Softwr

Operating Systems · head to head

OpenWrt vs Ubuntu

OpenWrt logo

OpenWrt

Operating Systems

Linux firmware replacement for routers and embedded network devices, with a package manager and writable filesystem

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Ubuntu logo

Ubuntu

Operating Systems

Enterprise Linux distribution with 15-year support options.

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: OpenWrt support is per device and per hardware revision, so a model number that worked last year may point at a different chipset this year and be unsupported.; Ubuntu free version supported only by community; no official Canonical support without Pro subscription
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which OpenWrt and Ubuntu actually diverge.

Attributes where OpenWrt and Ubuntu differ
AttributeOpenWrtUbuntu
Pricing modelOpen source, no licence feefreemium
PlatformsRouters, Access points, x86-64, ARM, MIPS, Embedded gatewaysDesktop, Server, Cloud, IoT, Edge, WSL

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Operating Systems).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in OpenWrt

  • Package manager
  • LuCI web interface
  • Traffic shaping
  • VPN and DNS
  • VLAN and multi-network
  • OpenWrt One

Only in Ubuntu

Nothing recorded that OpenWrt does not also cover.

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

OpenWrt

  • Extending the useful life of an ISP-supplied router that has stopped receiving security updatesnot Ubuntu
  • Separating guest, IoT and work devices onto VLANs on hardware that does not offer it nativelynot Ubuntu
  • Running WireGuard, ad blocking or DNS over TLS at the edge rather than configuring every clientnot Ubuntu
  • Building small industrial or retail gateways where a full Linux distribution is too heavynot Ubuntu

Ubuntu

  • Individual developers and small teams using free Ubuntu for laptops and serversnot OpenWrt
  • Cloud and data centre deployments requiring certified, supported Linux operating systemnot OpenWrt
  • Organisations needing FIPS-certified or DISA-STIG-hardened Linux for government and regulated environmentsnot OpenWrt
  • AI and machine learning teams using Ubuntu Desktop with pre-optimised toolchainsnot OpenWrt
  • IoT and edge computing deployments using Ubuntu Corenot OpenWrt

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

OpenWrt

  • Support is per device and per hardware revision, so a model number that worked last year may point at a different chipset this year and be unsupported.
  • Flashing can brick a device permanently, and on hardware without a serial console or a recovery bootloader there is no way back.
  • Devices with 4MB or 8MB of flash have been dropped from recent releases, so a lot of older hardware is stuck on unsupported versions with known vulnerabilities.
  • Hardware acceleration for NAT and routing depends on vendor drivers, and enabling traffic shaping frequently cuts a gigabit connection to a fraction of its rated throughput.
  • A sysupgrade keeps your configuration but not your installed packages, so every release upgrade is followed by reinstalling and reconfiguring add-ons by hand.

Ubuntu

  • Free version supported only by community; no official Canonical support without Pro subscription
  • Ubuntu Pro required for enterprise compliance certifications (FIPS, DISA-STIG); free version does not include these
  • Ubuntu Pro pricing is proprietary and varies based on cloud deployment (AWS, Azure, GCP); no published per-machine or per-user pricing
  • Ubuntu Pro + Support adds 24/7 support costs on top of base subscription; total cost for enterprise-grade support not transparent
  • Personal/free tier limited to 5 machines; any larger deployment requires paid enterprise subscription

Pricing, plan by plan

OpenWrt

Free
  • OpenWrtFree
    • No licence fee for any device count
    • All packages from the official feeds
    • Community support via forum and wiki

Ubuntu

Free
  • Ubuntu (Free)Free
    • Desktop, Server, Core and Cloud editions
    • Community support
    • Standard security updates (5 years LTS)
  • Ubuntu Pro (Personal)Free
    • Extended Security Maintenance (10 years)
    • Kernel Livepatch
    • Landscape management
  • Ubuntu Pro (Enterprise)$undefined/variable
    • 10 years Extended Security Maintenance
    • FIPS 140, DISA-STIG, CIS compliance
    • Kernel Livepatch
  • Ubuntu Pro + Support$undefined/variable
    • All Ubuntu Pro features
    • 24/7 break-fix and bug-fix support
    • Expert assistance for infrastructure and applications

Which should you pick?

Choose OpenWrt if

  • You need package manager.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Routers, Access points, x86-64, ARM, MIPS, Embedded gateways.
  • You also want luci web interface.
OpenWrt review

Choose Ubuntu if

  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Desktop, Server, Cloud, IoT, Edge, WSL.
Ubuntu review

Questions people ask

Is OpenWrt or Ubuntu better?
Neither clearly leads. OpenWrt starts at Free and Ubuntu at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, OpenWrt or Ubuntu?
OpenWrt starts at Free and Ubuntu at Free.
Does OpenWrt or Ubuntu run on more platforms?
OpenWrt runs on Routers, Access points, x86-64, ARM, MIPS, Embedded gateways. Ubuntu runs on Desktop, Server, Cloud, IoT, Edge, WSL.
Can I use OpenWrt for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is OpenWrt best used for?
OpenWrt is most often used for extending the useful life of an isp-supplied router that has stopped receiving security updates, separating guest, iot and work devices onto vlans on hardware that does not offer it natively, running wireguard, ad blocking or dns over tls at the edge rather than configuring every client, building small industrial or retail gateways where a full linux distribution is too heavy. Of those, extending the useful life of an isp-supplied router that has stopped receiving security updates and separating guest, iot and work devices onto vlans on hardware that does not offer it natively are not what Ubuntu is typically brought in for.
What can OpenWrt do that Ubuntu cannot?
OpenWrt covers Package manager, LuCI web interface, Traffic shaping, VPN and DNS.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

OpenWrt: How do I know my router is supported?

Check the Table of Hardware for your exact model and revision before buying or flashing. Do not assume that a supported model number means a supported unit; manufacturers change chipsets within a model.

Ubuntu: Is Ubuntu free?

Yes. Ubuntu is free to download and use in all editions. Community support is also available at no cost. Ubuntu Pro subscriptions are optional and provide extended support and compliance tools.

Source
OpenWrt: Is the OpenWrt One worth buying over a used router?

If you are evaluating OpenWrt rather than rescuing hardware you own, yes. It is supported by definition, has an unbrickable boot arrangement, and part of the price funds the project.

Ubuntu: How long is Ubuntu LTS support?

Standard Ubuntu LTS releases receive 5 years of security maintenance. Ubuntu Pro extends this to 10 years, expandable to 15 years with the Legacy add-on.

Source
OpenWrt: Will flashing void my warranty?

Almost always, and it may also break the ISP remote management your provider relies on for support. Keep the stock firmware image before you start.

Ubuntu: What compliance certifications does Ubuntu Pro provide?

Ubuntu Pro provides compliance tools for FIPS 140, DISA-STIG, CIS, FedRAMP and PCI-DSS standards.

Source
OpenWrt: Is opkg still the package manager?

It is in the current stable releases, but development has moved towards apk, so expect package tooling and command syntax to change at the next major release.

Share

Related pages

More on OpenWrt

More on Ubuntu

Keep looking

Other head to heads