If you want to browse the internet securely in today's digital world, you need a VPN connection. A VPN connection protects your personal data on public Wi-Fi networks, gives you access to foreign content on streaming platforms like Netflix & Co., and gets around censorship in countries like China.

Before you can use a VPN connection, though, you need to set it up. First, decide which device and operating system you use and what exactly you need a VPN connection for. You also need access to a VPN server. If you haven't yet booked a VPN, the VPN comparison on our site may help.

In this article, we show you how to set up a VPN connection on various devices and operating systems such as Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, as well as on your Fritz!Box and Raspberry Pi.

Setting up a VPN on operating systems

To set up a VPN connection on your operating system, follow these steps:

Setting up a VPN on Windows

You can set up a VPN manually under "Settings > Network & Internet > VPN" on Windows or use a VPN provider's client. Both methods are simple and effective. We have a step-by-step guide in our VPN for Windows article:

Setting up a VPN on Windows 10

Setting up a VPN on macOS

You can set up a VPN connection on macOS manually under "System Settings > Network". If you prefer a user-friendly VPN app, most VPN services also offer clients for macOS.

Follow our macOS guides to set up the VPN connection in System Settings or via a VPN app:

Setting up a VPN on macOS

Setting up a VPN on Android

On Android smartphones, you also have the choice between manual setup in the Android settings and using a VPN app. Our VPN guide for Android shows you how to proceed:

Setting up a VPN on your Android smartphone

Setting up a VPN on iOS

VPN connections are also possible on iPhones, either directly through the iOS settings or via a VPN app. You'll find more information and a step-by-step guide in our article:

Setting up a VPN on your iPhone

Setting up your own VPN server

If you want to access your home network from anywhere, setting up your own VPN server is a good option. There are several ways to set up a VPN server, but we'll introduce two of the most popular ones here:

  1. VPN server via Fritz!Box

To set up a VPN connection through your Fritz!Box, you need the following:

  • DNS service: Because the IP address of your Fritz!Box changes every 24 hours, you need a DNS service that can handle this. You can use the Fritz!Box's built-in service called "MyFritz" for this.
  • VPN user: This is a user on your Fritz!Box (which is different from the user of your MyFritz account).
  • VPN client: You need a VPN client on your Windows, macOS, Android, or iOS device.

You'll find a detailed guide with screenshots in the article Setting up a VPN on Fritz!Box.

  1. VPN server via Raspberry Pi

You can also set up a Raspberry Pi as a VPN server. There are two options:

  • If you have some Linux experience, you can install OpenVPN directly on the Raspberry Pi.
  • With the PiVPN tool, it's easy for users to set up the server, since they don't need to work with the command line.
  1. VPN server on Linux

You can also set up your own VPN server using the free Linux operating system. The advantages of the open development model are that you can locate and fix security issues faster than with proprietary software. You can also avoid hidden backdoors, which are often included in other programs and can put your data at risk.

In our article "Setting Up Your Own VPN Server: Here's How", we explain how you can set up your own VPN server on Linux.

VPN Setup Summary

Setting up a VPN connection depends on your operating system and your requirements. If you need a VPN to browse anonymously or bypass geo-restrictions, the easiest option is to use dedicated clients from VPN providers. You can read about the best VPN providers in the big VPN comparison from EXPERTE.de.

If, on the other hand, you want to connect to an office, corporate, or other remote network via VPN, you can set up the VPN connection in your operating system without additional tools, but with a bit more manual effort. Another option is to set up the VPN at the network level, for example through your Fritz!Box or Raspberry Pi.

Our VPN guides for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Fritz!Box, and Raspberry Pi contain detailed step-by-step instructions with screenshots to help you with the setup.