Ubiquiti Unifi vs. TP-Link Omada: A Head-to-Head Comparison

If you're looking for a new network system, you may be considering Ubiquiti Unifi or TP Link Omada. Both systems are popular choices for home and small business users, but they have different strengths and weaknesses.
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In this blog post, we'll compare Ubiquiti Unifi and TP Link Omada in terms of hardware, software, price, and features. We'll also provide some tips on which system might be right for you.

Disclaimer:

• We are not affiliated with Ubiquiti or TP-Link in any way. All opinions expressed in this post are my own.
• The Amazon links in this post are affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission.

​What is a network system such as Omada or Unifi?

A network system is a collection of networking hardware and software that allows devices to communicate with each other.

• Networking hardware includes devices such as routers, switches, and access points. These devices are responsible for routing data between devices on the network.
• Networking software is responsible for managing the network and providing services to users. 

​What are the benefits of using a network system such as Omada or Unifi?

The main benefit of using a network system like Omada or Unifi is centralised management with the option of remote access, for multiple admins. This means that the network can be configured from anywhere and settings can be quickly applied to all relevant devices. The software presents all equipment as a single system with dashboards displaying stats and identifying issues, making it a very user-friendly experience. Provided all products are from the same system, they will all be identifiable and manageable centrally through the software.

​Ubiquiti Unifi

​What is Ubiquiti Unifi?

Ubiquiti Unifi is a suite of networking hardware and software that allows you to create a high-performance, scalable, and affordable network for your home or business. Unifi devices are designed to be easy to use and manage, even for users with no networking experience.

The Unifi product line includes access points, switches, routers, cameras, and more. All of these devices can be managed using the Unifi Controller software, which is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux. The Unifi Controller software provides a single, centralised interface for managing all of your Unifi devices.

One of the most popular features of Unifi is its scalability. You can start with a small network and easily add more devices as your needs grow. Unifi also supports a variety of deployment options, including on-premises, cloud-based, and hybrid.
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If you are looking for a high-performance, scalable, and affordable networking solution, Ubiquiti Unifi is a great option. It is easy to use, even for users with no networking experience, and it supports a variety of deployment options.

​What are the features of Ubiquiti Unifi?

• Ubiquiti products are known for their well-thought-out and aesthetically pleasing designs. This is no surprise, as the company's founder, Robert Pera, came from Apple and Tesla. Pera's design sensibilities are evident in all of Ubiquiti's products, from the sleek lines of their access points to the user-friendly interface of their software.
• High performance: Unifi devices are designed to deliver high performance, even for demanding applications such as video streaming and gaming.
• Affordability: Unifi devices are very affordable, making them a great option for businesses and home users on a budget.
• Wireless features: Unifi devices support the latest wireless standards, such as 802.11ac and 802.11ax.
• Monitoring and reporting: The Unifi Controller software provides a number of monitoring and reporting features, such as bandwidth usage, client connections, and device health.
• Support: Ubiquiti offers a variety of support options, including online documentation, community forums, and technical support.

Who is Ubiquiti's founder Robert Pera?

Robert Pera is the founder and CEO of Ubiquiti Networks, a global communications technology company that he took public in 2011. 
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Pera was born in 1978 in San Jose, California. He attended the University of California, San Diego, where he studied electrical engineering and Japanese. After graduating from UCSD, Pera worked as a software engineer at Apple and then at Tesla Motors.

​In 2005, Pera founded Ubiquiti Networks with the goal of creating high-quality networking products that were affordable and easy to use. The company's first product was the UniFi access point, which was designed to be a more affordable and user-friendly alternative to the high-end access points that were available at the time.

Ubiquiti Networks quickly became a success, and Pera was named one of Forbes' "30 Under 30" in 2010. The company's products are now used by businesses and consumers all over the world. Pera is a visionary entrepreneur who has made a significant impact on the networking industry. 

​What are the cons of Ubiquiti Unifi?

