OpenWISP vs TP-Link Omada SDN
OpenWISP
openwisp.org
TP-Link Omada SDN
tp-link.comSide by side
| Figure | OpenWISP | TP-Link Omada SDN |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 2 | 3 |
| Spec score · Wifi Management Software | 7.6 (#5) | 7.5 (#6) |
| Spec score · Network Management Software | 7.4 (#19) | 7.4 (#20) |
| Monitoring | Monitoring includes metrics such as ping success, round-trip time, Wi-Fi clients, mobile signal quality, traffic patterns, and access technology. | The cloud controller lists intelligent network monitoring, abnormal event warnings, and network summary reports among its management features. |
| Purpose | OpenWISP is an open-source solution built on Linux OpenWrt for network deployment, monitoring, and management. | Omada SDN provides centralized management for enterprise networks made up of security gateways, switches, and wireless access points. |
| Support | Commercial support offers deployment and maintenance, proactive monitoring, expert assistance, and encrypted nightly backups with restoration. | TP-Link directs product setup, troubleshooting, warranty, account, and general technical support questions to its Technical Support channel. |
Plans
TP-Link Omada SDN
- Omada Cloud EssentialsFree
- Omada Software ControllerFree
- Omada Cloud StandardPriced on request
In their own words
OpenWISP
OpenWISP is a free, open-source network deployment and management system built on Linux OpenWrt. It supports API, Linux, self-hosted and web environments in a hybrid deployment model. Reusable templates, tags, group templates and dynamic variables organize configurations for devices, groups and organizations, while policy automation and API access are available. Administrators can create VPN configurations and cryptographic keys or certificates for WireGuard, OpenVPN and ZeroTier. Monitoring covers ping success, round-trip time, Wi-Fi clients, mobile signal quality, traffic patterns and access technology. Firmware upgrades work on individual devices or in batches. The RADIUS module supports SMS verification, user management, social login, SAML single sign-on, session limits, Change of Authorization and REST access. Hotspot captive portals support registration, authentication, phone verification, social login and paid subscriptions. Commercial support and sponsorship plans are available.
TP-Link Omada SDN
TP-Link Omada SDN centralizes management of enterprise networks built from security gateways, switches and wireless access points. Administrators can configure supported Omada routers and network devices through one platform, with tools for network discovery, configuration management and backups. The hybrid deployment options include a software controller and cloud management. Omada Cloud Essentials provides free cloud management for unlimited devices, including network topology and VLAN management. Omada Cloud supports zero-touch provisioning for remote setup, and its monitoring features include network summaries and warnings about abnormal events.
The Omada app can connect to hardware, software and cloud controllers for local or remote administration. The Open API supports REST GET and POST requests, returns JSON and uses OAuth for authentication and authorization. The software controller is free for centralized management of up to 1,500 devices, with capacity dependent on PC or server hardware. Cloud Essentials is also lifetime free; Cloud Standard lists a device license fee but no price. Controller management applies only to certain TP-Link models, and the controller cannot discover or manage third-party devices.