5 Best VPNs for Google Nest WiFi Routers (Setup Guide)

Nest Wi-Fi is a line of mesh wireless routers sold by Google as part of its premium range of smart home products. First launched in 2016 as Google Wifi, it’s best known for its wide range, built-in storage, and connectivity.

Unfortunately, it’s also known for poor security features. A common gripe among users is the lack of VPN support. Unlike other premium mesh Wi-Fi routers, Nest Wi-Fi neither has a built-in VPN nor supports manual installation.

Both first- and second-generation Nest WiFi routers lack VPN support. But the good thing is that you can still install a VPN on Nest Wifi and enjoy safer web browsing. All you need is a VPN-enabled Wi-Fi router. 

Here’s the detailed VPN setup guide for Google Nest WiFi routers. We’ve also ranked the top five Nest WiFi VPNs below in case you don’t already use one.

Best Google Nest Wifi VPNs in 2024

1. NordVPN – Excellent support for VPN protocols on routers, wide server network, superb encryption
2. Surfshark – Only VPN that allows WireGuard installation on routers
3. PrivateVPN – High-speed VPN with support for most third-party VPN router firmware
4. ExpressVPN – Wide server network across 90+ countries
5. CyberGhost – About 7,000 servers and supports VPN installation on microcomputers

What is Google Nest?

Google Nest is a brand of smart home products designed and sold by Alphabet, the company that owns Google. Originally started as Nest Labs in 2010, it was acquired by Google in 2014. 

Google Nest products include thermostats, smoke alarms, doorbells, Wi-Fi routers, and security cameras. Since 2018, all Google Home products such as speakers are also sold under the Nest brand name.

What is Google Nest Wifi?

Google Nest Wifi or simply Nest Wifi is a wireless home networking solution by Google. First launched in 2016, Nest Wifi mesh routers now come with improved hardware, networking capability, and memory. They are used as an alternative to traditional wireless routers in smart homes.

Nest Wifi Points are just range extenders in the larger Nest Wifi family. They and Nest Wifi itself can also double up as portable speakers connected to Google Assistant.

Note: The word “Wifi” in “Nest Wifi” is a stylized version of “Wi-Fi” and not a typo.

As you may know, mesh routers generally offer wider coverage as they create multiple access points or nodes within an area. Mesh Wi-Fi routers offer stronger wireless connectivity than conventional Wi-Fi routers. They are usually installed in sets of three or more but a single mesh router is still more powerful than a regular router.

With Nest Wi-Fi, the pod-shaped routers can be installed at strategic locations. This forms a mesh-like network within your house. This prevents Wi-Fi blind spots and ensures uniform speed and bandwidth to all connected devices. 

Nest Wi-Fi is easy to set up, powerful, and has the unique Google charm (similar to Apple devices) to it. However, it suffers from poor security features.

For instance, Nest WiFi routers are connected to your Google account. If an attacker manages to break into your account, they can also interfere with your router settings and snoop on your web traffic. While this risk exists in any connected ecosystem such as Google Nest or Amazon Alexa, that’s not all.

Does Nest Wi-Fi Work With a VPN?

No, Google WiFi routers do not work with a VPN. They do not support the installation of external VPNs nor do they allow a third-party firmware to facilitate it. This forces users to depend on device-based VPN protection.

It all comes down to Google’s lack of support for VPN protocols. Unlike traditional routers, you cannot flash-install a VPN through third-party firmware like DD-WRT. The only way to be secure online while using Nest Wifi is to install a VPN on each of your devices.

I don’t know why Google decided to ignore VPN support because it does not even have any built-in security tools. There’s no malware protection or additional security settings on the Nest Wi-Fi device. 

This can be frustrating if privacy is of utmost importance to you. Thankfully, there’s a way around Google’s rigid router software.

Best VPNs for Google Nest Wifi – detailed list:

When it comes to choosing the best VPN for a Nest Wi-Fi router, the only non-negotiable parameter is router support. If your existing VPN service doesn’t support installation on routers or third-party firmware, you’ll need to switch.

One of our top VPN choices, AtlasVPN, has been excluded from this list as it does not support VPN connections through routers (as of October 2022). 

