Your router, if rented from your ISP, will offer standard configuration options that may leave you wanting for more. Sadly, if you are looking for better upgrades, you may be looking to be set back by many hundreds of dollars. Some will even cost you thousands more, which is what corporate grade security standards would come for. But this not need always be the case – why pay exorbitant amounts for something that should come with your router in the first place?
This is where DD-WRT router units and Open WRT routers come in. Basically, you get to replace your standard firmware in your router with custom third party firmware that will allow you to make adjustments to your router so you get the best out of your product. Needs of internet users differ from person to person – whether you are a designer who needs to constantly upload and download heavy design files, or you work from home and have to video conference all day or you’re an avid gamer who just wants to do nothing more than to simply kick your opponents to infinity and beyond, with Open WRT and DD-WRT, you can now customize your router to fit your specific needs.
If you’re looking to get more from what your standard router offers, you should turn to DD-WRT and Open WRT to supercharge your Router. Let’s learn more about them.
What is Open-WRT?
This is from where it all started. Absolutely open source, this type of firmware is compatible with many high end and low end routers and offers the maximum number of features of any third party open firmware out there. However, being the oldest of the open firmware available, it means that this also used the oldest technology when it came to router management.
This is great for tech geeks who are familiar with the firmware and know how to install and navigate it to operate it with your router. The great point in its favor is that it is compatible with many routers, which makes it easy to install into most routers.
What is DD-WRT?
This is the most preferred firmware and even though this may be a little frustrating for beginners at first, you can successfully navigate your way through the firmware with a little bit of help and research. This has become the popular firmware due to the easy installation and configuration process and extremely easy user-friendliness.
Many of us want fast speed internet and want additional features that our standard routers cannot deliver, and the DD-WRT firmware makes it easy for any tech-layman to understand, operate and navigate this firmware. As this has been around for a while, features have been perfected over time to make a very stable option.
When it comes to pros and cons, the advantages of the DD-WRT firmware far outweigh the disadvantages. Even though it offers considerable improvement to your router and gives the most options, this feature rich firmware can have a cluttered interface that can make it a little hard to navigate, especially for first timers.
There are many support forums that will help you out if you have any problems or queries and the downside is that it is not as compatible with the various market routers as the Open WRT.
Which is better? DD-WRT or Open WRT?
When it comes to DD-WRT vs OpenWRT, you have to see how much time you are willing to invest into customizing your firmware and how much knowledge you have about the firmware. If you are an absolute tech noob, then many would advise you to go for the DD-WRT router as that has been worked upon over the years to make it user friendly, easier to navigate through, and being open source – you know it has been tried and tested by various people all over the globe.
With a few online tutorials, forum help groups and more to guide you along your journey, DD-WRT could be the best thing that happened to your router and your internet life.
When it comes to Open WRT, it could be a little trickier, unless you’re a tech geek who likes to get their hands dirty in figuring out the various features and navigating through the firmware to get the most out of it. If this is you, then you may be in tech heaven as this will offer the most control over your router than any other firmware, but if you’re anything like the majority of internet users, you may be stuck in a jam.
You do have to ensure that you download the right file for installation, and even though there are many YouTube tutorials available to help you get set up, in the end you alone can decide which firmware will work best for you.