Google WiFi and Google Nest routers allow users to cover their entire network at home, no matter how large it is or how many devices they own. Users get a strong, fast, and stable connection when they use Google WiFi or Google Nest WiFi withtheir home network.
The best way to protect all the devices in your home network from hackers and snoops while using Google WiFi or Google Nest WiFi is with a quality virtual private network or a VPN. Unfortunately, that gets a little tricky, since Google WiFi isn’t VPN compatible and you can’t flash it with custom firmware..
You can get around that limitation with an additional router that is VPN-compatible or allows for custom firmware, and use the VPN router in conjunction with Google Nest WiFi. Once the VPN router is set up you can enjoy the safety, privacy, speed, and access to geo-restricted websites that you get from a high-performance VPN on your home mesh network!
Learn how to set up a VPN directly to your Wi-Fi router and find the best VPN for use with Google WiFi in 2024 right here!
In a hurry? Here’s how to use a VPN with Google WiFi
Here’s a quick guide on how to set up a VPN router with your Google WiFi network. Once you’re set-up, all of the devices connected to your home network will be protected at once! You can find a more detailed step-by-step guide later in this article.
Select and subscribe to a high-quality VPN, like ExpressVPN .
Configure your VPN router by following the manufacturer’s instructions
Use an Ethernet cable to connect your Google Nest WiFi router to your VPN-enabled router.
Go to the Google Home app, change the IP address of your Google Nest WiFi router, and turn on DHCP.
Your VPN-enabled Google WiFi is ready for use!
Does Google WiFi support VPN? Google WiFi and Google Nest do not support VPNs, but there is an easy workaround that allows you to use a VPN directly on your Wi-Fi route in conjunction with Google WiFi. All you need is a good VPN router model. Connect the VPN Wi-Fi router to your Google Nest WiFi router and all the devices connected to your home network will be covered, including your Google Nest WiFi.
When you use two routers for your Google Nest Wi-Fi, not only do you get the benefit of a secure connection for accessing your bank account, but you can also access streaming services worldwide no matter what your physical location is, simply by changing your IP address through selective routing.
How can I use a VPN with Google WiFi? You will need an additional VPN router to use a VPN with Google Wi-Fi or Google Nest Wi-Fi. Just set up one of the WiFi routers that works with a VPN as your primary router and all of the traffic from Google WiFi will also get directed through the VPN-enabled router. Then you will get the benefit of a VPN connection for all the devices connected to the network. Detailed instructions on how to set up your Wi-Fi router and Google Nest with a VPN are listed below.
With a little technical know-how and an additional router, you can configure a VPN connection with Google WiFi or Google Nest WiFi, and you’ll never have to worry about unprotected devices at home.
When you use a dual router setup, including one of the router brands that work with VPNs, you can route Google WiFi or Google Nest through a VPN-enabled WiFi router, and your Google Nest Routers will be protected by the VPN-enabled Wi-Fi main router on the first router.
Follow the detailed directions below on how to use a second VPN router with Google Nest and Google Wi-Fi.
Step 1 – Getting Ready
Lay the groundwork for configuring your VPN settings for Google WiFi or Google Nest WiFi via one of the VPN-compatible router brands as follows:
Subscribe to a premium VPN provider, like ExpressVPN .
Collect your Google Wi-Fi or Google Nest router .
Select a VPN-compatible Wi-Fi router. Many providers offer pre-configured routers or set it up on your own using Asus, DD-WRT, Netgear or similar routers.
Get an Ethernet cable that can connect the Lan port and Wan port on the two routers.
Step 2 – Connecting the routers
Now, you need to connect your VPN-compatible router with the Google Nest Wi-Fi or Google Wi-Fi router. Follow the instructions below to complete the dual router setup:
Change the Google Wi-Fi router subnet on the Google Home app to ensure the subnets for the two routers do not overlap. Here’s how:
Navigate to WiFi > Settings > Advanced Networking.
Go to LAN.
Select the Router LAN address field 192.168.2.1 and save.
Verify the DHCP is activated which allows the Wi-Fi router to allot its unique IP addresses to other devices.