I’ve tested and selected five premium VPNs, all of which have detailed router setup guides. The good thing is that they also provide router suggestions.

1. NordVPN

NordVPN stands superior among VPNs for Google Nest WiFi Routers, offering an easy setup pathway, especially, with support for over 10 third-party firmware providers. Not to mention, you can get it pre-installed via their partner – Flashrouters.

Security: With rigorous features such as AES-256 encryption, RAM servers, Kill Switch, and CyberSec, NordVPN offers top-notch security. Additionally, its ioXt Certification signifies a high level of user data protection, ensuring usage safety.

Privacy: NordVPN commits to user privacy. Its jurisdiction is in Panama (outside Fourteen Eyes). Notable other privacy features include:

• No logging policy guarantees user data isn’t tracked or collected.
• 3 independent audits validating privacy standards.
• WebRTC blocking and Dark Web Monitoring for comprehensive online privacy.

Performance: Its United States servers show impressive speed, with 248.7 Mbps download and 126.7 Mbps upload. Adopting protocols like NordLynx (WireGuard-based), OpenVPN, and IKEv2 ensures seamless and fast connections.

Features: Other features include dedicated IP servers, Onion over VPN servers, and a cross-platform password manager. P2P sharing is allowed with specialized servers while a bypass list ensures a smooth proxy connection.

Streaming: You get to unblock access to various streaming platforms including Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu. SmartPlay technology further enhances user connectivity to various Netflix libraries.

Pricing: NordVPN offers affordable plans, the standard one starts at $4.99/month for a 1-year plan and extends up to $14.99/month for the complete 1-month plan. Cryptocurrency payments further ensure privacy.

Plan	1-year plan	1-month plan	2-year plan
Standard Plan	$4.99/month	$12.99/month	–
Plus Plan	$5.99/month	$13.99/month	–
Complete Plan	$6.99/month	$14.99/month	$5.49/month

2. Surfshark

Surfshark is one of the Best VPNs for Google Nest WiFi Routers due to its compatibility with routers and with third-party firmware like DD-WRT, AsusWRT, and OpenWRT amongst others.

Security: It has extensive security features and AES-256-GCM encryption, secure protocols like OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, and WireGuard. It also includes a CleanWeb feature that blocks ads, trackers, malware, and phishing attempts. An automatic Kill Switch ensures continuous privacy even during sudden disconnects.

Privacy: Surfshark commits to users’ privacy. Following a no-logs policy, it also employs Private DNS on each server and IP Masking. The noteworthy feature is the NoBorders mode, which allows VPN usage in restricted regions.

Performance: Surfshark provides high-speed performance with download and upload speeds averaging 235 and 219 Mbps respectively in the U.S. The P2P-friendly optimized servers for torrenting make it ideal for heavy internet users.

Features: It offers unlimited access across devices, 24/7 customer support, and split-tunneling through Whitelister. The unique GPS Spoofing feature is available on its Android app.

Streaming: Surfshark shines in its capability to unblock Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video. Its smart DNS service enables access to global content across streaming apps on smart TVs, bypassing geo-restrictions.

Pricing: Surfshark offers a flexible range of monthly plans. The affordable Surfshark Starter is priced at $2.30/month for a 2-year commitment. For additional features, the Surfshark One and Surfshark One+ plans are available starting from $3.22/month and $5.99/month respectively for a 2-year subscription. All of their plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, ensuring a risk-free trial.

Surfshark Plans	2-year price	1-year price	1-month price
Starter	$2.30/month	$3.99/month	$12.95/month
Surfshark One	$3.22/month	$4.49/month	$17.95/month
Surfshark One+	$5.99/month	$8.29/month	$22.95/month

3. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN, with its robust security features, is a top choice amongst VPNs for Google Nest WiFi Routers.

Security: PrivateVPN checks all essential security boxes such as robust AES 256-bit encryption, IP and IPv6 leak protection, and a reliable kill switch. Unlike many competitors, it provides Stealth VPN mode and customizable encryption levels, enhancing user confidentiality and flexibility.

Privacy: PrivateVPN upholds user privacy with a strict no-logs policy. However, please note it’s based in Sweden, a member of the 14-Eyes surveillance alliance.

