Side by side on the spec sheets
Both routers are pocket-size, dual-band Wi-Fi 6 (AX3000 class) and use the same headline Wi-Fi rates. The meaningful differences are the WAN port speed, power input, how much of the software stack you can change, and which extras each vendor builds in. [1][4]
| Item | Beryl AX (GL-MT3000) | ASUS RT-AX57 Go |
|---|---|---|
| Price on vendor page | $98.99 (USD) on GL.iNet's store, no sale price shown, checked 30 Oct 2026 [9] | No price on ASUS product or spec page [5][4] |
| Wi-Fi rates | 574 Mbps 2.4 GHz; 2402 Mbps 5 GHz [1] | 574 Mbps 2.4 GHz; 2402 Mbps 5 GHz [4] |
| WAN / LAN | 1 x 2.5G WAN; 1 x 1G LAN [1] | 1 x 1GbE WAN; 1 x 1GbE LAN [4] |
| USB | USB 3.0 Type-A [1] | USB 3.2 Gen 1x1 [4] |
| Power input | USB-C, 5V/3A; under 8W consumption [1] | USB-C, 9V/2A [4] |
| CPU / memory | MT7981B 1.3 GHz dual-core; 512MB RAM; 256MB NAND [1] | 1.3 GHz dual-core; 512MB RAM; 128MB flash [4] |
| VPN maximums | WireGuard 300 Mbps; OpenVPN 150 Mbps [1] | WireGuard 300 Mbps; OpenVPN 150 Mbps, Ethernet, client mode [5] |
| Size / weight | 120 x 83 x 34 mm; 196 g [1] | 120 x 120 x 21.5 mm; 210 g [4] |
| Operating system | OpenWrt v21.02 base with GL.iNet interface [1] | ASUSWRT web interface [4] |
Ports, tethering and power
Beryl AX has a 2.5G WAN port and a 1G LAN port; the RT-AX57 Go has two gigabit ports. The 2.5G port only matters if the Ethernet you plug into is faster than 1 Gbps, which is rare in hotels but possible with a multi-gig home or office connection. For most trips the two are equal on wired speed. [1][4]
Both use the USB port to share a phone's mobile data. GL.iNet documents the steps for iPhone (Trust, Personal Hotspot, Allow Others to Join, then Connect under INTERNET, Tethering) and Android (USB Tethering, then Connect), with advanced TTL, HL and MTU options. ASUS describes connecting the USB WAN port to a smartphone hotspot and lists Mobile Tethering as one of three modes alongside Public WiFi (WISP) and Router mode, each usable as a primary or backup connection. [3][5]
Power is a real difference. GL.iNet lists 5V/3A over USB-C for Beryl AX, and ASUS lists 9V/2A over USB-C for the RT-AX57 Go. A 9V/2A input needs a USB-C Power Delivery source that offers 9V, so a plain 5V USB port or older power bank may not run it. Pack the supplied adapter either way.
