Installing a custom firmware on your Wi-Fi router is like God Mode for your home online grid.
Still, there are so many options available it can be tough to pick the right one.
Heres what it’s crucial that you know.
Why Bother Anyway?
If your speed drops, youll know exactly why.
It offers the most features of any open firmware, but it can often be tricky to configure.
you’re free to check outsupported devices here.
DD-WRTis based on OpenWRT.
Its easier to install than OpenWRT, and a bit easier to manage as well.
You cansearch to see if your router is supported here.
Similarly, it makes increasing your Wi-Fi signal strength easier than a lot of the others here.
Even advanced features like firewall configuration and access controls are easy to approach, even by new users.
Tomatos only downside is that it supports relatively few devices.
you’ve got the option to seeif your router is supported here.
Even so, theyre not your only options by a long shot.
Its perfect for people with bandwidth caps.
LibreWRTis a completely free and open firmware thats adheres to theFree Software FoundationsFree System Distribution Guidelines.
LibreWRT is also designed to be a lightweight option for aspiring developers to get involved with and contribute to.
DebWRTis another umbrella firmware that has a number of derivatives.
It includes all of the basics you need, but its not the most feature-rich on its own.
Still, its probably not for the faint of heart.
These are just the largest derivatives of the three major players.
If youve ever installed your own firmware, you know this already.
If you only find one option that supports your router, the decision is made for you.
That way you know youll get a router thatll work without trouble.
Alternatively, you could buy a router with your firmware pre-installed.
Title image made usingkentoh(Shutterstock),Viktorus(Shutterstock), andridjam(Shutterstock).
Additional images byaudioreservoir,Arkadiusz Sikorski,Kevin Jarrett, andThees.