Performance: With impressive download and upload speeds, PrivateVPN guarantees secure and efficient data transmission. It offers different protocols, including OpenVPN, PPTP, and L2TP/IPSec, but the lack of WireGuard may limit options for some users.

Features: PrivateVPN unblocks a wide range of streaming services, and has fast video loading speeds. It is also P2P/torrent-friendly, providing dedicated IPs and torrenting servers with good speeds.

Streaming: PrivateVPN proves its worth in bypassing geo-restrictions on YouTube, BBC iPlayer, Netflix, Disney+, and more. It even works in restricted regions.

Pricing: Offering a range of affordable plans ($2.00 – $9.90/month), PrivateVPN allows up to 10 simultaneous connections. It provides a 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee, supporting payments via credit cards, PayPal (with a 5% handling fee), and Cryptocurrencies.

PrivateVPN Plans	Price per Month
1-Month Plan	$9.90
3-Month Plan	$6.00
36-Month Plan	$2.00

4. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN stands out as one of the best Google Nest WiFi VPNs. It has a wide server network, good speed, privacy, and robust security features. Despite limited router support, it supported only Netgear, Linksys, and ASUS routers. However, the price may be a bit steep for some.

Security: ExpressVPN places a high priority on security. It uses Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) with 256-bit keys. This is combined with RSA-512 for certificate verification and HMAC (Hash-Based Message Authentication Code) with SHA-512 for control channel encryption. It also has a kill switch which guards when a VPN connection drops unexpectedly.

Privacy: With ExpressVPN, privacy is guaranteed. Some noteworthy privacy features include:

• No-logs policy
• Independent audits by PwC and Cure53
• Private DNS on every server
• Split tunneling
• Stealth servers

Performance: Performance and speed are critical aspects of ExpressVPN. Lightway protocol offers faster connection speeds: a download speed of 137 Mbps, and an upload speed of 162 Mbps. It supports OpenVPN (UDP/TCP) and IKEv2 protocols.

Features: ExpressVPN allows P2P and torrenting on all servers. Its compatibility extends to Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, and it supports up to 8 simultaneous connections.

Streaming: ExpressVPN can easily access major platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video. The SmartDNS feature, MediaStreamer, helps in providing fast streaming speeds.

Pricing: ExpressVPN packages are slightly pricey with a 1-month plan at $12.95, a 6-month plan at $9.99 per month, and an annual plan at $6.67 per month, yet its exceptional features and performance justify the cost.

ExpressVPN Plans	Price per Month	Simultaneous Connections
1-Month Plan	$12.95	5
6-Month Plan	$9.99	Up to 8
1-Year Plan	$6.67	Up to 8

5. CyberGhost

CyberGhost sets the bar high with superior security, privacy features, high speeds, and streaming capabilities, all while offering competitive pricing.

Security: CyberGhost secures its connections with AES-256 encryption. Paired with an automatic kill switch and DNS leak prevention, it ensures that your data remains secure. It supports protocols like OpenVPN (UDP/TCP), IKEv2, and WireGuard.

Privacy: CyberGhost’s no-logging policy was confirmed by a Deloitte audit. It is headquartered in Romania, keeping it away from the invasive Fourteen Eyes jurisdiction, thus safeguarding user privacy.

Performance: CyberGhost’s speed performance is 46 Mbps download and 174 Mbps upload speeds in the United States. It ensures buffer-free streaming and seamless online activities. However, it had variable speeds with different protocols and locations.

Features: CyberGhost offers customized settings for privacy and general usage, enabling a more personalized experience. Plus, it is compatible with Windows, iOS, and even smart TVs, gaming consoles, and routers.

Streaming: CyberGhost offers specialized streaming servers capable of bypassing geo-blocks of various platforms including Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and more. However, sometimes it has slow-loading times on certain platforms like Netflix.

Pricing: CyberGhost is price-competitive, offering varying plans from $12.99/month for a single month to a highly economical $2.11/month for a two-year commitment. In addition, it provides a 14 or 45-day money-back guarantee, depending on the plan, and accepts various payment methods, including cryptocurrency.

