The Case Against GL.iNet Routers: GL.iNet Beryl vs Flashed Router Pro
Table of Contents
Introduction
Location Leaks: A Critical Privacy Flaw
Unreliable Wi-Fi Connections
Limited Hardware Capabilities
Impact on Productivity
Better Alternatives for Digital Nomads
Intro:
VPN routers are essential tools for digital nomads who need secure and private internet access while traveling or working remotely. A VPN (Virtual Private Network) router encrypts all internet traffic from connected devices, providing an extra layer of protection when using public or untrusted Wi-Fi networks. This helps digital nomads maintain their privacy, avoid geo-restrictions, and prevent location tracking.
For digital nomads, reliability in a VPN router is crucial. They rely on steady, secure internet connections to work from anywhere, often in environments where the local internet infrastructure can be unstable. Frequent Wi-Fi drops, slow speeds, or security vulnerabilities can disrupt productivity and compromise sensitive data, making a reliable VPN router an indispensable part of their tech setup.
Location Leaks: A Critical Privacy Flaw
One of the main reasons digital nomads use VPN routers is to protect their location and ensure anonymity online. However, GL.iNet VPN routers have been reported to suffer from location leaks, which significantly undermine this core purpose. Despite using a VPN to mask their real IP address, users may still have their actual location exposed due to improper handling of DNS requests, WebRTC leaks, or even router configuration flaws. A quick google search reveals this:
For digital nomads, who often rely on privacy in regions with restrictive internet laws or in situations where they need to access geo-restricted content, this is a critical flaw. Location leaks can expose their real whereabouts to websites, apps, or even get them flagged by their employers, putting them at risk. The ability to maintain an anonymous presence online is one of the main reasons for using a VPN, and when this fails, the consequences can range from simple inconveniences (like region-locked content) to serious privacy breaches.
Unstable Wi-Fi Connections: A Major Drawback
One of the most common complaints about GL.iNet VPN routers is their unreliable Wi-Fi connections. For digital nomads, who depend on stable internet to work from various locations, frequent disconnections or slow, inconsistent Wi-Fi can be highly frustrating and disruptive. GL.iNet routers often struggle with maintaining a steady connection, especially in environments with multiple devices or where there is a lot of network congestion. In many cases, these routers fail to switch seamlessly between different networks, leading to dropped connections. For tasks like video calls, cloud-based work, or even simple browsing, this can cause major delays and interruptions. Moreover, the routers’ relatively weak hardware—such as limited RAM and slower processing power—can become overwhelmed when handling high-bandwidth activities like streaming, file uploads, or using multiple devices simultaneously. This results in significant slowdowns or complete Wi-Fi failure, making it difficult to stay productive while working remotely. For digital nomads, this lack of stability is a dealbreaker. Having a reliable Wi-Fi connection is crucial to maintaining a seamless work experience, and the frequent issues with GL.iNet routers can make them more of a burden than a benefit when trying to stay connected from different locations.
At Flashed Router, our focus is on providing a seamless, hassle-free experience for digital nomads. With our pre-configured routers, all you need to do is plug it in and you’re ready to go—no additional setup or complicated configurations required, unlike other solutions. Our routers come pre-flashed with dedicated VPN servers located in various regions around the world. You can check out our router demo to see the current list of available locations, which continues to expand as we add new servers each month. On the hardware side, our Pro variant stands out as a superior option compared to the GL.iNet Beryl. It offers better performance, reliability, and stability—key factors that digital nomads need to ensure a smooth and secure online experience. For a full comparison of features, our Pro variant excels across the board, making it a much more reliable choice for those who demand consistent connectivity on the go. Here is a simple comparison of key features:
Productivity Impact: A Personal Story
Imagine this: You’re in a cozy hotel in Bali, working on a tight deadline for an important client. You've spent hours perfecting your project, and now it’s time to submit it before the end-of-day cutoff. You fire up your GL.iNet VPN router, expecting the usual seamless connection to a remote server so you can work securely and without interruptions. But things don’t go as planned.
First, your Wi-Fi starts dropping. One moment you're working smoothly, and the next, your connection is gone. You try troubleshooting, but nothing seems to work. Every few minutes, the connection fails again. Time is slipping away, and the pressure is building. You’re forced to switch to mobile data, burning through your allowance and adding extra costs you hadn’t budgeted for.
Finally, after managing to reconnect, you attempt to upload the project. But here comes the next issue—your real IP address has leaked through the VPN. The platform you’re working on has geo-restrictions, and now, because your location has been exposed, you’ve been locked out. You frantically try to reconnect, but the damage is done. The deadline has passed.
Now, instead of celebrating the completion of your project, you're left explaining to your client why their delivery is late. You tell them about the unreliable Wi-Fi and the VPN router’s failure to protect your location, but in the end, it’s your reputation on the line. The frustration of missing the deadline because of faulty equipment could have easily been avoided with a more reliable VPN router.
For digital nomads who depend on reliable tech to meet deadlines and stay competitive, these issues are more than inconveniences—they’re dealbreakers.
Better Alternatives for Digital Nomads
When it comes to choosing a reliable VPN router, the Flashed Router Pro is a far superior option compared to GL.iNet routers, particularly for digital nomads who value privacy, stability, and ease of use. The Flashed Router Pro is designed with simplicity and performance in mind. Unlike GL.iNet routers that often require troubleshooting and additional configurations, the Flashed Router Pro comes fully pre-configured and ready to use straight out of the box. You simply plug it in, and your VPN connection is automatically established, with no need for additional setup or technical knowledge. This is especially valuable for digital nomads who are constantly moving and don’t have time to fiddle with complicated settings.
Key Reasons Why Flashed Router Pro is the Better Solution:
Seamless Setup: The Flashed Router Pro offers a plug-and-play experience. There’s no need to worry about additional configuration steps or tinkering with settings, unlike with GL.iNet routers. This convenience is perfect for digital nomads who need to stay connected without delays or technical headaches.
More Reliable VPN Performance: While GL.iNet routers are notorious for location leaks and unstable Wi-Fi, the Flashed Router Pro provides rock-solid security and privacy. It comes pre-flashed with dedicated VPN servers located across various regions, ensuring that your real location is never exposed. This level of protection is crucial for digital nomads who need to stay anonymous and safe online, whether they’re accessing work platforms or restricted content in different countries.
Consistent, Stable Wi-Fi: The Flashed Router Pro is built for reliability. With stronger hardware and better software integration, it ensures consistent Wi-Fi performance, even when multiple devices are connected. Unlike the frequent Wi-Fi drops and slowdowns you might experience with a GL.iNet router, the Flashed Router Pro keeps you connected, ensuring you can attend video meetings, submit work, and stay productive without interruption.
Superior Hardware: The Pro variant of Flashed Router outshines the GL.iNet Beryl in terms of processing power, RAM, and overall performance. This means smoother connections, better handling of high-bandwidth tasks, and the ability to support multiple devices without any drop in speed or reliability. Digital nomads who often juggle video calls, large file uploads, or streaming content will appreciate the extra power and speed.
Dedicated Server Expansions: Flashed Router Pro continuously adds new servers, offering a growing list of secure VPN locations worldwide. This makes it a future-proof solution for digital nomads, as more regions become accessible, and the server network expands over time. Unlike other routers where server availability can be limited, this proactive approach ensures you always have a secure, fast server to connect to, no matter where you are.