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UniFi Network Comparison Charts

Evan McCann

Originally Posted: April 24th, 2021
Last Edited: November 12th, 2024

UniFi Network Comparison Charts

These charts compare all available UniFi Network devices — Gateways, Consoles, Switches, and Wireless Access Points. They are available as images and in other mobile-friendly formats on Google Drive.

Other Ubiquiti Comparison Charts:

Table of Contents

  • UniFi Gateways and Consoles  ↩︎
  • UniFi Wireless Access Points  ↩︎
  • UniFi Switches — By Generation  ↩︎
  • UniFi Switches — By Type  ↩︎
  • UniFi Switches — By Port Count  ↩︎
  • UniFi Switches — By PoE  ↩︎

UniFi Gateways and Consoles

All UniFi Gateways, Cloud Gateways, and UniFi OS Consoles, as of September 2024. See my UniFi Router Comparison for more details. For clarity I've separated them into categories based on their role.

The branding and naming of these products has changed overtime, from Security Gateways to Routing Offload, and from UniFi OS Consoles to Console Gateways to Cloud Gateways. Not matter the term, these gateways are the devices that route packets and act as a firewall for a UniFi network.

Cloud Keys and the new Cloud Console are handled separately below. They only run UniFi software and do not route packets or act as a gateway.

We'll start by looking at all of the current options for UniFi gateways, including some older ones that Ubiquiti no longer lists on their official store.

Current UniFi Gateways

Unlisted UniFi Gateways

These may still be for sale, but are not promoted on the Ubiquiti website or listed in their respective categories in the Ubiquiti store. The USG and USG-Pro are legacy products, and should not be considered for new installs.

  • UniFi Security Gateway (USG)
  • UniFi Security Gateway Pro (USG-Pro)
  • UniFi Dream Machine (UDM)

UniFi Standalone Gateways — USG and UXG

All UniFi standalone gateways, as of September 2024. Standalone is my term, but these gateways require the UniFi Network application to be run on another piece of hardware such as a Cloud Key, local PC/server, or cloud service. The USG models are discontinued and end of life, while the UXG models are current.

UniFi standalone gateways (USG and UXG) comparison. These require a Cloud Key, cloud service, or self-hosted UniFi Network application.

UniFi Cloud Gateways (UniFi OS Consoles)

All UniFi Cloud Gateways, as of September 2024. These models are newer, and they all run UniFi OS. They have been called UniFi OS Consoles, Gateway Consoles, and now Cloud Gateways. They act as routers or firewalls, and also run the UniFi software applications like Network and Protect. These can’t be used with Cloud Keys, cloud services, or a self-hosted UniFi Network application.

The Express (UX) is another new option. It is a gateway, wireless access point, and can be the UniFi Network controller for up to 4 additional devices. It can also be used as an access point in any other UniFi network.

The Dream Machine (UDM) is a router, 4-port switch, and AC Wave 2 Wi-Fi access point. It can only run the Network application, and UniFi Identity. It’s an older model currently not listed on the Ubiquiti store pages, but available via search.

The Dream Router (UDR) is in some ways an upgraded UDM, with Wi-Fi 6 on 5 GHz, UniFi Protect support for video security cameras, PoE out, and curiously, a slower dual-core CPU. The UDR can also run UniFi Talk, or UniFi Access, but only one at a time.

The Cloud Gateway Ultra (UCG-Ultra) and Cloud Gateway Max (UCG-Max) are two of the newest options, offering a simple way to get started with a new UniFi network. The Cloud Gateway Ultra is a gateway and UniFi Network controller for over 30 additional UniFi devices. It has a 2.5 Gbps RJ45 WAN port, but it is limited to gigabit speeds by the backplane and it’s internal connection to it’s four switch ports. The Cloud Gateway Max runs all UniFi applications and has options for 512 GB, 1 TB, or 2 TB internal nVME SSD storage. It also has 2.5 Gbps LAN ports and 1.5 Gbps IPS/IDS throughput like the UXG-Max.

The Dream Machine Pro (UDM-Pro), Dream Machine Special Edition (UDM-SE), and Dream Machine Pro Max (UDM-Pro-Max) are 10 Gbps rackmount gateways that can run all UniFi OS applications — Network, Protect, Access, Talk, and UID. They also have built-in 8-port Ethernet switches, but don’t provide Wi-Fi. The UDM SE adds 2.5 Gbps WAN, PoE, and internal 128 GB SSD. The UDM Pro Max doesn’t offer PoE, but offers a 2.5 Gbps WAN, 128 GB SSD, a 2nd HD bay, more RAM, a more powerful CPU, higher throughput, and double the management limits of the Pro/SE.

The Dream Wall (UDW) is meant to be installed on a wall rather than a typical network rack or shelf. It runs all UniFi OS applications, and includes a built-in router, switch, and Wi-Fi access point.