Every product on the market has its downsides, and Ubiquiti Unifi products are no exception. However, overall, they are very good products. Here are a few concerns that have been raised about Ubiquiti Unifi products:
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• Limited support: Ubiquiti offers limited support for its products. There is no phone support, and the only way to get help is through the company's forums or email. This can be frustrating for users who are having problems with their devices.
• Security concerns: There have been some security concerns raised about Ubiquiti products. In 2017, a security researcher found a vulnerability in the Unifi controller software that could allow attackers to take control of devices on the network. Ubiquiti has since patched the vulnerability, but it is still a concern for some users.
• Hardware quality: There have been some reports of problems with the hardware quality of Ubiquiti products. Some users have reported that their devices have stopped working after a short period of time. Ubiquiti has a one-year warranty on its products, but this may not be enough for some users.
• Software updates: Ubiquiti has a reputation for releasing buggy software updates. These updates can sometimes cause problems with devices on the network. Ubiquiti has been working to improve its software update process, but it is still a concern for some users.

In the 'Personal Experience' section of this post, I will share my own experiences, both good and bad, with Ubiquiti Unifi products.

TP Link Omada

​What is TP Link Omada?

TP-Link Omada was founded in 2015 by TP-Link, a global leader in networking products. It is a software-defined networking (SDN) platform that is similar to Ubiquiti Unifi in many ways. It allows businesses to easily manage their networks by providing a centralised management interface for all of their network devices, including switches, routers, access points, and wireless controllers. This makes it easy to configure and troubleshoot your network, and to ensure that all of your devices are working together seamlessly.
​Omada is a relatively new platform, but it has quickly gained popularity among small and medium businesses.

​What are the key features of TP Link Omada?

• Centralised management: Omada provides a centralised management interface for all of your network devices, including switches, routers, access points, and wireless controllers. This makes it easy to configure, troubleshoot, and monitor your network from a single location.
• Scalability: Omada is a scalable platform that can grow with your home or business. You can add more devices to your network as your needs grow without having to replace your existing hardware.
• Affordability: Omada is an affordable platform that offers a good value for money. You can get a reliable and feature-rich networking solution without breaking the bank.
• Performance: Omada is designed to deliver high performance for your network. It can handle even the most demanding workloads without slowing down.
• Ease of use: Omada is easy to use, even for users with no networking experience. The user interface is intuitive and easy to navigate.
• Support: TP-Link provides excellent support for Omada. You can get help from TP-Link's team of experts through a variety of channels, including phone, email, and online chat.

​What are the cons of TP Link Omada?

As with Ubiquiti Unifi, you will always find disadvantages to any Network System. Although Omada is a very good there are a few downsides:

• Not as widely used as some other platforms: Omada is not as widely used as some other platforms, such as Ubiquiti Unifi. This means that there is not as large of a community of users and experts available to help you with your Omada network.
• Limited documentation: Omada's documentation is not as extensive as some other platforms. If you need help configuring or troubleshooting your Omada network, you may have difficulty finding the information you need.
• Reputation: TP-Link Omada is a very good system used by thousands of users across the world. However, it has slight reputation for being a second-class product. This is partly due to its cheap cost, but also due to its more functional-looking equipment and software, and a far less polished marketing strategy than Ubiquiti Unifi. Having said that, TP-Link Omada has significantly improved the aesthetics of some of its recent designs of access points. They are now much more pleasing to the eye than many other brands. Additionally, it should be noted that the cost is not a reflection of performance, although they are sometimes criticised for this.

​In the 'Personal Experience' section of this post, I will share my own experiences, both good and bad, with Tp-Link Omada products.

Comparison of TP Link Omada and Ubiquiti Unifi

Comparing the two services as a whole has already been done to some extent above, so I will get into a more detailed comparison of each brand from a product and software perspective below. I will add some additional information in the 'Personal Experience' section.

Ubiquiti Unifi vs. TP-Link Price and Stock Comparison

The bottom line is that everyone cares about the cost, and this goes both ways. Overall, Omada is cheaper than Unifi, especially the larger PoE switches. The APs are more or less the same price, although arguably Omada is better value for money in terms of bang for buck. For large-scale deployments in a commercial environment, the cost comparison would be pretty noticeable. You would save a lot of money installing Omada over Unifi. However, on smaller projects, the difference would be less obvious, and we find that many clients are quite happy to spend a bit more for Ubiquiti.

