I want to install a VPN on my router, but it doesn’t support VPN configuration. There is a beta firmware available, but it only lets the router function as a VPN server, not a client. My goal is to have all devices on my Wi-Fi routed through a VPN.
While buying a new router that supports pfSense or OPNsense with WireGuard sounds like a good idea, I’m trying to avoid spending $150+ on new hardware since I’m satisfied with my current setup.
Does anyone have a workaround to route all devices through a VPN with my current equipment?
Router model: TP-Link Archer C80-AC1900 Available spare router: ASUS RT-N12 D1 - N300
Can I use the ASUS router as a VPN client, connect it to my main TP-Link router, and then route everything through the VPN via Ethernet?
You might be able to “jailbreak” your router and install custom firmware like DD-WRT or OpenWRT, which allows VPN client installation. Start by checking compatibility on this table: OpenWRT Table of Hardware.
The router model is TP-Link Archer C80-AC1900. Would it make sense to buy a second-hand router with VPN support, set up the VPN on that router, and route my main router through it?
That could work, but make sure the second-hand router is powerful enough—ideally a gigabit router.
Unfortunately, the TP-Link Archer C80 is incompatible with OpenWRT because it uses a Broadcom chipset. As an alternative, DD-WRT might be an option, though it isn’t maintained as actively as OpenWRT.
Using the ASUS RT-N12 as a VPN client could work. Set it up with a VPN client, connect it to your TP-Link router, and plug the ASUS router into your Ethernet wall jack. Then, connect your devices to the ASUS router to route all traffic through the VPN.
If you’re okay with DIY, another option is to use a Raspberry Pi as a VPN client. You can route traffic from your main router through the Pi and then to your ISP. It’s a budget solution if you want to avoid new hardware purchases.