Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

OpenWrt

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

OpenWrt

OpenWrt Reviews and Details

This page is designed to help you find out whether OpenWrt is good and if it is the right choice for you.

Screenshots and images

  • OpenWrt Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-14

Features & Specs

  1. 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.

  2. Performance

    Being lightweight and efficient, OpenWrt can enhance router performance, leading to faster network speeds and more reliable connections.

  3. 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.

  4. Community Support

    A large and active community surrounds OpenWrt, providing extensive documentation, forums, and support, which can be very helpful for troubleshooting and learning.

  5. 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.

  6. Hardware Compatibility

    OpenWrt is compatible with a wide range of devices, from routers to embedded devices, making it a flexible option for various hardware.

Badges

Promote OpenWrt. You can add any of these badges on your website.

SaaSHub badge
Show embed code

Videos

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

Playing with OpenWrt Wireless Settings

Make Your TP-LINK Router into a High Power Router with OpenWrt

Social recommendations and mentions

We have tracked the following product recommendations or mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you see what people think about OpenWrt and what they use it for.
  • Tenda firmware (multiple versions) contains hidden authentication backdoor
    Use openWrt (https://openwrt.org), and use their hardware list to pick a consumer router with the feature set you need that can be flashed to use openWrt. - Source: Hacker News / 6 days ago
  • AI is killing the web. Can anything save it?
    It's not just SO. Pretty much any site running git-scm caved under pressure from AI bots and is now inaccessible without javascript - kernel, openwrt, etc, etc... https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/stable/linux.git https://openwrt.org/. - Source: Hacker News / 12 months ago
  • 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 2 years ago
  • OpenWrt Site Account Creation
    Unfortunately, I can't create an account via Github on the openwrt site. Source: almost 3 years 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 3 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: about 3 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: about 3 years ago
  • Can I create a secondary virtual wireless access point on one of my proxmox nodes
    Some linux based routers OS would be OpenWRT and VyOS (VyOS is CLI based and does not have a UI). Source: about 3 years ago
  • BT broadband with 3rd party router
    One thing to think of in the future, if youโ€™re brave enough, is can you stick different firmware on it. OpenWRT or, my preferred software for older routers, ddwrt. Iโ€™ve used this to set up a second WiFi network that connected to a VPN provider directly. Handy if you want to, say, get foreign TV (iPlayer like). Source: about 3 years ago
  • How would I use IPTables or NFTables to route internet from 1 ethernet port to another?
    The Linux equivalent of PFsense is OpenWrt. It has images for x86 which can run on hardware or virtual machine, and Arm virtual machine. Source: about 3 years ago
  • What happened with Asus routers this morning?
    Hello, idk ... But if your model is in the device compatibility-list, your should always be able to change to an alternative FOSS firmware. For example to https://openwrt.org or to some maintained tomato-clone like https://freshtomato.org ps. I'm a happy owner of a 10+ years old RT N16 - it runs really great on openwrt ... cheers,. - Source: Hacker News / about 3 years ago
  • Working in neigbouring countries - EU citizen
    For OpenWrt look on the official website for compatible routers and follow the instructions for your device - https://openwrt.org/. Source: about 3 years ago
  • High ping at certain times of the day, will new router help?
    If it's indeed from a single particular router, replacing it with a router that has a good SQM capability might help. If the old router is actually not that old, you could try to see if custom firmware like OpenWRT or somesuch would give such a capability -- though it may be more of a headache since you'll have to configure a bunch of things. Source: about 3 years ago
  • How can I keep this leech off of my wifi?
    Let me preface this with "buying a lockbox is going to be much easier and much less time consuming than this". That said, depending on how deep down the rabbit hole you are willing to and if the router you have is supported by OpenWrt, you could do the following:. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Anyone has any Issues accessing OpenWRT.org and its related subdomain?
    Openwrt.org has an IPv6 record. Try to disable IPv6 and see if that fixes it, you might be experiencing IPv6 routing issues from your location. Source: over 3 years ago
  • VPN on router
    If you are on a budget, take a look at MikroTik, or some more obscure Chinese routers/used known brand routers that can be flashed with OpenWRT or DD-WRT. Source: over 3 years ago
  • How do I write custom firmware for a router?
    I actually discourage rolling your own build, because itโ€™s easy to get lazy and having to keep up with point releases and security patches and all that. As well as not being able to use stock kmod and needing your own source for modules, etc. After doing all that, just reflash back and not have to do much except check https://openwrt.org a few times a year. If thereโ€™s a new release spend a few minutes updating and... Source: over 3 years ago
  • AP with LAN
    Go to http://openwrt.org/ to verify that a device you want to purchase can be modified--whether you want to or not, to support brands that don't promote e-waste. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Is this a good combo? I have a 800 mbps plan with xfinity. How long will these last?
    Openwrt is a good place to start for firmware modification abilities: Https://openwrt.org/. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Turning my laptop into router
    You're better off using something like OpenWRT, which was designed for exactly this. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Build a Linux wireless router out of spare parts in 1998
    OpenWRT [0] OTOH is actually Linux. Also very full featured, including a GUI (LuCI) that even though some times lags a little behind the command-line and config file stuff, is still pretty good. As another FreeBSD-based alternative, there's the PFSense fork OPNSense [1], which started out as a fork of PfSense after the Netgate takeover and complaints about their openness and support for the community. [0]... - Source: Hacker News / over 3 years ago

