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Quagga VS OpenWrt

Compare Quagga VS OpenWrt and see what are their differences

Quagga logo Quagga

Quagga is a network routing software suite providing implementations of Open Shortest Path First...

OpenWrt logo OpenWrt

OpenWrt is an open-source firmware based on Linux for wireless routers
  • Quagga Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-03-27
  • OpenWrt Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-14

Quagga features and specs

  • Open Source
    Quagga is freely available as an open-source software which allows users to modify and distribute the software. This contributes to a wide community support and transparency in its development.
  • Multi-Platform Support
    Quagga can be deployed on various operating systems including Linux, BSD, and Unix-like systems, offering flexibility in deployment environments.
  • Dynamic Routing Protocols
    Quagga supports a range of dynamic routing protocols like OSPF, BGP, RIP, and IS-IS, making it suitable for complex network architectures.
  • Scalability
    Quagga can handle a large number of routes and is suitable for use in both small and large scale network environments.
  • Active Development
    The Quagga project has a history of active development which means that bugs are regularly fixed and features are updated or added.

Possible disadvantages of Quagga

  • Complex Configuration
    Setting up and configuring Quagga can be complicated for users who are not familiar with network protocols or command line interfaces.
  • Limited Support
    While there is community support, Quagga lacks dedicated customer service or official commercial support, which can be a drawback for enterprise environments that require formal support channels.
  • Performance Issues
    In some cases, Quagga may not perform as efficiently as hardware routers or other commercial routing solutions, especially under very high loads.
  • Documentation
    Some users find the documentation to be lacking in certain areas, which can make it difficult to totally understand or access all of its features and capabilities.
  • Security Concerns
    Being open-source and widely used, Quagga can be exposed to security vulnerabilities that require constant attention and updates from its community.

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.

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

Quagga videos

MOJÖ FUN / Quagga - Review #14 (german)

More videos:

  • Review - No Fuss Plus Platform Bed by Quagga Designs

OpenWrt videos

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

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Quagga and OpenWrt)
Operating Systems
13 13%
87% 87
Linux
18 18%
82% 82
Perimeter Security And Firewalls
Routers
0 0%
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 Quagga and OpenWrt

Quagga Reviews

We have no reviews of Quagga yet.
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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...
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...
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.
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

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, OpenWrt seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 103 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.

Quagga mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Quagga yet. Tracking of Quagga recommendations started around Mar 2021.

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: almost 2 years 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
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What are some alternatives?

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

FRRouting - FRRouting (FRR) is an IP routing protocol suite for Linux and Unix platforms which

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

VyOS - VyOS in an open source Linux-based operating system sold and distributed by Sentrium corporations. It is geared toward IT specialists and network administrators for the purpose of securing network and company data... read more.

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

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

OSRM - Utilities, Application Utilities, and Mapping APIs