VPN embedded within router with app control. Any recommendations?

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1

Hi all, i live outside the UK but would like a solution where I could buy a router with a built in VPN to allow me to mimic being in the UK to access UK streaming services but would like it to have app control so that I can also switch it off easily when I need to switch back to my local country. Does anyone know of a router that would provide such a solution. I’m especially interested in hearing from people who run such a solution with first hand experience of doing this.

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iPhone or Android? iPhone Shorcuts (and likely some option with Android) can send ssh commands with a simple widget button press. An OpenWRT router (look at the GLiNet lineup) can turn a VPN on or off with an ssh command.

Alternatively, you could set up two SSIDs on the router, and have one routed through VPN and the other not. So from your phone you just choose which wifi to connect to.

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if you want app control just use the app that comes with your VPN service?

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To access UK TV/streaming from abroad, get an Amazon Firestick, or Walmart ONN 4K Pro streamer, install a VPN app on that stick/streamer and switch VPN on/off as required.
Also install BBC iPlayer, ITV, 4, 5, STV, and so on.
Been using it like that for years.

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Hi Guys just to follow up I was able to achieve this using an ASUS RT-AC86U by

  1. Installing the “merlin” firmware.
  2. Signing up to NORDVPN.
  3. Downloading an OVPN file from nordvpn (each different server location will have its own file) and then uploading it to the router.
  4. Followed this guide from NORD_VPN on how to upload the file to the router and set the approriate username and password.

https://support.nordvpn.com/hc/en-us/articles/20319214011921-AsusWRT-Merlin-setup-with-NordVPN

  1. I then installed a program on my laptop called PUTTY to allow me to make an SSH connection to the router from my PC. This is essentially a command line type interace which allows you to communicate more deeply with the router rather than the limited GUI that you get from the browser. This allowed me to follow this guide which details how to connect to your router using putty. Note a USB stick in the back of the router is not required for YAZFI but it is mentioned in this video that it may be required for other features you may be interested in such as more advanced firewalls etc - (see next step.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qm5wKi_8VkI

  1. Because you have already installed merlin firmware on your router, it comes with an embedded program called AMTM. Using putty, connect to AMTM and select the option to install YAZFI. Once YAZFI is installed it gives the freedom to select various “guest” networks (up to 6 in total) and to redirect them through whatever VPN you have setup within the VPN client page. You can have multiple SSIDs setup to redirect through seperate VPNs so you can call your SSID something that identifies the VPN that it goes through eg. “HOUSEWIFI_UK” and then a separate SSID called “HOUSEWIFI_USA” .

Hope this helps someone else who is interested in this.

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have this setup on a mikrotik router. one port will put me in a different country via VPN; rest will keep me in Japan. Setup is not trivial.

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For a router with built-in VPN and app control, consider the Asus RT-AX88U or RT-AX86U. They support multiple VPN protocols and can be managed via the Asus Router app, making it easy to switch between UK and local connections.

GL.iNet routers, like the Beryl AX or Slate AX, are also great options with VPN built-in and app control.

Pairing these routers with NordVPN would give you a reliable and easy-to-use solution for accessing UK streaming services from abroad.

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Thanks for your original suggestion I set this up with an ASUS router running merlin and it runs great. See my other comment for full details on how it can be done.

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The option with two SSIDs one with VPN would be really good if you know of a router that supports that.

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Is there an app that can disable or enable VPN at router level though. I want the control to be within the router rather than on a single device that connects to the router?

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I actually used an older ac86u router running merlin to do this. However in the finish up instead of app control I created two separate SSIDs to flip between vpns which is a really neat way of doing this. Check out my other comment on the thread for the details. Thanks for your comment.

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OpenWRT can do it. I like the GLiNet routers for OpenWRT, but there are many others. Just ask chatgpt how to set it up, I just checked and it gives pretty good instructions for this.

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idk some commercial routers may have apps.

try TP Link or Asus

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Thanks for this suggestion I have done some more research and more aware of what’s out there now.

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I just set this up with an asus router running merlin and it works great. thanks for your original suggestion.