VPN Recommendation?

[Erik]

I am looking at using a VPN for my home computing and TV (basically just my laptop, which I use to access the internet, and a fire stick) and internet access when traveling. There are a LOT of articles online about how to pick a VPN provider, and reviews of the various ones, and basically it makes my head spin without seeming to provide really useful information. I am looking for some recommendations for a good provider and/or for things to look for that identify a good provider. If it makes any difference, I am using a Lynksys AC1900 (WRT 1900ACS) router and have not installed any other operating system for it. I would love it if there's a worthwhile free service, but I am OK with paying for it if that's the way to go. Thanks in advance for any advice.

[RoyGBiv]

I've had good performance from VYPRVPN. In China they're a bit harder to connect with sometimes, but once connected performance is good.

[Chance]

My father did a lot of research and ended up using NordVPN. He's been pretty happy with it.

ETA: I just read your entire post. Your router has nothing to do with the process. You install the VPN client on your laptop (or any other device), and that directs all of your data to the VPN provider's servers. I wouldn't recommend using it when you're just watching Hulu or something, as bouncing off the VPN can add delay and degrade throughput for other users just trying to surf the web, or whatever. Using when traveling is a good idea, though.

[RoyGBiv]

If your travels are to places other than behind the Great FireWall, any well reviewed VPN will likely work for you.

China makes a lot of effort to manage what gets through the Wall. Picking the most popular VPN will likely be temporary, as the government will target the higher profile services and try to block them. The better services are regularly updating their schemes to defeat this intervention. So, if you're traveling to China (I'm guessing Russia is similar??), best thing to do is read current reviews from the blog-sphere a week or two prior to traveling to see what services are working just then.

As Chance mentioned, the VPN client resides on your device, not router. Make sure whatever service you pick has clients for all the devices you need to use.

[Erik]

Thank you. Very helpful.