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The Gateway

The Gateway vs a commercial VPN app or router

Short answer

Section titled “Short answer”

Use a commercial VPN app or supported router integration when you want the least operational work and one provider is sufficient. Use The Gateway when several devices, providers, exits, or policy levels must be coordinated from a Linux gateway.

The Gateway does not supply VPN service. You still need your own WireGuard or OpenVPN provider or infrastructure.

Choose the provider app or router integration when

Section titled “Choose the provider app or router integration when”
  • One device or one whole-network tunnel is enough.
  • You want the provider to manage server selection and client updates.
  • You do not need different policies for TVs, laptops, guests, and IoT devices.
  • Operating a Linux gateway is not worth the added control.

Choose The Gateway when

Section titled “Choose The Gateway when”
  • Device groups need different exits, providers, or direct routes.
  • Multiple tunnels should share connections without changing client devices.
  • Protected devices must fail closed if their required path disappears.
  • You need DNS enforcement, bridges, mesh, or policy federation in the same control plane.

Use them together

Section titled “Use them together”

Bring provider-issued WireGuard or OpenVPN configurations to The Gateway and apply them to the appropriate device groups. Verify that the provider permits router use and understand its connection and bandwidth limits.

Important trade-off

Section titled “Important trade-off”

The Gateway increases control and also increases operator responsibility. You own the Linux host, firewall boundary, updates, provider configuration, backups, and failure testing. If the provider’s official app already covers the actual need, it is the simpler option.

Sources and next steps

Section titled “Sources and next steps”