Their single-core CPU can’t handle fast VPN speeds, and hits 100% utilization around 8-12 Mbps over VPN (depending on whether your VPN uses 128-bit or 256-bit encryption). ASUSWRT is currently the best stock router firmware available (our opinion). Keep in mind that at this price point, you could easily afford a high-end router from ASUS’s new AX lineup. Remember to follow the peacock thread first for background , use this page to identify your router model correctly, and use the dd-wrt download search page (DD-WRT Downloads page or secure version) to ensure that you are getting the correct file (or files, as often is required) for the job. In other words, if you choose an ASUSWRT router, you won’t have to flash a 3rd-party router firmware like DD-WRT or TomatoUSB and risk ‘bricking’ your $200 router. Personally, I think the best blend of price and power is the ASUS RT-AC68U which is the most affordable dual-core processor, and can easily handle 25+Mbps VPN speeds, or operating as an NAS cloud drive. That's virtually impossible, it's an all Broadcom (BCM49408 SOC, BCM43684 WLAN) design, for which no wireless drivers exist.. It can also run the ASUS-WRT Merlin upgraded firmware. ASUSTeK Computer Incorporated manufactures a series of network routers directly competing with Linksys routers from Belkin. They’ve served me flawlessly for almost 5 years. Note: This step can take several minutes. ©ASUSTeK Computer Inc. All rights reserved. Key in your router’s username and password on the login page. Open a serial terminal program and connect to the port used for the serial connection to the router. Actually, it’s the RT-AC5300, Asus’s top-of-the-line router that usually costs almost as much as an iPad. In fact, I wanted a portable router and file server, and the item that fit the bill was a little OpenWRT router. 3rd-party firmware support: The AC68U is supported by all of the major 3rd-party firmwares, including DD-WRT, Tomato (Advanced Tomato, Shibby, FreshTomato) as well as ASUS-WRT Merlin (based on Tomato). ASUSWRT feature availability varies according to router model. Time-Honored Craftsmanship, Smart Customization. This our pick for the best blend of performance and value. Below is a comparison chart showing the features and hardware for each of the routers in this article. The enhanced ASUSWRT graphical user interface gives you easy access to the 30-second, 3-step web-based installation process. At this time (2019), the MT7621A is the only device on which OpenWrt supports hardware offload. If you want to run a home media server or connect your router to a VPN, you should probably choose choose one of the dual-core routers below. According to ASUS the name originated from Pegasus,the winged horse of Greek mythology. USB storage on ASUS routers can be used as a Time Machine® drive for backing up your Apple Mac desktops or laptops. The AC5300 basically an AC88U on steroids, including: 8 antennas, dual WAN ports (combine two internet connections in one router) and a maximum wifi capacity of 5.3Gbps. These can even be set up to to operate as separate wireless networks (a different SSID for each). At it's longest edge, the router itself is around the length of my index finger: Step 10: Re-open your Browser and type the https://router.asus.com:8443 at URL bar in Chrome. If an infected device tries to connect to the router, AiProtection will detect it and immediately block all communication between the device and the malicious remote server. It could also infect other devices, send infected emails to your contacts, or be used to conduct web attacks remotely — all of which can paralyze your home internet. AiProtection’s DPI engine is capable of identifying and blocking attacking packets before they reach vulnerable devices and protects your entire network. It’s also great for parents who want to keep an eye on their children’s internet usage, or for small businesses who need to monitor employees’ internet activity. By installing the Asus Merlin Firmware your router will retain even the current settings, so there is no worry that you will need to re-configure your router after the update. The Asus RT-AC88U router gives you speed, range, connection to a number of devices, and the latest technology. It can even intelligently resume downloads that you’ve started from your PC, after its been shut down. Without further ado, here’s our comparison of the best ASUS routers for VPN…. Speeds are still good, the CPU is running strong and I’ve fleshed to custom firmware dozens of times without a hitch. There’s a reason ASUS still makes this model. OpenWRT (LEDE) Over the weekend, prior to writing this post, I ordered a new wireless router, the GL.iNet GL-AR750. And of course, you can download directly to your attached USB drive connected to your router. The AC-5300 actually shares the same 1.4Ghz dual-core processor as the cheaper AC88U. The more expensive models have faster multi-core CPU’s. The Asus Wifi router I bought about 3-4 years ago systematically degraded to the point where I could no longer connect as a Wifi client or