TP-Link Archer AX55 or GL.iNet Flint 2 for home VPN?

If your main goal is running a VPN across your whole home network, the GL.iNet Flint 2 is the stronger choice. The Archer AX55 supports VPN client and server features, including WireGuard on supported firmware, but Flint 2 is built with VPN use as a major focus and offers much higher published WireGuard and OpenVPN client throughput.

Feature	TP-Link Archer AX55	GL.iNet Flint 2
Wi-Fi class	Wi-Fi 6 AX3000	Wi-Fi 6 AX6000
VPN client	Yes	Yes
WireGuard	Supported on current supported configurations	Yes
OpenVPN	Yes	Yes
VPN server	Yes	Yes
Published WireGuard client speed	Not specified by TP-Link	Up to 900 Mbps
Published OpenVPN client speed	Not specified by TP-Link	Up to 880 Mbps with DCO
Ethernet	1× Gigabit WAN + 4× Gigabit LAN	2× 2.5GbE + 4× Gigabit
Firmware approach	TP-Link firmware	OpenWrt-based GL.iNet firmware
Best fit	Normal home networking with occasional VPN use	VPN-heavy and advanced home networks

VPN speeds are vendor figures and real-world performance varies with the VPN provider, server location, protocol, ISP connection, and configuration.

The main difference: normal router vs. VPN-focused router

The Archer AX55 is a conventional Wi-Fi 6 home router that also has useful VPN functions. TP-Link’s current documentation lists the AX55 among supported models for VPN client functionality, while its documentation also describes using the router as a VPN server for remote access.

Flint 2 takes a different approach. GL.iNet uses an OpenWrt-based platform and puts VPN features much closer to the center of the router’s design. It supports WireGuard and OpenVPN in both client and server roles, along with features such as VPN routing and network-management options.

That difference matters if you are buying specifically for a home VPN rather than simply wanting a router that happens to have VPN support.

Which is faster for VPN use?

For VPN performance, Flint 2 has the clear advantage.

GL.iNet rates the Flint 2 for up to 900 Mbps with WireGuard and up to 880 Mbps with OpenVPN when DCO is supported. Those figures are specifically listed for Ethernet client-mode testing, and GL.iNet warns that real-world speeds can differ.

Independent testing has also found strong WireGuard performance from the Flint 2. One test verified roughly 900 Mbps in a local setup, while other recent testing reported WireGuard speeds in the hundreds of megabits per second under different configurations.

The AX55 can run a VPN client, but TP-Link does not publish a comparable headline VPN-throughput figure for it in the documentation reviewed here. Its VPN support is better viewed as an added router feature rather than the primary reason to buy the device.

Why WireGuard matters

If your VPN provider offers WireGuard, it is usually the protocol worth testing first for a router-based VPN because it is designed to be lightweight and fast.

This is particularly important when the router is responsible for encrypting traffic from several devices at once. A router that handles VPN encryption efficiently is less likely to become the bottleneck on a fast internet connection.

Which one is easier for a typical home?

The Archer AX55 is the easier choice if you want a familiar consumer-router experience.

TP-Link provides a standard web interface and documented VPN-client setup. Its current guide lets you add a VPN profile and select which devices should use that VPN connection, leaving other devices on the normal internet connection.

That can be useful in a mixed household. For example, you might want a work computer to use the regular connection while routing a streaming device or another selected device through your VPN.

Flint 2 gives you more control, but that also means more settings. RTINGS describes its OpenWrt-based software as highly configurable and notes that it supports several advanced networking features.

So the trade-off is simple:

• AX55: simpler and more familiar
• Flint 2: more control and more VPN-focused features

What about VPN server use?

If by “home VPN” you mean connecting back to your home network while you are away, both routers can be useful.

The AX55’s documentation includes a WireGuard VPN server feature for creating a VPN connection that lets remote devices access your home network.

Flint 2 can also operate as a VPN server. GL.iNet specifically describes using it to provide remote clients with access through a VPN tunnel.

This is different from using a commercial VPN provider.

For example:

Remote-access VPN:
Your phone is away from home and connects securely back to your home network.

VPN-client setup:
Your home router connects to a VPN provider, and selected or all home devices send internet traffic through that VPN.

Both routers can serve these roles, but Flint 2 offers more flexibility if VPN functionality is central to your network.

Which router is better for multiple VPN devices?

Flint 2 is the better fit.

Imagine a home with:

• Two laptops
• Several phones
• Smart TVs
• Game consoles
• Smart-home devices
• A NAS
• A desktop PC

If the router is handling VPN encryption for many devices, processing power and VPN software features become more important than simply having a VPN checkbox in the router’s interface.

Flint 2 has a quad-core 2.0 GHz processor and 1GB of DDR4 memory, compared with the AX55’s more conventional AX3000 hardware platform. GL.iNet also gives Flint 2 two 2.5GbE ports, which provides more room for fast wired networking.

That makes Flint 2 a better foundation for a VPN-heavy home network.

When does the Archer AX55 make more sense?

The AX55 still makes sense if VPN is only one part of what you need.

Choose the Archer AX55 if:

• You mainly want straightforward Wi-Fi 6 networking.
• You only occasionally use a router-level VPN.
• You prefer TP-Link’s conventional interface.
• You do not need advanced VPN routing.
• Your internet plan does not require very high VPN throughput.
• You want a simpler setup rather than extensive network customization.