Summary of the public mentions of OpenWrt

Public Opinion on OpenWrt

OpenWrt stands out as a veteran open-source firmware platform in the domain of network administration, carving its niche in both home and enterprise settings. As per recent discourse circulating within the software and networking community, it garners substantial recognition for its versatility and extensive customization capabilities, especially when it comes to embedded devices like wireless routers.

Advantages of OpenWrt

1. Flexibility and Customization:
OpenWrt is lauded for its ability to transform basic hardware into robust networking devices. Its writable filesystem and package management system allow users to tailor the firmware to specific requirements, which is invaluable in scenarios where custom configurations enhance network performance. This is frequently highlighted in discussions about alternate firmware for better router functionality, such as support for Virtual LAN (VLAN) tagging and Quality of Service (QoS).

2. Community Support and Evolution:
The active open-source community surrounding OpenWrt ensures its continual evolution. Users and developers alike contribute to its repository, creating numerous plugins and extensions that augment its capabilities. This community-driven model has resulted in widespread documentation and support forums, fostering a collaborative atmosphere for troubleshooting and innovation.

3. Compatibility and Versatility:
One of OpenWrt's notable strengths is its wide-ranging compatibility with various hardware. It possesses drivers for nearly all wireless hardware supported by Linux, making it suitable for creating effective Access Points. Unlike many other router firmware options, OpenWrt's ability to run on x86 machinesโ€”as well as routersโ€”adds to its versatility.

4. User Experience:
Although typically seen as requiring more technical know-how than some competitors like pfSense, OpenWrt's GUI (LuCI) has been commended for its functionality, providing users with a comprehensive interface to implement and manage sophisticated configurations.

Recognized Challenges

1. Complexity for Newbies:
While OpenWrt's configurability is a boon for seasoned IT professionals, it may present a steep learning curve for individuals unfamiliar with network-centric operating systems. Compared to alternatives such as pfSense, which is often noted for user-friendliness, OpenWrt might require users to invest more time in learning and setting up configurations optimally.

2. Occasional Technical Hiccups:
Some users have reported intermittent access issues with the OpenWrt website and forums, which could hinder timely access to community support and resources. These connectivity issues might reflect infrastructural constraints rather than the software itself, but they still affect the overall user experience.

Conclusion

In summary, OpenWrt holds a prestigious place in the realm of network routing and embedded device firmware due to its robust functionality and the extensive customization it offers. Its open-source foundation and community-backed development assure its relevance and adaptability in evolving networking environments. While it may demand more technical patience compared to some alternatives, its capabilities make it a formidable choice for those seeking a powerful, customizable, and community-supported networking solution.

Do you know an article comparing OpenWrt to other products?
Suggest a link to a post with product alternatives.

Suggest an article

OpenWrt discussion

Log in or Post with

Is OpenWrt good? This is an informative page that will help you find out. Moreover, you can review and discuss OpenWrt here. The primary details have not been verified within the last quarter, and they might be outdated. If you think we are missing something, please use the means on this page to comment or suggest changes. All reviews and comments are highly encouranged and appreciated as they help everyone in the community to make an informed choice. Please always be kind and objective when evaluating a product and sharing your opinion.