Hello,
Can someone provide some information about benefits gained by moving to Openwrt from stock Asus firmware? Thanks
OpenWRT won't drop the support for your device within two years (even if Asus usually is pretty good at providing long term support).
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Read the promotional texts.
ASUS does quite well with long term software updates, issuing them yearly even after 5 years after manufacture, but those do not add functionality like WPA3 on Wifi5-AC access points, or absence of QoS on low end platforms etc.
OpenWrt starts bare-bones - only wifi access point behind NAT, then you can add what you need - VPN, DoH, file or print server, without adding any surplus piece of software.
IF OEM functionality satisfies you there is no push to install OpenWrt. You know, if it aint broke dont fix it, especially if you do not have a spare router around.
There is a more extensive list of advanced functionality SOME Asus routers are missing
(this is not OpenWrt, it is AsusWrt mod for Asus broadcom routers, not yours)
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For 99.9% of home users:
- even longer security updates (2-4 years -> 5-10 years)
- VLAN support with intervlan routing via a GUI. This is a "premium" feature that Asus has slow walked out to their expensive models.
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Asus is one of few vendors happily providing security updates way past mandatory warranty. (1)
5 kindof-vlans over proprietary mesh might be a thing “generic user” wished vlans and mesh for. (2)
This is where of list of potential shortcomings help.
Only certain models get that treatment or if the security issue is massive. On average, security updates are 2-4 years with Asus. Yes, they are one of the better brands but the OP isn't asking about comparing asus to other brands. Switching to openwrt should double what Asus provides.
Asus looks to be dumping AX/wifi6 models by end of 2026:
I was speaking towards the benefits beyond what Asus provides. With openwrt you get full vlan support and intervlan routing. Last time I checked, intervlan routing isn't even offered on their ExpertWifi business models. Flashing an RT-AX52 unlocks vlans for $50ish and can function as a vlan aware AP as well.
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And this one handed out by some providers
"Only certain models get that treatment or if the security issue is massive."
Praying for Asus to update an EOL router because it is part of an active botnet being exploited is a terrible security practice.
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You are wrong about security issues being the only driving force of development, wed be whacking insects from vacuim tube computer in the university.
Asus is only patching EOL routers to get them out of the news cycle. That's it.
Asus hates this bad press so much that all their new routers now allow Asus to push security and firmware updates with no ability to reject them.
"Some upgrades addressing important security issues or meeting legal/regulatory requirements will still be downloaded and installed automatically, even if Auto Firmware Upgrade is turned off.
...
Some upgrades addressing important security issues or meeting legal/regulatory requirements will still be downloaded and installed automatically, even if “Security Upgrade” is turned off."
Another benefit to openwrt; asus can't remote brick your router.
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