Please Wait...

3G/4G Router Comparison Guide

These charts compare the basic features offered by each of the routers sold at 5Gstore. The routers are broken down into three categories:

To view the complete specs for any of the routers, click on the router name.

Consumer Routers (home, travel, simple small office use)


Peplink Balance One/Core
USB Port(s)
1
1
2
1
1
1
ExpressCard Slot(s)
0
0
1
0
0
0
LAN Port(s)
11 x 10/100
4 x GbE
42 x 10/100
4 x GbE
4 x GbE
84 x GbE
WAN Port(s)
11
1
1-22
2
3
2-54
WiFi B/G/N
X
X
X
NO WIFI5
NO WIFI5
Standard model only (Core has no WiFi)
WiFi Range6
100-150'
150-200'
200-250'
N/A
N/A
150-200'
Supported WiFi Users7
10
35
64
N/A
N/A
60
WiFi-as-WAN
X
X
X


 
WiFi Frequency
2.4GHz or 5.0GHz8
2.4GHz & 5.0GHz
2.4GHz
N/A
N/A
2.4GHz & 5.0GHz
Multiple SSIDs
X
X
N/A
N/A
X
External WiFi Antenna Connector(s)
X
X

N/A
N/A

Failover/Failback
X
X
X
X
X
X
Failover Time10
10-15 seconds
10-15 seconds
~30 seconds
10-15 seconds
10-15 seconds
10-15 seconds
Bandwidth Monitoring
view in real time and view reports by WAN and by user, set usage rules, receive alerts
view in real time and view reports by WAN and by user, set usage rules, receive alerts
view reports by WAN, set usage rules, receive alerts
view in real time and view reports by WAN and by user, set usage rules, receive alerts
view in real time and view reports by WAN and by user, set usage rules, receive alerts
view in real time and view reports by WAN and by user, set usage rules, receive alerts
Load Balancing

X
X
X
X
Keep-Alive (Ping Target)
X
X
X
X
X
Captive Portal/Walled Garden





IP Pass-Through / Drop-in Mode





Bridge Mode
X

X



VPN Pass-through
X
X
X
X
X
X
IPSec VPN Tunnels
N/A
N/A
2
2
2
2
PPTP VPN
X

X
X
X
SSL VPN            
VRRP





QoS
X
X

X
X
X
LAN/WAN Affinity / Outbound Policy      
X
X
X
VLAN Support

X
  X X X
  1. These routers feature ONE ethernet port that can be configured either as LAN or WAN
  2. This router features one dedicated WAN port, and one of the 4 LAN ports can also be configured as a second WAN if desired
  3. This router features five ports that can each be configured as either LAN or WAN (by default, one is set to WAN and four to LAN)
  4. The Balance One and Core have 8 GbE LAN + 2 WAN, but 3 LAN can be enabled as WAN instead via license upgrade
  5. These routers don't have WiFi built in, but you can easily add an access point (like the AP One AC Mini) if you need WiFi.
  6. Actual "real world" WiFi range is variable depending on interference, construction of the building, etc
  7. Many factors can influence how many users a router can support in the real world. Contact us if you are hoping to provide WiFi for a large number of users
  8. The Surf On-The-Go and Surf SOHO support 2.4 and 5.0GHz WiFi, but not simultaneously (you must set it to one mode or the other)
  9. The MBR1400 supports 2.4 and 5.0GHz WiFi, but not simultaneously (you must set it to one mode or the other). Using 5.0GHz requires dual-mode 2.4/5.0GHz antennas, which are sold separately.
  10. Both Cradlepoint and Peplink have a variety of settings that can be used to lower failover time, but more data usage may be incurred.

back to top


 

M2M/Small Business Routers


Cradlepoint IBR600/
IBR650
Cradlepoint 1600/1650
Peplink Balance 210/310
Pepwave Max BR1 / BR1 Slim / BR1 Pro
Pepwave Max BR1 IP55 /BR2 IP55
USB Port(s)
0
1
1
1
1
0
0
1
0
41
0
02
0
0
0
02
Embedded Modem(s)
1
13
1 - AER models only4
1 - ARC models only4

