MikroTik is for people who like to tinker. TP-Link is plug it in and forget it.
Short answer
MikroTik hAP ax S - AX3000, 5 gigabit ports and 2.5 Gbit/s SFP, USB, RouterOS. TP-Link Archer AX23 - AX1800, 4 antennas, EasyMesh and cheaper.
Key differences
| Spec | MikroTik hAP ax S | TP-Link Archer AX23 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | router | router |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6, AX3000 | Wi-Fi 6, AX1800 |
| Wi-Fi speed | 574 + 2400 Mbit/s | 574 + 1201 Mbit/s |
| Bands | 2.4 + 5 GHz | 2.4 + 5 GHz |
| WAN | configurable | 1 × 1 Gbit/s |
| LAN | 5 × 1 Gbit/s + SFP 2.5 Gbit/s | 4 × 1 Gbit/s |
| USB | USB-A | no |
| Antennas | — | 4 external |
| Mesh | — | EasyMesh |
| Processor | 2 cores, 950 MHz | — |
| RAM / flash | 512 / 128 MB | — |
| VPN | yes | yes |
| Dimensions, weight | — | 260.2×135×38.6 mm |
| Price | current prices | current prices |
Specs come from the device pages on Smartphone.ua.
Wi-Fi
574 + 2400 vs 574 + 1201 Mbit/s.
Ports
5 × 1 Gbit/s + 2.5 Gbit/s SFP vs WAN and 4 LAN at 1 Gbit/s.
Setup
RouterOS with flexible port configuration vs a simple web interface.
Verdict: who should buy which
- For advanced users - MikroTik hAP ax S.
- Simple and cheaper - TP-Link Archer AX23.
FAQ
Is there VPN?
Yes, on both.
Is there USB?
On the MikroTik - yes, on the TP-Link - no.
Which is cheaper?
The Archer AX23.