MikroTik vs Ubiquiti for VSAT Sites: Which Router Should You Use?

Published by Bravosatcom · VSAT Engineering Series

The router sits between your VSAT modem and your local network, and on a satellite connection it does much more than just forward packets. A well-configured router implements QoS (Quality of Service) to prioritise voice and critical data, manages TCP behaviour to work around the high-latency satellite path, and enforces bandwidth limits that align with your satellite contract. The choice between MikroTik and Ubiquiti is one of the most frequent decisions VSAT integrators face, and the right answer depends on the site type and the team managing it.

The Core Difference

MikroTik (RouterOS) and Ubiquiti (UniFi and EdgeOS) approach networking from different philosophies. MikroTik is a professional-grade network operating system with deep configuration options: full BGP/OSPF routing, hierarchical token-bucket QoS, per-connection traffic shaping, and almost any advanced feature a carrier would need. The trade-off is complexity — RouterOS is not beginner-friendly, and misconfiguration is easy.

Ubiquiti’s UniFi ecosystem is designed for straightforward deployment and unified management. The UniFi Controller dashboard provides a single-pane view of the entire network, making it easy for non-engineers to monitor and manage. The EdgeOS routers (EdgeRouter series) are more capable than UniFi but still significantly simpler than RouterOS. The trade-off is that Ubiquiti does not match MikroTik’s depth in advanced traffic management — which matters a lot on a satellite link.

Feature Comparison

MikroTik vs Ubiquiti router comparison VSAT sites feature table — Figure 1 — MikroTik vs. Ubiquiti feature comparison for VSAT installations. MikroTik leads on traffic management and routing capabilities; Ubiquiti leads on ease of use and centralised management.

Recommended Network Architecture for VSAT Sites

VSAT site network architecture MikroTik router QoS switch WiFi AP diagram — Figure 2 — Recommended VSAT site network architecture. The MikroTik router handles QoS and firewall between the VSAT modem and the LAN. A PoE switch distributes to APs and wired clients. VLANs separate VoIP, data, and management traffic.

QoS on Satellite: Why MikroTik Has the Edge

Satellite links have two characteristics that make QoS more important than on a terrestrial connection: high latency (550–600 ms RTT) and variable throughput (ACM means the usable bandwidth changes with weather conditions). A VoIP call needs guaranteed, low-jitter bandwidth even when ACM drops the link capacity during rain. Web browsing should not monopolise the satellite uplink when a VoIP call is active.

MikroTik’s PCQ (Per Connection Queuing) and HTB (Hierarchical Token Bucket) queue trees are purpose-built for this use case. A properly configured MikroTik can:

Guarantee a fixed bandwidth slice to VoIP (DSCP EF) regardless of other traffic
Limit per-user download and upload rates to prevent one user from consuming the satellite link
Implement a burst allowance for interactive traffic while limiting sustained bulk transfers
Dynamically adjust queue depths to match the current ACM-set link capacity

Ubiquiti UniFi offers per-client rate limiting and basic DSCP marking, but does not provide the fine-grained queue hierarchy that MikroTik does. For a small office of 10–20 users without VoIP, Ubiquiti is perfectly adequate. For a 100-user oil rig with mixed VoIP, video conferencing, and bulk file transfer, MikroTik is the stronger choice.

When to Choose Each

MikroTik vs Ubiquiti VSAT use case decision guide when to choose — Figure 3 — Use-case decision guide for MikroTik vs. Ubiquiti on VSAT sites. Many professional deployments combine both: MikroTik for WAN/QoS, Ubiquiti for wireless and switching.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a MikroTik router with a Ubiquiti switch and APs?

Yes, and this is a very common and recommended deployment. Use a MikroTik CCR or RB4011 as the WAN/QoS/firewall router (connected to the VSAT modem), then connect to a Ubiquiti UniFi switch for clean PoE distribution to UniFi APs. You get MikroTik’s superior traffic management on the satellite WAN side and Ubiquiti’s excellent wireless hardware and management dashboard on the LAN side. The two work together over standard Ethernet and 802.1Q VLANs.

Does the VSAT modem need any special configuration to work with MikroTik or Ubiquiti?

No special configuration is needed on the modem side. The modem presents a standard LAN port with DHCP or a static IP. Connect this to the WAN port of the MikroTik or Ubiquiti router. Configure the router WAN interface with the IP details provided by the satellite operator (DHCP or static). The satellite path is transparent to the router.

Which MikroTik model is recommended for a VSAT site?

For a small VSAT site (up to 50 users, 10–20 Mbps): MikroTik hEX S (RB760iGS) or RB4011iGS+. For a medium site or multi-WAN setup: MikroTik CCR2004-1G-12S+2XS. For high-throughput HTS sites (>100 Mbps): CCR2116 or CCR2216. The hEX S at around $60 USD is an outstanding entry-level VSAT router; the RB4011 adds PoE and SFP+ for about $170.