Transit: 1
Duo: 2
1
1
BR1: 1
BR2: 2

1
1
1
1
1
1
LAN Port(s)
1 x 10/100
15 x 10/100
0-56 x GbE
2 x GbE
7 x GbE
1 x GbE
BR1: 37 x 10/100
Slim: 1x 10/100
Pro: 4 x GbE
37 x GbE
2 x 10/100
1 x 10/100
1 x 10/100
1 x 10/100
1 or 38 x 10/100
1 x 10/100
1 x 10/100
1 x 10/100
WAN Port(s)
0
1-25
0-56
0
210: 2
310: 3
1
BR1: 0-17
Slim: 1
Pro: 1
0-17
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
WiFi B/G/N
NO WIFI9
IBR600: X
IBR650: NO WIFI
1600: X
1650: NO WIFI
NO WIFI
NO WIFI9
X
X
NO WIFI9
X
X
WiFi model only10
WiFi model only10
NO WIFI
NO WIFI
NO WIFI
WiFi Range11
N/A
100-150'
300'
N/A
N/A
250-300'
250-300'
N/A
250-300'
100-150'
100-150' with add-on module
100-150'
100-150'
N/A
N/A
N/A
Supported WiFi Users12
N/A
64
128 per channel
N/A
N/A
150
35
N/A
35
35
N/A (10 with add-on module)
8
8
N/A
N/A
N/A
WiFi-as-WAN

X
X


X
X

X
X


 

 
 
WiFi Frequency
N/A
2.4GHz
2.4GHz & 5.0GHz
N/A
N/A
2.4GHz & 5GHz
BR1: 2.4GHz
Slim: 2.4GHz
Pro: 2.4GHz OR 5.0GHz
N/A
2.4GHz
2.4GHz
N/A (2.4GHz with add-on module)
2.4GHz
2.4GHz
N/A
N/A
N/A
Multiple SSIDs
N/A
X
X
N/A
N/A
X
X
N/A
X



X
N/A
N/A
N/A
External WiFi Antenna Connector(s)
N/A
X

N/A
N/A
X
X
N/A

X
with add-on module

 
N/A
N/A
N/A
Failover/Failback

X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X


 

 
 
Failover Time13
N/A
~30 seconds
~30 seconds
~30 seconds
10-15 seconds
10-15 seconds
10-15 seconds
10-15 seconds
10-15 seconds
10-15 seconds
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Bandwidth Monitoring
view reports by WAN, set usage rules, receive alerts
view reports by WAN, set usage rules, receive alerts
view reports by WAN, set usage rules, receive alerts
view reports by WAN, set usage rules, receive alerts
view in real time and view reports by WAN and by user, set usage rules, receive alerts
view in real time and view reports by WAN and by user, set usage rules, receive alerts
view in real time and view reports by WAN and by user, set usage rules, receive alerts
view in real time and view reports by WAN and by user, set usage rules, receive alerts
view in real time and view reports by WAN and by user, set usage rules, receive alerts
view in real time and view reports by WAN and by user, set usage rules, receive alerts
none
usage monitor and alerts
usage monitor and alerts
usage monitor and alerts
usage monitor and alerts
none
Load Balancing

X
X
X
X
X



X


 

 
 
Keep-Alive (Ping Target)
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Captive Portal/Walled Garden

X
X


X
X

X



 

 
 
IP Pass-Through / Drop-in Mode
X
X
X
X

X
X

X


X

X
 
X
Bridge Mode
 
X










 

 
 
X
VPN Pass-through
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
IPSec VPN Tunnels
2
5
20

2
2
2
2
2
2
N/A
5
5
5
5
5
PPTP VPN




X
X





X
 

 
 
X
SSL VPN


With EEL








X
X
X
X

VRRP

X
With EEL

X






X
X
X
X
X
QoS
X

X

X
X
X
X
X



 

 
 
RS-232 Serial Port



1







X
X
X
X
X
Configurable I/O











X
I/O model only
X
X
3x Multipurpose I/O pins
Bonding/Aggregation




X14


X15
X1


 

 
 
LAN/WAN Affinity / Outbound Policy X
X
X
X
X X






 

 
 
VLAN Support X
X
X
X
X X
X
X
X
X

X
X
X
X

  1. There are 2 versions of the Max On-The-Go: the Load Balancing model includes load balancing and all 4 USB ports are active (WAN Smoothing support is not included but can be added via a firmware upgrade - fee applies - if needed in the future); the Load Balancing + WAN Smoothing model includes both the load balancing and WAN Smoothing features.
  2. These routers have USB ports but they are for configuration or storage only - they do NOT support 3G/4G USB modems.
  3. The "no modem" versions of the IBR600 and IBR650 do NOT include an embedded modem.
  4. The AER1600, AER1650, and ARC CBA850 include an MC400 embedded modem component. Those routers are also available on their own WITHOUT an MC400 included.
  5. The IBR600/650 features two ports than can each be configured as either LAN or WAN
  6. The 1600/1650 has five ports that can each be configured as either LAN or WAN (by default, one is set to WAN and four to LAN)
  7. The BR1's WAN port can be configured as a third LAN if desired
  8. The "ethernet" models of the GX450 have 3 LAN ports; the standard and WiFi models have 1.
  9. These routers don't have WiFi built in, but you can easily add an access point (like the AP One AC Mini) if you need WiFi.
  10. Both WiFi and non-WiFI models of the GX440 and GX450 are available.
  11. Actual "real world" WiFi range is variable depending on interference, construction of the building, etc
  12. Many factors can influence how many users a router can support in the real world. Contact us if you are hoping to provide WiFi for a large number of users
  13. Both Cradlepoint and Peplink have a variety of settings that can be used to lower failover time, but more data usage may be incurred.
  14. Aggregation/bonding requires a Pepwave Max router AND a Balance 210 or higher router; read more about SpeedFusion Bonding Technology
  15. Aggregation/bonding requires the SpeedFusion version of the Max BR2 IP55 router AND a Balance 210 or higher router (the BR1 IP55 and standard BR2 IP55 do not support bonding)