The Enterprise Fortress Gateway (EFG) is the latest, biggest, and baddest option. For $1999, you get more of everything. Higher speed interfaces including two 25 Gbps SFP28, higher throughput, higher management limits, and exclusive features like “NeXT AI” SSL/TLS inspection.

  • Express (UX)

  • Dream Router (UDR)

  • Cloud Gateway Ultra (UCG-Ultra)

  • Cloud Gateway Max (UCG-Max)

  • Dream Machine (UDM) — Not listed on store.ui.com, available via search

  • Dream Machine Pro (UDM-Pro)

  • Dream Machine SE (UDM-SE)

  • Dream Machine Pro Max (UDM-Pro-Max)

  • Dream Wall (UDW)

  • Enterprise Fortress Gateway (EFG)

UniFi Cloud Gateways (UniFi OS Consoles) comparison. These gateways also host UniFi OS applications such as UniFi Network or UniFi Protect.

UniFi Cloud Keys

The Cloud Keys are different. They are not gateways or routers, they only run UniFi OS applications. I’m including them to make comparing which models run which UniFi OS applications easier. Cloud Keys require the use of the UXG-Lite, UXG-Max, UXG-Pro, UXG-Enterprise, or some 3rd party router or firewall.

The base 2nd generation (UCK-G2) model only runs the Network application, but the G2+ model can also act as an NVR for UniFi Protect, and it also supports UniFi Talk, UniFi Access, and some features of UniFi Identity. The Cloud Console or UniFi Cloud is a new official cloud option for hosting the UniFi Network application, and requires a monthly subscription.

  • Cloud Key (UC-CK) — Discontinued

  • Cloud Key Gen 2 (UCK-G2) — Not a gateway, only runs UniFi Network application

  • Cloud Key+ (UCK-G2-Plus) — Not a gateway, runs all UniFi OS applications

  • Cloud Key Enterprise (CK-Enterprise) — Not a gateway, only runs UniFi Network application

  • Official UniFi Hosting (Official UniFi Hosting) — Ubiquiti's official cloud service for running the UniFi Network application

Cloud Keys run UniFi software. These are not gateways, they only run the software and manage other UniFi devices.

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UniFi Wi-Fi Access Points

All UniFi APs, as of September 2024. See my UniFi Wi-Fi Access Point Buyers Guide for more details.

Comparison of all current UniFi Wi-Fi access points

Wi-Fi 5 UniFi APs

The older Wi-Fi 5 models are broken up into two tiers. The AC Wave 1 models are the oldest UniFi APs still for sale. The slightly newer AC Wave 2 models mostly have “HD” in their name, and the additional features that AC Wave 2 added to the 802.11ac standard.

Curiously, in January 2024 we got a new AC Wave 1 model, the Swiss Army Knife Ultra. It’s similar to the AC Mesh, and it can be used with a optional RP-SMA antennas.

AC Wave 1

AC Wave 2

Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E

Wi-Fi 6

Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7

The U6-Enterprise and U6-Enterprise In-Wall are the only two Wi-Fi 6E models we’ve seen. In January 2024, Ubiquiti released their first Wi-Fi 7 model, the U7-Pro. In May 2024, they added three more Wi-Fi 7 models: the U7 Pro Max, U7 Pro Wall, and U7 Outdoor. See my U7-Pro Preview and U7 Pro Max, Pro Wall, and Outdoor Preview for more details about these new access points.

XG and 60 GHz Bridge

This is a bit of a catch all, miscellaneous category. This included the XG and BaseStation XG, which are high-end 802.11ac models that haven’t been updated to support Wi-Fi 6. They can be used for very high density networks and other specialty needs. The Building Bridges can be used to to bridge your network to another location a couple hundred feet or meters away.

This category has two new additions — the recently announced Device Bridge and Device Bridge Pro. These act as wireless bridges, meant for connecting a far away camera or other PoE device. The basic Device Bridge is meant for indoor deployments, and connects to an existing UniFi Wi-Fi network. The Device Bridge Pro can do that too, or you can use a pair of them for longer or outdoor point-to-point links, up to 5 km or 3.1 miles. You could also consider a UISP device like an AirMAX or GigaBeam instead.

UniFi APs - XG and Building Bridge comparison

Omnidirectional UniFi APs — Flagship

Omnidirectional APs are defined by their antennas which broadcast in all directions. These are typically mounted to a ceiling, but can also be mounted to a wall or placed on a desk or shelf. These are good general purpose APs for covering a broad area. Ubiquiti calls these their “flagship” models.

Omnidirectional Wi-Fi 4 and 5

Omnidirectional Wi-Fi 6 and 6E

Flexible and Outdoor UniFi APs

UniFi APs - Flexible and Outdoor model comparison

UniFi APs - Wall

UniFi APs - In-Wall AP comparison

UniFi APs — All-in-one Wi-Fi Gateways

These models were covered above, as gateways. These gateway models also act as Wi-Fi access points, so it’s worth covering their wireless specs as well.

