OpenWrt
Top pickOpen-source Linux firmware for your router.
92
sovereigntyOpenWrt replaces your router's stock firmware with a full, open-source Linux system — bringing modern security, a package manager, and total control to hundreds of supported devices. It is the gold standard for taking ownership of your network hardware.
OPEN SOURCEGPL-2.0FIRMWARESELF-HOSTLOCAL-FIRST
LicenseGPL-2.0
PricingFree / open-source (flash onto supported hardware)
Open sourceYes
Self-hostableYes
Local-first dataYes
What it does well
- +Full control + a real package manager
- +Long-term security updates
- +Runs on hundreds of devices
Where it falls short
- −Must flash firmware (some risk)
- −Check device support first
Hardware note
Verify your router on the OpenWrt Table of Hardware before flashing; many popular models are supported.
OpenWrt as an alternative to
Where OpenWrt shows up in our comparisons, and how it ranked.
OpenWrt head-to-head
Straight comparisons against the tools people weigh it against.