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OpenWrt VS Ubuntu Server

Compare OpenWrt VS Ubuntu Server and see what are their differences

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Contents:
  1. » Base Details
  2. » Videos
  3. » Reviews
  4. » Alternatives

OpenWrt logo OpenWrt

OpenWrt is an open-source firmware based on Linux for wireless routers

Ubuntu Server logo Ubuntu Server

Secure, fast and economically scalable, Ubuntu helps you make the most of your infrastructure. Whether you want to deploy a cloud or a web farm, Ubuntu Server supports the most popular hardware and software.
  • OpenWrt Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-14
  • Ubuntu Server Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-11-03

OpenWrt features and specs

  • Customizability
    OpenWrt provides a high degree of customizability, allowing users to install and configure a wide variety of software packages to tailor the firmware to specific needs.
  • Performance
    Being lightweight and efficient, OpenWrt can enhance router performance, leading to faster network speeds and more reliable connections.
  • Security
    OpenWrt receives regular updates and has strong security features, including state-of-the-art encryption and support for VPNs, which can help protect your network.
  • Community Support
    A large and active community surrounds OpenWrt, providing extensive documentation, forums, and support, which can be very helpful for troubleshooting and learning.
  • Open Source
    As an open-source project, OpenWrt allows users to freely inspect, modify, and share the software, contributing to transparency and community-driven improvements.
  • Hardware Compatibility
    OpenWrt is compatible with a wide range of devices, from routers to embedded devices, making it a flexible option for various hardware.

Possible disadvantages of OpenWrt

  • Technical Complexity
    The high level of customization and advanced features can be overwhelming for inexperienced users, requiring a steep learning curve to effectively manage the firmware.
  • Potential Stability Issues
    Although generally stable, custom configurations and new updates can sometimes lead to instability or bugs, which may require troubleshooting.
  • Limited Manufacturer Support
    Using OpenWrt might void the warranty or result in limited support from the router manufacturer, as it replaces the stock firmware with a third-party alternative.
  • Initial Setup
    The initial installation and setup process can be complex and time-consuming, especially for users who are not familiar with command-line interfaces and networking concepts.
  • Resource Intensive on Low-End Hardware
    On lower-end or older hardware, OpenWrt might not perform optimally, and some features could be too resource-intensive to function properly.

Ubuntu Server features and specs

  • Open Source
    Ubuntu Server is open source, which means it is free to use, modify, and distribute. This can lead to cost savings and flexibility for custom deployments.
  • Strong Community Support
    It has a large and active community that offers extensive support, documentation, and a wealth of forums and tutorials to solve issues or gain more information.
  • Robust Security
    Ubuntu Server provides strong security features, including regular updates and patches, security advisories, and the Uncomplicated Firewall (UFW) for easier network protection.
  • Compatibility
    Ubuntu Server is compatible with most major hardware and virtualization platforms, making it easier to implement in various environments.
  • Regular Releases
    Canonically delivers both Long Term Support (LTS) and interim releases, keeping the server up-to-date with the latest features and enhancements.

Possible disadvantages of Ubuntu Server

  • Complexity for Beginners
    Linux-based systems, like Ubuntu Server, can be more complex and challenging for users who are unfamiliar with command-line interfaces or system administration tasks.
  • Limited Commercial Support
    While there is a community, direct commercial support is not as extensive as more traditional OS vendors unless you opt for premium services from Canonical.
  • Software Compatibility
    Not all proprietary software is available for Linux systems, which may require alternatives or additional compatibility layers.
  • Hardware Compatibility Issues
    Some hardware might not have drivers available for Linux, potentially leading to additional configurations or incompatibility.
  • Resource Intensive for Newer Releases
    While generally efficient, newer releases can sometimes demand increased resources, potentially affecting performance on older hardware.

Analysis of OpenWrt

Overall verdict

  • Yes, OpenWrt is considered good for users who need a robust and customizable router firmware that can be tailored to specific network requirements.

Why this product is good

  • OpenWrt is widely regarded as a good choice for custom router firmware due to its flexibility, extensive community support, and ability to enhance network performance. It allows users to install additional software packages and customize their network settings in ways not typically available on stock firmware. Additionally, OpenWrt regularly updates to address security vulnerabilities, providing a secure environment for diverse networking needs.

Recommended for

  • Tech-savvy users looking to extend their router functionality
  • Individuals interested in improving network security
  • Users who require advanced networking features
  • Anyone wanting to repurpose old hardware into a stable networking device
  • Open-source enthusiasts who appreciate community-driven projects

OpenWrt videos

+ Add

Upgrading Your Home Router to OpenWRT and Why It Is Worth It

More videos:

  • Review - Playing with OpenWrt Wireless Settings
  • Review - Make Your TP-LINK Router into a High Power Router with OpenWrt

Ubuntu Server videos

+ Add

Differences: Ubuntu Desktop vs. Ubuntu Server

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to OpenWrt and Ubuntu Server)

OpenWrt

Ubuntu Server

Operating Systems
94 94%
Operating Systems
6% 6
Cloud Computing
0 0%
Cloud Computing
100% 100
Linux
100 100%
Linux
0% 0
Cloud Storage
0 0%
Cloud Storage
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare OpenWrt and Ubuntu Server