TP-Link’s current support documentation confirms the AX55 is included among its supported VPN-client models, while its US support page also lists the AX55 hardware version and firmware resources.

When should you buy the Flint 2?

Flint 2 is the better pick when VPN performance and control are the reason you’re replacing your router.

It is especially attractive if you want:

• WireGuard across the whole network
• High VPN throughput
• VPN client and server capabilities
• More advanced routing options
• OpenWrt-based customization
• 2.5GbE networking
• AdGuard Home
• Multi-WAN features
• Greater control over network behavior

GL.iNet lists WireGuard client throughput up to 900 Mbps and OpenVPN client throughput up to 880 Mbps with DCO, although these are controlled test figures rather than guarantees for every home setup.

A practical example: a 500 Mbps internet plan

Suppose your household has a 500 Mbps fiber connection and you want every device to use a commercial VPN.

With the AX55, the key question is whether its VPN implementation can maintain enough throughput for your connection and usage pattern. TP-Link gives you the VPN-client functionality, but it does not provide the same prominent VPN performance figures that GL.iNet publishes for Flint 2.

With Flint 2, the hardware is much more clearly aimed at this workload. Its published WireGuard client figure is up to 900 Mbps, leaving substantial theoretical headroom above a 500 Mbps connection.

Your actual result can still be much lower because the VPN server, distance, encryption protocol, Wi-Fi connection, and ISP all affect performance.

A practical example: only one or two devices need the VPN

This is where the AX55 becomes more appealing.

If you have a normal household network but want only a couple of devices routed through a VPN, buying a VPN-focused router may provide more capability than you actually need.

TP-Link’s VPN client supports selecting devices for the VPN connection, so you can keep other devices on the regular connection.

For a basic setup, that can be enough.

What about 2.5GbE?

Flint 2 wins this category easily.

The AX55 has Gigabit Ethernet ports, while Flint 2 has two 2.5GbE ports plus four Gigabit ports.

That matters if you have:

• Internet service above 1 Gbps
• A fast NAS
• A 2.5GbE desktop
• A home server
• Multiple high-speed wired devices

If your internet service is 300–500 Mbps and you have no fast wired network, this advantage may not matter much.

Are there any Flint 2 VPN limitations?

Yes. High advertised VPN throughput does not mean every VPN configuration will be fast.

VPN performance can change based on the provider and server you select. Users have also reported configuration-specific issues involving IPv6 and hardware acceleration; GL.iNet’s official forum has documented cases where disabling network acceleration resolved particular IPv6 WireGuard problems.

That does not mean Flint 2 is unreliable overall. It means advanced VPN setups can require troubleshooting, especially when IPv6, unusual routing, or specialized configurations are involved.

For a typical setup, start with the default configuration, current firmware, and a nearby VPN server before changing advanced networking settings.

Archer AX55 vs. Flint 2: which should you buy?

For this specific question, GL.iNet Flint 2 is the better choice for home VPN use.

The Archer AX55 is a capable Wi-Fi 6 router with useful VPN client and server support. It is a good option when you want a general-purpose router and VPN is an occasional feature.

Flint 2 is better when the VPN is central to your buying decision. Its stronger hardware, 2.5GbE ports, OpenWrt-based platform, WireGuard support, and published VPN throughput give it much more room for demanding home VPN setups.

If your priority is…	Better choice
Simple everyday Wi-Fi router	Archer AX55
Occasional VPN use	Archer AX55
Whole-home WireGuard	Flint 2
High VPN throughput	Flint 2
VPN server flexibility	Flint 2
Advanced network control	Flint 2
2.5GbE networking	Flint 2
Basic home networking at a lower level of complexity	Archer AX55

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the TP-Link Archer AX55 run a VPN for the whole home?

Yes. The AX55 supports VPN-client functionality, allowing selected devices to use a remote VPN connection without installing VPN software on each device. Exact protocol support can depend on the router’s hardware version and firmware, so check the current TP-Link support page for your specific unit.

Is Flint 2 better than Archer AX55 for WireGuard?

Yes, if WireGuard performance is your main concern. Flint 2 is specifically designed around advanced VPN use and has a published WireGuard client speed of up to 900 Mbps, while TP-Link does not publish a comparable WireGuard throughput figure for the AX55.

Do I need Flint 2 if my internet is only 300 Mbps?

Not necessarily. The AX55 may be enough if you want basic VPN functionality and do not need advanced routing or high VPN throughput. Flint 2 becomes more compelling when you want whole-home WireGuard, higher VPN performance, 2.5GbE, or greater control over your network.

The bottom line is straightforward: buy the Archer AX55 for a conventional home router that can also handle VPN tasks; buy the Flint 2 when VPN performance and flexibility are the priority. Before buying, check the exact hardware/firmware version of the AX55 and the VPN protocol your provider supports. For a VPN-heavy home, WireGuard plus Flint 2 is the stronger combination.

Conclusion

For most home VPN setups, the GL.iNet Flint 2 is the better choice. Its stronger VPN performance, WireGuard support, advanced routing options, and 2.5GbE ports make it a better fit for whole-home VPN use and faster internet connections.

The TP-Link Archer AX55 is still a good option if you mainly want a simple Wi-Fi 6 router with basic VPN features. If VPN performance is your top priority, choose the Flint 2. Before buying, check your VPN provider’s supported protocols and make sure your router firmware is current.