Choosing the Right UniFi Gateway for Small and Medium Businesses
For small and medium businesses (SMBs) and IT managers, selecting the right gateway for your network infrastructure is crucial. Ubiquiti offers a diverse range of UniFi gateways designed to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes, but which one is right for your organization? Let’s explore the differences between the UniFi Dream Machine series, the UniFi Gateway series, and the Enterprise Fortress Gateway to help you make an informed decision.
UniFi Dream Machine Series (UDM-Pro, UDM-SE, UDM-Pro Max)
1. UniFi Dream Machine Pro (UDM-Pro)
The UDM-Pro is a popular all-in-one gateway that integrates routing, switching, and network management into a single device. It features:
- Routing Throughput: Over 3.5 Gbps with IDS/IPS enabled.
- Ports: 1x 10G SFP+ WAN, 1x 1 GbE RJ45 WAN, and 8x 1 GbE LAN.
- Storage: A 3.5" HDD bay for UniFi Protect video recordings.
- Management: Built-in UniFi Network application for simple setup and operation.
2. UniFi Dream Machine Special Edition (UDM-SE)
The UDM-SE builds on the UDM-Pro with added PoE capabilities and improved hardware:
- Routing Throughput: Over 3.5 Gbps with IDS/IPS enabled.
- Ports: 1x 10G SFP+ WAN, 1x 2.5 GbE RJ45 WAN, 8x 1 GbE PoE LAN (2 PoE+, 6 PoE).
- Storage: Integrated 128 GB SSD and a 3.5" HDD bay for NVR recordings.
- Additional Feature: PoE ports for powering access points and cameras directly.
3. UniFi Dream Machine Pro Max (UDM-Pro Max)
Designed for larger networks, the UDM-Pro Max offers premium performance:
- Routing Throughput: 5 Gbps with IDS/IPS enabled.
- Ports: 1x 10G SFP+ WAN, 1x 2.5 GbE RJ45 WAN, 8x 1 GbE LAN.
- Storage: Two 3.5" HDD bays with RAID support and an integrated 128 GB SSD.
- Additional Feature: Enhanced processing power for managing 200+ UniFi devices and 2,000+ clients.
Who Should Choose the UDM Series?
The UDM series is ideal for SMBs looking for an all-in-one solution. If you’re managing fewer than 100 devices and want a streamlined setup with integrated network management, these are your go-to options:
- UDM-Pro: Great for basic setups.
- UDM-SE: Perfect for setups needing PoE ports.
- UDM-Pro Max: Best for growing businesses with larger networks or advanced storage needs.
UniFi Gateway Series (UXG-Pro, UXG-Enterprise)
4. UniFi Gateway Pro (UXG-Pro)
The UXG-Pro is a standalone gateway designed for businesses that already have a UniFi Network controller:
- Routing Throughput: Over 3.5 Gbps with IDS/IPS enabled.
- Ports: 1x 10G SFP+ WAN, 1x 1 GbE RJ45 WAN, 1x 10G SFP+ LAN, 1x 1 GbE RJ45 LAN.
- Management: Requires an external controller (Cloud Key or UniFi Network Server).
5. UniFi Gateway Enterprise (UXG-Enterprise)
The UXG-Enterprise is built for demanding environments:
- Routing Throughput: 12.5 Gbps with IDS/IPS enabled.
- Ports: 2x 25G SFP28, 2x 10G SFP+, 2x 2.5 GbE RJ45.
- Features: Shadow Mode High Availability, NeXT AI Inspection for SSL/TLS decryption, dual hot-swappable power supplies.
Who Should Choose the UXG Series?
Choose the UXG series if:
- You need a standalone router with external network management.
- You want to handle high throughput for larger offices or multiple sites.
- You value enterprise-grade features like automatic failover and SSL/TLS inspection.
6. Enterprise Fortress Gateway (EFG)
The EFG is the flagship enterprise solution for high-performance networks:
- Routing Throughput: 12.5 Gbps with IDS/IPS enabled.
- Ports: 2x 25G SFP28, 2x 10G SFP+, 2x 2.5 GbE RJ45 (remappable for WAN/LAN).
- Features: Dual hot-swappable power supplies, Shadow Mode High Availability, NeXT AI Inspection.
- Target Audience: Enterprises needing robust redundancy and ultra-high performance.
Who Should Choose the EFG?
The EFG is overkill for most SMBs but is the perfect fit for large businesses with mission-critical operations, requiring extreme reliability and throughput.
Key Differences
| Feature | UDM-Pro | UDM-SE | UDM-Pro Max | UXG-Pro | UXG-Enterprise | EFG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Integrated Controller | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Routing Throughput | 3.5 Gbps | 3.5 Gbps | 5 Gbps | 3.5 Gbps | 12.5 Gbps | 12.5 Gbps |
| PoE Ports | No | Yes (8) | No | No | No | No |
| Max Devices/Clients | ~200 | ~200 | ~2,000 | ~200 | ~2,000 | ~2,000+ |
| Redundancy | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| High Throughput Ports | No | No | No | No | Yes (25G) | Yes (25G) |
Which Gateway Should You Buy?
- Small Businesses (1–50 devices): Start with the UDM-Pro or UDM-SE for simple, all-in-one solutions. Choose the UDM-SE if PoE ports are required.
- Growing SMBs (50–200 devices): The UDM-Pro Max provides the performance and storage scalability you need.
- IT Managers with Existing UniFi Infrastructure: Opt for the UXG-Pro for flexibility or UXG-Enterprise for high-performance routing.
- Large or Multi-Site Operations: The EFG is the ultimate choice for enterprises prioritizing redundancy, performance, and reliability.
By understanding your network's size, complexity, and scalability needs, you can confidently select the UniFi gateway that delivers optimal performance and value for your business.