VPN on a 5G Router in South Africa: The No-Nonsense Guide (2025)

Why South Africans Are Googling “VPN 5G Router” Right Now

If you’ve moved over to 5G internet in SA – on Rain, Vodacom, MTN, Telkom, Cell C or a fixed-5G package – you’ve probably hit at least one of these:

• Netflix library looks different from what you expected.
• Certain sites or apps just don’t open on your network.
• Online games lag at weird times, like your ISP is “choking” the line.
• You work remotely and your company wants everything going through a VPN.

That’s where the whole “VPN 5G router” idea comes in: using a VPN together with a 5G router so your entire home or small office is protected and less restricted – not just your phone or laptop.

In this guide, we’ll break down:

• What a 5G router actually does (in normal-people English).
• Three realistic ways to combine 5G internet and VPN in South Africa.
• When it’s worth running VPN on the router itself vs just on devices.
• Which VPN features actually matter for 5G (and which are marketing fluff).
• Step‑by‑step tips so you don’t spend the weekend swearing at your router UI.

By the end, you’ll know exactly which setup fits your home, your budget, and your level of patience.

Quick refresher: 5G router vs normal router vs hotspot

What a 5G router does

A 5G router is basically:

• A modem that connects to your mobile operator’s 5G (and often 4G) network using a SIM.
• A Wi‑Fi router that shares that connection with all your devices at home or in the office.

Think of something like a 5G CPE (Customer Premises Equipment) box: you slot in a SIM, plug in power, and you’ve got high‑speed Wi‑Fi. Modern units support Wi‑Fi 6, multiple Ethernet ports, and can handle a house full of gadgets.

From the Italian review snippet you shared, a typical 5G CPE router:

• Promises gigabit‑class download speeds (3.6 Gbps theoretical in that example).
• Can handle dozens of devices at once (they mentioned up to 128).
• Has plug‑and‑play setup: insert SIM → power on → Wi‑Fi for everyone.

In South Africa, a 5G router is an attractive alternative to fibre when:

• You rent and don’t want installations or drilling.
• Fibre in your area is still “coming soon”.
• You want a connection that can move with you.

How a VPN fits into that picture

A VPN (Virtual Private Network):

• Encrypts your internet traffic so your ISP, Wi‑Fi owner, or snoops can’t easily see what you’re doing.
• Routes traffic via a different location, which can unlock region‑locked content.
• Helps avoid some types of throttling, because your ISP can’t see you’re streaming or torrenting specifically.

VPNs are big business now. Some services, like Surfshark, even bundle antivirus and extra security tools into their VPN packages as highlighted in a 2025 Black Friday deal on Tom’s Guide (rel=“nofollow”). At the more technical end, companies like Tailscale are building VPN-style tools that connect entire private networks together and are growing fast globally, as reported by The Globe and Mail (rel=“nofollow”). And popular consumer VPNs like NordVPN keep running aggressive long‑term promo deals, including up to around 74% off plus extra months during Black Friday 2025 according to coverage on iPhoneItalia (rel=“nofollow”).

So the question for you is: where should you run that VPN – on each device, or directly on your shiny new 5G router?

The three main “VPN + 5G” setups in South Africa

Let’s keep it simple. Almost every situation in SA falls into one of these:

1. Hotspot + VPN app
   Use your phone’s 5G connection as a hotspot and run a VPN app on each device.

2. 5G router + VPN apps
   Use a dedicated 5G router, but still install VPN apps on devices that need protection.

3. 5G router with router‑level VPN
   Configure a VPN tunnel inside the 5G router itself, so everything on that Wi‑Fi goes through the VPN.

1. Phone hotspot + VPN app

Best for: Students, solo users, travellers, or anyone who mostly uses 1–3 devices.

• You get 5G via your phone (Vodacom, MTN, etc.).
• You enable a hotspot and connect your laptop or smart TV.
• You install a VPN app (like NordVPN) on each device you care about.

Pros

• Cheap: no extra hardware, just a good data plan.
• Full control: can switch VPN servers per device.
• Perfect if you’re always on the move.

