Business routers and gateways connect an office, shop or branch to the internet and to other sites, with VPN, firewall and traffic-control features that home routers usually lack. Our range of over 100 models includes wired routers, cellular 4G and 5G routers, security gateways and VoIP gateways from MikroTik, Cradlepoint, Ubiquiti and TP-Link, among others.
How to choose a business router or gateway
Type of internet connection. Check how the site gets online: fibre or cable through an Ethernet port, or a mobile network through a SIM card. Cellular routers suit temporary sites, vehicles and locations without a fixed line, and many offices also use one as a backup when the main link fails.
Throughput and VPN capacity. The speed of the Gigabit ports is not the speed you get once the firewall, VPN encryption and traffic rules are switched on. Look for the stated VPN or firewall throughput and the number of simultaneous VPN tunnels, especially if staff work remotely or several branches connect to head office.
Ports and expansion. Count the Gigabit Ethernet ports you need, then check for SFP slots for fibre modules, a second WAN port for two internet lines, and PoE if you want to power access points or cameras straight from the router. Rack-mount models give more ports, while small desktop units are enough for a single office.
Management and licensing. Decide whether you prefer a local web interface, a cloud dashboard or a controller application, and whether features such as content filtering or intrusion prevention need a paid subscription. Managing several sites from one screen saves a lot of time as the network grows.
Business router brands we carry
- MikroTik: known for RouterOS, a detailed operating system with advanced routing, firewall and VPN options on affordable hardware, though it takes more time to learn than a simple web interface.
- Cradlepoint: specialises in cellular and wireless WAN routers for branch offices, vehicles and failover connections, with cloud-based management.
- Ubiquiti: best known for the UniFi and EdgeRouter lines, which are managed from a central controller together with Ubiquiti switches and access points.
- TP-Link: offers VPN routers for small businesses and the Omada system, which lets routers, switches and access points be managed from one dashboard.
- Huawei: a major telecoms and enterprise networking manufacturer, with routers designed for branch and carrier-style deployments.
- Cisco: a long-standing enterprise networking vendor, whose routers are common in larger organisations and managed service environments.
- DrayTek: known for the Vigor series, which combines multi-WAN load balancing and VPN features aimed at small and medium businesses.
- SonicWall: focused on network security, with gateways built around firewall and threat-prevention services.
- Yeastar and Grandstream Networks: known for IP telephony, and their gateways typically link analogue phone lines or phone systems to an IP network.
Also in our range: Milesight and Zyxel.
Business routers and gateways FAQ
What is the difference between a business router and a home router?
A business router is built for continuous use by many people and offers features such as site-to-site VPN, VLANs, multiple WAN connections and detailed firewall rules. Home routers focus on simple setup and built-in Wi-Fi. Business models often leave wireless to separate access points, which gives better coverage control.
Do I need a 4G or 5G business router?
You need one if the site has no fixed line, moves between locations, or must stay online when the main connection fails. A cellular router takes a SIM card and connects over the mobile network, either as the main link or as a backup. Check that it supports the mobile bands of your provider.
What is a gateway, and how does it differ from a router?
A gateway connects two different kinds of network or system and translates between them. In this category the term covers security gateways that sit between your network and the internet, and VoIP gateways that connect telephone lines to an IP network. A router, by contrast, mainly forwards traffic between networks.
How much VPN capacity does a small office need?
A small office with a handful of remote staff usually needs only a modest number of simultaneous tunnels, but the router must still manage encrypted traffic at your internet line speed. Check the manufacturer's VPN throughput figure rather than the port speed. If you plan to add branches later, choose a model with headroom in tunnel count.
