Raven Wu
Updated on: April 21, 2025
Fact-checked by Raven Wu
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🥇 ExpressVPN
: It’s one of the only VPNs with a dedicated router app, it works with popular router models and firmware, and includes split-tunneling on routers. It also has a large server network, lightning-fast speeds, top-notch security features, and great streaming support. Every ExpressVPN purchase comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee (first-time users only).
Google Nest lacks VPN support, but there’s a simple workaround: run a dual router configuration and put your Google Nest traffic through a VPN-compatible router.
The tricky part is that a lot of VPNs out there don’t work well on routers, or they don’t have good guides to walk you through the setup process, which is a little technical.
To save you some time, I created this list of the best VPNs for Google Nest. The VPNs I recommend are compatible with popular router models and are easy to set up. My favorite VPN for Google Nest is ExpressVPN because it’s one of the only VPNs with a dedicated router app. It also sells its own router that comes with the VPN pre-installed. Editors’ Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
Quick Summary of the Best VPNs for Google Nest
Editors’ Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
🥇1. ExpressVPN — Best Overall VPN for Google Nest
Approved by our experts
ExpressVPN is the #1 VPN for Google Nest. It’s the only VPN on this list with a native router app, which makes it much easier to set up. When I tested it, it only took me approximately 8 minutes to get everything up and running. ExpressVPN’s router app works with Asus, Linksys, and Netgear routers.
ExpressVPN’s router app has a split-tunneling feature, called Device Groups, that allows you to connect devices in your home to different server locations (or to not use the VPN at all). Most VPNs don’t offer split-tunneling on routers. Plus, it comes with its proprietary Lightway protocol, which provides faster speeds than common VPN protocols, like WireGuard and OpenVPN. This, combined with the fact that it works with over 100 streaming platforms, makes it a strong choice for streaming.
This VPN is also compatible with third-party firmware, like DD-WRT, Sabai, and Tomato, if you don’t mind performing a manual configuration via OpenVPN.
Either way, ExpressVPN has excellent step-by-step guides on its website, complete with screenshots and even videos to make the process of setting up a VPN for Google Nest quick and pain-free. If this still sounds like too much trouble, you can even opt to purchase ExpressVPN’s own router, Aircove, which comes with ExpressVPN pre-installed on it and useful security features, like a kill switch.
Bottom Line:
ExpressVPN is my favorite VPN for routers because it has a dedicated router app that supports split-tunneling and is easy to set up. This VPN also provides blazing-fast speeds thanks to its proprietary Lightway protocol and can access 100+ streaming platforms.
Read the full ExpressVPN review
🥈2. Private Internet Access — Great for Streaming on Google Nest
Private Internet Access (PIA) supports manual OpenVPN setups on routers with DD-WRT, Asuswrt, Asuswrt-Merlin, and pfSense firmware. It also has user-friendly guides to walk you through the process. In my tests, I finished configuring PIA for Google Nest in approximately 12 minutes. Still, if ease-of-setup is your primary concern, ExpressVPN is the better choice because its dedicated router app reduces the amount of manual configuration required.
It’s also a great VPN for streaming on Google Nest. You can set up your router to use its dedicated streaming servers in 10+ countries, including the US, the UK, Japan, Sweden, and Italy. These servers work reliably with 30+ streaming services, including popular platforms, like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer.
Bottom Line:
Private Internet Access is good for streaming on Google Nest. It supports manual router setups via OpenVPN, and it has dedicated streaming servers in 10+ countries that work with popular streaming platforms.
Read the full Private Internet Access review
Editors’ Note: Private Internet Access and this site are in the same ownership group.
🥉3. NordVPN — Works With Tons of Router Models/Firmware
NordVPN is a very flexible VPN for Google Nest. It’s compatible with 15+ router models and firmware, including DD-WRT, GL.iNet, Tomato, Asuswrt, Asuswrt-Merlin, pfSense, TP-Link, and EdgeRunner, so you have a lot of options.
This VPN uses the OpenVPN protocol. It also supports IKEv2/IPsec on some routers. This is a nice option to have, since IKev2/IPsec provides faster speeds than OpenVPN.
If you buy the Privacy Hero II VPN router, which comes pre-installed with NordVPN, you get access to NordVPN’s proprietary NordLynx protocol (and save yourself the trouble of setting up the VPN yourself). NordLynx is built around WireGuard, so it’s even faster than OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPsec.
Bottom Line:
NordVPN is a flexible choice for Google Nest. It works with a lot of different routers and firmware and supports multiple VPN protocols, including OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, and NordLynx. It also offers a VPN router that comes pre-installed with NordVPN.