Cons

• Battery killer if you run hotspot all day.
• Not ideal for big households or lots of smart home gadgets.
• Some smart TVs or consoles don’t have great VPN app support.

2. 5G router + VPN apps on devices

Best for: Most homes that just upgraded to 5G.

Here:

• The 5G router stays “vanilla” – no VPN on it.
• You install VPN apps on priority devices: laptops, phones, maybe one TV.

Pros

• Easiest to set up.
• You can choose which devices are on VPN and which aren’t.
• No risk of locking smart devices or banking apps behind a foreign IP if you don’t want that.

Cons

• Not all platforms support VPN apps nicely (some smart TVs, IoT gear).
• You might hit your VPN’s simultaneous device limit.
• Kids’ devices might not be protected if you forget to install or enable the app.

3. 5G router with router‑level VPN

Best for: Small offices, privacy‑obsessed users, or homes with a LOT of devices.

In this setup:

• You configure the 5G router to connect directly to a VPN server.
• Every single device on your Wi‑Fi automatically uses the VPN – no extra apps.

Pros

• Set‑and‑forget protection for the whole network.
• Great when you have tons of gadgets (TVs, tablets, consoles, IoT).
• Good for remote workers whose companies require all traffic to go through a VPN.

Cons

• More advanced to set up (and not all 5G routers support it).
• Debugging is harder: if something breaks, everything breaks.
• Some banking/streaming services might complain about the foreign IP.

Data snapshot: which VPN + 5G setup suits you?

For most South African homes, option 2 is the sweet spot: a fast 5G router with VPN apps only where you really need them. Option 3 is powerful, but you must be willing to tinker.

Does your 5G router actually support VPN?

Here’s the catch: not every 5G router can run a VPN at router level. Many of the plug‑and‑play CPE devices shipped by local ISPs have very basic firmware.

Look for these signs in the router’s admin page:

• Menus like “VPN”, “IPSec”, “OpenVPN”, “WireGuard”.
• Advanced sections under WAN, Internet, or Security with VPN client options.
• The ability to upload .ovpn files or enter VPN credentials.

If you see only:

• Wi‑Fi name/password
• Basic firewall settings
• Simple parental controls

…then chances are, your 5G router cannot be a VPN client. You can still:

• Run VPN on devices, or
• Add a second router behind the 5G router that does support VPN (like some ASUS, TP‑Link, or flashed routers).

Why bother with a VPN on 5G in South Africa?

Let’s talk real‑world reasons, not just “privacy” as a vague buzzword.

1. Hiding what you’re doing from your ISP

On any network – 5G or fibre – your ISP can usually see:

• Which domains you visit (e.g. example.com).
• When and how much you download/upload.
• Which IP addresses you connect to.

With a VPN:

• Your ISP sees an encrypted tunnel to the VPN server, and that’s basically it.
• The VPN provider sees the details instead, so you want a no‑logs, audited provider.

This is useful if you don’t like the idea of your internet history being profiled or used for marketing, or you’re just privacy‑minded.

2. Dealing with sketchy throttling and congestion

On congested towers or during peak times, you may feel like:

• Streaming quality drops.
• Gaming pings spike randomly.
• Big downloads crawl, even though speed tests look okay.

A VPN can sometimes help because:

• Your ISP can’t easily classify your traffic as “streaming” or “torrenting”.
• All your heavy usage just looks like generic encrypted data.

It’s not magic; if the tower is saturated, no VPN can force more bandwidth. But on the edges – especially with certain prioritisation rules – a VPN can smooth things out.

3. Unlocking content and avoiding random blocks

We’ve all had that “why is this site not opening on my network?” moment. A WindowsReport/OnMSFT article about SDMoviesPoint, for example, shows how sites can stop loading due to DNS problems, blocking, or domain issues (rel=“nofollow”).

Typical headaches in SA:

• Some video sites, apps, or download pages simply refuse to load.
• Banking or work portals behave differently depending on IP.
• Streaming libraries vary by country.

A VPN helps by:

• Letting you use alternative DNS (many VPNs include their own).
• Routing you through another region (e.g. Europe) where a site still works.
• Giving you access to other countries’ streaming catalogues, subject to each platform’s terms.

