Crowdfunded routers tout security, advanced features

What makes a good Internet router? Speed, security and simplicity are often part of the equation but users have different opinions on how to get the best performance for the best price. Google thinks it has found the perfect balance with its $200 OnHub, which touts simplicity in the device's setup. Meanwhile, two organizations, CZ.NIC and AVG, are finding some success by using crowdfunding to create their own visions of the perfect router, with security as a paramount concern.

The Turris Omnia, from the nonprofit CZ.NIC that manages the .CZ top-level domain in the Czech Republic, has seen a lot of early success, nearly doubling its $100,000 fundraising goal within a day while still having nearly two months left on the clock. The router promises security by setting up a honeypot for infiltrators and keeping software up-to-date, not to mention a 1Gbps connection speed. The organization does not cite simplicity, but the router's software is based on OpenWRT, an open-source router software with many available applications. This is an advantage for people looking to make the most of their router, but it might not be the simplest of options for average consumers. Still, the device is a relatively powerful machine, with a 1.6GHz dual-core ARM-based CPU, 1GB of DDR3 RAM and 4GB of internal storage, and it serves more as a mini-computer that can route an Internet connection.

AVG is also focusing on security, which is the company's specialty given that it makes antivirus software, but it is promoting simultaneously the ability to expand coverage throughout an entire home, supporting many connected devices at once. The router is called Chime and it offers users multiple Chimes for different rooms that link together in a mesh network. Other features of the router are smartphone controls and content filtering. It includes the unique offer of free VPN access for three to six months and built-in Tor support for additional privacy and security.

The price of the Turris Omnia is $189 and the Chime starts at $125. As is usual with crowdfunding, these prices are discounted from the expected retail price. These are also more than what many expect to pay for a router. However, the role routers play in people's homes is changing. Security and other capability are becoming more important as the number and diversity of connected devices rises. OEMs and OBMs have recognized the need for speed and traditional security measures, but simplified interfaces with enhanced security that support the IoT are pushing the category forward.

See a comparison table of selected wireless router suppliers on GlobalSources.com