When you go to market to select a best 4g lte router with sim card slot or a best 5g router with sim slot, you can see many different products marked with AP, Wireless Router etc., do you know how to distinguish them？
And do you know what’s the difference between wireless AP and wireless router? Please check below for your reference.

1.Function different

AP is short name for Access Point, is a wireless access point that allows mobile users to access wired network, its function is to convert wired network into wireless network and extend its coverage. It doesn’t have routing capabilities itself, it acts as a wireless switch in fact, connecting wireless devices to the existing wired network. It requires AC (Access Controller) product to function, acts as a bridge between wired and wireless networks, primarily offering repeater, bridging and master-slave modes. Its signal range is spherical so you’d better place it in a relatively high location to maximize its coverage. A wireless AP is essentially a wireless switch connected to a wired switch or router. The connected wireless devices belong to the same subnet as the existing network. It is mainly used for home broadband and enterprise intranet deployments, with a wireless coverage distance ranging from ten to hundreds of meters.

Wireless router is a device that integrates routing, switching and wireless AP functions. It can independently handle network access, data forwarding and wireless signal transmission. It can also be understood as a repeater, forwarding broadband network signal from your wall outlet to nearby wireless network devices (laptops, Wi-Fi-enabled mobile phones and all devices with Wi-Fi capability). In one word, it convert a wired network into a wireless network directly, making it suitable for home and small office use. Common wireless routers typically have one RJ45 port as the WAN port (connecting the router with external network) and 2-4 more RJ45 ports as LAN ports to connect with local area network. Internally, it contains a network switch chip specifically for handling information exchange between LAN ports. Furthermore, wireless routers can assign both wired and wireless connected devices to same subnet, resulting in more efficient data processing.

2.Usage different

Wireless AP is generally used in the construction of medium or large-scale wireless networks, suitable quantity of wireless APs are used in conjunction with AC products to build a large wireless network coverage, meanwhile all access terminals belong to same network, which also makes it easy for network administrators to realize network control and management, widely used in large shopping malls, supermarkets, tourist attractions, hotels, schools and corporate offices.

Wireless router normally used in small-scale wireless network construction, such as home and SOHO environments. In these cases, the coverage area and number of users are usually small, and the network cannot operate independently. They do not require cooperation products such as AC devices, a single wireless router is enough. Most wireless routers support NAT (Network Address Translation) protocol, which allows wireless LAN users to share their network connection. A wireless router enables network access and converts wired signal into wireless signal, comparing to buy a separate router and a wireless access point, a wireless router is a more affordable and convenient option.

3.Shape different

Some high-quality routers have many antennas, looks like spiders and octopuses, typically with 2-4 antennas. Wireless AP come in a variety of shapes, usually designed according to requirements of different scenarios. Common types include ceiling-mounted AP, in-wall AP, and outdoor AP, you can judge from the name to know these AP types are categorized according to their applications.

4.Different deployment locations in the network architecture

Wireless routers typically serve as gateway to a small network architecture, acting as the front end of the overall network. They have routing capabilities and can transmit wireless signals, normally used in both home and commercial settings, small restaurants, barbershops and similar establishments.

Wireless AP essentially acts as a bridge between wired and wireless networks, converting wired network data into wireless network signal for connection. The coverage area of wireless AP depends on the antenna deployment scheme, most APs are FIT APs (thin APs), typically located at the edge of the network architecture.

5.Application different

Wireless AP are widely used in commercial applications for WiFi coverage in engineering projects, can also be used in homes. AP can be divided into fat AP and thin AP, when using fat AP mode AP has same function as a router. Generally, large-scale network coverage projects use thin AP mode. Wireless routers can be used for both home and commercial purposes.

6.Management different

Wireless AP can be centrally managed in conjunction with AC products, allowing for centralized management of thousands of APs and enabling roaming functionality, this ensures uninterrupted network connectivity while providing wider wireless network coverage. It also allows for statistical analysis and monitoring of the entire wireless network and AP usage, but home products haven’t this feature. On the other hand wireless routers cannot be centrally managed, requiring individual configuration each time which is cumbersome, haven’t roaming functionality, have limited wireless network coverage and easy to drop from network.

7.RF power coverage area different

Both wireless router and wireless AP operate at their maximum legally mandated limits, no much difference in transmission power or coverage. (However, due to differences in antenna type, radiation angle, beamwidth and installation location will affect coverage.) In reality, enterprise applications are often used in high-density environments such as offices, conference rooms and classrooms where AP deployment density is very high. In such cases, it is necessary to reduce transmission power and coverage to minimize interference. If coverage area is relatively concentrated and the number of users and the area are small, a wireless router is enough. If the coverage area is large and the number of users is high, typically in large shopping malls, hotels, or medium-sized or larger company environments, then a complete solution combining wireless router and wireless AP is required.

8.Number of internet users different

Under basic condition, wireless router and wireless AP support same quantity internet users for equivalent products, but they cater to different scenarios. Their inherent design and planning different, and APs are optimized for specific hardware characteristics and environments, most wireless APs support more internet users than wireless routers from application aspect.

9.Security different 

Wireless AP employ multiple authentication methods and incorporate enhanced detection and processing mechanisms, along with security policies based on users and their locations, significantly improving network security. On the other hand wireless router rely on traditional encryption and authentication methods, offering generally lower security.

10.Price different

Wireless routers are relatively inexpensive so to make them suitable for individual users or small offices, wireless AP are more expensive but offer more features and expandability, making them suitable for medium or large enterprises or homes.

11.Connecting methods different

Wireless router has broadband dial-up function, which can connect with ADSL modem directly to dial up to connect internet, external line connect to WAN port, and LAN port connect to internet terminal on the internal network, or wifi connection can be established.

Wireless AP cannot connect with ADSL modems directly so a switch or router is required at the front end for data conversion, furthermore most of APs are PoE powered, gateway+wireless thin AP architecture is the best for network deployments in environments requiring multiple APs, such as hotels or conference venues. Set SSID of all APs to same value and same encryption method, users can only detect one AP, achieving wireless roaming functionality.

12.Differences in advanced features

When wireless APs used with AC products, enable wireless network roaming and RF optimization, providing full signal coverage, stable and uninterrupted network connectivity. Wireless APs can also be used with AC products for wireless network marketing functions, allowing visitors connect to wireless network to receive advertisements pushed by wireless AP.

Why wireless AP much expensive than wireless router?

1.Centralized management: Home routers or APs can only be configured one by one, so configuring and maintaining 30 APs is a considerable workload. If the network grows up to 300 or even 3,000 APs, the network administrator may go crazy, so centralized management is essential for enterprise networks. Centralized management also allows for statistics, analysis, and monitoring of entire network, which is something home products can’t do.

2.Advanced features: Under AC control, enterprise-grade APs can achieve complex functions such as seamless roaming and RF optimization. These technologies are quite complex and not used in home environments, but they are very meaningful and valuable technologies for enterprise scenarios with many customers and high requirements, which makes AP more expensive.

3.Pre-sales and after-sales technical support: Wireless network environments are very complex, and wireless deployment is an even more complex issue. Enterprise-level products generally provide pre-sales network planning, installation, debugging, optimization and professional after-sales support, this kind of service is valuable and will be reflected in the cost of the product.