get the admin interface to function properly. Instead, build your own cloud server and have 100% private file storage accessible from anywhere. It’s dual-core CPU should be powerful enough for most users, and works flawlessly as a dedicated VPN router. The Asus AX3000 is our top pick of the new line, because it offers fantastic performance at an acceptable (sub-$200) price point. Once completed you should see the DD-WRT page. You also get better wireless security thanks to the new WPA3 authentication standard. Asus is a Taiwanese multinational electronic company founded in 1989. Welcome to the official website for the Asuswrt-Merlin firmware project, a third party alternative firmware for Asus routers, with a special emphasis on tweaks and fixes rather than radical changes or collecting as many features as possible. Cybercriminals exploit these vulnerabilities to steal sensitive personal information. Guests cannot access your primary network or any other connected devices. Your connection will be switched to Secure. There’s even an ASUSWRT app for Android and iOS that lets you access your files from your mobile device. Advanced parental controls help you to prevent users from visiting inappropriate websites, for example keeping young children safe from viewing adult content. AiProtection, incorporating state-of-the-art, three-pronged security from Trend Micro™, gives you enterprise-level security in the home — making ASUS routers equipped with this feature the most secure home routers you can buy! AC1600 AC1600 WiFi Router. The variation between models is primarily hardware, # of antennas, and CPU speed. This malware could then steal sensitive personal information and even infect other devices. While their firmware capabilities are basically identical, the AC-5300 does add a few upgrades: The AC5300 has it’s own custom DD-WRT build. OpenWrt officially supports software flow offload on several SoCs, which can greatly speed “NAT-only” configurations. This website earns money by matching visitors (you) with VPN services. How to full controlling the ASUS router with original firmware via a command line by the Telnet access protocol. They all run similar versions of the same ASUSWRT firmware. We’ll have tutorials for all of these features in the future, but since this site is vpn-focused, we’ve already got step-by-step guide on how to use your ASUS-WRT router with any OpenVPN-enabled VPN provider. This website uses cookies. Downloadmaster is a built-in torrent client that can be installed on your ASUSWRT router in a single click. Don’t worry about giving out your secret router password to guests or acquaintances. What other router manufacturer can claim that? Choose a dual-core model – When using a router as a VPN client, NAS, or cloud server, the limiting factor for speed is usually the router’s CPU. It will also send you an instant alert so that you can take steps to fix the infected device. It is a dual-band router with both 5ghz and 2.4ghz bands. How to Install ASUS-WRT Merlin Router Firmware AsusWRT Merlin router firmware is an improvement over the stock Asus firmware with many new features and bug fixes. Cinematic entertainment, supercharged performance. The higher end models also offer a bit more range (though the 68U should cover a 2000-3000 square foot house just fine. Applications and tasks can be prioritized easily using drag-and-drop presets for gaming, media streaming, VoIP, web browsing and file transfers. Many simple problems can compromise security, such as a weak router password, unencrypted Wi-Fi or unblocked remote access. Connect an Ethernet cable to one of the four LAN -ports (yellow). By using the website, you agree … OpenWRT is the oldest open-source router project. ASUSWRT gives even low-tech users easy control of advanced router functionality. DD-WRT v24: tested: OpenWrt White Russian: tested ASUS RT-AC51U Supported Versions Hardware Highlights Installation -> Install OpenWrt (generic explanation) ASUS Firmware Restoration Tool Easiest solution for Windows users, confirmed working as of June 2019. The cheapest models are single core. Personally, I think most people will be quite satisfied with the mid-range (and mid-priced) RT-AC68U, which has 100% of the functionality of the higher-end models, and enough horsepower (CPU speed) to handle solid VPN speeds. WARNING: Builds of DD-WRT later than 08/04/2006 (v23 SP2) have some protections against changing the web UI. Simply connect the cables to the router, open a Web browser, and follow the setup wizard to get you to the internet in no time. Asus routers are fairly easy to configure with high performance qualities. This essentially allows you to have 2 wireless networks in 1 router (and that’s not even counting the guest-network functionality). You should buy a higher-end model if: You primarily want to operate your router as an NAS/cloud drive, as a faster processor will give you better transfer speeds from the attached USB 3.0 drive. It’s no secret we at VPNUniversity love ASUS routers. 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