back to top


 

Enterprise Routers


Cradlepoint IBR1100/ IBR1150
Cradlepoint AER3100/3150
Peplink Balance 305/380/580/710/1350/2500
USB Port(s)
1
2
1
1
4
1
1
0
1
1
1
Embedded Modem(s)
1
21



2
2
2
4


LAN Port(s)
0-32 x 10/100
0-53 x GbE
0-134 x GbE
305: 3 x GbE
380: 3
x GbE
580: 1x GbE
710: 3x GbE
1350: 3x GbE
2500: 8 x GbE
4x GbE
4x GbE
2x GbE
1x GbE
8x GbE
3x GbE
8x GbE
WAN Port(s)
0-32
0-53
0-134 x GbE
305: 3
380: 3
580: 5
710: 7
1350: 13
2500: 12
2
2
1
1
2
1/55
1/26
WiFi B/G/N
IBR1100: X
IBR1150: NO WIFI
X
AER3100: X
AER3150: NO WIFI
NO WIFI7
X
X
NO WIFI7
NO WIFI
X
NO WIFI7
X
WiFi Range8
100-150'
350-400'
350-400'
N/A
400-500'
400-500'
N/A
N/A
300-400'
N/A
400-500'
Supported WiFi Users9
128
256
128 per channel
N/A
35
35
N/A
N/A
35
N/A
35
WiFi-as-WAN X
X
X
  X
X


X

X
WiFi Frequency
2.4GHz & 5.0GHz
2.4GHz & 5.0GHz
2.4GHz & 5.0GHz
N/A
2.4GHz
2.4GHz
N/A
N/A
2.4GHz & 5.0GHz
N/A
2.4GHz & 5.0GHz
Multiple SSIDs
X
X
X
N/A





N/A
X
External WiFi Antenna Connector(s) X
X
X
N/A
X
X
N/A
N/A
X
N/A

Failover/Failback
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Failover Time10
~30 seconds
~30 seconds
~30 seconds
10-15 seconds
10-15 seconds
10-15 seconds
10-15 seconds
10-15 seconds
10-15 seconds
N/A
10-15 seconds
Bandwidth Monitoring
view reports by WAN, set usage rules, receive alerts
view reports by WAN, set usage rules, receive alerts
view reports by WAN, set usage rules, receive alerts
view in real time and view reports by WAN and by user, set usage rules, receive alerts
view in real time and view reports by WAN and by user, set usage rules, receive alerts
view in real time and view reports by WAN and by user, set usage rules, receive alerts
view in real time and view reports by WAN and by user, set usage rules, receive alerts
view in real time and view reports by WAN and by user, set usage rules, receive alerts
view in real time and view reports by WAN and by user, set usage rules, receive alerts
view in real time and view reports by WAN and by user, set usage rules, receive alerts
view in real time and view reports by WAN and by user, set usage rules, receive alerts
Load Balancing
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
license required
Keep-Alive (Ping Target)
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Captive Portal/Walled Garden X
X
X

X
X
X

X


IP Pass-Through / Drop-in Mode
X
X
X
X
   


X
X
Bridge Mode










VPN Pass-through
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X


IPSec VPN Tunnels
5
20
40
305: 20
380: 20
580: 50
710: 150
1350: 400
2500: 800
2
2
2
2
2
license required
license required
PPTP VPN


X
X
X
X
X
X
license required
license required
SSL VPN
With EEL
With EEL







VRRP With EEL
With EEL
With EEL
X
X
X
X

X


QoS
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
RS-232 Serial Port








 
Configurable I/O










Bonding/Aggregation


X11,12 X11 X11
X11
X11
X11 license required
license required
LAN/WAN Affinity / Outbound Policy X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X

