OpenWrt
OpenWrt is a volunteer-built, open-source Linux operating system for wireless routers and embedded devices, offering a writable filesystem and 3,000+ packages. It serves home users, network researchers, and developers, funded by donations and a single self-branded hardware router.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- Headquarters—
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingSoftware
What OpenWrt does
OpenWrt is a community-driven open-source Linux operating system targeting embedded devices, primarily wireless routers, founded in 2004 after Linksys released the WRT54G firmware source under GPL enforcement. The core product is OpenWrt firmware, which provides a fully writable filesystem with package management, enabling users to customize their devices through more than 3,000 standardized application packages rather than relying on static vendor firmware. The platform supports routers and embedded devices from Linksys, TP-Link, NETGEAR, ASUS, MikroTik, and many other manufacturers, documented in a comprehensive Table of Hardware database, and serves primary user segments of home users and hobbyists, network researchers, and software developers building embedded applications.
Underlying technology is built on the Linux kernel with a package-based architecture that allows identical configuration replication across supported hardware, including devices several years old. Security is emphasized through a secure-by-default installation (Wi-Fi disabled, no backdoors) and prompt vulnerability patching. The project maintains two active stable release series (currently 25.12.5 and 24.10.7), distributed via a firmware selector tool, direct downloads, and source repositories hosted on git.openwrt.org.
The business model is non-commercial: firmware is provided free of charge, and the project does not generate commercial revenue. Operations are supported by donations routed through the Software Freedom Conservancy (SFC), which became OpenWrt's fiscal sponsor in September 2020. In November 2024, OpenWrt launched its first self-branded hardware product, the OpenWrt One router (MediaTek MT7981B SoC, dual-band WiFi-6, PoE, mikroBUS expansion), sold at US$89 through AliExpress with US$10 from each purchase donated to the OpenWrt earmarked fund at SFC. Go-to-market is community-led via forum, mailing lists, IRC, wiki documentation, and developer mailing lists, with no formal sales or marketing function.
OpenWrt firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- OpenWrt
- Legal name
- OpenWrt Project
- Website
- https://openwrt.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- OpenWrt is a volunteer-built, open-source Linux operating system for wireless routers and embedded devices, offering a writable filesystem and 3,000+ packages. It serves home users, network researchers, and developers, funded by donations and a single self-branded hardware router.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
OpenWrt business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Operations
Revenue model
- Donations: OpenWrt accepts donations through the Software Freedom Conservancy. For every OpenWrt One router purchased, $10 is donated to the OpenWrt earmarked fund at SFC.
- OpenWrt One Router Sales: OpenWrt One router is sold at US$89 through AliExpress, with $10 per unit going to SFC as a donation. The project does not directly sell hardware.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Pay-as-you-go | OpenWrt Firmware - Free |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
OpenWrt product offering
Product offeringCore offering
OpenWrt is a Linux-based open-source operating system targeting embedded devices, primarily wireless routers. It provides a fully writable filesystem with package management, freeing users from vendor firmware limitations and allowing customization through 3000+ standardized application packages. The project also offers the OpenWrt One, its first official hardware router, sold through AliExpress at US$89.
Product overview
OpenWrt is an open-source Linux operating system targeting embedded devices (primarily wireless routers). The core product is the OpenWrt firmware, which provides a fully writable filesystem with package management, freeing users from vendor limitations. The ecosystem includes over 3000 standardized application packages and a Table of Hardware database documenting all supported devices. In November 2024, OpenWrt launched its first hardware product, the OpenWrt One router, built with MediaTek MT7981B SoC featuring dual-band WiFi-6, PoE, and expandable architecture. The project is governed by the Software Freedom Conservancy and powered by the Linux kernel.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- OpenWrt Firmware Linux-based firmware for embedded devices (primarily routers) that provides a fully writable filesystem with package management, enabling customization beyond vendor-provided firmware. Current stable release is 25.12.5 (released July 1, 2026), with 24.10.7 as the previous stable series. Updated standards-compliant software for routers and embedded devices.
- OpenWrt One Router First router built by the OpenWrt project, featuring MediaTek MT7981B SoC, dual-band WiFi-6 (3x3/2x2), PoE, dual Ethernet ports, and mikroBUS expansion header. Designed for right-to-repair and software freedom. Sold through AliExpress at US$89.
Quantifiable outcome
- Vulnerabilities are closed shortly after discovery
Companies that use OpenWrt
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
OpenWrt technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
OpenWrt partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
OpenWrt competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- DD-WRT: Long-standing open-source Linux-based router firmware alternative to OpenWrt, targeting the same consumer/SMB router base with vendor firmware replacement and advanced networking features.
- FreshTomato: Community-maintained fork of the original Tomato router firmware, offering open-source firmware for Broadcom-based routers with similar customization and QoS capabilities to OpenWrt.
- AsusWRT-Merlin: Custom firmware for ASUS routers that extends the stock AsusWRT with additional features and stability; serves the same home-user/prosumer router-customization segment as OpenWrt.
- pfSense (Netgate): Open-source FreeBSD-based firewall/router OS widely used for home labs, SMB, and enterprise edge; competes with OpenWrt in the open networking OS space, particularly for firewall and routing use cases.
- OPNsense: Open-source FreeBSD-based firewall and routing platform forked from pfSense, offering a comparable open networking OS alternative to OpenWrt with focus on security and enterprise features.
- VyOS: Open-source network operating system for routers, firewalls, and VPN concentrators; targets a more enterprise/prosumer segment but competes in the same open-source networking OS category as OpenWrt.
- IPFire: Open-source Linux-based firewall distribution for embedded devices and home/SMB networks, providing a comparable open-source alternative to OpenWrt focused on security and routing.
Broad incumbents
- MikroTik (RouterOS): Established networking vendor offering proprietary RouterOS on its hardware; competes with OpenWrt in the same router OS category but as a commercial, vertically integrated incumbent rather than an open-source project.
- Ubiquiti (UniFi): Major commercial networking equipment and controller-software provider whose UniFi platform serves home and SMB router/Wi-Fi markets; competes with OpenWrt in the broader networking space via proprietary hardware+software bundles.
Emerging players
- GL.iNet: Vendor of travel and home routers that ships many of its products preinstalled with OpenWrt; serves overlapping customer segments and uses OpenWrt as a foundation rather than competing as a direct firmware alternative.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
OpenWrt social profiles
Digital presenceOpenWrt financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
OpenWrt leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
OpenWrt funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
OpenWrt M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about OpenWrt
What does OpenWrt do?
OpenWrt is a Linux-based open-source operating system targeting embedded devices, primarily wireless routers. It provides a fully writable filesystem with package management, freeing users from vendor firmware limitations and allowing customization through 3000+ standardized application packages. The project also offers the OpenWrt One, its first official hardware router, sold through AliExpress at US$89.
Is OpenWrt a public or private company?
OpenWrt is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was OpenWrt founded?
OpenWrt was founded in 2004. It employs 11 to 50 people.
How does OpenWrt make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Donations are the primary driver. The others are openWrt One Router Sales.
Who are OpenWrt's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are DD-WRT, FreshTomato, AsusWRT-Merlin, pfSense (Netgate), OPNsense, VyOS and IPFire. Broad incumbents are MikroTik (RouterOS) and Ubiquiti (UniFi). GL.iNet is listed as an emerging player.
Does OpenWrt have an API?
No public API is recorded for OpenWrt.