Back to blog
Reviews

Astrill on a Router vs Your Own GL.iNet Router With Throughwire

Astrill's router applet needs ASUS Merlin or DD-WRT; Throughwire sets up the GL.iNet router you own. An honest comparison of setup, smart routing, price and data.

Updated October 2026.

The short answer

Astrill's router option is an applet for ASUS routers running Merlin firmware or DD-WRT routers, with device and website filters you set yourself. Throughwire installs on GL.iNet routers (or OpenWrt) and sends Chinese apps direct automatically. Astrill is cheaper for a household with many devices and no data cap; Throughwire is simpler on GL.iNet hardware.

Table of contents

How does Astrill work on a router?

We checked Astrill's own pages on 23 October 2026. Astrill offers a router applet, and its router page sets out the requirements:

  • Router firmware: "Your router must be either ASUS Merlin or DD-WRT." A DD-WRT router needs at least 8 MB of flash.
  • Connection types: "Only OpenVPN and RouterPro protocols can be used" on routers.
  • Filters: a device filter (choose which devices use the VPN), a site filter (choose which websites go through the VPN and which use your normal connection) and a Wi-Fi filter (turn the VPN on for one Wi-Fi network only).

The same page mentions Astrill VPN routers that come with Astrill pre-installed, but it doesn't list models or prices.

Astrill's best-known feature for China, Smart Mode, is listed for desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux) and mobile (iPhone, iPad, Android). Routers are not on that list. On a router, the applet's site filter is the way to keep chosen websites on your local line.

Can you run Astrill on a GL.iNet router?

Not with the applet. GL.iNet routers run GL.iNet's own firmware, which is neither ASUS Merlin nor DD-WRT. A GL.iNet forum thread from early 2024 reached the same conclusion.

What you can do is use GL.iNet's built-in VPN client with Astrill's connection files. GL.iNet's documentation points Astrill users to a page on Astrill's site that generates WireGuard configurations, which you then load into the router.

GL.iNet's VPN dashboard can send everything through the VPN ("Global Mode") or follow rules by device or by a list of domains and IP addresses you supply ("Policy Mode"). It has no built-in list of Chinese services. So with Astrill on a GL.iNet router, you either send everything abroad, Chinese apps included, or build and maintain your own China list.

How does Throughwire work on a GL.iNet router?

Throughwire installs on GL.iNet's normal firmware, with no reflashing, and on routers already running OpenWrt 24.10 or 25.12.

  1. Finish GL.iNet's first-time setup at 192.168.8.1 and choose an admin password.
  2. Create a one-time router code in your Throughwire account.
  3. From a laptop on the router's Wi-Fi, run the one command shown for Mac (Terminal) or Windows (PowerShell) and enter the code and admin password.

It takes a few minutes and tests itself before finishing. Near the end you choose a route, with the latency measured from your router: Los Angeles (High Speed, recommended) or Osaka or Singapore (Ultra).

To our knowledge (as of October 2026), Throughwire is the first China service that sets up the GL.iNet router you already own with one command from your Mac or Windows PC. No reflashing, no config files.

After setup, smart routing is automatic. WeChat, Alipay, Taobao, Didi, Bilibili and other Chinese services use your normal line; Google, Slack, Zoom, ChatGPT, WhatsApp and anything not identified as Chinese go through Throughwire. The router refreshes its China lists, installs signed updates and keeps working after power cuts. You can look up any website on our routing page.

Side by side

Astrill on a routerThroughwire on a GL.iNet router
RoutersASUS with Merlin firmware, or DD-WRT (applet)GL.iNet on stock firmware, or OpenWrt 24.10 or 25.12
On a GL.iNetGL.iNet's own VPN client with Astrill's filesNative install
SetupInstall the applet on Merlin or DD-WRTOne command from a Mac or Windows laptop
Chinese appsStay local if you add them to the site filterStay local automatically, from maintained China lists
Split routing in phone appsSmart Mode, listed for desktop and mobileNot promised in the apps; automatic China-direct routing is a router feature
Price$30 for one month, $180 a year or $300 for two years (Astrill)From $49 a month (Personal, 100 GB)
Devices"Unlimited devices in your household"Every device on the router's Wi-Fi, plus up to 3 app devices on Personal or 50 seats on Team
Data"Unlimited bandwidth"Monthly data allowance; Chinese apps don't use it
ExtrasVIP add-ons; a private IP on selected serversDedicated IP for $9 a month; one bill for a team

Astrill prices and quotes are from its pricing page on 23 October 2026. We make no claims here about Astrill's speed or reliability.

