Flashrouters doesn’t offer VPN service, but they are partnered up with several VPN services and they allow you to get a DD-WRT router preconfigured to work with those VPN services. The routers can also be set up for other services, though this has to be done manually.
Normally, the process of configuring a router in this way is fairly complex for the majority of users. By purchasing these routers preconfigured, users can get all of the advantages of DD-WRT without having to worry about ruining their device during the setup process. The company has been in business since 2011 and ships worldwide. The service works with some of our favorite VPN providers, including VyprVPN, ExpressVPN and IPvanish.
Pricing & Plans
The pricing of the service depends upon the type of router that you purchase. Prices range from around $160 to as much as $450 for the most advanced routers on the market. There are many options in between those price levels. The full list of prices follows:
- ExpressVPN Netgear R6400 FlashRouter – $174.99
- ExpressVPN Asus AC56U FlashRouter – $159.99
- Asus AC56U DD-WRT FlashRouter – $159.99
- ExpressVPN Netgear R6700 FlashRouter – $169.99
- ExpressVPN Linksys WRT1900ACS FlashRouter – $249.99
- Linksys WRT1900ACS DD-WRT FlashRouter – $249.99
- ExpressVPN Netgear R7000P FlashRouter – $209.99
- ExpressVPN Netgear R7000 FlashRouter – $249.99
- Netgear R7000 DD-WRT FlashRouter – $249.99
- Netgear R6400 DD-WRT FlashRouter – $199.99
- ExpressVPN Linksys WRT3200ACM FlashRouter – $299.99
- Linksys WRT3200ACM DD-WRT FlashRouter – $299.99
- Asus AC5300 DD-WRT FlashRouter – $399.99
All routers include installed FlashRouters privacy app, upgraded custom firmware and worldwide compatibility. FlashRouters include:
- On-demand Installation of enhanced firmware and our exclusive FlashRouters VPN Privacy App.
- Custom setup guide.
- Power cord and an ethernet cable.
- Individual VPN Account Setup/Pre-configuration (On Request)
- 1 year open source hardware warranty.
- 30-day satisfaction guarantee.
- Initial basic setup assistance via email. For any advanced setups/configurations, live chat or remote assistance, a service plan purchase is required.
Free Trial/ Money-back Guarantee
FlashRouters has a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.
Special Offers
As of writing, FlashRouters is on their 10th anniversary, and they are offering an anniversary promo on their website. They also have a Spring Savings discount on their Router service plans.
Setup/ How to Use
Flashrouters come preconfigured for several different VPN services, depending upon user preferences. They utilize DD-WRT and Tomato Firmware.
Protocol Support
Flashrouters support OpenVPN, L2TP and PPTP.
Privacy & Anonymity
Flashrouters is not a VPN service in and of itself. Your privacy policy depends upon your VPN provider.
Customer Support
FlashRouter also offers Router Service plans from which you can choose what level of ongoing expert service or technical support suits your needs. They do not provide any phone support with their service plans.
FlashRouter Products
Feature Summary
- Full wireless network encryption with one VPN connection
- Ships flashed with custom VPN setup guide
- Exclusive 1-year open-source warranty
- Includes FlashRouters App updates and service
Conclusion
FlashRouters is not a VPN service, but it can greatly enhance the security that many users do get out of their VPN services. By utilizing a router with DD-WRT technology, users can enjoy better privacy and, depending upon the router they purchase, they can get that privacy in some of the most advanced packages available.
I bought a Netgear 7000 router flashed with dd-wrt from FlashRouters a couple of months ago. I didn’t have any technical problem with the flashing and said so in my feedback to them. However, I added a comment about my dissatisfaction with their support when I asked them to look at how I configured the router for attached hard drive. The support guy said that they didn’t cover that and refused to comment. I reiterated in an email that I wasn’t asking for any sort of guarantee from them, just a look from them to see if I had done anything that was obviously stupid. I was referred to the fine print on their website that states that they are only responsible for the flashing. There were several emails back and forth and the support guy absolutely refused to look at the screen shot I sent to him even though I paid $25 for the support PLUS plan and $35 for an extended warranty.
So, keep in mind that the flashing voids your warranty so you don’t have access to the manufacturer for questions and FlashRouters will only answer limited questions. They will not even give an opinion when you say in writing that you won’t expect them to guarantee their answer.
One last comment is that my feedback never got posted on their website so I suspect that all of those 5 star reviews have been cherry picked. I never got an email or call back to check on the complaint I made either.
Their website makes it sound as if they are just a friendly bunch of tech-savvy people that will be more than happy to help you with your router. Not so in my case. Be sure to read the fine print.
I’m a retired IT support manager for 15 years and in IT for over 30 years and not stupid. Unfortunately for me this was relatively new technology to me. I have installed, configured and utilized many routers in the past, I had purchased a Linksys AC4000 5 months prior and it operated perfectly. I recently purchased a Linksys WRT3200ACM preconfigured router from Flashrouters after utilizing the desktop version of expressVPN from expressVPN. Following the instructions for the install and configuration had flaws in it and the installation did not go well. After many wasted hours of chats, and a couple of days, with various support team members I got nowhere. Finally, I stuck out on my own experience and background and had some success. While testing the various options in the Router application I discovered the “VPN Connection” option only produced a blank screen. According to instructions on the internet this option would allow you to change which server you want to utilize. Finally, I had to go back to Flashrouters once again to the various support team members and wasted more hours on chats. I was eventually informed that this option would NOT work on the IE browser and that the browser had bugs. I was told to download Chrome or Firefox and attempt that option. It finally worked successfully when I downloaded the Chrome browser. How can you market a product that only works properly on certain browsers, let alone not on one of the most popular ones? To recap, you will need to operate 2 separate web browsers while utilizing the Router application to get the full functionality of the router OR switch from the IE browser to Chrome or Firefox. Router VPN great concept, this product has bugs in it that need addressing. In addition, that there is no phone support and adds hours to solving support issues but saves the company a few dollars. Lastly, the competence of the various support members in many cases left a lot to be desired. BEWARE before you purchase this product and be aware of what you are getting for high price.
They are scamming us big time. Dastardly support.
Not a good or expected outcome, read more. Flashrouters sells services, products and services bundled with products. I bought a router and services package (router with VPN installed) I had issues from the very beginning. I worked many long hours, days and weeks and months to follow their instructions. I was told a new router would be the answer. I was happy to keep doing that. I gave them my requirements and was assured that even though my situation wasn’t within the scope of the router, it work fine. Guess what? they dragged the service interventions out, then a VERY long delay in shipping, and Bobs your uncle! No more problem, warranty is up, so goodbye Charlie, not our issue anymore See ya. Horrible, unexpected, and more than misleading, straight out misrepresentation.