VPN client and server support
Both vendors publish the same maximums: 300 Mbps WireGuard and 150 Mbps OpenVPN. ASUS adds the test condition: a local network with the router in VPN client mode, and says actual throughput may vary. Most hotel Wi-Fi and phone hotspots are slower than either cap, so the VPN ceiling rarely decides between them. [1][5]
Protocol lists differ. ASUS lists VPN client support for L2TP, OpenVPN, PPTP and WireGuard and VPN server support for IPSec, OpenVPN, PPTP and WireGuard, plus Instant Guard and VPN Fusion. ASUS's Instant Guard footnote says the router needs a public IPv4 WAN address, which most hotel and cellular connections do not provide. [4][5]
GL.iNet's datasheet lists OpenVPN and WireGuard as both client and server, policy routing, encrypted DNS, multi-WAN and package installation, and the Beryl AX user guide lists Tailscale, ZeroTier and AdGuard Home as applications. Tailscale is the practical way to reach home from a hotel without a public IP. [1][6]
Hotel and airport login pages
This is where documentation differs most. GL.iNet publishes a captive portal procedure for its routers: on firmware 4.6 and later, Auto-Enable Login Mode for Public Hotspots and Camouflage; otherwise disable VPN, AdGuard Home and DNS rebinding protection, reopen the portal, or clone your phone's MAC address. [2]
The ASUS pages we read describe Public WiFi Mode (WISP) as creating a private hotspot on public Wi-Fi and mention connecting to a hotel's wired network, but they do not describe how the router handles a login page. That does not mean it cannot pass one; it means we found no ASUS documentation for it. If hotel Wi-Fi is your main use, that gap matters. [4][5]
Who should pick which
| You are | Better fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A frequent hotel traveller who needs a VPN | Beryl AX | Documented captive portal login mode and VPN on the same box [1][2] |
| Already running an ASUS AiMesh system at home | RT-AX57 Go | ASUS says it can join other AiMesh-compatible routers [5] |
| Someone who wants Tailscale, AdGuard Home or extra packages | Beryl AX | OpenWrt base and documented applications [1][6] |
| Someone who wants a phone app and built-in security features | RT-AX57 Go | ASUS Router app, AiProtection Classic, Safe Browsing [5] |
| Powering from a basic USB port or 5V bank | Beryl AX | 5V/3A input versus 9V/2A [1][4] |
Who should skip both
If you only need to share one hotel connection with a laptop and phone and do not want a router-level VPN, a cheaper Wi-Fi 5 router such as GL.iNet's Opal covers that job; our Beryl AX alternatives guide compares the cheaper options. If you mostly work from a phone hotspot already, a travel router adds a box and a cable but little else.
Before buying either, run the firmware update on day one and set a strong admin password. GL.iNet's firmware upgrade page describes online and local upgrades and warns not to power off during an upgrade; for Beryl AX specifically, the US National Vulnerability Database lists records such as CVE-2026-18601, a critical command injection in GL-MT3000 firmware up to 4.4.5, which is a reason to stay current. [7][8]
Questions before you decide
Do Beryl AX and the RT-AX57 Go have the same VPN speed?
On vendor figures, yes. GL.iNet's datasheet lists up to 300 Mbps WireGuard and 150 Mbps OpenVPN for Beryl AX, and ASUS lists up to 300 Mbps WireGuard and 150 Mbps OpenVPN over Ethernet for the RT-AX57 Go, measured in VPN client mode on a local network. Real hotel or cellular links are usually the bottleneck.
Which one handles hotel login pages better?
GL.iNet documents a captive portal process for its routers, including Auto-Enable Login Mode for Public Hotspots and Camouflage on firmware 4.6 and later. The ASUS RT-AX57 Go product and spec pages we read describe a Public WiFi (WISP) mode but do not describe captive portal handling, so check ASUS support before relying on it.
Can either router share a phone's mobile data over USB?
Yes. GL.iNet documents USB tethering for iPhone and Android under INTERNET then Tethering. ASUS says the RT-AX57 Go can establish Wi-Fi by connecting its USB WAN port to your smartphone's hotspot. Carriers may limit or charge for tethering.
Can I power either one from a power bank?
Beryl AX takes 5V/3A over USB-C according to GL.iNet's datasheet. ASUS lists a 9V/2A USB-C power port for the RT-AX57 Go, so a bank must supply 9V at 2A. Neither vendor page we read makes a power bank claim, so treat it as untested.
Sources & verification
Product details and prices can change. Check the linked provider before buying.
- GL.iNet: Beryl AX (GL-MT3000) datasheet, ver. 20250320 Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- GL.iNet Router Docs 4: Connect to a public hotspot with captive portal Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- GL.iNet Router Docs 4: Tethering Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- ASUS RT-AX57 Go technical specifications Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- ASUS RT-AX57 Go product overview Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- GL.iNet Router Docs 4: GL-MT3000 (Beryl AX) user guide Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- GL.iNet Router Docs 4: Firmware upgrade Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- NIST NVD API: CVE-2026-18601 (GL.iNet GL-MT3000 up to 4.4.5) Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- GL.iNet: Beryl AX (GL-MT3000) product page Accessed 30 Oct 2026
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