CyberGhost Plans	Price per Month	Money-Back Guarantee
1-Month Plan	$12.99	14 Days
6-Month Plan	$6.99	45 Days
2-Year Plan	$2.11	45 Days

How to Connect Google Nest Wifi to a VPN?

You can easily set up a VPN on your Nest Wi-Fi router by configuring another VPN-enabled router and connecting them. You’ll need to create a parent-child relationship between the two routers and install a VPN on the non-Nest router. As of 2022, it’s the only way to install a VPN on Google Next Wifi.

1. A Google Nest Wifi router
2. A VPN-capable wireless router (with FreshTomato, DD-WRT, etc. firmware)
3. A VPN software (we recommend NordVPN)
4. An Ethernet cable

Configuring VPN on Nest Wifi routers requires some technical knowledge. However, I’ve tried to simplify the process so that you can execute it without any additional help. I’ve divided the process into multiple steps to make it easier to follow.

Note: These steps work on both first- and second-generation (2016 and 2019 versions) Nest Wifi routers. While we haven’t tested it, they should also work on Nest Wifi Pro 6E routers. 

Step #1 – Connect Nest Wifi With Another Router (Parent-Child)

The first phase of this process involves connecting the Nest Wifi router (child) and a VPN-capable router (parent). Before installing the VPN, we’ll need to ensure that the routers can communicate with each other.

At the end of this phase, you should be able to access the internet by connecting to either of the routers.

1. Change Nest Wifi Router’s Subnet

First things first: Update your routers’ LAN addresses so that they communicate over two different subnets. A subnet or subnetwork is basically a range of IP addresses in a network. Since we want the routers to communicate separately, we have to change their subnets.

Most wireless routers use the 192.168.1.xxx subnet range. Therefore, we suggest changing the LAN address of your Google Nest Wifi. Here’s how to change your Nest Wifi’s subnet:

1. Download and install the Google Home app (if not done already) on your smartphone
2. Go to Advanced Networking via the app’s Wi-Fi Settings
3. Select LAN
4. Change the LAN address and select Save
5. Enable DHCP under LAN Settings

If the existing address is 192.168.1.xxx, we suggest changing it to 192.168.2.xxx. (x is for representational purpose only).

Optionally, you can also check your other router’s subnet just to confirm that their IP address ranges do not overlap.

2. Connect the 2 Routers Using an Ethernet Cable

In this sub-step, the VPN-enabled router is the parent and the Nest Wifi is the child. Use an Ethernet cable and plug it in the configuration shown below:

• One end to any LAN port of your VPN-capable router
• Other end to the WAN port of Nest Wifi

Once this is done, connect your internet source to the VPN-capable router through its WAN port. If you have a modem in your house, connect it and the VPN router using an Ethernet cable.

At the end of step #1, you should be able to connect to the wireless network created by both routers. Make sure you can surf the web through both networks.

Step #2 – Install VPN On the Router

The next step in the installation of VPN on Nest Wifi involves configuring VPN capability on the non-Nest router. There are two ways to do this:

1. Use a router with native VPN support
2. Use a router that supports third-party firmware like DD-WRT

If you are using a router with a native VPN, all you need to do is follow the manufacturer’s instructions to configure it. In other words, you’ll need to link the router’s VPN client with your VPN service.

If you have a router that requires firmware flashing, do that using the firmware’s guide for your router manufacturer. Following are the top three third-party router VPN firmware manufacturers:

• DD-WRT
• FreshTomato
• ASUSWRT-MERLIN

Most mainstream VPN providers have detailed instructions on router VPN configuration. You can find guides on their official websites. You can also get in touch with their customer support for more assistance.

At the end of step #2, you should be able to connect to this router’s network and surf the web anonymously. I suggest you test your VPN connection while being connected.

Pro Tip – Keep your VPN software’s login credentials handy.

Step #3 – Test the VPN On Your Google Nest Wifi

With the above two steps, what we have done is essentially install VPN in one router and connect that router with Google Nest Wifi. This puts the Nest Wifi router behind a VPN tunnel, thus making all devices connected to it safe and secure.

