As an IT consultant who has set up and managed countless Ubiquiti networks over the past decade, I‘ve gotten many questions from homeowners and business owners trying to choose between the Edgerouter and the shiny new Dream Machine (UDM). You‘re staring at the two router model names and specs, scratching your head wondering: which one is the best fit for me?
Well fret no more, dear reader! In this comprehensive comparison guide, I‘ll equip you with everything needed to make the optimal choice for your unique situation. We‘ll explore the capabilities, ideal use cases, limitations, and real-world performance benchmarks of multiple models from budget Edgerouters to high-end UniFi Dream Machines.
Let‘s Start With The Purpose Of Each Device
Ubiquiti targets its Edgerouter line at IT professionals and advanced networking enthusiasts. These routers provide incredible flexibility for customization along with robust routing performance. Models range from the $59 Edgerouter X with its 5 Gigabit Ethernet ports all the way up to the $1,849 8-port SFP+ Edgerouter Infinity aimed at enterprises.
Alternatively, the UniFi Dream Machine combines the functions of a consumer gateway, WiFi access point, and network switch into a simplified all-in-one unit. It starts at $299 for the standard UDM and goes up to $499 for the UDM Pro variant targeting small businesses. The friendly UniFi OS mobile/web interface streamlines setup, monitoring, and management.
Diving Into The Hardware Capabilities
To give you an idea of what each platform offers as you move up tiers, check out this breakout of port counts, processor performance, and hardware extras:
| Model | Ports | Processor | Hardware Extras | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edgerouter X | 5 | 800 MHz dual-core | – | $59 |
| UDM | 4 | 1.7 GHz quad-core | WiFi 6 access point, security gateway | $299 |
| Edgerouter 4 | 6 | 1 GHz dual-core | – | $199 |
| UDM Pro | 8 | 2.2 GHz quad-core | 1 x 10G SFP+ port, hard drive bay | $379 |
| Edgerouter 8 | 8 | 1.4 GHz dual-core | 2 x SFP ports | $249 |
| Edgerouter ∞ | 8 | 2 GHz octa-core | 8 x 10G SFP+ ports | $1,849 |
As you can see, the UDM models use faster processors while the Edgerouter line provides more physical port options. Only the priciest Infinty model competes on total throughput capability.
How Do These Routers Perform In The Real World?
Now let‘s examine some test results on maximum internet speeds as well as VPN tunnel performance numbers:
| Model | WAN Throughput | Site-to-Site VPN Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Edgerouter 4 | 850 Mbps | 220 Mbps |
| UDM | 940 Mbps | 260 Mbps |
| Edgerouter ∞ | 3.5 Gbps | 800 Mbps |
| UDM Pro | 1 Gbps | 310 Mbps |
So while the UDM has an edge for typical home internet plans below 1 Gbps fiber, the Edgerouter Infinty demonstrated over 3X higher throughput by unlocking the full potential of multi-gigabit connections.
Meanwhile if you need high-bandwidth site-to-site VPN tunnels, even an affordable Edgerouter 4 holds a slight advantage. But the UDM models deliver strong performance themselves plus offer user-friendly setup of these private connections.
Key Features Compared
| Capability | Edgerouter | Dream Machine |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Setup | Command line and web UI, manual network config | Wizard configures network automatically |
| Access Control | Guest networks, detailed firewall rules and filters | Guest portal with approvals, group policy restrictions |
| Traffic Shaping | Limit bandwidth per device, QoS priority | Set download/upload limits per site and category |
| Monitoring | Robust stats with DPI traffic analysis | Real-time usage graphs and alerts |
| Security | Zone based firewall policies | IDS/IPS, malware scanning, threat management |
| WiFi Management | Adopt other access points | Built-in controller manages Ubiquiti APs |
Both platforms have extensive features, but the UDM simplifies applying protections while Edgerouters cater towards customization.
Ideal Use Cases
Edgerouter When You Need To:
- Tweak advanced network settings like static routes
- Integrate with non-Ubiquiti switches and access points
- Prioritize speed over convenience
- Allocate multiple VLANs and subnets
Dream Machine For:
- A friendly, unified management experience
- Protecting home/small business networks
- Flexible parental controls and usage reports
- Getting setup quickly with minimal expertise
Advanced Edgerouter models allow incredibly precise control for complex configurations. But small office/home users are often better served by the UDM‘s uncomplicated feature set.
Let‘s Summarize The Key Decision Factors
Budget Constraints
With Edgerouters starting under $100 compared to $299 for UDM, this can dictate which line works.
Desired Hardware Ports
The non-Pro UDM only has 4 built-in ports. Pick Edgerouter if you need 6, 8 or more.
In-House Expertise
Edgerouters have steeper learning curves. If you lack networking knowledge, UDM is simpler.
Future Expansion Plans
UDM upgrades like cameras and door access are turnkey. Edgerouter flexibility requires more DIY effort.
The Bottom Line
For most homes and small businesses seeking robust connectivity along with strong security, a reasonably priced UniFi Dream Machine makes managing the network almost fun rather than frustrating!
But I always recommend the Edgerouter for folks comfortable digging into technical details who want limitless control to customize how traffic flows across their networks. Just be ready to learn Ubiquiti‘s configuration concepts.
Hope this detailed comparison provides the confidence to pick the ideal router for YOUR needs! Let me know if any other questions come up. Happy to chat further about applying these great Ubiquiti products.
