Asus RT-AC86U vs. Synology RT2600ac

[muckle_dabuckle]

So @muckle_dabuckle, you bought the ASUS but still thinking about the Synology! Haha! just like me.

Yes! I can't stop thinking about it.

I have the ASUS but still have time to return it... Until February 28, 2018! Amazon here has this option because Christmas shopping.

Thanks for the reminder. Looks like I have until January 31, 2018 to return mine. An extra two months to make sure it works.

Let's be honest... This routers are not the cost of a house or a car. So, let's enjoy and don't waste more time thinking (That's what I say to myself).
I know we are between thinking, maximising our investment, learning, and having fun in the process of buying.

That is true. It will be a learning experience for next time we buy a router (I've been exclusively Netgear until now -- nice to try something new). I had the same problem with smartphones for about fives years. I kept trading in my flagship Android phones being they rarely got security updates and I kept trading in my LG flagship phones before the 1-year warranty expired because of wide spread bootlooping issues. I kept obsessing about warranties and security patches until I finally switched to Apple and have calmed down ever since (at least with phones).

The 3 year warranty for the ASUS is in Europe.

Ah. That explains it. I couldn't find the warranty info anywhere until I read the box this morning. It would be nice if the Asus Web site was more clear.

The most annoying thing about the Asus router is the box where they somehow get the acronym "FAST" out of Farthest, eAsy, Secure, Trusted. LOL Not to mention some spelling errors. Hopefully that doesn't mean it was rushed to market. But if the box is the worst this router has to offer I'll take that.

 

[RMerlin]

Same GUI since the 2000

Asuswrt was launched in 2012 at the same time as the RT-N66U. Before that it was a different firmware code, and also a different webui (often dubbed "the blue UI").

Slow in updates... For example, Krack still not fixed in all the routers: https://www.asus.com/us/Networking/RT-AC86U/HelpDesk_BIOS/

Asus still has more models fixed than almost every other manufacturers out there. I wonder if Netgear has even one model officially fixed yet...

USB 3.1 (but you need to limit, to not have interference with the 2.4 GHz WiFi)

This is USB 3.1 Gen 1, which means really it's USB 3.0. Confusing, but blame the USB SIG for this new way of labeling USB 3.0 USB 3.1 Gen 1...

 

[RMerlin]

Dual core at 1.7 GHz (not that bad, it's almost the same as the ASUS)

The RT-AC86U BCM4906 will be faster than the Synology IPQ8065. Don't just compare clock speeds, BCM4906 is an Arm B53 CPU (Broadcom's variant of the Cortex A53), while the IPQ is a Qualcomm Krait. The BCM4906 sports impressive AES performance.

 

[pepemosca]

Asuswrt was launched in 2012 at the same time as the RT-N66U. Before that it was a different firmware code, and also a different webui (often dubbed "the blue UI").

Thank you for the correction.

Asus still has more models fixed than almost every other manufacturers out there. I wonder if Netgear has even one model officially fixed yet...

Good point.

This is USB 3.1 Gen 1, which means really it's USB 3.0. Confusing, but blame the USB SIG for this new way of labeling USB 3.0 USB 3.1 Gen 1...

Thank you for the clarification.

The RT-AC86U BCM4906 will be faster than the Synology IPQ8065. Don't just compare clock speeds, BCM4906 is an Arm B53 CPU (Broadcom's variant of the Cortex A53), while the IPQ is a Qualcomm Krait. The BCM4906 sports impressive AES performance.

Yes! That's what I had read from the processor specs and Wiki

 

[pepemosca]

Thanks for the reminder. Looks like I have until January 31, 2018 to return mine. An extra two months to make sure it works.

I think the same way!

I kept trading in my flagship Android phones being they rarely got security updates and I kept trading in my LG flagship phones before the 1-year warranty expired because of wide spread bootlooping issues. I kept obsessing about warranties and security patches until I finally switched to Apple and have calmed down ever since (at least with phones).

Thats the good thing about the open community and stuff like @RMerlin does. It keeps old hardware on working.
Something like CyanogenMod or now LineageOS.
About Apple products: yes. No problem with patches... Like what you have when you get a Google Pixel.

Ah. That explains it. I couldn't find the warranty info anywhere until I read the box this morning. It would be nice if the Asus Web site was more clear.

Don't worry. I had to pay more to get the router. I'd paid 240 EUR.

The most annoying thing about the Asus router is the box where they somehow get the acronym "FAST" out of Farthest, eAsy, Secure, Trusted. LOL Not to mention some spelling errors. Hopefully that doesn't mean it was rushed to market. But if the box is the worst this router has to offer I'll take that.

Box... I had ASUS routers for years... Always are so bad. Are not Apples'.

 

[NUTW0RX]

Never too late to return your consumer router. The Synology is SOHO grade and I gave up on all others for home. The asus aiprotect is a joke and you're better off with the Synology IPS as long as you know what you're doing...it has matured although still beta.

A recent example...KRACK became mainstream around 10/16. Synology had an update on the 17th while the ac86u got it on the 24th.

You're on an asus cheer leading site so expect the fans to roar. When you hear people downplaying features asus doesn't have, think twice.

 

[house]

The asus aiprotect is a joke and you're better off with the Synology IPS as long as you know what you're doing...it has matured although still beta.

but both solutions are not very performance graded.

A recent example...KRACK became mainstream around 10/16. Synology had an update on the 17th while the ac86u got it on the 24th.

yes, but remind that this issue was more client-based.

