We all have a router at home but we do not always make the most of it or exploit all its capabilities. We comply with the firmware that is installed as standard by the manufacturer and there are alternative firmwares for routers that add highly recommended options and functionalities.
If you have a router compatible with a new firmware, choose the one that suits you according to the use you usually give it or what worries you most. Install it and take advantage of all the new features you can have without changing the router you already have.
Why install an alternative firmware?
The main reason why we bet on modifying the manufacturer’s and betting on another is to add options or functions that we cannot have in which it is included as standard. They are usually more basic and less likely options than if we use alternative firmware for routers . Thus, without changing the hardware, we improve its opportunities .
What routers are supported?
Usually, most are compatible but will depend on the manufacturer or the model in question. You can check the compatibility lists in one of the alternative firmwares that we will leave in the next paragraphs or find more information about your model.
There is danger?
It does not pose any danger as such but you must keep in mind that your router is compatible. You should also keep in mind that you will lose the original warranty of the device if you bet on a new firmware. If it is no longer under warranty or you do not mind losing it, go ahead.
Another of the possible risks that may involve installing alternative firmwares for routers is that some problem occurs during the process and that it is damaged and rendered useless. This is not very likely to happen if the router is compatible but could be completely blocked and rendered useless.
What characteristics do they have?
Before we start talking about alternative firmwares we must review some basic characteristics that we should look at when choosing a model or another. Important aspects such as bandwidth limiter or the possibility or not of connecting other routers to the device. You should also check if they include support for VPN servers such as OpenVPN or if they have Access Point for our router to become a WiFi access. Beyond these characteristics, we can look at whether it has QoS technology to prioritize data packets or if they have diagnostic tools that we can access.
The best options
Tomato
One of the best known among alternative firmwares is Tomato, with later versions such as Fresh Tomato or Advanced Tomato that improve the interface or facilitate the installation process. But Tomato is one of the great classics, born in 2008 and with a very active community. It has options such as support for NAS, advanced wireless modes, Virtual LAN, traffic statistics for individual IPs, support for QoS or support for Bittorrent, for example. It is not the best option today and is not compatible with as many devices as in the case of others on this list, such as DD-WRT. There are also more modern versions with an improved interface such as Advanced Tomato.
Fresh Tomato
Based on Tomato firmware, Fresh Tomato is an improved version that is also based on DD-WRT. It is very easy to use if you are looking for something basic and without installation complications. It has less compatibility with router models than DD-WRT, which we will see below, and it has fewer advanced features but you will find options such as QoS, NFS server, ToR client, bandwidth limiter, traffic statistics over IP or Multi-WAN. Fresh Tomato is compatible with a large number of Asus, D-Link, Linksys, Netgear routers …
Advanced Tomato
The best interface will be found in Advanced Tomato with a comfortable and easy to use design, much more modern than the previous ones and very intuitive when navigating through the different options available. Advanced Tomato has all the features of Tomato but shown in a much more efficient and clean and easy to handle for the user.
It is compatible with routers of the brand Asus, Huawei, D-Link, Linksys or Netgear, among other brands, but you can check the complete list of compatible devices from its website . It has bandwidth monitoring, configurable buttons, support for wireless modes or advanced QoS. It is also compatible with VPN functions and with USB and NAS systems.
DD-WRT
If you are looking for the most popular, DD-WRT is one of the best alternative firmwares for routers and has been one of the most used and most stable for years. It is an open source firmware compatible with a wide range of home routers. Some of the advantages of DD-WRT is that it is completely free and very easy to install so it may be the most recommended option if your router is compatible with it.
Beyond its almost global compatibility, it has all kinds of practical functions and absolutely recommended features. It has wireless signal amplifier , filtering systems, ability to use QoS to limit bandwidth, detailed information about speed or connection, intrusion prevention, powerful filtering systems, firewalls, port forwarding, compatibility with IPv4 and IPv6. , support Open VPN, Dynamic DNS …
Download DD-WRT for your router
Open WRT
OpenWRT is a firmware based on a Linux distribution and one of the most popular and used in recent years, with a large community that increases the possibilities of use or the possibilities to solve the problems we encounter. What OpenWrt allows us is to have a fully customizable platform in which we can include the packages that interest us to have certain functions according to what we are looking for exactly.
It has firewall, support for VPN and support for NAS , it is compatible with IPv4 and IPv6, it has the capacity for network analysis or network capture and it has an intrusion prevention IPS system to prevent attacks or abuses on the router in which you install it. Although it is one of the most recommended, it has the disadvantage that it is a firmware more difficult to handle or configure than others on this list.
LEDE
LEDE was born as a project derived from OpenWRT and with many similar characteristics under the name of Linux Embedded Development Environment, LEDE. It is a robust and safe, high performance firmware. It has the same objectives as its predecessor and has features such as VPN services for secure access, with blocking ads or pop-ups, with the possibility of creating Wi-Fi networks for password-protected guests, with time limitations and parental controls for devices selected.
Gargoyle Firmware
Gargoyle Firmware is a version based on OpenWRT but it has a much more comfortable and easy to handle interface than the previous one. Less complex when configuring it and with all kinds of graphics that make it a visual and comfortable option. It has periodic updates to solve possible problems and features such as the ability to bookmark banned websites or block everything except a white list that you can create manually.
You can also monitor the bandwidth of each device created or you can use a ‘bridge’ to connect with other routers. In the case of Gargoyle, it is compatible with many routers and especially those of the TP-Link brand.
ASUSWRT Merlin
If the one you have is an ASUS router and you don’t want to check compatibility with any of the alternative router firmwares, the ASUSWRT Merlin is very likely to be able to use it without any problem in any range. You will keep everything that your Asus router already offers you as standard but, in addition, you will have access to advanced configuration options such as the RADIUS server that will be responsible for authenticating wireless clients or the option of using a VPN through the OpenVPN system. It also has Adaptive QoS service, it will allow you to create networks for guests or use the Transmission download manager.