Omada's lower cost is a double-edged sword for the brand in my opinion. Many see the lower cost as a mark of an inferior product. I don't necessarily agree, but I can understand why Omada would be placed in the "budget" category.

However, the cost is pretty irrelevant if you can't get your hands on the products. Unifi have struggled over the past few years with stock, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, their stock was so poor that we had to stop quoting for installations which included Ubiquiti. Luckily, things have improved significantly since then, although there is still a lack of PoE switches and products will randomly go out of stock for a while. Additionally, new products are limited to a few per customer, although this is likely due to demand more than anything else.
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Omada products, on the other hand, are rarely out of stock. In fairness to Ubiquiti, this is probably partly due to less demand. However, in addition, TP-Link has numerous manufacturing plants, and supply chain issues appear to impact them less, probably because they are a larger company.

Ubqiuti Unifi vs Tp-Link Omada - Switch comparison

Comparison type	Ubiquiti Unifi	Tp-Link Omada
Cost	Ubiquiti Unifi switches offer very good value for money compared to companies such as Cisco or Aruba. However, they may lack some of their more advanced features. In comparison to TP-Link Omada, they are more expensive, which may put off some small businesses or home users.	TP-Link Omada switches are some of the cheapest managed switches on the market. They offer excellent value for money and are often attractive to small business users for this reason.
Aethetics and noise	Ubiquiti Unifi switches stand out as attractive products. They are all very well-designed, and the larger switches have [an] LCD status screen. Some of the smaller "Lite" switches have a simpler design and use a rounded white casing. Most of the current generation of Ubiquiti Unifi switches are fanless, meaning they run silently.	TP-Link switches are, on the whole, very functional-looking. They very much look like most other switches on the market. However, [many of] their larger switches are fan-cooled and can be noisy, especially when there are multiple switches in use.
Range of products	Ubiquiti has a very limited range of switches on the smaller end. However, there are a number of 24 and 48 port options which would be suitable for business. Ubiquiti's entry-level PoE switches have limited PoE power, especially in comparison to previous generations. Ubiquiti Unifi sometimes has stock issues on older models.	TP-Link Omada has a good range of switches, both small and large, with various PoE budgets. The larger, entry-level PoE switches have plenty of PoE power.
Performanance and quality	Ubiquiti switches perform very well and rarely fail. If treated well, they will run for years.	TP-Link Omada switches also perform very well and rarely fail. As with Unifi, if treated well, they will run for many years.

Ubqiuti Unifi vs Tp-Link Omada - Wireless Access Point comparison

Comparison type	Ubiquiti Unifi	TP-Link Omada
Cost	When Ubiquiti Unifi first entered the market, their access points were renowned for their excellent value for money. This is still true today, however, the market has expanded and there are now numerous brands offering similarly specced access points for a similar price.	Overall, TP-Link Omada's WiFi 6 access points are slightly cheaper than Ubiquiti Unifi's. However, there is not a huge difference. Some of the early WiFi 5 and 4 models are very cheap, offering excellent value for money.
Aethetics	Ubiquiti UniFi access points are very well-designed, and for this reason, they are well-suited to both domestic and commercial environments. Ubiquiti UniFi also offers a number of skins that can be added to certain models of access points to allow them to blend in with their surroundings.	The current generation of TP-Link Omada access points are well-designed. They are starting to make progress on Ubiquiti, but they aren't quite there yet. Previous generations were cheaper-looking and lacked the quality finish of Ubiquiti UniFi access points.
Range of products	Ubiquiti has a good range of access points, but they are quite slow to bring new models to market. They also occasionally have stock issues, and new models are often unavailable. WiFi 6E access points are now available, although currently WiFi 6E cannot be used in the UK. The frequency for Wi-Fi 6E in the UK is still being discussed with Ofcom.	TP-Link Omada has a good range of access points and continues to manufacture previous generations. They lack a range of very high-capacity access points, like Ubiquiti's XG range. WiFi 7 access points are on the horizon.
Performanance and quality	UniFi access points perform very well and are renowned for their reliability. If automatic updates are used, then on occasion newer "smart features" are added, which can cause issues. However, these can be changed via the controller software.	TP-Link Omada access points are very good, especially their newer models. Some people reported issues with earlier generations, which tarnished their reputation slightly. However, I think these issues were mostly unfounded and related to specific firmware problems rather than hardware.

