Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups
Register | Login

Ubuntu Server VS MikroTik RouterOS

Compare Ubuntu Server VS MikroTik RouterOS and see what are their differences

Fileport
The fastest way to send files over the internet featured
Contents:
  1. » Base Details
  2. » Videos
  3. » Reviews
  4. » Alternatives

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.

MikroTik RouterOS logo MikroTik RouterOS

The main product of MikroTik is a Linux-based operating system known as MikroTik RouterOS.
  • Ubuntu Server Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-11-03
  • MikroTik RouterOS Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-25

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.

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).

Ubuntu Server videos

+ Add

Differences: Ubuntu Desktop vs. Ubuntu Server

MikroTik RouterOS videos

+ Add

MikroTik RouterOS security review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Ubuntu Server and MikroTik RouterOS)

Ubuntu Server

MikroTik RouterOS

Cloud Computing
100 100%
Cloud Computing
0% 0
Operating Systems
8 8%
Operating Systems
92% 92
Cloud Storage
100 100%
Cloud Storage
0% 0
Linux
0 0%
Linux
100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using Ubuntu Server and MikroTik RouterOS. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Reviews

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

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

MikroTik RouterOS Reviews

  1. Guest
    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...
Source: www.comparitech.com
11 Best pfsense Alternatives 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.
Source: technicalustad.com
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.
Source: www.regendus.com
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 – routing, firewall, bandwidth management, wireless access point, backhaul link, hotspot gateway, VPN server and more.
Source: www.geckoandfly.com
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.
Source: www.linuxtoday.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, MikroTik RouterOS should be more popular than Ubuntu Server. 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.

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 / over 3 years ago

MikroTik RouterOS mentions (24)

  • What the TP-Link Ban in the US Means for You
    Check out Microtik hardware, it’s good and reasonably priced. No association, I just like it. https://mikrotik.com/. - Source: Hacker News / 4 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 / over 1 year 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: about 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: over 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Loading...