Ubiquiti has earned a reputation for making powerful yet affordable networking gear for homes and businesses. Two of their most popular product lines are the Edgerouter series of routers and the newer Dream Machine all-in-one networking hub. But which one is right for you? This comprehensive comparison covers everything you need to decide.
Ubiquiti Product Lines Overview
First, a quick background on Ubiquiti and these two product categories:
Edgerouters – Ubiquiti‘s router lineup, offering advanced functionality based on Vyatta open-source firmware. Models range from basic to high-end for SMBs. Most require separate access points for WiFi connectivity.
Dream Machines – Ubiquiti‘s newest combo devices combining a router, switch, access point, and network controller into one sleek unit. Aimed at home users and SMBs needing an all-in-one networking solution.
Now let‘s explore how the Edgerouter and Dream Machine compare across several key factors:
Features and Capabilities
Edgerouters shine when you need a powerful router packed with controls and customization options its firmware and UI. Their capabilities rival Cisco and Juniper gear costing 10X more. Models vary widely so choose one that fits your needs.
Dream Machines simplify networking with their easy-to-use all-in-one design. The built-in controller lets you manage multiple access points. For most home users and smaller businesses, Dream Machine eliminates the complexity of buying separate router, switch, firewall, and WiFi components.
Hardware and Ports
Edgerouters offer 5-8 well-spaced Gigabit Ethernet ports, with higher models having SFP ports for fiber connectivity. There are no built-in WiFi radios on most models, so you‘ll need a separate wireless access point.
Dream Machines have 4-8 GbE ports and come WiFi 6 ready with fast wireless connectivity built-in. The Pro model adds SFP+ ports with 10Gbps link speed. Port density is lower than Edgerouter but may suffice for many home and SMB uses.
Performance and Throughput
Edgerouters are proven performers, routing over 1 million packets per second even on low-end models. The ER-Infinity flagship model can route an astonishing 100 million packets per second!
Dream Machines use a quad-core processor so despite their extra functionality as an all-in-one unit, they still deliver excellent throughput up to 3.5Gbps. The WiFi 6 radio supports wireless speeds up to 1,200 Mbps for devices connecting over WiFi.
Software and Configuration
This is where the two product lines differ the most…
Edgerouters utilize Ubiquiti‘s EdgeOS firmware based on Vyatta, allowing for very advanced configuration via command line or web UI. You have granular control but the learning curve is steep.
Dream Machines run Ubiquiti‘s UniFi Network Application, offering an exceptionally clean and modern management interface. It‘s very intuitive and user-friendly, allowing central management of the built-in controller, router, firewall and more.
Security
Edgerouters offer robust security features like zone-based firewall, IPsec and OpenVPN for VPN access, WAF for web apps, VLAN segmentation, and more. Protection and isolation requires manual configuration for advanced scenarios.
Dream Machines make security easily configurable for SMBs with context-aware IPS, intrusion prevention, antivirus, and built-in VPN services. For advanced needs, Edgerouter still wins for maximum flexibility.
Scalability
Edgerouters are designed from the ground up to scale. Even entry-level models offer rock-solid routing capabilities rivaling enterprise-grade hardware. Models like the 8-port ER-8 offer headroom for growth.
Dream Machines position themselves as an all-in-one solution, not optimized for massive scale. Larger deployments would likely require switching to Gateways + separate controller and access points.
Pricing and Value
Edgerouters start around $60 for basic models but jump to $250+ for advanced features. You‘ll spend more adding WiFi, switching, security cameras, etc. But in exchange you get incredible routing power and customization options.
Dream Machines carry a higher starting price around $300, delivering outstanding value considering their all-in-one functionality. Models with higher port density, PoE, and 10G SFP+ quickly jump above $500.
Quick Pros and Cons
Edgerouter Pros: Powerful hardware, advanced software, total flexibility, scalability
Edgerouter Cons: Steep learning curve, no WiFi, more complex, addons increase cost
Dream Machine Pros: Easy to use, elegant software, great for homes & SMBs, all-in-one
Dream Machine Cons: More limited hardware, less configurability, poorest value for large-scale
Recommendations
For large or complex networks demanding total control, Edgerouters are extremely capable solutions, albeit requiring an investment of time to master. Equip your Edgerouter with Ubiquiti UniFi access points and switches to complete your network build.
For homes, small offices, or businesses with basic needs favoring simplicity over advanced configuration options, Dream Machines deliver outstanding all-in-one functionality. Their ease of use reduces networking headaches for novice users.
Hopefully this detailed comparison gives you the information needed to decide whether Ubiquiti‘s Edgerouters or Dream Machines better fit your specific home or business networking requirements. Their price-to-performance ratios are impressive, so you can feel confident with either product line in your stack.