​Ubiquiti Unifi vs TP-Link Omada - Router comparison

This is a slightly unfair comparison, as Ubiquiti now makes "Dream Machines" and "Dream Routers", which are multifunction devices rather than just a router. For this reason, I have written some information with pros and cons of each, rather than a side-by-side comparison.​

Unifi Dream Machines, Dream Router and Dream Wall

Before we get started on the title products, I must mention that Ubiquiti also has another simpler product known as a UniFi Security Gateway. This is exactly as the name suggests, and would be an ideal comparison to TP-Link's routers. However, the USGs are old products now and will likely be retired soon. For this reason, I will focus on their current models.
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Ubiquiti's slightly pretentiously named "Dream" products are at the heart of the UniFi Network System. They serve as the router/firewall, a switch, run the UniFi Controller software, and handle numerous other functions, including hosting UniFi's Security, VoIP, and Access software. The features available will vary depending on the model, but essentially they can handle several roles in the UniFi Network System, making them an ideal starting point for someone looking to use their products.

The Dream Machine Pro and Pro Special Edition are rack-mountable routers and are really designed for business use or domestic customers with UniFi CCTV. The standard Dream Machine and Dream Router are really intended for home or small business use. The Dream Wall is fairly new, but features all the plus points of each of the aforementioned products.

The simplicity in setup is a key selling point of these products, and even network novices shouldn't have too much trouble following the step-by-step guides. Aesthetically, they are all very well designed and have the Apple-esque feel mentioned earlier.

From a cost perspective, all are good value for money in comparison to other products on the market. Especially considering their multifunction abilities.

A criticism of these products is their lack of advanced networking features seen in some of their competitors' models. New features are often trickle-fed through firmware updates, which can frustrate some users. Simple features such as load balancing have been long promised but as yet not delivered.

TP-Link Omada Routers

TP-Link has taken a different approach to their routers than Ubiquiti UniFi. Their routers are the more traditional type. They handle the internet, firewall, and routing, and are managed through the TP-Link Omada software (either hardware or software controllers).
The routers are functional-looking and pretty small in comparison to the Unifi products (much like the USG). Their small size means deployment is slightly more flexible, as they can be wall-mounted or placed in 10" cabinets.
From a feature perspective, they are fairly similar to Unifi and may lack some of the advanced features seen in competitors' models. However, this is reflected in their price, and they are excellent value for money. It is fairly unusual to see them deployed in anything other than home or small business environments.
The routers are generally pretty good and perform well, but there have been questions over reliability with some users finding issues occurring after a few months of use. Generally, most problems appeared to be ironed out with firmware upgrades.​

Cloudkeys and Omada Hardware Controllers Comparison

Both UniFi and Omada offer hardware controllers for those who do not want to run software controllers on PCs or servers. These products essentially allow the continuous running of the controller software on a site, and their key feature is providing the ability to remotely access and centrally manage the network.
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UniFi's CloudKeys have been largely surpassed by their "Dream" products, but they are still available. They serve a purpose, but issues have let down the CloudKeys, and they stand out as one of the few UniFi products that are pretty unreliable. This, coupled with the fact that they are fairly expensive, makes them a product I would not recommend.

Omada Controllers are fairly basic in their form and function in exactly the same way as CloudKeys. For the most part, Omada hardware controllers are reliable and represent pretty good value for money.