Repeat the above process on the next Wi-Fi router, but select a different LAN address, such as 192.168.1.1.
Connect the 2 Wi-Fi routers using an ethernet cable by plugging one end of the cable into the LAN port of the VPN-enabled router and the second one into the WAN port of the Google Wi-Fi router.
Check to make sure the router connection is working.
If you are using a pre-configured router, just turn on your VPN and select a server. If your device doesn’t have native VPN support, follow these steps to configure your VPN router.
Install VPN-supported third-party firmware on your primary router such as DD-WRT, or Tomato.
Configure your VPN for the router per the VPN provider’s instructions.
Connect to the Google Nest or Google WiFi network and try it out to ensure your Google WiFi routers are behind the VPN-enabled router.
How to choose the best VPN for Google WiFi When selecting the best VPN providers for your router for Google WiFi or Google Nest, consider these factors
Speed. A fast VPN provides smooth stable connections while using Google Nest.
Compatibility. Make sure the VPN will work with your Google WiFi either through a dedicated router app or by manually installing it on your router. (If your router doesn’t have native VPN support, find one that works with custom firmware such as Tomato or DD-WRT).
Privacy and security. Select a VPN service with military-level encryption, a kill switch, secure VPN protocols, and a no-logs policy.
Server network. A broad server network provides access to geo-restricted websites worldwide.
User-friendly. Select a VPN provider that has easy-to-use apps and 24/7 live chat customer service.
Trial period. Choose a VPN service that includes a money-back guarantee.
3 best VPNs for Google WiFi Looking for the absolute best VPN for your Google WiFi ? These three VPN providers all offer fast, stable, and secure connections when your data is passed through the VPN tunnel.
Servers/countries: 3,000+ servers in 105 countries
Money-back guarantee: 30 days
Compatible with: Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and iOS
Simultaneous devices: Up to 8
Works with: Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, (HBO) Max, Hulu, Vudu, and more
Get ExpressVPN with 49% OFF
+ 3 months FREE!
We put ExpressVPN at the top of our list for providing the gold standard in security features, while still maintaining excellent speed and easy-to-use apps.
Features: This VPN service includes 24/7 live chat support, a network of 3000+ servers in 105 countries, split tunneling, an ad blocker, malware protection, and more !
Speed: When we compared the speed on an ExpressVPN server to baseline, we maintained 89% of our download speed and 85% of our upload speed, which should have no noticeable effect on performance when your internet traffic passes through the VPN tunnel.
Privacy and security: With ExpressVPN, you get secure internet access, including an automatic kill switch, DNS & IP leak protection, secure tunneling protocols, AES 256-bit encryption , a verified no-logs policy, and RAM-only servers .
Performance: We tried gaming, streaming, torrenting, and browsing and found it performed well with no lags or buffering.
Streaming: The Express VPN software is highly effective at geo-spoofing, allowing you to access geographically restricted content on Amazon Video, Hulu, HBO Max, Netflix, and more ! It also has a smart DNS feature so you can watch on gaming consoles and smart TVs.
Compatibility: The apps work with iOS, macOS, Linux, Android, and Windows . You can also purchase a pre-configured VPN-enabled router for easy setup, and it will cover your entire Wi-Fi network at once, including your smart TVs and gaming consoles!
Pricing: The price begins at $6.67/month . It allows you to connect up to 8 devices and comes with a 30-day trial period .
Pros
Great speed Secure and private 8 simultaneous connections 24/7 live chat support 30-day money-back guarantee Cons
More expensive than competing VPNs Servers/countries: 6,400+ servers in 111 countries
Money-back guarantee: 30 days
Compatible with: Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and iOS
Simultaneous devices: 10
Works with: Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, (HBO) Max, Hulu, Vudu, and more
Get NordVPN with 72% OFF
+ 4 months FREE!
You get premium service when you subscribe to NordVPN, which includes top security and privacy, good Internet speed, and a plethora of features to choose from.
Features: Users have access to ad blocking, malware protection, dedicated IP addresses, smart DNS, double VPN, dark web monitoring, split tunneling, and more ! There are 6400+ servers in 111 countries and subscribers have 24/7 live chat support at their disposal.
