Does UniFi Allow Third-Party Gateways?

Published onby Iron

If you've ever built or managed a network with UniFi, you've probably wondered: Can I use a third-party gateway with UniFi? It's a fair question, especially if you already have a high-end router or if you're thinking about upgrading your network setup.

The short answer is: Yes, you can use a third-party gateway with UniFi. But, like most things in networking, it's not as simple as plug-and-play. There are some limitations, configuration steps, and potential headaches along the way.

Let's Dive In!

Table of Contents

What is a UniFi Gateway?

Before diving into third-party options, let’s clarify what a UniFi gateway does. A UniFi gateway, like the UniFi Dream Machine (UDM) or the Next-Gen Gateway (UXG), acts as a router, firewall, and traffic management tool all rolled into one device. It offers the following features:

  • Routing & NAT: Directs traffic between your local network and the internet.

  • Firewall & Security: Protects against malicious traffic with intrusion detection and prevention (IDS/IPS).

  • Threat Management: Blocks unwanted traffic and malicious attacks in real-time.

  • Traffic Analytics: Shows you which devices are using the most bandwidth.

  • Deep Packet Inspection (DPI): Provides visibility into what apps and services are being used on the network.

With a UniFi gateway, you have one dashboard (via the UniFi Controller) to manage everything, from access points (APs) to switches and client devices. But what happens if you want to use a non-UniFi gateway?

Can You Use a Third-Party Gateway With UniFi?

Yes, UniFi allows you to use a third-party gateway. But it comes with a few compromises. Your access points, switches, and controllers will still work, but you’ll lose some key features.

Here’s what happens when you swap a UniFi gateway for a third-party option:

  1. Loss of Gateway Visibility: The UniFi Controller will not see or control the third-party gateway.

  2. No Threat Management: Features like IPS/IDS (threat detection) are gone.

  3. No Traffic Insights: You’ll lose UniFi's ability to show bandwidth usage by client or app.

  4. Manual Network Management: You’ll have to configure VLANs, port forwarding, and DHCP on the third-party gateway.

  5. No Direct Support for Traffic Rules: If you like using UniFi's user-friendly traffic rules, they won't apply to the third-party gateway.

On the bright side, Wi-Fi, VLANs, and other core features like guest Wi-Fi will continue to work perfectly.

Why Use a Third-Party Gateway With UniFi?

If UniFi gateways are so good, why would anyone use a third-party gateway? Here are a few reasons why people go this route:

1. Performance

Some people already have a high-end router like a pfSense box or a Ubiquiti EdgeRouter. These devices offer better performance, more CPU power, and faster throughput than UniFi's all-in-one solutions.

2. Advanced Firewall Features

Firewalls like pfSense, OpenWRT, and MikroTik offer more advanced firewall features, custom VPNs, and fine-grained traffic control that UniFi can't match.

3. Customization

If you like to tinker, a custom router gives you more control. You can create advanced firewall rules, custom VPN configurations, and even schedule automated security scans.

4. Cost Savings

If you already own a powerful router, it makes sense to keep using it. Replacing it with a UniFi gateway may feel like a downgrade.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Use a Third-Party Gateway With UniFi

Here’s how to set up a third-party gateway with your UniFi network.

Step 1: Plan Your Network Layout

Decide how your devices will be connected. The most common setup is:
Internet → Third-Party Gateway → UniFi Switch → UniFi Access Points & Controller

Your third-party gateway will manage DHCP, VLANs, and firewall rules. The UniFi controller will manage your switches, APs, and connected devices.

Step 2: Configure the Third-Party Gateway

  • DHCP Setup: Make sure the gateway is configured to assign IP addresses via DHCP.
  • Static IPs: Assign a static IP to the UniFi Controller, switches, and APs so they are always easy to find.
  • VLANs: If you plan to use VLANs for Guest Wi-Fi, IoT devices, or security cameras, configure these on the gateway.
  • Port Forwarding: If you need remote access to your UniFi Controller, set up port forwarding on your third-party router.

Step 3: Connect the UniFi Devices

  1. Connect the third-party gateway to the UniFi switch.
  2. Connect the UniFi controller to the switch.
  3. Connect the UniFi APs and other devices to the switch.

Step 4: Configure the UniFi Controller

  • Adopt Devices: Open the UniFi Controller and adopt the APs, switches, and other devices.
  • VLANs: Set up VLANs on the UniFi Controller to match those you created on the third-party gateway.
  • Wi-Fi Networks: Create guest networks and corporate Wi-Fi using the controller.

Step 5: Test and Verify

  • Check if devices have internet access.
  • Ensure Wi-Fi devices connect properly to your VLANs.
  • Use tools like UniFi’s dashboard to check if all devices are adopted.

Pros and Cons of Using a Third-Party Gateway With UniFi

Pros Cons
Use powerful custom routers Loss of traffic analytics
Advanced VPN/firewall options No DPI (Deep Packet Inspection)
Better performance No direct UniFi integration
Use existing hardware Manual VLAN setup required
Full control over routing No Threat Management (IPS/IDS)

Which Third-Party Gateways Work Best?

Here are some popular third-party options that work great with UniFi:

  • pfSense: Custom-built firewall/router OS. Best for advanced users.

  • OpenWRT: Open-source firmware for consumer routers.

  • Ubiquiti EdgeRouter: Another Ubiquiti option, but not part of the UniFi line.

  • MikroTik Routers: Advanced, cost-effective routers for power users.

  • Asus & TP-Link Routers: Good for home users who want simplicity.

Should You Use a Third-Party Gateway?

Here’s a quick decision guide:

  • Use a third-party gateway if:

    • You need powerful routing, VPN, or firewall features.
    • You already own a router like pfSense or EdgeRouter.
    • You want more control over VLANs, port forwarding, and custom rules.

  • Stick with UniFi gateways if:

    • You want plug-and-play simplicity.
    • You need UniFi’s Threat Management, IDS/IPS, and DPI analytics.
    • You want a single dashboard to control everything.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Use pfSense as a Gateway With UniFi?

Yes! pfSense is one of the best options for power users. It offers advanced routing, VPN, and firewall features. Just make sure to manage VLANs on pfSense, not UniFi.

What Do I Lose By Using a Third-Party Gateway?

You’ll lose Threat Management, Traffic Analytics, DPI (Deep Packet Inspection), and the ability to control the gateway from the UniFi controller. But all other UniFi functions (APs, switches, Wi-Fi) still work.

Do I Need a UniFi Gateway for VLANs?

No, but you need to configure VLANs on the third-party gateway. UniFi APs will still honor VLANs as long as the gateway is properly configured.

Final Thoughts

Yes, you can use a third-party gateway with UniFi. It’s a great option for users who want more control, better performance, or advanced firewall features. While you’ll lose features like threat management and traffic stats, everything else (APs, switches, and clients) will continue to work just fine.

If you're looking for the easiest way to manage your UniFi network, consider using a UniFi Cloud Gateway. And if you need a hosted UniFi Controller, check out UniHosted for fast, reliable controller hosting with built-in backups and 24/7 access.

For more info on how to set up UniFi, check out this guide.If you would like me to personally walk you through UniHosted, you can schedule a call with me here.

We host UniFi Controllers in the Cloud

Are you ready to take your UniFi Network to the next level? Deploy a UniFi Cloud Controller in minutes and manage your network from anywhere.

Deploy Now

Free tier available

Get the best support

Join 1660+ customers

No credit card required