Ubiquiti Unifi vs TP-Link Omada - Software Comparrison

It would be fair to say that TP-Link Omada's Controller software is heavily influenced by Ubiquiti UniFi's Controller software. The two are very similar, and any user who knows one would not have too much trouble using the other. The layout and features are almost identical, however as a general rule, it is probably slightly easier to find features in the Omada software than in UniFi's, primarily because UniFi frequently adjusts the layout.
A few years ago, UniFi switched their "classic" layout to a "new user experience", however it wasn't quite ready, and there was such a lack of confidence in the new layout that the option to switch back to "classic" view remained. Numerous people reported being unable to find features in the new user experience, and generally there was a fair bit of negative feedback about the change. For the most part, this seems to have been resolved, but a slightly illogical format remains in some areas, which can be confusing.
All that said, the UniFi Controller software is actually incredibly easy to use. The layout is clear and very pleasing to the eye. The addition of help videos and tips has made Ubiquiti UniFi's software one of the most user-friendly network software on the market. The initial setup process on their "Dream" products provides clear and simple steps to get everything up and running, and adding new products is as simple as a couple of clicks of the mouse.
TP-Link's Omada software is similar, however, it is not quite as polished in its guidance, and it will probably take a novice a little bit more time to find their feet. Even locating and logging onto the system via the Hardware Controller is more complex than it should be. However, once you're in and connected to the internet, the process of adding devices and configuring as required is as simple as UniFi.
Both UniFi and Omada have associated mobile apps, and although there is less in the way of advanced configuration options, they are actually very well thought-through. It is entirely possible to set up a UniFi system using just the mobile app, and in some ways, it is easier, as "Dream" products and Access Points use Bluetooth to connect to your phone. A nice feature of the mobile apps is their ability to quickly log in to a network remotely and make basic changes or troubleshoot issues.

Personal Experience

I certainly don't pretend that I am an expert on UniFi or Omada. I have a pretty solid understanding of networks, but more importantly, I have plenty of real-world experience of using these products over many years. This kind of exposure allows you to really get to know the systems and all their pros and cons and dirty little secrets.
In this section, I am going to share with you some of my personal experiences. These are just my experiences and views; they may not be yours or anyone else's, but I hope they can be helpful to a few people at least. Please feel free to add your own experiences in the comments below.
First things first, let me tell you that for anything negative I am going to say about either product, on the whole, they are very reliable. My first thought when we have issues with networks and/or complaints about WiFi is, "It won't be the UniFi." The same is true for Omada. 90% of the issues we have with these systems are unplugged cables or user error. Probably 9% are general network issues, such as faulty equipment on the network or damaged cables. I would guess around 1% is due to the UniFi or Omada, and generally, it is a configuration mistake or update that has caused a small issue. Of all the UniFi and Omada equipment I have installed, I have had maybe 4 UniFi APs fail, 1 UniFi switch, and maybe 9 CloudKeys. On Omada, it is even less, maybe 2 access points.
OK, so now that we're clear on that, let's begin...

Unifi issues

The list isn't long, and most of the equipment issues are no longer a problem, as the products have been superseded. However, it is worth mentioning them anyway.

• Bugs in the software. This is probably the biggest issue I have had with UniFi. The issues are not consistent or specific to one particular area of the software. There are just bugs. On the whole, the bugs don't cause issues with the network, but there are just oddities that you will notice if you work with UniFi enough. I have many examples of this, and none of them have been a real problem, just an annoyance and a waste of time. Bugs are most likely to rear their head in the setup (great first impression), but normally they more or less disappear after that.

 

• Lack of support from UniFi. This is often mentioned as a negative, but to be honest, I don't really see this as a big issue. What I would say is that it does take a little bit more work to get the information you require, but there is a wealth of information online, provided both by Ubiquiti and by others (you may have seen our YouTube videos) and it is fairly easy to open a ticket or start an oline chat with one of the team. However, on the couple of occasions we have looked for help from TP-Link, I can say that the contrast was significant. They make a big effort and have us on a Zoom call with their technical teams within 24-48 hours.

 

• UniFi In-Wall Access Points shutting down when a non-PoE device is connected to the PoE port. This was a common problem for a while, and despite discussing it with UniFi, we never really got to the bottom of it. This doesn't seem to be an issue with the new U-6 In Walls.

 

• USGs refusing to connect to the internet. USGs appeared to have an issue with PPPoE connections. They would often refuse to connect. Eventually, we learnt that leaving them to find themselves for 5-10 minutes was the solution.

