What makes a fair alternative
Flint 2 has three things that matter here. GL.iNet rates it at up to 900 Mbps WireGuard and 880 Mbps OpenVPN with DCO. Its VPN policies can be set by device, connection type, domain or IP. And it runs OpenWrt-based firmware you can extend with packages. A fair alternative should match at least the first two for your plan speed. [1][2]
We compared official spec pages and support articles only. ASUS and TP-Link do not publish VPN throughput figures on the pages we read, so the table says so instead of guessing. We did not test any of these routers.
Comparison table (official specs)
Prices for ASUS and TP-Link were not on the spec pages we used, so check current retail prices. Flint 2 was $169.99 on GL.iNet's US store on 30 Oct 2026. [3]
| Router | Wi-Fi | Ports | VPN client / server listed | How VPN traffic is chosen | Firmware |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GL.iNet Flint 2 | Wi-Fi 6, 1148 + 4804 Mbps | 2 x 2.5G + 4 x 1G | OpenVPN and WireGuard, client and server; up to 880 / 900 Mbps [1] | Devices, connection types, domains or IPs, with exclusions [2] | OpenWrt 21.02 based; LuCI available [1][4] |
| GL.iNet Flint 3 | Wi-Fi 7 tri-band, 688 + 2882 + 5765 Mbps | 5 x 2.5G | OpenVPN and WireGuard, client and server; up to 680 Mbps [5] | Same GL.iNet firmware 4 dashboard | OpenWrt 23.05 based [5] |
| ASUS RT-AX86U Pro | Wi-Fi 6, 861 + 4804 Mbps | 1 x 2.5G/1G multi-gig + 1G WAN + 4 x 1G LAN | Client: L2TP, OpenVPN, PPTP, WireGuard. Server: IPSec, OpenVPN, PPTP, WireGuard [6] | VPN Fusion assigns end devices to a profile [7] | ASUS firmware; AiMesh primary or node [6] |
| TP-Link Archer BE550 | Wi-Fi 7, 574 + 2880 + 5760 Mbps | 5 x 2.5G (1 WAN, 4 LAN) | Product page says VPN client and server are supported but does not name protocols [8]; WireGuard client covered in TP-Link's FAQ [9] | WireGuard client sends all traffic from designated devices [9] | TP-Link firmware; EasyMesh compatible [8] |
| Flint 2 on official OpenWrt | Same hardware | Same hardware | Whatever OpenWrt packages you install | You configure it yourself | Official OpenWrt images listed for GL-MT6000 [10] |
ASUS: VPN Fusion and AiMesh in mainstream firmware
The RT-AX86U Pro spec page lists a 2.0 GHz quad-core processor, 1 GB of RAM and 256 MB of flash. It has one configurable 2.5G/1G port, a 1G WAN and four 1G LAN ports. It lists WireGuard, OpenVPN, L2TP and PPTP as VPN clients and WireGuard, OpenVPN, IPSec and PPTP as servers. It also lists VPN Fusion and AiMesh. [6]
ASUS's VPN Fusion WireGuard guide says WireGuard needs firmware later than 3.0.0.4.388.23000. You assign end devices to a WireGuard client profile, and the guide says more than one tunnel can run at a time. It does not describe domain-based routing. [7]
Compared with Flint 2, ASUS gives you one fewer 2.5G port and no published VPN throughput figure. In return you get a mainstream firmware and an established mesh system. It suits someone who wants per-device VPN without OpenWrt.
TP-Link: all-2.5G hardware, narrower VPN controls
The Archer BE550 product page lists tri-band Wi-Fi 7 rates of 574 Mbps (2.4 GHz), 2880 Mbps (5 GHz) and 5760 Mbps (6 GHz), five 2.5G ports (one WAN, four LAN), USB 3.0 and EasyMesh compatibility. It says the router supports VPN clients and a VPN server, but that page does not name the protocols. [8]
TP-Link's WireGuard FAQ lists the Archer BE550 V1 among the models it applies to, and says the list may change with firmware and region. In client mode, all traffic from designated devices goes through the VPN, chosen in a VPN device list. The router accepts only certain WireGuard config parameters, so you may need to remove extras such as MTU or IPv6 addresses. The FAQ also warns that you cannot use the same config file on a phone and the router at the same time. [9]
This suits a household that values 2.5G ports and mesh, and only needs some devices on a VPN.
Staying with GL.iNet hardware, or going fully open
Flint 3 keeps the GL.iNet firmware and its domain or IP policies, and adds Wi-Fi 7 and five 2.5G ports. Its rated VPN speed is lower than Flint 2's. See our Flint 2 vs Flint 3 comparison. [5]
At the other end, the OpenWrt hardware table lists official OpenWrt images for the GL-MT6000. That removes GL.iNet's interface entirely. It suits people who want to configure everything themselves. It also brings the risks that page describes: flash only sysupgrade images, because a factory image can brick the router, and replacing the bootloader raises the risk of a hard brick. [10]
Decision rules
- You need banking or streaming sites to skip the VPN by domain: GL.iNet firmware 4.9 or later. [2]
- You want per-device VPN, WireGuard server and mesh in a mainstream app: an ASUS model whose spec page lists WireGuard and VPN Fusion.
- You want all-2.5G ports and only a few devices on VPN: a TP-Link Archer listed in its WireGuard FAQ, checked against current firmware.
- You want maximum control and accept the risk: official OpenWrt on supported hardware.
- Whatever you pick, check your VPN provider's router instructions for that exact model before buying.
Questions before you decide
Do ASUS and TP-Link routers support WireGuard?
Some models do. The RT-AX86U Pro spec page lists WireGuard as both VPN client and server. ASUS's VPN Fusion WireGuard guide needs firmware later than 3.0.0.4.388.23000. TP-Link's WireGuard FAQ lists the Archer BE550 V1 among the models it covers and says availability may change with firmware.
Can these routers route only some websites through the VPN?
GL.iNet's firmware 4.9 VPN dashboard documents domain and IP lists. The ASUS VPN Fusion and TP-Link WireGuard guides we read describe choosing devices, not domains. If you need domain-based exceptions, confirm the feature for your exact model first.
Sources & verification
Product details and prices can change. Check the linked provider before buying.
- GL.iNet: GL-MT6000 datasheet (ver. 20251103) Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- GL.iNet Router Docs 4: VPN Dashboard Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- GL.iNet: Flint 2 (GL-MT6000) product page Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- GL.iNet Router Docs 4: What is LuCI Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- GL.iNet: GL-BE9300 (Flint 3) datasheet (ver. 20250730) Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- ASUS: RT-AX86U Pro tech specs Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- ASUS FAQ: How to set up WireGuard VPN Client in VPN Fusion Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- TP-Link: Archer BE550 specifications Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- TP-Link FAQ 3772: How to set up WireGuard VPN on TP-Link wireless router Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- OpenWrt Table of Hardware: GL.iNet GL-MT6000 Accessed 30 Oct 2026
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