  • UniFi Express (UX)

  • UniFi Dream Router (UDR)

  • UniFi Dream Machine (UDM) — Not listed on store.ui.com, available via search

  • UniFi Dream Wall (UDW)

UniFi APs — All-in-one Wi-Fi Gateway comparison

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UniFi Switches — Grouped By Generation

There are a lot of UniFi switches. There are over 31 of them currently on the Ubiquiti store, far too many to fit into one chart.

To make them easier to digest, I group them in multiple ways. We'll start with the 1st generation and basic 2nd generation switches, then add in the professional and enterprise, and other special models. Last, we'll look at them by port count and by PoE or non-PoE.

This is every model of UniFi Switch, as of September 2024. See UniFi Switches Explained and my UniFi Switches Buyers Guide for more details.

Comparison of all current UniFi switch models

Unlisted and Discontinued UniFi Switches

These are what’s left of the 1st generation models, which were released from 2014 to 2018. They lack the 2nd generation features like the small touchscreen and UniFi AR and can have loud fans. They are still supported and fine to use. The PoE models offer lots of PoE budget for their price, making them suitable for some networks despite being older.

Unlisted and discontinued UniFi switches

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UniFi Switches — Grouped By Type

All UniFi switches grouped by type, or model line.

Standard UniFi Switches

"Standard" is a new term for the normal, full rack-width rackmountable switches. Most of them are from the 2nd generation, but the first generation US-16, US-24, and US-48 models also were renamed. This is a chart comparing all standard models.

UniFi Switches - Standard models

Pro and Pro Max UniFi Switches

The professional models feature UniFi’s Layer 2+/L3 switching features, high PoE budgets, and 10 Gbps SFP+ or 25 Gbps SFP28 ports. The USP-RPS can be used for redundant power on all models that support it.

The Pro Max models were announced in December 2023. The first two models that are available now at the Pro Max 24 PoE and Pro Max 48 PoE. There will be additional models in the future. The most notable features for the Pro Max models are PoE++ and 2.5 Gbps RJ45 interfaces, making them good for networks with lots of U6-Enterprise access points, Wi-Fi 6E, and other high-power and high-bandwidth needs. They also have RGB lighting that can help identify ports and works with UniFi AR. Ubiquiti has branded this as Etherlighting™️ and so far only the Pro Max models have that feature.

Aggregation and Enterprise UniFi Switches

Enterprise is a level above professional, featuring 2.5 or 10 Gbps RJ45 ports, and 10 Gbps SFP+ or 25 Gbps SFP28 ports.

UniFi Switches - 2nd Generation Aggregation and Enterprise models

UniFi Switches — Utility Models

“Utility” is another new category on the UniFi store. These models are specialized in some way, either by being small desktop models with PoE, or by being more flexible in where they can be used. The Flex switch has the optional outdoor Flex Utility enclosure, and the Industrial is plenum-rated and hardened for harsh environments, as examples. For readability, I’ve split them into two groups.

Utility switches under 8 ports:

Utility switches 8 ports and up:

XG and Flex UniFi Switches

XG Models

XG models typically feature 10 Gbps SFP+ or 25 Gbps SFP28 ports.

Flex Models

Flex models are able to be powered by PoE input, USB-C, or a power adapter. I also included the Ultra, because it supports PoE input.

Power Tech

This is a new category, including all the of the power backup and PDU models. The Mission Critical is a switch for core infrastructure that needs to stay up during a power outage. The RPS and PDU models are for supplying redundant power to UniFi routers and switches that support RPS input.

Data Center

This is another new category, meant for high-end networks which need multiple 25, 40, or 100 Gbps links, and VxLAN capabilities. These are not part of the normal UniFi Network Application, and are managed by the new, separate UniFi Data Center Application. These models have been removed from the early access store, but I’m leaving this here in case they return.

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UniFi Switches — Grouped By Port Count

All UniFi switches, grouped by port count.

UniFi Switches — Under 8 Ports

UniFi Switches - Under 8 Ports

UniFi Switches — 8 to 10 Port Models

UniFi Switches — 16 Port Models

UniFi Switches - 16 Port Models

UniFi Switches — 24 to 32 Port Models

UniFi Switches — 33 Ports and Up

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UniFi Switches — Grouped By PoE

All UniFi Switches, grouped by PoE and port count.

PoE UniFi Switches — Under 16 Ports

8 Ports and Under

9 to 10 Ports

PoE UniFi Switches — 16 to 24 Ports

UniFi Switches - PoE models with 16 to 24 ports

PoE UniFi Switches — Over 24 Ports

UniFi Switches - PoE models over 24 ports

Non-PoE UniFi Switches — Under 16 Ports

UniFi Switches - Non-PoE models with less than 16 ports

Non-PoE UniFi Switches — 16 to 26 Ports

UniFi Switches - Non-PoE models with 16 to 24 ports

Non-PoE UniFi Switches — Over 26 Ports

UniFi Switches - Non-PoE models with more than 26 ports

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See this gallery in the original post