Important: Always respect content providers’ T&Cs and local law. VPNs are tools, not a license to do dodgy things.

What to look for in a VPN for 5G routers

When your internet is already fast, the VPN can easily become the bottleneck. For 5G, prioritise:

1. Speed and modern VPN protocols

Look for:

• WireGuard or proprietary WireGuard‑style protocols (e.g. NordLynx from NordVPN).
• A large number of South African and nearby African/European servers.
• Good independent speed tests and reviews – not just marketing claims.

Some providers, like Surfshark (see the Tom’s Guide piece, rel=“nofollow”), aggressively bundle extras like antivirus, but the base speed and network quality still matter most.

2. Strong, audited no‑logs policy

You’re moving your trust from your ISP to the VPN. So you want:

• A clear no‑logs policy in plain English.
• Independent audits verifying that policy where possible.
• A history of not leaking or selling user data.

NordVPN, for example, has had its infrastructure and no‑logs claims audited several times by third parties and is open about that in its marketing.

3. Router support and good apps

Check:

• Does the VPN provider offer router setup guides for the brand you use?
• Can it work via OpenVPN files or WireGuard configs on third‑party routers?
• Are the mobile and desktop apps actually nice to use on a daily basis?

If you want router‑level VPN, providers with full firmware images (on select routers) or clear walkthroughs are worth their weight in gold.

How to combine a 5G router and VPN without losing your mind

Here’s a practical flow for South African users.

Step 1: Decide your “privacy level”

Be honest:

1. “I just want safer browsing on my laptop and phone.”
   → Install a VPN app on those devices only. Use your 5G router as normal.

2. “I want the whole home on VPN, but I’m not a techie.”
   → Use a VPN‑friendly router behind your 5G box (double‑router setup), and follow the provider’s step‑by‑step guide.

3. “I’m comfortable in router menus and don’t mind tinkering.”
   → Try enabling VPN directly on the 5G router if supported.

Step 2: Check your hardware

• Log into your 5G router’s admin page (usually something like 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1).

• Look for any VPN client options.

• If none, consider buying a secondary router and:

  • Put the 5G router in bridge mode if possible, or
  • Connect the second router via Ethernet and use a “DMZ”/exposed host configuration so it gets the public IP.

Step 3: Pick your VPN and protocol

For 5G in SA, you normally want:

• WireGuard/NordLynx or similar for top speed.
• Fallback to OpenVPN UDP if router firmware only supports that.

Install apps on one device first, test speeds with and without VPN on 5G, and see the difference before rolling out to the whole house.

Step 4: Test like a pro (but in 5 minutes)

On a laptop:

1. Run a speed test without VPN (fast.com or similar).
2. Turn VPN on, connect to a nearby country (or local SA server if available).
3. Test again – check ping, download, upload.
4. Open your usual sites, streaming services, and maybe a work VPN if you use one.

If everything feels fine, repeat on a second device (like a smart TV or console if it supports VPN or Smart DNS).

Common mistakes South Africans make with VPNs on 5G

You’re not alone – these catch a lot of people out.

Mistake 1: Buying a fancy 5G router with weak Wi‑Fi coverage

That Italian CPE review you shared mentioned that even good 5G routers can struggle in very large houses and may not have visible external antenna connectors. In SA:

• Many of us live in double‑storey houses, outbuildings, or complexes with thick walls.
• One router in the lounge might not cover the braai area or back room.

Fixes:

• Place the router as central and high as possible.
• Use mesh Wi‑Fi or repeaters to extend coverage.
• Don’t assume 5G speeds will save you if the Wi‑Fi signal itself is weak.

Mistake 2: Expecting VPNs to fix terrible signal

If your actual 5G/4G signal is:

• 1 bar
• Constantly dropping between 4G and 5G
• Competing with neighbours on the same tower

…a VPN won’t magically boost the radio signal. It can help with throttling/classification issues, but:

• Check if you can move the router closer to a window or higher.
• Consider external antennas if your router supports them.
• In some cases, a different network (Vodacom vs Rain etc.) simply works better at your address.

