVPN for its native app support on certain Nighthawk routers.
Unlike PIA’s streaming servers, NordVPN doesn’t allow connections to any specialty servers on its router, which means you can’t use obfuscated servers, Double VPN connections, or Onion over VPN servers if you connect your device through your Nighthawk router.
Bottom Line:
NordVPN is a solid pick for torrenting on Nighthawk routers, with P2P support across servers in 110+ countries. It doesn’t offer a dedicated router app, but it supports multiple firmware versions compatible with manual Nighthawk installs, and its clear setup guides make installation straightforward.
4. Surfshark — Supports WireGuard Protocol With DD-WRT Nighthawk Setup
Surfshark lets you use the WireGuard protocol on Nighthawk routers, which is faster than OpenVPN (most VPNs only support OpenVPN on routers). Both protocols are secure, but WireGuard offers better speed, great for activities like remote work, online gaming, sharing files, and streaming. That said, it’s only available if you use DD-WRT firmware.
- Supports WireGuard on Nighthawk
- Works with 50+ streaming sites
- Beginner-friendly setups
- No dedicated router app
- No kill switch on router
Surfshark works with Nighthawk routers through compatible firmware like DD-WRT and Tomato. It also provides easy-to-follow tutorials with screenshots, making setup straightforward even for beginners. Even so, ExpressVPN’s app is easier to set up if you have a compatible Nighthawk model.
Bottom Line:
Surfshark supports WireGuard on Nighthawk routers, giving you faster speeds than OpenVPN for gaming, streaming, and file sharing. It doesn’t have a router app, but setup is simple with beginner-friendly tutorials for multiple Nighthawk firmware options.
Read the full Surfshark review
5. CyberGhost VPN — Great Privacy features for Nighthawk
CyberGhost VPN boosts your privacy and security through its NoSpy servers on Nighthawk. Your traffic is routed through CyberGhost-owned servers in Romania, a country with strict privacy laws and no data retention requirements. Only CyberGhost staff has access to these servers, so your data is extra secure.
- NoSpy servers (very secure)
- Detailed setup guides
- Works with Tomato and DD-WRT
- No dedicated router app
- No gaming/streaming servers
It works with various firmware options on Nighthawk routers, including DD-WRT and Tomato. The VPN offers excellent setup guides supported with screenshots for manual configuration. It only took me 15 minutes to set it up, which is pretty good.
Unfortunately, you don’t get access to CyberGhost’s gaming and streaming servers with router connections. If you want a great option for streaming with a Nighthawk VPN setup, I recommend going with ExpressVPN instead.
Bottom Line:
CyberGhost VPN adds strong privacy to your Nighthawk router setup with its NoSpy servers in Romania. It lacks a router app, but the setup is relatively quick and very beginner-friendly. However, most of its specialty servers aren’t available with router configurations.
Read the full CyberGhost VPN review
Editors’ Note: CyberGhost and this site are in the same ownership group.
Quick Comparison Table
Editors’ Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
Testing Methodology: Comparison & Ranking Criteria
I used our proven testing methodology to evaluate and select the best Nighthawk VPN options. To assess compatibility, I installed the VPN firmware directly on Nighthawk routers and evaluated how easy each one was to set up. I also tested each VPN across various real-world scenarios, including gaming, streaming, and P2P file sharing — common daily uses for VPNs. The following criteria were used to compare and rank the VPNs:
- I ensured each VPN is compatible with Nighthawk routers. I only recommend VPNs that support Nighthawk-compatible firmware like DD-WRT, Sabai, or Tomato. ExpressVPN, for example, even offers a dedicated router app that supports 2 Nighthawk models.
- I checked for complete router installation guides. Manually installing a VPN on your Nighthawk router is tricky since doing so incorrectly can brick your router. The VPNs on my list have comprehensive guides for all applicable firmware and include step-by-step images so you know exactly what to do.
- I chose VPNs with fast speeds. Using a VPN with a router can often slow down your connection, due to the router’s limited processing power and the encryption overhead of the VPN. Consistent, fast speeds are essential for gaming, streaming, and everyday tasks. All the VPNs on my list maintain fast speeds, minimizing speed loss. ExpressVPN was the fastest, thanks to its Lightway protocol in the router app.
- I looked for strong security and privacy features. Every VPN I recommend includes advanced security features to protect your entire network and any connected devices, such as military-grade 256-bit AES encryption, leak protection, a kill switch, and a strict no-logs policy.
- I selected VPNs that deliver great value. My VPNs come with affordable pricing and solid money-back guarantees. I also prioritized VPNs that offer extra features and easy manual setup for Nighthawk routers.
Top Brands That Didn’t Make the Cut
- TunnelBear. TunnelBear offers solid speeds and secure encryption, and its apps are very user-friendly. However, it does not support router setups and lacks a money-back guarantee.
- Mullvad VPN. Mullvad VPN has detailed setup guides for routers, and it’s a decent overall VPN, but it’s more expensive for long-term subscriptions and its streaming and torrenting support isn’t as good.
- Norton VPN. Norton VPN is secure, fast, and easy to use. However, it doesn’t support manual router configurations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best Nighthawk VPN option?
The best VPN option for a Nighthawk router is ExpressVPN. It offers a dedicated app for specific Nighthawk models, which takes care of setup and gives you full access to features like split-tunneling and Device Groups. It uses the Lightway protocol for faster speeds and has clear setup instructions for installing the app or following a manual configuration.
What’s the best firmware to use with the Nighthawk router?
The best firmware depends on your VPN. I recommend ExpressVPN’s router app for Nighthawk — it’s simple, stable, and includes features like split-tunneling. If you’re going open source, I recommend DD-WRT. It’s widely compatible with Nighthawk routers and updated regularly. Tomato, Sabai, and OpenWRT also work and are good options, though OpenWRT only supports 1 Nighthawk model.
Can I use a free VPN with my Nighthawk router?
Technically, yes — but it’s usually a poor experience. I’ve tested several free VPNs and found that most either don’t support router setups, severely throttle speeds, or impose strict monthly data limits. Many also lack the OpenVPN configuration files required for setting up VPNs on Nighthawk routers. For stable performance and real router compatibility, I recommend going with premium VPNs that support OpenVPN or offer their own Nighthawk firmware like ExpressVPN does.
Can I set up split-tunneling with a VPN on my Nighthawk router?
Yes, you can set up split tunneling on some Nighthawk routers, but it depends on the specific model and the firmware you’re using. Native support for split-tunneling is limited, so your best option may be to install custom firmware such as DD-WRT, Tomato, Sabai, or OpenWRT. These allow you to configure routing rules manually, although it requires a lot more technical effort.
Alternatively, I recommend using a VPN service like ExpressVPN, which offers a native router app that works with multiple Nighthawk router models. In my experience, split-tunneling is much easier to manage through ExpressVPN’s dashboard.