VLAN Support coming Q4
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X


  1. The AER 2100/3100/3150 includes one embedded modem, and a second modem module can be added (sold separately). The "no modem" versions do NOT include an embedded modem.
  2. The IBR1100/1150 feature three ports that can each be configured as either LAN or WAN (by default, one is set to WAN and two to LAN)
  3. The AER 2100 features five ports that can each be configured as either LAN or WAN (by default, one is set to WAN and four to LAN)
  4. The AER 3100/3150 features 13 ports that can each be configured as either LAN or WAN (by default, one is set to WAN and 12 to LAN)
  5. The MediaFast 500-A has 5 WAN ports, but only 1 is active (WANs 2-5 can be activated with the purchase of optional Load Balancing or SpeedFusion Bonding license keys). MediaFast 500-B has all 5 WANs active.
  6. The MediaFast 200 has 2 WAN ports, but only 1 is active (WAN 2 can be activated with the purchase of optional Load Balancing or SpeedFusion Bonding license keys).
  7. These routers don't have WiFi built in, but you can easily add an access point (like the AP One AC Mini) if you need WiFi.
  8. Actual "real world" WiFi range is variable depending on interference, construction of the building, etc
  9. Many factors can influence how many users a router can support in the real world. Contact us if you are hoping to provide WiFi for a large number of users
  10. Both Cradlepoint and Peplink have a variety of settings that can be used to lower failover time, but more data usage may be incurred.
  11.  Aggregation/bonding requires a Pepwave Max router AND a Balance 210 or higher router; read more about SpeedFusion Bonding Technology
  12. The Balance 305 does NOT support bonding.

back to top


Still can't decide which router is right for you? Here are a few of the most frequently asked router-related questions we hear at 5Gstore:

Q: Will using a router slow down my connection?

A: NO. Adding a router to your internet setup should not affect your service - in fact, your signal strength and hence your overall performance could improve, since you can put the router and aircard in the area of your home/office where the signal is best rather than trying to pickup signal wherever your laptop is (or, worse, being stuck having to always use your computer in the one spot of the house that gets great signal). However, remember that the more clients that are sharing the network, the bigger the fight for bandwidth!

Q: Will every device have to have my carrier's connection manager installed to share the connection?

A: NO. Once your cellular device has been activated once and is connected to the router, wifi-enabled devices will access the network via their built-in WiFi manager; hardwired devices such as non-WiFi desktops can connect via ethernet cable. If you do not have a PC to do the intial one-time activation of the aircard or wish to avoid installing the connection manager software at all, 5Gstore can activate your device prior to shipping at no extra charge - once you receive it, simply put it into the router and you'll be ready to go!

Q: If I'm not using the connection manager, how can I monitor my usage?

A: Simply log into your Sprint/Verizon/AT&T account online to check your usage. Cradlepoint NetBSD routers also offer basic bandwidth monitoring on 3.3.0 firmware + and Peplink/Pepwave products feature advanced bandwidth monitoring to track data on each connection.

Q: My desktop doesn't have WiFi. Can I still use a router?

A: YES. You can connect your computer directly to your router via ethernet, or you can purchase a wireless adapter for your desktop to allow it to pick up WiFi.

Q: How do I know if my device is supported by a particular router?

A: Always check the router compatibility charts before purchasing a router. If you don't see your device listed as officially supported, it MAY still work - we recommend contacting us or searching our EVDO Forums to see if other users have had success.

Q: If I leave my router on all the time, will it use up my data allowance?

A: NO. Simply being connected to the internet will not use bandwidth - bandwidth is only used when data is being transmitted, such as when you send an email, load a webpage, or download a file. HOWEVER, keep in mind that some computer programs run automatic updates (such as Windows) that may download and thus use some bandwidth even if you're not sitting at your computer. If your computer is compromised by a nasty virus, that can also eat up tons of bandwidth. Click here to read a blog post on this topic!

Q: Can I hook up my 3G/4G router to my XBox/Playstation/Wii and help me play online games?

A: YES. Online gaming using mobile broadband is much easier when you use a router, and more often than not, the gaming experience is faster than "ICS" or "connection sharing". The experts at 5Gstore have created an excellent gaming tipsheet that is available to all 5Gstore customers. If you already purchased your equipment from 5Gstore.com, just send an email to support at 5Gstore.com with the subject of "Send Gaming Tipsheet" and we will send you the exclusive gaming PDF. For faster service, include your 5Gstore Invoice number. Click here to read more about online gaming with a 3G or 4G modem

Q: Can I use my cell phone or PDA with a 3G/4G router?

A: Possibly. Most phones do not work via tethering, but if your phone has the option to be used as a hotspot, it will very likely work with the routers that support WiFi as WAN.

back to top