To check if VPN is working fine on your Nest Wifi router, do the following:

1. Switch off the VPN through the router settings
2. Connect any device (smartphone, laptop, etc.) to your Nest Wifi router
3. Go to What Is My IP Address on that device and check your IP address. Note it down
4. Switch on the VPN and wait for a minute
5. Go back and check your IP address again

If the IP address changes, you can confirm that your Google Nest Wifi has been successfully configured with a VPN. You can also check out our recommended VPN testing methods.

Why You Should Install a VPN on Your Nest Wifi Router

As I noted above, Google Nest Wifi doesn’t score too well on the security front. Besides the missing VPN support, it has several vulnerabilities. For instance, a hacker could gain access to your Google account credentials and access your wireless router settings. Through this, they can snoop on you.

Such an attack via the cloud network can also interfere with your smart home and related gadgets.

There’s also the risk of privacy invasion from Google itself. While the Alphabet-owned company claims to protect your privacy, it’s best to not depend on Big Tech to be your privacy guardian. Why give free access to your web activities to Google’s AI when you can cover it using a VPN?

There are more reasons to install a VPN on your Nest Wifi router. Other than filling its security gaps, it can improve your overall web experience as listed below.

Benefits of Using VPN on Nest Wifi

• No need to install a VPN on every device
• VPN-unfriendly devices like smart TV, Roku, FireTV also stay protected
• Less risk of cloud-based cyber attacks in your smart home
• Total bang for your VPN subscription

Google Nest Wifi and VPN FAQs

Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about installing a VPN on Nest Wifi routers.

Is Google Wifi the same as Nest Wifi?

Nest Wifi is the renamed and upgraded version of Google Wifi routers. When Google acquired Nest Labs, it combined both their router products into a single brand called Nest Wifi. 

Why do Google Nest Wifi routers not support VPN?

There’s no way to know why Google decided to not support VPNs on its Nest Wifi routers. Although, we believe it has to do with anti-tampering measures. Google simply does not want third-party firmware or software being installed in its devices. Such an action could interfere with its smart home technology. It’s also possible that Google sees third-party software support as a ground for a potential breach.

Is it possible to use a free VPN on a router?

Yes, you can set up a free VPN on a VPN-capable router as long as both support the same VPN protocol. However, we don’t recommend using a free VPN at all.

Will a VPN slow down my Nest Wifi speed?

Some VPNs may slow down your Nest Wifi network speed due to routing and encrypting functions. To avoid speed throttling, we recommend using fast VPNs such as NordVPN or PrivateVPN.

Can I directly install a VPN on a Nest Wifi router?

No, as of October 2022, there is no way to directly install a VPN on a Google Nest Wifi router. This is because Nest Wifi routers do not support any VPN protocol.

Is it legal to use a VPN with Google Nest Wifi router?

Yes, using a VPN on a Google Nest Wifi router cannot be considered an illegal activity. You’re not tampering with the Google device or breaking any law while using a VPN with Nest Wifi. In the same way, Google cannot deny you warranty on its Nest Wifi router if you install a VPN on another router and connect it with Nest Wifi.

Which VPN should I use with Google Nest Wifi?

NordVPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost are the best VPNs for Nest Wifi devices. They support all major third-party router VPN firmware and have detailed setup guides. You can also try ExpressVPN and PrivateVPN.

Can I install a VPN on a Google Nest Wifi point?

Yes, you can install a VPN on a Nest Wifi point. However, you don’t need a separate installation if you’ve already set up a VPN on your Nest Wifi router. A Wifi point simply acts as a range extender in the mesh network that is directly connected to the main Nest Wifi router.

Conclusion

The only way to set up a functioning VPN on your Google Nest Wifi is to link it with a VPN-capable router. Once you connect your Nest Wifi with this router, configuring VPN on the latter is fairly easy. 

If you’ve already bought the latest Nest Wifi router, I suggest you to first choose a VPN and then get the router. This way you can buy one specified by your VPN provider. If you have the budget, you could consider a router that comes preloaded with NordVPN. That will save you all the hassle. Surfshark, PrivateVPN, and CyberGhost will also give full value for your money.

In case you have already bought a new router or plan to use an old one, check if it supports VPN protocols. If not, you’ll need to flash-install a third-party software. Check if it supports flash installation. If neither work, you’ll need to get a replacement VPN-capable router.