Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Orange Pi VS MikroTik RouterOS

Compare Orange Pi VS MikroTik RouterOS and see what are their differences

Orange Pi logo Orange Pi

Itโ€™s an open-source single-board computer. It can run Android 4.

MikroTik RouterOS logo MikroTik RouterOS

The main product of MikroTik is a Linux-based operating system known as MikroTik RouterOS.
  • Orange Pi Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-09-15
  • MikroTik RouterOS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-25

Orange Pi features and specs

  • Affordability
    Orange Pi boards are generally less expensive than many other single-board computers, making them an economical choice for budget-conscious projects.
  • Variety of Models
    Orange Pi offers a wide range of models with various specifications and features, allowing users to choose a board that best suits their specific needs and performance requirements.
  • Open Source
    The Orange Pi platform embraces open-source principles, providing access to source code and schematics, which benefits developers looking to customize or understand their hardware deeply.
  • Decent Performance
    Many Orange Pi models come equipped with robust processors and adequate memory, offering reasonable computational power for different applications, such as media centers and home automation projects.
  • Connectivity Options
    Orange Pi boards often include a variety of I/O options, such as USB, HDMI, Ethernet, and GPIO pins, enabling versatile connectivity for peripherals and external components.

Possible disadvantages of Orange Pi

  • Limited Community Support
    Compared to Raspberry Pi, Orange Pi has a smaller user community, which can result in less communal support, fewer tutorials, and limited third-party resources.
  • Software Compatibility
    Orange Pi boards may face issues with software compatibility, including less polished operating systems and drivers, which can lead to challenges in running some applications smoothly.
  • Inconsistent Documentation
    The documentation for Orange Pi can sometimes be incomplete or not well-maintained, making it difficult for users to find answers or troubleshoot problems effectively.
  • Overheating Concerns
    Certain Orange Pi models are prone to overheating under heavy load, necessitating additional cooling solutions to maintain optimal performance and prevent damage.
  • Build Quality Variability
    There can be variations in the build quality of Orange Pi boards compared to more established brands, which might affect the longevity and reliability of the hardware.

MikroTik RouterOS features and specs

  • Cost-Effective
    MikroTik RouterOS offers enterprise-level features at a significantly lower price point compared to other competitors, providing excellent value for small to medium-sized businesses.
  • Feature-Rich
    The OS includes advanced features such as VPN, firewall, bandwidth management, and remote access, making it suitable for a wide range of networking needs.
  • Scalability
    MikroTik RouterOS is highly scalable, making it a good choice for both small networks and large, complex installations.
  • Customizability
    Users have a high degree of control over network settings, enabling customization to meet specific requirements.
  • Strong Community Support
    A large and active online community provides forums, tutorials, and third-party tools to assist users.
  • Regular Updates
    MikroTik frequently releases updates to RouterOS, offering new features and security improvements.

Possible disadvantages of MikroTik RouterOS

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Due to its advanced features and wide range of configuration options, it can be difficult for beginners to get started.
  • Complex Interface
    The interface can be overwhelming and less intuitive compared to other networking solutions, necessitating more time and effort to manage.
  • Limited Third-Party Integrations
    Fewer integrations with third-party tools and services can be a limitation for some users looking for specific functionalities.
  • Hardware Compatibility
    Not all hardware is compatible with MikroTik RouterOS, potentially requiring investment in new, supported devices.
  • Support Costs
    Although there is a strong community, official support from MikroTik can be costly for advanced troubleshooting and issues.
  • Limited Graphical Interface
    For advanced configuration, users often need to rely on command-line interface (CLI), which can be daunting for those more accustomed to graphical user interfaces (GUIs).

Analysis of MikroTik RouterOS

Overall verdict

  • MikroTik RouterOS is a strong choice for those who require robust network management tools at a competitive price. Its extensive feature set, reliability, and scalability make it suitable for both small businesses and enterprise environments.

Why this product is good

  • MikroTik RouterOS is often considered good due to its comprehensive feature set, affordability, and flexibility. It is used by network professionals who appreciate its powerful capabilities, including advanced routing, firewall, and VPN capabilities. RouterOS supports a wide range of network configurations, making it a versatile choice for various networking needs.

Recommended for

    Network administrators, IT professionals, small businesses, and enterprises that require customizability, cost-effectiveness, and a wide range of network management features. It's particularly suitable for those who have the technical expertise to manage more complex networking configurations.