OpenWrt Reviews

Best pfSense Software Alternatives and Competitors
Both pfSense and OpenWRT are formidable and versatile alternatives for network administration software. While OpenWRT is designed for embedded devices such as routers, Pfsense focuses on firewalls and routing functions that are more complex. Pfsense is more user-friendly, while OpenWRT provides more configuration options. Both are supported by thriving online communities...
Source: www.zenarmor.com
The Best Open Source Router OS Software for Large or Small Networks
OpenWrt also offers a range of advanced networking configurations, including support for Quality of Service (QoS), network address translation (NAT), and virtual LAN (VLAN) tagging. These features make OpenWrt an attractive option for businesses and organizations that require more advanced networking capabilities. The open-source nature of OpenWrt means that users can...
Source: www.comparitech.com
Best free Linux router and firewall distributions of 2023
Unlike IPFire, OpenWRT has a large number of optional packages in its repository. As a result, you can configure this OS in countless different ways. Most importantly, OpenWRT has drivers for all hardware supported by Linux. This means that almost all Wireless hardware is supported, making it the most versatile OS for creating Access Points.
Source: teklager.se
Top 7 pfSense Alternatives
OpenWRT is made primarily to replace the software on existing routers, but it can also run on x86 (PCs, server hardware, VMs) machines. It is a very mature OS and has some of the best Wi-Fi support around, unlike a lot of other router software options. It has a pretty good GUI and a ton of add-on packages.
Source: hometechhacker.com
7 Best Router Firmware | Open Source | 2022
OpenWrt Project is a Linux based alternative open source firmware for routers in 2022 and embedded systems. And it is one of the best Open Source Firmware that offers you an utterly writable filesystem along with package management. It allows for full customization and lets you customize the device for any application.
Source: viralhax.com

Ubuntu Server Reviews

13 Best XAMPP Alternatives
Ubuntu Server is a version of Ubuntu that’s ready to run right out of the box. Unlike other operating systems, Ubuntu isn’t meant to be installed on your computer and left alone. Instead, it was designed to be a server, meaning it’s ready for someone who knows how servers work—and how they’re different from your home computer—to set up and use immediately.
Source: thetechtian.com
Best Linux distros of 2021 for beginners, mainstream and advanced users
In some aspects, the Ubuntu Server edition is just as popular as the desktop version. Ubuntu produces both LTS and non-LTS releases of the server just as with the desktop.
Source: www.techradar.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, OpenWrt seems to be a lot more popular than Ubuntu Server. While we know about 103 links to OpenWrt, we've tracked only 3 mentions of Ubuntu Server. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

OpenWrt mentions (103)

  • Recommendation for a wifi router with L2TP or other VPN server support?
    If your current router supports a custom firmware like openWRT then you could do this without having to buy a new one. Source: over 1 year ago
  • OpenWrt Site Account Creation
    Unfortunately, I can't create an account via Github on the openwrt site. Source: over 1 year ago
  • openwrt.org not loading
    Anyone else having trouble reaching openwrt.org right now? I can't get the forums, main page or downloads. I've done plenty of troubleshooting and there isn't anything else on my network having trouble reaching anything else on the internet. Source: over 1 year ago
  • Things just got a little weird, my current network is down, I'm a newb trying to start from the ground up and I found out I actually have another (newer) wifi router.... what to do?
    On the router. openwrt.org has lots of great documentation that lays out exactly what you're looking for and then some. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • As of June 2023, what is the best router that I could buy specifically for ease of use with all things pi-hole related
    Is the Verizon one a combined modem/router? If you want to add your own router, you might have to call them and ask them to put it into bridged mode. I like OpenWRT because it gives you a lot of customization options. I've just been running it on an old TP-Link Archer C7 for the past 5 years or so and I haven't had any issues, but that's ancient hardware now. Source: almost 2 years ago
View more

Ubuntu Server mentions (3)

  • IoT in September: a recap
    [ASUS IoT](https://iot.asus.com/) is a provider of embedded systems and AIoT hardware solutions. Notable among those is their [PE100A](https://iot.asus.com/products/intelligent-edge-computer/PE100A/) device, an edge computer featuring an i.MX 8M scalable SoC processor for low power consumption. The [PE100A](https://iot.asus.com/products/intelligent-edge-computer/PE100A/) is the first NXP i.MX8 Canonical... Source: over 2 years ago
  • Your Old Laptop Is Your New Database Server
    It looked like a good candidate for an always-available server; a machine that I could connect to at any time and install any kind of server software that I could need when developing apps. In times of Docker containers, configuring a machine to run server software is extremely easy. In this article, I’ll show you how to take advantage of that old laptop by installing Ubuntu Server, Docker, and a MariaDB database... - Source: dev.to / almost 3 years ago
  • Hosting Multiple ASP.NET Core Apps in Ubuntu Linux Server Using Apache
    ASP.NET Core is a cross-platform web development framework that supports developing applications on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android platforms. Hosting an ASP.NET Core application in Linux is complicated when compared to hosting one in Windows. In this article, I will explain how to easily host multiple ASP.NET Core apps in Ubuntu Linux server with Apache as a reverse proxy server. - Source: dev.to / almost 4 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing OpenWrt and Ubuntu Server, you can also consider the following products

MikroTik RouterOS - The main product of MikroTik is a Linux-based operating system known as MikroTik RouterOS.

Zentyal - Linux directory, domain, mail, gateway and infrastructure server for SMBs.

pfSense - pfSense is a free and open source firewall and router that also features unified threat management, load balancing, multi WAN, and more

OpenMediaVault - OpenMediaVault is the next generation network attached storage (NAS) solution based on Debian Linux.

OPNsense - OPNsense® you next open source firewall. Free Download. High-end Security Made Easy™. Offers Intrusion Prevention, Captive Portal, Traffic Shaping and more.

NethServer - NethServer is an operating system for Linux enthusiasts, designed for small offices and medium...

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