Mistake 3: Forgetting about data usage

5G is fast enough that you can burn through a capped data bundle shockingly quickly:

• 4K streaming
• Cloud game downloads
• OS updates across multiple laptops

VPNs don’t reduce data usage; in fact, they add a tiny overhead. On limited 5G plans, keep an eye on your usage stats in both:

• Your ISP app/portal.
• Your 5G router’s dashboard.

MaTitie Show Time: why a solid VPN like NordVPN still matters

Let’s be honest: between load‑shedding schedules, expensive data, and flaky coverage, South Africans don’t exactly have it easy online. That’s why MaTitie bangs on about controlling what you can control – and a good VPN is one of those levers.

A proper VPN helps you:

• Keep your browsing private from nosy networks and trackers.
• Get more consistent access to streaming, gaming, and work tools on 5G.
• Stay safer on public Wi‑Fi when you’re out at a café or co‑working space.

NordVPN is a strong all‑rounder here:

• Fast protocols (NordLynx) that play nicely with high‑speed 5G.
• A long track record and audited no‑logs policy.
• Apps for practically everything you own, plus solid router support.

If you’re going to pay for a VPN anyway, you might as well choose one that doesn’t frustrate you daily.

🔐 Try NordVPN – 30-day risk-free

MaTitie earns a small commission if you sign up through this link, at no extra cost to you.

FAQ – quick answers to questions readers keep DMing

1. Can I use one VPN subscription on my 5G router and my phone?

Usually yes, as long as you stay under the provider’s device limit. Many VPNs allow 6–10 devices at once.
If you:

• Put the VPN on your router and
• Still use the app on your phone outside the house,

…that counts as two connections. Homes with a lot of users may hit the cap and either need a higher plan or a provider that allows more devices.

2. Will a VPN make my 5G battery usage worse on my phone?

A VPN uses:

• A bit more CPU for encryption/decryption.
• A bit more data (overhead), which means slightly more radio time.

So yes, your phone may drain slightly faster. But with modern chipsets, the difference is usually small unless you’re streaming heavy content for hours. On a home 5G router, you don’t care – it’s plugged into mains, not running on battery.

3. Do I still need antivirus if I’m using a VPN on my 5G router?

Yes. A VPN does not replace antivirus. It:

• Encrypts connections.
• Hides browsing from your ISP.
• Helps with content access.

It doesn’t magically stop malware. That’s why some VPNs, like Surfshark in their Black Friday bundle highlighted by Tom’s Guide (rel=“nofollow”), now add antivirus to their packages. You can use those, or keep using a separate security suite on your devices. Either way, treat VPN and antivirus as two different tools in your toolbox.

Further reading

If you want to go deeper into how connectivity and VPNs fit into a bigger digital picture, these pieces are worth a look:

• “How Entrepreneurs In Africa Can Compete Globally in a Digitally Connected World” – BusinessDay (2025‑11‑28)
  Read on businessday.ng

• “Private Internet Access’ Black Friday VPN deal gives you an extra 4 months free” – Tom’s Guide (2025‑11‑28)
  Read on tomsguide.com

• “SDMoviesPoint Not Opening in Browser: How to Restore Access” – OnMSFT / WindowsReport (2025‑11‑28)
  Read on windowsreport.com

Honest CTA: try a good VPN with your 5G and see for yourself

You can read guides all day, but your 5G tower, router model, and devices are unique. The only way to know how a VPN behaves on your setup is to test it.

NordVPN is a safe starting point for most South Africans because:

• It’s fast enough for 5G streaming and gaming with its NordLynx protocol.
• It has a clean, simple app experience and clear guides for routers.
• It offers a 30‑day money‑back guarantee, so if your speeds or apps don’t play nicely, you can cancel and move on.

Set it up on one or two devices first, then decide if you want to push it to the whole home via your 5G router. No need to commit hard from day one.

Disclaimer

This article was created using a mix of publicly available information, referenced news sources, and AI assistance, then reviewed for accuracy and localisation to South Africa. It’s for general informational purposes only and is not legal, financial, or technical advice. Always double‑check critical details with your VPN provider, router manufacturer, and service agreements before making big changes to your network.