Banana Pi - BPI-R3

This! Comes with a modified version of OpenWrt out of the box and you can flash the version with open source drivers through the web UI. No hassle with ftp servers or workarounds to gain ssh access, it is wifi 6 though. Just to name a few more options: - Banana Pi BPI-R3 (Almost the same hardware as the GLinet 6000 but more expandable, the enclosure needs to be bought separately) - Banana Pi BPI-R4 w. wifi 7 module (Wifi 7, although it comes with a hefty pricetag and is still in development. Also doesn't come with an enclosure) - OpenWrt One (Less powerful processor and wifi hardware. It's marginally cheaper than the MT6000, is expandable and offers some nice features in case you brick it ) All of the options above are more or less intended for tinkering, although I suppose you could daily drive any of them. If you just want a product intended for consumers with a stable openwrt release, you should go with the GLinet MT6000. If you are just going to use it as a router and firewall, you could also go the opnsense/pfsense route.

I've been pretty happy with my Banana Pi R3. Maybe take a look at that and the newer bpi 4 options.

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*Banana Pi R3 KIT MediaTek MT7986, 2GB RAM, 8G, EMMC 5GbE, network SFP 2.5GbE, Opensource Linux Openwrt firmware, soft router board + cade, power supply, BPI-R3 https://es.aliexpress.com/item/1005005827004033.html 🤩

BPI-R3 ends up costing more with a case, heatsink and antennas. You also have to buy 2.5GbE transceivers which adds to the cost if you want 2.5GbE WAN/LAN. Also, highly unlikely some dev board will have better range, shielding and RF front end modules compared to a proper consumer router. BPI-R4's Wi-Fi is particularly bad due to interference and integrated low power FEM.

I've used several bannana pi r3s and set them up for other people as well. That'd meet you requirements

I've used several bannana pi r3s and set them up for other people as well. That'd meet you requirements

Really good router, but would prefer a banana pi r3 instead. Same cpu if I remember correctly, double the RAM, 5 1G ports, 2 SFP plus a pcie m2 slot. All at the same time price point.

At least in Europe it doesn’t cost more with a case, not even close, it’s like 60% cheaper than the GL-MT6000. I can get the SFPs and still come under the price. “Dev board”? So, the GL isn’t a dev board just because it has a plastic case and it isn’t sold barebones? What are your sources for the R4 complaints? Really I want to see data or feedback on that.

I've tested a R3 vs a Netgear R7000 and a R7800 and the R3 is the clear winner when it comes to wifi range. Can't speak about the R4. The thing that I really dislike about the Flint line, even the Flint 3, is that they're doing 1GB of RAM. For the CPU that the router has I was expecting at least 2GB.