4. Surfshark — Supports WireGuard Protocol on Routers
Surfshark lets you use the WireGuard protocol for Google Nest. This is good because WireGuard is faster than OpenVPN, which is the only protocol most VPNs support on routers. It supports WireGuard on DD-WRT, TP-Link, OpenWrt, Asus, and GL.iNet. NordVPN also supports a VPN protocol built around WireGuard (NordLynx), and ExpressVPN’s proprietary Lightway protocol is even faster than WireGuard.
This VPN also supports manual configuration via OpenVPN on 15+ router models and firmware and IKEv2/IPsec on MikroTik routers.
Bottom Line:
Surfshark supports the WireGuard protocol on routers, which lets you get faster speeds on Google Nest. It also supports manual setups via OpenVPN on 15+ router models and firmware.
Read the full Surfshark review
5. CyberGhost VPN — Good VPN for Gaming on Google Nest
CyberGhost VPN is pretty good for gaming on Google Nest. You can configure your router to use its dedicated gaming servers, which are optimized to provide fast speeds and stable ping. CyberGhost has dedicated gaming servers in the US, the UK, Germany, and France.
It supports manual OpenVPN setups on DD-WRT, TomatoUSB, Raspberry Pi, Synology NAS, and more. I like that its router setups give you access to its ad blocker, too.
Bottom Line:
CyberGhost VPN is a good VPN for gamers. It lets you connect Google Nest to its dedicated gaming servers, which are optimized for stable ping and lag-free gameplay. Router setups also get you access to its ad blocker.
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
To create this list of the best VPNs for Google Nest, I tested 50+ top VPNs in 2025 following our proven testing methodology. I looked for VPNs with good router support (compatible with popular router models, are easy to set up, include useful extra features etc.). I also took into account each VPN’s speeds, security, and overall value. For a more detailed breakdown of how I ranked and compared the VPN on my list, see below;
- I looked for VPNs with good router support. To use a VPN with Google Nest, you’ll have to set the VPN up on a router. But not all VPNs work on routers. So, I made sure every VPN on my list has router support and is compatible with popular router models and firmware.
- I prioritized VPNs with easy router setups. Setting up a VPN on a router for Google Nest can be pretty technical, so I prioritized VPNs with clear step-by-step tutorials with screenshots (as well as videos). ExpressVPN is very easy to set up on routers because it has a dedicated router app. It also offers its own router that comes with the VPN pre-installed.
- I picked VPNs with fast speeds. Using any VPN will reduce your connection speeds, since it takes some time for it to encrypt your traffic. This problem is exacerbated by using a dual router configuration for Google Nest. However, all of the VPNs I recommend maintain fast enough speeds to browse, stream, and play games without any lag or buffering.
- I chose VPNs with strong security features. The VPNs on my list all come with industry-standard VPN security features to protect your devices connected to Google Nest. These features include military-grade 256-bit AES encryption and a strict no-logs policy, meaning the VPN doesn’t keep logs of your online activities.
- I assessed each VPN’s overall value. Every VPN I recommend has affordable plans and deals and allows multiple simultaneous connections. Plus, they all come with a money-back guarantee, so you can try them out risk-free.
Top Brands That Didn’t Make the Cut
- PrivateVPN. It supports manual configurations on routers via OpenVPN, but its server network is pretty small, and it’s not as fast as the other VPNs on my list.
- TunnelBear. It’s a beginner-friendly VPN with a cute bear theme. It’s also good for streaming. The dealbreaker is it doesn’t have router support, so it won’t work with Google Nest.
- Astrill VPN. Its applet makes it easy to set up on routers. However, it’s pretty expensive compared to the other VPNs on my list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put a VPN on Google Nest?
No, Google Nest doesn’t support VPN installation at the router level. However, you can still use a VPN with Google Nest by connecting it to a VPN-compatible router. If you want to connect Google Nest to another router, make sure you pick a VPN with good router support.
Can I use a free VPN for Google Nest?
Maybe, but few free VPNs offer router support. Free VPNs also come with many frustrating limitations, such as slow speeds, data limits, and weak security. I strongly recommend getting an affordable paid VPN for Google Nest instead, like Private Internet Access.
Will using a VPN with Google Nest impact my internet speeds?
Yes, using a VPN with Google Nest will result in some speed loss because it takes some time for the VPN to encrypt your traffic. The extra security you get from a VPN is worth it, though, and the best VPNs for Google Nest are fast enough that you’ll hardly notice a difference.
Can I use a VPN with Google Nest without buying additional hardware?
Yes, you can opt to install a good VPN on a virtual router on a PC or Mac. That said, connecting Google Nest to a VPN-compatible router is the easiest way to get network-wide VPN protection.