Speed: During testing, NordVPN maintained 92% of its baseline download speed and 88% of its upload speed, making it one of the fastest VPNs on the market.
Privacy and security: A verified no-logs policy and RAM-only servers ensure that all data remains private, while security is maintained with AES 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and leak protection .
Performance: NordVPN’s top speed and stable connections lead to smooth performance for browsing, gaming, streaming, and torrenting.
Streaming: NordVPN’s solid geo-spoofing capability provides access to worldwide content on Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Video, and more .
Compatibility: NordVPN has intuitive apps for macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and Windows .
Pricing: Sign up for 24 months and pay $3.39 per month and get 4 additional months for free . The VPN subscription comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee and 10 simultaneous connections .
Pros
Good speed Secure and private Reliable geo-spoofing 24/7 live chat support 30-day money-back guarantee Cons
Limited to 10 multiple devices Narrower scope of servers Servers/countries: 3,200+ servers in 100 countries
Money-back guarantee: 30 days
Compatible with: Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and iOS
Simultaneous devices: Unlimited
Works with: Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, (HBO) Max, Hulu, Vudu, and more
Get Surfshark with 83% OFF
+ 4 months FREE!
You get fast, dependable, and secure service at a fraction of the cost of ExpressVPN, and users can connect an unlimited number of devices, which multiplies the savings for large households.
Features: Surfshark has over 3200 servers in 100 countries and great features like split tunneling, data breach monitoring, ad blocking, malware protection, anti-virus, and more . Subscribers also have 24/7 access to live chat customer support .
Speed: During speed testing, Surfshark maintained 66% of its baseline upload speed and 83% of its baseline download speed. Not quite as fast as Express or Nord, but still fast enough that most users won’t detect the change.
Privacy and security: You are well protected by AES 256-bit encryption, secure tunneling protocols, leak protection, a kill switch , RAM-only servers, and an independently verified no-logs policy .
Performance: While we did experience occasional buffering using Surfshark, all we needed to do to fix the problem was switch to a different server in the network.
Streaming: Watch shows from around the world on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Video, Disney+ and more . With Surfshark, you can easily get past the geo-blocks on popular streaming sites.
Compatibility: Not only do you get unlimited simultaneous device connections with Surfshark, but the intuitive apps are compatible with Windows, Android, Linux, macOS, and iOS .
Pricing: Subscribe to the 24-month starter package and pay $2.19/month . You get unlimited simultaneous connections, 4 months free, and a 30-day money-back guarantee !
Pros
Low cost Secure and private Unlimited simultaneous connections 24/7 live chat support 30-day money-back guarantee Cons
Occasional buffering or lag Can I use a free VPN for Google WiFi? You can use a free VPN for Google Wifi, but I wouldn’t recommend doing so. Free VPNs don’t offer the security and privacy features you get with a trusted VPN service. Many VPN providers will sell your browsing history for profit, increasing your risk of phishing attempts and hackers.
Free VPN services often have speed, bandwidth, and data caps, leading to slower speeds. They also tend to have smaller server networks, limiting access to global content, and that’s if they can get past geo-blocks at all.
It is also more difficult to find third-party firmware that works well with the no-cost VPNs.
FAQ Can I use a VPN with Google WiFi? Yes. You can use a VPN with your Google WiFi but you will need an additional VPN-enabled router to make it work.
Is it legal to use Google Nest WiFi with a VPN? Yes. It is legal to use a VPN with your Google Nest WiFi in most countries.
Can you use ExpressVPN on Google WiFi? Yes. You can use ExpressVPN with Google WiFi if you use a second VPN-enabled router, and you can purchase a pre-configured VPN-enabled router directly from ExpressVPN for easy set-up.
Which VPN should I use with Google WiFi? ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Google WiFi. It offers pre-configured WiFi routers, easy-to-use apps that support VPNs, as well as fast, secure, and reliable connections.
Conclusion Get a smooth, stable, VPN-protected internet connection on all of your home devices, no matter how large your household is, by using a VPN router with your Google Wi-Fi! All you need is a VPN-enabled router, Google WiFi, and a reliable VPN service, like ExpressVPN .