You're on an asus cheer leading site so expect the fans to roar. When you hear people downplaying features asus doesn't have, think twice.

not to mention that most of asuswrt features are included in Synology SRM by default. Recently I switch from rt-ac88u into rt2600ac and I'm very satisfied with that. All game-based features on asus routers are big joke from user point of view. WTFast it is vpn based solution and it has only couple MMO games so it not a game performance braker. Despite the fact that has very ugly flame design (realy,in 2017! design from ancient times!). All other gaming features like gameips or port forward.com redirector is also not a big change. All about the benjamins Synology is ver stable, predict and constantly updated, secure networking product. Above that you can realy rely on support (not community fanboys based) and it has at least one feature braker upgrade in a year (beta programs). Yes, it has paid licence subscriptions for Synology vpn (one license included) but this feature is so easy to use that I will pay for extra license for my wife phone It will not require downloding, uploading or edit any config files - all you have to do to connect into your home network is remember your ddns url and dowload vpn app (desktop) or download an app from market and provide url in config. Don't forget that AiMesh in Asus require you to bought another same type unit to extend WiFi coverage - in couple week Synology will offer a Mesh Router, as rt2600ac extender. Very similar but better priced solution - also one-point managed.

 

[pepemosca]

yes, but remind that this issue was more client-based.

Exactly.

not to mention that most of asuswrt features are included in Synology SRM by default. Recently I switch from rt-ac88u into rt2600ac and I'm very satisfied with that.

Yes.

All game-based features on asus routers are big joke from user point of view. WTFast it is vpn based solution and it has only couple MMO games so it not a game performance braker. Despite the fact that has very ugly flame design (realy,in 2017! design from ancient times!). All other gaming features like gameips or port forward.com redirector is also not a big change.

Also I think is useless.

All about the benjamins Synology is ver stable, predict and constantly updated, secure networking product. Above that you can realy rely on support (not community fanboys based) and it has at least one feature braker upgrade in a year (beta programs).

So far, yes. But so far, Synology has 2 routers. A very small Forum, and small community.
They have a huge comunity for the NAS, but not so great for the routers... yet?

Yes, it has paid licence subscriptions for Synology vpn (one license included) but this feature is so easy to use that I will pay for extra license for my wife phone It will not require downloding, uploading or edit any config files - all you have to do to connect into your home network is remember your ddns url and dowload vpn app (desktop) or download an app from market and provide url in config.

OpenVPN is included in both. So, no need to pay for Synology VPN.

Don't forget that AiMesh in Asus require you to bought another same type unit to extend WiFi coverage - in couple week Synology will offer a Mesh Router, as rt2600ac extender. Very similar but better priced solution - also one-point managed.

Do you have more information? Where I can read about this?

 

[pepemosca]

You're on an asus cheer leading site so expect the fans to roar. When you hear people downplaying features asus doesn't have, think twice.

Looks like this have become a iOS vs Android battle

By the way, Synology doesn't see this community as an ASUS fan. Because they use this community to advertise their product:

I think both routers are very good. And Synology has the best GUI and update frequency.
But ASUS has a great community, lots of "fan boys and girls", and a tested product.

Thank you for your insights.

 

[house]

So far, yes. But so far, Synology has 2 routers. A very small Forum, and small community.They have a huge comunity for the NAS, but not so great for the routers... yet?

not yet, but I hope that it will change in a near future. Upcoming products will realy extend users volume They have only 2 routers right now, but this year they introduce Synology SG1000 (security gateway, hardware similar to rt200ac with 2GB ram, faster flash storage and new Synology Network Manager, unit without wireless) and Synology Mesh Router. Personally I plan to switch from soho routers to SG1000 with Ubiquity mesh systems

OpenVPN is included in both. So, no need to pay for Synology VPN.

I know, but as I said - Synology VPN is very easy to use and has ability to use any internet connected device without manual config. All you have to do is remember your ddns url and credentials. One free licence is included, additional devices connected at the same time require extra paid licence. For home users it's very easy and usefull feature.

Do you have more information? Where I can read about this?

For example here : https://goo.gl/CXQLSR. It was introduced at this year events for Synology partners. You can track past #synology2018 tweets about this .

By the way, Synology doesn't see this community as an ASUS fan. Because they use this community to advertise their product

It's a pure marketing trick - they all do that If Edimax gain some ranking scores - they also will use that for marketing purposes

 

[muckle_dabuckle]

The asus aiprotect is a joke and you're better off with the Synology IPS as long as you know what you're doing...it has matured although still beta.

How is AiProtection a joke? How is it different than Synology's intrusion prevention? The Asus AiProtection has blocked quite a few things in the week I've had it.

A recent example...KRACK became mainstream around 10/16. Synology had an update on the 17th while the ac86u got it on the 24th.

I did notice that when researching the two routers. Synology was months ahead patching vulnerabilities.

 

[muckle_dabuckle]

Sorry to double post, but the Synology rt2600ac is $40 off with promo code at Newegg bringing it down to $160.

 

[Jinson]

I am using both the routers. Asus in my office and Synology at home. Personally, I prefer Synology router as it is faster than Asus RT-AC86U. This is what made Synology my choice.

• VPN: L2TP supported by default (it's nice to have when you have iOS. You don't need any external app to run the VPN)
• #1 in the ranking at this community
• Lots of flash: 4 GiB
  
• SD slot

 

[maxbraketorque]

I am using both the routers. Asus in my office and Synology at home. Personally, I prefer Synology router as it is faster than Asus RT-AC86U. This is what made Synology my choice....

How can you compare their performance when the devices are being used in different environment?