Cloud Gateway Max vs. Cloud Gateway Ultra
Choosing the right UniFi Cloud Gateway can make or break your network performance. For growing offices, high-traffic sites, or demanding remote setups, every port, throughput metric, and storage detail matters.
Two models stand out in UniFi’s current lineup: Cloud Gateway Max and Cloud Gateway Ultra. Both offer controller integration, security, and streamlined deployment—but they’re built with different goals in mind.
Let’s break it all down.
At a glance: What's the difference?
Cloud Gateway Max is the heavy hitter. It’s built for multi-gig performance, higher IDS/IPS throughput, and ready-to-go NVR storage. If you're pushing a lot of data or want serious headroom, this is your box.
Cloud Gateway Ultra is more compact and flexible. It supports NVMe SSDs, which makes it a great candidate for custom storage setups. It’s designed for small-to-medium networks that still need full UniFi power.
Full spec comparison
Here’s a complete side-by-side look at both models:
| Feature | Cloud Gateway Max | Cloud Gateway Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Ideal for | Medium-sized sites | Small-to-medium networks |
| UniFi devices | 30+ | 30+ |
| Client devices | 300+ | 300+ |
| Total throughput | 2.5 Gbps | 1 Gbps |
| IDS/IPS throughput | 1.5 Gbps | 1 Gbps |
| WAN ports | (1) 2.5G RJ45 | (1) 2.5G RJ45 |
| LAN ports | (4) 2.5G RJ45 (1 is remappable to WAN) | (4) GbE RJ45 (1 is remappable to WAN) |
| Wi-Fi | None | None |
| Storage | 512 GB NVR microSD card included | NVMe SSD slot (supports up to 2 TB) |
| Power redundancy | UniFi Power Backup ready | UniFi Power Backup ready |
| Mounting | Rack | Rack |
How to choose the right model
Choose Cloud Gateway Max if:
- You have multi-gigabit internet or LAN infrastructure.
- You plan to use IDS/IPS features heavily.
- You want a ready-to-use NVR for UniFi Protect.
- You prefer a fixed, integrated storage setup.
Choose Cloud Gateway Ultra if:
- You're running a smaller site with standard gigabit speeds.
- You want to control or upgrade your storage (via NVMe).
- You're okay with lower throughput in exchange for flexibility.
- You’re working with a more constrained budget.
Final thoughts
Both gateways offer UniFi’s signature simplicity and power. You’ll get remote management, security inspection, and seamless integration with switches, access points, and Protect—all without needing a separate console.
The real decision comes down to performance vs. flexibility. Need speed and turnkey NVR? Go Max. Want modular storage and don't mind gigabit? Go Ultra.
And if you're looking to host your UniFi controller in the cloud instead of on-site, we’ve got you covered. We help users deploy and manage their UniFi networks without hardware headaches—reach out if you’d like help getting started.