ExpressVPN today announced Fortify (GL-MT6000), its new high-performance Wi-Fi 6 VPN router option, built on GL.iNet’s established Flint 2 platform.
Fortify arrives as ExpressVPN retires Aircove and Aircove Go from sale and ends production of both models. Existing customers can continue using their routers, with critical security updates and customer support continuing through 2027 for Aircove and 2028 for Aircove Go.
Compared with Aircove, Fortify brings a significant hardware upgrade, including Wi-Fi 6 AX6000, 4×4 MU-MIMO, a faster processor, more memory, Multi-Gig connectivity, support for up to 86 concurrent devices, and VPN speeds up to 900 Mbps* on WireGuard®, compared with up to 330 Mbps on Aircove. Fortify also includes 12 months of the ExpressVPN Advanced plan for new and returning users, covering the ExpressVPN service used through the router as well as ExpressVPN apps and Advanced plan privacy and security features on personal devices.
Fortify also marks a new approach to ExpressVPN’s router strategy going forward. GL.iNet brings specialist networking hardware, firmware, and the router platform, while ExpressVPN brings the VPN and privacy technology.
A more capable platform for ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN first brought its VPN to routers with dedicated router firmware in 2016, before introducing Aircove as a purpose-built VPN router.
Fortify moves that experience onto GL.iNet’s Flint 2 platform, pairing substantially more capable hardware from a specialist networking company with ExpressVPN’s VPN and privacy technology. Protecting at the network level matters because modern homes rely on far more than phones and laptops, and much of what’s connected can’t run a VPN app of its own.
Fortify includes:
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AX6000 Wi-Fi 6 Performance: Max. 1148 Mbps (2.4 GHz) + 4804 Mbps (5 GHz)
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4×4 MU-MIMO, compared with 2×2 on Aircove
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Quad-core 2.0GHz processor
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1GB DDR4 memory and 8GB eMMC storage
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Two 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet ports
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Four Gigabit Ethernet ports
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Support for up to 86 concurrent devices
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VPN speeds up to 900 Mbps on WireGuard®*, compared with up to 330 Mbps on Aircove
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Multi-WAN failover
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Smart Queue Management to help manage latency across busy networks
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AdGuard Home support for network-level ad and tracker blocking
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GL.iNet’s networking platform
At launch, Fortify connects to ExpressVPN using WireGuard®, with the VPN configured and managed through GL.iNet’s router interface. The platform also retains GL.iNet’s established networking functionality.
12 months of the ExpressVPN Advanced plan included
Fortify comes with 12 months of the ExpressVPN Advanced plan for new and returning users.
The subscription powers ExpressVPN through Fortify and can also be used through ExpressVPN apps when personal devices leave the home. The Advanced plan includes ExpressKeys, ExpressVPN’s zero-knowledge password manager; Advanced Protection for blocking ads, trackers, and malicious sites, with parental controls for adult content; and ExpressMailGuard for email privacy.
The 12-month plan also includes up to three days of holiday.com eSIM data, while U.S. customers get Identity Defender.
These additional Advanced plan features are available through ExpressVPN’s apps rather than through the Fortify router interface.
“Fortify gives customers a significantly more capable router while allowing both companies to focus on what they do best: GL.iNet on networking hardware and ExpressVPN on VPN and privacy technology,” said Zac Eller, GM of Global Partnerships at ExpressVPN. “With 12 months of the ExpressVPN Advanced plan included, it’s a stronger offer for customers today and the start of a longer-term router partnership with GL.iNet.”
A new model for ExpressVPN routers
GL.iNet has worked with ExpressVPN since Aircove and specializes in networking hardware. Its products are used in more than 120 countries and have an established following among networking enthusiasts and privacy-focused users.
Fortify is the first product in a longer-term co-branded router partnership between the companies. GL.iNet provides the hardware, firmware, and networking platform, while ExpressVPN provides the VPN service and privacy technology. The companies plan to continue exploring future router experiences together.
“At GL.iNet, we are deeply committed to engineering refined networking solutions that prioritize seamless integration and user experience,” said Alfie Zhao, Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer at GL.iNet. “ExpressVPN is a recognized leader in the VPN industry, and we greatly appreciate the high level of professionalism and dedication their team brought to this collaboration. Fortify reflects our joint effort to make home-network VPN management intuitive, powerful, and accessible right out of the box.”
What Aircove owners need to know
Aircove and Aircove Go are being retired from sale, and ExpressVPN will not produce additional units. Existing customers can continue using their routers and do not need to make any changes now.
Aircove will continue to receive critical security updates and customer support through 2027, while Aircove Go will be supported through 2028.
Existing Aircove and Aircove Go owners will also be eligible for a discount on Fortify. Customers can contact ExpressVPN Customer Support to confirm their Aircove ownership and receive a discount code.
Availability
Fortify is available from the official GL.iNet website from September 16 at an MSRP of $199.99 USD, with Amazon availability to follow shortly after launch. Regional pricing and availability will be announced separately.