 

• Cloudkeys failing. This was a consistent issue, especially with Gen1s. They were failing so regularly that we moved all non-"Dream" product installations to server-based controllers. We still have issues with Gen1 Cloudkeys on the remaining sites. 

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• PoE switches. This one isn't a complaint about problems we have had, but about the lack of PoE power in the new range of switches. Previously, UniFi did a lovely range of 150W switches in an 8, 16, and 24-port. These switches were ideal because they provided plenty of headroom in our PoE budgets and didn't cost the earth. However, during the supply issues of COVID, these lines were cut (or permanently out of stock) and they are only available sporadically at present. Unfortunately, the new range of entry-level switches have all got less power, with the 24-port having just 95W. To get more power, you need to use either more than one switch or the significantly more expensive models. This is especially irritating as the WiFi6 access points all require more power than the previous WiFi 5 models.

Omada issues

• We had a really strange issue for a while with devices that had connected to WiFi 6 Omada devices then refusing to connect to any other WiFi 5 device if the SSID (WiFi name) was the same. It seemed to be an issue for iPhones and Windows machines. It was not an isolated issue, and we had it rear its head on many sites. The issue seems to have been resolved with the latest firmware, but anyone operating an older firmware may witness this issue.

• With one particular firmware, we had an issue with VLANs being passed by Omada switches. On one particular site, we ripped the network apart trying to locate the problem. Eventually, after speaking to TP-Link, we were sent a new (yet unreleased) firmware, and the issues suddenly rectified. This was a colossal waste of everyone's time and knocked our confidence in Omada for a while.

• Topology and logs are often incorrect or inaccurate if there is a third-party router in place (rather than an Omada one). This is frustrating, as it means troubleshooting can be challenging. This brings me onto the next point.

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• The Omada logs are very lightweight. They really don't have much detail at all. This, coupled with the point above, makes them pretty worthless. I would really like to see an improvement in this area.

​Which network system is right for you?

Now we come to the part where you ask, "But which product should I buy?" There's plenty to consider in all we've discussed so far, but here's my summary of my opinions. I would love to hear about other people's experiences, so please add them to the comments below. Please only provide helpful feedback!

Home deployments:
Although I am a big fan of Omada, I would generally suggest installing Unifi. The thing about Unifi is that the products look great, and from a user experience, it is really easy to get along with. The performance will be solid from either Omada or Unifi, so we're really looking at the other parts to make a decision. Unifi's Protect (CCTV) also adds another string to its bow and is ideal for people looking for non-Chinese home security. If you are more worried about value for money than aesthetics, then I would say go for Omada. It's easy, reliable, and has fewer bugs than Unifi.

To be honest, whichever you choose, you'll probably be very happy. But beware of Unifi's marketing! Once you're in, you'll probably want more. The latest shiny, flashy device will have you wishing you'd waited just a few more months for the latest and greatest. However, I am afraid to tell you that line of thinking will be great for Unifi but not so great for your mental health and/or bank balance. New products are out all the time, and they're (mostly) only getting better. Such is the way of the world.

Commercial deployments:
If you are looking for a single system for your network, access, and CCTV, then I would strongly suggest Unifi. It is a great, easy-to-use product in this respect, and although it is more expensive than Omada, it is much cheaper than subscription-based products from the likes of Aruba and Cisco. If you are looking for a functional network without the bells and whistles, then I would choose Omada. It works, and it's cheaper.
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Although both brands claim to be built for large-scale commercial installations, I would proceed with caution. Neither brand is as feature-rich or as suitable as the big boys of the networking world, and there may be some raised eyebrows if either of the products are suggested as a serious contender on large-scale deployments.

Summary

So there you have it. That's our comparison of Unifi vs. Omada. I hope you have enjoyed reading this as much as I have writing it. As I have mentioned, please do comment. If this post does well, I will edit to add people's feedback in the future. No spam or links please, they will be deleted.

Don't forget to follow us on Instagram to see some of these products in the real world. And if you want some tips and tricks, you can check out our YouTube channel.
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Thanks for reading!

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