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Should I use Asuswrt-merlin?

Third-party enhanced firmware for ASUS routers. - asuswrt-merlin.net

Depends. Use it if you own a supported ASUS router and want free VPN, DNS filtering, and firewall control beyond stock. Skip it if you don't own ASUS hardware, want plug-and-play, or need vendor support.

Confidence

Medium. Based on ~20 public sources; most snippets truncated and no numeric review ratings found, hence medium confidence.

Ratings

  • Value for money
  • Ease of use
  • Feature depth
  • Support quality
  • Security posture

Pricing

$0

Free firmware

ModelNot disclosed
Monthly feesNot disclosed
HardwareASUS routers only
Free tierYes

Best for

  • ASUS router owners wanting VPN and filtering
  • Tinkerers comfortable flashing firmware
  • Home lab and power users
  • People avoiding ASUS cloud features

Not for

  • Anyone without a supported ASUS router
  • Plug-and-play users who never open settings
  • Businesses needing vendor SLAs
  • Non-technical buyers afraid of bricking hardware

Gotchas - check before you buy

high

No SLA: when something breaks, you rely on volunteer forum help

medium

Hardware lock-in: switching router brands means leaving the Merlin ecosystem entirely

medium

Buy the wrong ASUS model and it may never get Merlin support

medium

Flashing means reconfiguration; going back to stock has tradeoffs

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Free enhanced firmware for supported ASUS routers
  • Adds VPN, DNS filtering, firewall add-ons over stock
  • Actively developed; 388.x changelog updated December 2025
  • Removed risky AiCloud feature after security concerns
  • Long-term support list flags routers with longer update windows

Cons

  • Only works on specific ASUS models
  • No official vendor support; community forums only
  • Installation has tradeoffs; flashing carries some risk
  • Some users report slow Wi-Fi on certain models
  • Support ends when ASUS drops a router

Sources & method

Analyzed 10/03/2026 - 14 sources - No known breaches of the project itself; inherited ASUS CVEs are tracked, and risky stock features like AiCloud were removed.

official x5review x5security x3news x1
  • CVE-2024-3080 exposure debated, Community thread discusses whether ASUS's CVE-2024-3080 affects Merlin users.
  • CVE-2018-18320 listed against ASUS hardware, NVD lists this vulnerability under ASUS router CPE entries including RT-AC1900P.
  • User-reported compromise on old version, A user reported an RT-AC66U running Merlin 380.70 was hacked; outdated versions carry risk.

Key stats

  • Value for money: 5/5

    Rating

  • $0

    Starting price

  • 14

    Sources

  • Analyzed

  • Value for money: 5/5. Full-featured firmware, zero cost
  • Ease of use: 2/5. Flashing and add-ons take technical effort
  • Feature depth: 4/5. VPN, DNS filtering, Skynet firewall, add-ons
  • Support quality: 3/5. Active forums, but no official support
  • Security posture: 4/5. Fast patches; removed risky AiCloud; CVEs tracked
  • Free Price Download for supported routers
  • ASUS routers only Hardware Per supported-devices list
  • 388.x Latest release line Changelog updated Dec 2025
  • Public on GitHub Code RMerl/asuswrt-merlin.ng

Pricing

Free firmware

$0

  • Full firmware for supported ASUS models
  • Community support via SNBForums

Security

No known breaches of the project itself; inherited ASUS CVEs are tracked, and risky stock features like AiCloud were removed.

  • CVE-2024-3080 exposure debatedCommunity thread discusses whether ASUS's CVE-2024-3080 affects Merlin users.
  • CVE-2018-18320 listed against ASUS hardwareNVD lists this vulnerability under ASUS router CPE entries including RT-AC1900P.
  • User-reported compromise on old versionA user reported an RT-AC66U running Merlin 380.70 was hacked; outdated versions carry risk.

What users say

Hobbyist forums and Reddit are largely enthusiastic, calling Merlin a must-have for ASUS routers, with occasional Wi-Fi complaints on specific models.

“For anyone out there with an ASUS router, Merlin is a must!!”
Reddit, r/HomeNetworking
Full analysis

Based on ~20 public sources; most snippets truncated and no numeric review ratings found, hence medium confidence.

Free enhanced firmware for ASUS routers. Great if you own one and tinker; useless if you don't.

Methodology

Based on ~20 public sources; most snippets truncated and no numeric review ratings found, hence medium confidence.

Sources

  1. Asuswrt-Merlin: Homeasuswrt-merlin.net
    official
  2. Downloadasuswrt-merlin.net
    official
  3. Featuresasuswrt-merlin.net
    official
  4. Changelog (388.x)asuswrt-merlin.net
    official
  5. RMerl/asuswrt-merlin.ng on GitHubgithub.com
    official
  6. ASUSWRT Firmware vs. ASUSwrt-Merlin 101dongknows.com
    review
  7. ASUSWRT-Merlin Reviewedsmallnetbuilder.com
    review
  8. For anyone out there with an ASUS router, Merlin is a must!!reddit.com
    review
  9. Advantages, disadvantages of installationsnbforums.com
    review
  10. Long Term Support - Asuswrt-Merlin Router Listsnbforums.com
    review
  11. [Announcement] Removal of AiCloudsnbforums.com
    news
  12. AsusWRT-Merlin Secure Alternativelinuxsecurity.com
    security
  13. Asuswrt-merlin CVEs - OpenCVEapp.opencve.io
    security
  14. Product security pageasuswrt-merlin.net
    security

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