Where Astrill is the better choice

  • A household with many devices on apps. Astrill allows unlimited devices in a household, and the yearly plan works out at $15 a month. Our Personal plans cover up to 3 app devices plus everything on the router.
  • Heavy streaming or large downloads. Astrill's plans have no data allowance. Ours do.
  • You already own an ASUS router that runs Merlin, or a DD-WRT router. You can install the applet without buying new hardware.
  • You want hand-picked control on the router. The applet's device, site and Wi-Fi filters let you choose exactly what uses the VPN.
  • You want one service across all your apps. Astrill lists Smart Mode for Windows, macOS, Linux, iPhone, iPad and Android.

Where Throughwire is the better choice

  • You own a GL.iNet router, or want one. It installs on the router you have, from your laptop, without reflashing.
  • You want Chinese apps to stay fast with no lists to maintain. WeChat, Alipay and bank apps stay on your normal line on every device, including TVs, consoles and meeting-room screens.
  • You run a team. Team plans give 50 seats on one bill with office router setup, and a dedicated IP add-on gives the company one stable address.
  • You want to see our numbers. In our network data for the 30 days to 19 October 2026, median working speed during China's evening peak (19:00 to 23:59) was 98% of the rest of the day on High Speed, though the best bursts were lower in the evening. Our public top speed is on network stats.

Our honest trade-offs

  • Data allowances. Personal plans are 100 GB for $49, 200 GB for $99, 300 GB for $149, 500 GB for $249 and 1 TB for $499 a month. Ultra traffic counts at 2.5 times (10 GB on Ultra uses 25 GB). A heavy streaming household can pay more with us than with Astrill.
  • GL.iNet or OpenWrt only. We don't support ASUS Merlin, DD-WRT or other brands' own firmware.
  • You buy the router separately. A Flint 2 was US$169.99 on GL.iNet's store on 23 October 2026. On larger plans we may credit the cost of the router; check your account.

Switching a GL.iNet router from Astrill to Throughwire

If you set up Astrill through GL.iNet's own VPN menu, turn that VPN client off first under VPN > VPN Dashboard, together with any "Block Non-VPN Traffic" option. Our setup checks for this and tells you if a GL.iNet VPN client is still steering traffic. Then run the setup as above. You can keep your Astrill apps on your phone and laptop for when you are away from home.

When Throughwire isn't the right choice

  • Your needs match the Astrill list above: many app devices, no data allowance, or an ASUS Merlin or DD-WRT router you want to keep. Astrill is likely the better fit.
  • You already run ShellCrash, OpenClash or PassWall on OpenWrt with your own servers and enjoy maintaining it.
  • Your company needs a licensed cross-border line for compliance. See office internet options in China.

Common questions

Does Astrill work on GL.iNet routers?

Not through Astrill's applet, which needs ASUS Merlin or DD-WRT. GL.iNet's documentation shows how to load Astrill's WireGuard files into GL.iNet's own VPN client, but that client has no built-in China list, so you add your own rules.

Does Astrill Smart Mode work on a router?

Astrill's Smart Mode page lists desktop and mobile apps, not routers. On a router, the applet's site filter lets you choose which websites skip the VPN.

Is Astrill cheaper than Throughwire?

For one household, usually yes: $30 a month or $180 a year with unlimited devices and no data allowance, against $49 a month for 100 GB on our Personal plan. Throughwire adds automatic China-direct routing on GL.iNet routers, team billing and route choice.

Can I run Astrill and Throughwire on the same GL.iNet router?

Not at the same time. Our setup asks you to turn off GL.iNet's own VPN client first, so the two don't compete for the same traffic.

Which GL.iNet router should I buy?

The Flint 2 (GL-MT6000) for offices and busy homes, the Beryl 7 (GL-MT3600BE) for small spaces and travel. Our GL.iNet buying guide covers the rest.

Details for your IT team

  • Astrill applet: ASUS Merlin or DD-WRT (8 MB flash minimum), OpenVPN or RouterPro over TCP or UDP, filters by device, domain or IP, and Wi-Fi network.
  • GL.iNet stock VPN dashboard: WireGuard and OpenVPN clients, Global or Policy Mode, policy rules by device or domain/IP list (typed in or from a subscription URL refreshed daily), a per-tunnel kill switch, no built-in China list.
  • Throughwire: sing-box with VLESS-REALITY on stock GL firmware or OpenWrt 24.10 and 25.12. China-direct by domain lists and mainland China IP ranges, signed and refreshed on the router; international DNS resolved through the tunnel; QUIC to international sites blocked; BitTorrent direct; traffic held back if the tunnel stops.