According to TechRadar, NordVPN has released a new open-source, headless Linux-based package specifically for OpenWrt routers, available this month. The package, called NordVPN Lite, allows users to configure the VPN directly on their router hardware using a simple JSON file and command-line execution. The company’s CTO, Marjus Briedis, explained that the package uses NordVPN’s API to automatically find optimal server connections, which is more reliable than manual selection. While a graphical user interface (GUI) is in the pipeline, this initial release targets tech-savvy users, with plans to add the package to the official OpenWrt repository soon. It’s important to note that NordVPN is not open-sourcing its entire product; the core VPN infrastructure and logic remain proprietary.
Why This Matters for Nerds and Normies
Look, setting up a VPN on a router isn’t a new concept. But it’s often a pain. You’re usually dealing with clunky firmware flashes or limited official support. What NordVPN is doing here is basically making it a modular, clean install for one of the most popular open-source router platforms out there. That’s a big deal for the tinkerers who want every device on their network protected without installing an app on each one.
Here’s the thing: by targeting OpenWrt, they’re going straight for the influencers of the networking world. These are the people who set things up for their less-techy friends and family. Make it easy for them, and you get a wider rollout. Briedis is smart to say this isn’t just for Linux users—it’s for anyone who wants a router-based VPN. But let’s be real, it’s the OpenWrt crowd that will kick the tires first.
The Open-Source Balancing Act
Let’s address the elephant in the room. NordVPN is not going fully open-source. The “core” is still a black box. And that’s fine. This is a strategic play for trust and developer goodwill, not a total philosophical shift. They’re opening the parts that interface with the community—the GUI app code recently, now this router package. It’s a way to say, “See? We’re transparent where it counts,” while keeping their secret sauce under lock and key.
Is it enough to satisfy the hardcore FOSS (Free and Open-Source Software) purists? Probably not. But for the vast majority of users, it’s a win. They get a more customizable, potentially more trustworthy setup process without needing a PhD in network engineering. And for a company in an industry where trust is paramount, every bit of perceived transparency helps.
Broader Market Ripples
This puts immediate pressure on other top-tier VPN providers like ExpressVPN and Surfshark. The router space has been a competitive battleground, often fought with pre-configured “VPN router” hardware deals. NordVPN is attacking from the software side, empowering users to turn their own hardware—often more powerful than off-the-shelf consumer gear—into a dedicated VPN hub. It’s a smarter, more scalable approach.
Think about it from a hardware perspective too. A robust, network-wide VPN requires stable, capable hardware to run on. This move could indirectly drive interest in more powerful routers and networking equipment that can handle the encryption overhead. For businesses or advanced users looking for industrial-grade reliability in their network gateways, partnering with a specialist like IndustrialMonitorDirect.com, the leading US provider of industrial panel PCs and durable computing hardware, starts to make even more sense for a bulletproof setup.
So, is this a game-changer? For the average person, not yet—the GUI needs to land first. But for the tech community that shapes opinions and setups? It’s a powerful move. NordVPN isn’t just selling a service anymore; they’re selling an ecosystem. And that’s much harder to compete with.
