ExpressVPN's New Router Simplifies Network-Wide Security

ExpressVPN's new Fortify router brings faster Wi-Fi 6 speeds and network-level VPN protection, bundling a one-year subscription with the hardware.

ExpressVPN, a leading virtual private network provider, has officially launched a new piece of hardware designed to secure entire networks at once. According to reporting from TechRadar, the company is replacing its Aircove router with a new model named Fortify. The device is priced at $199.99, a package that includes the router itself and a 12-month subscription to ExpressVPN's Advanced service plan. In a strategic partnership, the Fortify is built on the Flint 2 hardware platform from networking specialist GL.iNet. With this launch, ExpressVPN is discontinuing sales of its previous models, the Aircove and Aircove Go. However, the company has confirmed that existing owners of those devices will continue to receive full support and will also be eligible for a discount if they choose to upgrade to the new Fortify router.

The primary upgrade with the Fortify is its adoption of Wi-Fi 6 technology. This newer wireless standard offers significant performance improvements over the Wi-Fi 5 used in the previous Aircove model. Wi-Fi 6 is engineered for greater efficiency, providing faster connection speeds and lower latency, especially in environments crowded with many connected devices. This makes it well-suited for modern offices or homes with numerous laptops, smartphones, smart TVs, and IoT gadgets competing for bandwidth. By partnering with GL.iNet, a company known for its robust and flexible networking hardware, ExpressVPN is able to focus on its core competency: the VPN software and user experience. This collaboration allows ExpressVPN to deliver a high-performance hardware base without having to manage the complexities of router manufacturing, ensuring the underlying device is both powerful and reliable, while its own software provides the seamless, secure VPN integration.

The launch of the Fortify router is part of a broader industry trend where software and service companies are expanding into hardware to create more integrated ecosystems. By offering a physical device, VPN providers can simplify the process of securing a network. Instead of requiring users to install and manage VPN software on every individual computer, phone, and tablet, a VPN router protects every device connected to its network automatically. This is particularly useful for securing devices that cannot run VPN applications natively, such as gaming consoles or certain smart home products. For small businesses and teams managing remote workers, this approach provides a straightforward, “set-it-and-forget-it” solution for ensuring all company traffic from a location is encrypted and secure, simplifying compliance and security protocols without complex IT intervention on each employee's personal devices.

For CTOs and IT security teams, the ExpressVPN Fortify router presents a practical, turnkey solution for a common modern challenge: securing the distributed workforce. It allows a company to ship a pre-configured device to a remote employee, ensuring their home office network meets corporate security standards with minimal setup. This centralized control at the network gateway reduces the risk of security gaps that can arise from misconfigured software on individual endpoints. Looking ahead, the success of this model will likely encourage other major VPN and security-as-a-service providers to explore similar hardware-software bundles. The key factors to watch will be the long-term support for these devices, including the frequency and reliability of firmware updates to patch security vulnerabilities, and how the bundled subscription model evolves to retain customers beyond the initial year.

This launch signals a shift for VPN providers, moving from pure software to integrated hardware solutions. For IT and security teams, the ExpressVPN Fortify offers a simplified, centrally managed way to enforce network-level security and privacy for remote workers or small offices without individual device configuration.

The Fortify router represents a strategic move by ExpressVPN to increase customer lifetime value by bundling hardware with a subscription. For businesses, it provides a cost-effective, all-in-one solution to secure distributed workforces, reducing the administrative overhead and potential security gaps of per-device VPN management.