Orange Pi videos

Orange Pi 3

More videos:

  • Review - #080 Orange Pi Zero: Better than the Raspberry Pi Zero? // Review
  • Review - Raspberry Pi 2 VS Orange Pi 2 VS BPi-M2

MikroTik RouterOS videos

MikroTik RouterOS security review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Orange Pi and MikroTik RouterOS)
Operating Systems
19 19%
81% 81
Electronics
100 100%
0% 0
Linux
16 16%
84% 84
Perimeter Security And Firewalls

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Orange Pi and MikroTik RouterOS

Orange Pi Reviews

We have no reviews of Orange Pi yet.
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MikroTik RouterOS Reviews

  1. many bugs that block connections

    since 2 years they didn't fix bugs that block the router from the internet


The Best Open Source Router OS Software for Large or Small Networks
MikroTik RouterOS is an open-source router OS software that is designed to provide a powerful, customizable, and secure networking experience. It is based on the Linux kernel and offers a range of features and capabilities that make it a popular choice among network enthusiasts, developers, and IT professionals. The open-source nature of MikroTik RouterOS means that users...
11 Best pfsense Alternativesย To Secure Your Network
Before acquiring licensed software, MikroTik enables you to test the MikroTik RouterOS technology. This is referred to as Trial Mode by MikroTik, and it allows you to try the whole MikroTik RouterOS features and functionality set for up to 24 hours.
10 Best pfSense Alternatives and Similar Firewalls
RouterOS has a stateful firewall, which conducts stateful inspection and maintains track of the state of network connections traversing it. It also includes Source and Destination Network Address Translation, NAT assistance for common applications, and UPnP compatibility.
5 Router OS Turns Old PC Into High Performance Router And Enterprise Network Switch
RouterOS is the operating system of RouterBOARD. It can also be installed on a PC and will turn it into a router with all the necessary features โ€“ routing, firewall, bandwidth management, wireless access point, backhaul link, hotspot gateway, VPN server and more.
A Feast of Linux-Based Routers
Though the code is not open and it is more of a commercial offering, RouterOS from MikroTik is Linux-based. It installs onto and turns regular PCs into a enterprise-level router. It gives you all the necessary features, including routing, firewall, bandwidth management, wireless access point, backhaul link, hotspot gateway, VPN server, and more.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, MikroTik RouterOS should be more popular than Orange Pi. It has been mentiond 24 times since March 2021. 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.

Orange Pi mentions (7)

  • Official Opi 5+ Ubuntu Jammy does bootloops on my desktop.
    Install a fresh copy of Ubuntu Jammy 1.0.8 from the official listing of downloads on the orangepi.org website. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • thoughts on Orangepi 3B as a music player (feeding a dac)
    - how's the quality of the debian images offered by orangepi.org? Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Orange Pi Zero 2 doesn't boot from SD card anymore.
    Is there a way to force the OPi Zero 2 to boot from a SD? Now it is only booting to the emmc:s crappy android that is worthless. I used to have Armbian for Octoprint on this board on a SD card but it kept shutting down without logging any reason and destroying the prints so I just put it in a drawer. Now after half a year I decided to see if I could run it with a Linux like Armbian, Ubuntu or Debian (tried them... Source: over 2 years ago
  • Request for "Orange Pi OS (Droid) Beta" (Chinese) Img File for NVMe on OP5
    I am asking that a kind soul who has a copy of the referenced file to please upload it (or multiple different revisions) and provide a link for me. The current version of the (English) beta img file for NVMe located on GDrive from orangepi.org is corrupted and I have tried 3 or 4 different methods to flash the img file onto an NVMe SSD, in either Ubuntu or Windows, but to no avail. I would greatly appreciate the... Source: over 2 years ago
  • OrangePi4 LTS in text only mode
    - Download boot image from orangepi.org. Source: over 2 years ago
View more

MikroTik RouterOS mentions (24)

  • What the TP-Link Ban in the US Means for You
    Check out Microtik hardware, itโ€™s good and reasonably priced. No association, I just like it. https://mikrotik.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 9 months ago
  • Ubiquiti showing other users' consoles
    Anyone using Mikrotik these days? Been Mikro-curious for awhile and always see them thrown around as a Unifi alternative. Yet to hear of any firsthand implementations though. [0] https://mikrotik.com/. - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
  • Free - Self-hosted - WebRTC - alternative to Zoom, Teams, Google Meet - Real time video calls, chat, screen sharing, file sharing, collaborative whiteboard, dashboard, rooms scheduler and more!
    I keep reading it as the networking hardware company Mikrotik. Source: over 2 years ago
  • hap ax2 or ax3
    The "Buy" link at the top of mikrotik.com - this is how most hardware vendors with a distribution network have their site set up. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Germany ups reliance on Huawei for 5G despite security fears
    Or Mikrotik from Latvia, for switching/routing: Https://mikrotik.com/. Source: almost 3 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Orange Pi and MikroTik RouterOS, you can also consider the following products

Raspberry Pi - The Raspberry Pi is a tiny and affordable computer that you can use to learn programming through fun, practical projects. Join the global Raspberry Pi community.

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

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

Banana Pi - Banana Pi is a single-board computer made in China. It can run Android, Ubuntu and Debian.

OPNsense - OPNsenseยฎ you next open source firewall. Free Download. High-end Security Made Easyโ„ข. Offers Intrusion Prevention, Captive Portal, Traffic Shaping and more.

Radxa Rock - The Radxa Rock steps up the microprocessor game with a quad-core 1.