Soft routing is favored by domestic users for its flexibility and high customization, with the core being the operating system. The mainstream soft routing systems in China include OpenWrt, iKuaiOS, ImmortalWrt, iStoreOS, and X-Wrt, each with its own characteristics suitable for different scenarios. The following analyzes these systems based on functionality, ease of use, and applicable scenarios to help domestic users choose the right soft routing operating system.
OpenWrt: The Open Source Pioneer with the Highest Freedom#
OpenWrt is the benchmark in the soft routing field, based on the Linux kernel, with a large community support. Its advantages lie in its high modularity, allowing users to install plugins through the LuCI interface or command line to customize network functions. Whether for building a home NAS, ad filtering, or enterprise-level network management, OpenWrt can handle it all.
The downside is that the learning curve is slightly steep, and beginners may be deterred by the complex configuration options. It is suitable for users with a certain technical background who pursue extreme customization.
Soft routing system firmware download: https://ruanluyou.net/go
iKuaiOS: Business-Friendly and Easy to Operate#
iKuaiOS is known for its simple web interface and stable performance, designed specifically for small and medium-sized enterprises and home users in China. It has built-in features such as traffic monitoring and load balancing, with an intuitive configuration process, making it suitable for network management novices. iKuaiOS is well-optimized for hardware compatibility, especially performing stably on x86 architecture devices.
Its shortcomings include a weaker plugin ecosystem and less customization capability compared to OpenWrt. Recommended for users who need quick deployment and prefer a user-friendly operation.
ImmortalWrt: An Optimized Branch of OpenWrt#
ImmortalWrt is a branch of OpenWrt, optimized for the domestic network environment. It makes further advancements in kernel updates, driver support, and wireless performance, especially suitable for users sensitive to Wi-Fi performance. ImmortalWrt retains the modular characteristics of OpenWrt while providing more modern firmware support.
Its community is smaller than that of OpenWrt, and documentation and tutorials are relatively scarce. Suitable for tech enthusiasts focused on new hardware compatibility and wireless performance.
iStoreOS: Lightweight and User-Friendly#
iStoreOS focuses on lightweight design and modern UI, optimized for low-power devices such as Raspberry Pi or small x86 devices. Its interface is simple and intuitive, supporting one-click installation of common network services, making it suitable for home users to quickly set up routers or NAS systems. iStoreOS has a small firmware size and low resource usage, making it suitable for scenarios with limited hardware configurations.
The downside is that its functionality is not as deep as OpenWrt, and its expandability is slightly inferior. Recommended for users pursuing low power consumption and simple configuration.
X-Wrt: Born for Geeks#
X-Wrt is based on OpenWrt, focusing on high-performance devices and geek users. It integrates a wealth of network tools and optimization options, suitable for advanced users to deeply customize their network environment. X-Wrt's firmware updates frequently, supporting the latest hardware and protocols.
Its configuration complexity and learning difficulty are relatively high, making it unsuitable for beginners. Recommended for experienced users or players needing cutting-edge features.
How to Choose the Right System for Yourself?#
Choosing a soft routing system should consider the usage scenario, hardware configuration, and technical level:
- Novice Users: Prioritize iKuaiOS or iStoreOS, as they have user-friendly interfaces and simple configurations, suitable for quick onboarding.
- Tech Enthusiasts: Choose OpenWrt or X-Wrt to enjoy high freedom and a rich plugin ecosystem.
- Wi-Fi Performance Sensitive: Recommend ImmortalWrt, as its wireless optimization is more suitable for modern devices.
- Low-Power Devices: iStoreOS is the first choice, with low resource usage, suitable for devices like Raspberry Pi.
Hardware compatibility is also crucial, and it is recommended to confirm that the device model matches the system support list before downloading firmware. Domestic users can join the Soft Routing Communication Q Group for community support and the latest firmware recommendations.
Summary Analysis#
There is no absolute superiority or inferiority in choosing a soft routing system; the key lies in matching needs. OpenWrt is suitable for players pursuing extreme customization, while iKuaiOS and iStoreOS are more user-friendly, and ImmortalWrt and X-Wrt excel in performance and cutting-edge features. Domestic users should comprehensively consider hardware performance, technical ability, and usage scenarios to ensure stable system operation. Community support is an important part of the soft routing ecosystem, and joining the Soft Routing Communication Q Group can provide real-time assistance. Regardless of which system is chosen, soft routing can bring more possibilities for network management.