Which firmware would you put on an RT-AC5300 right now?

[Tavex]

I need to get a few more months out of this dusty 6-year-old unit before a full upgrade to my home network this fall.

I only need smooth operation, VLAN, solid security (as far as this old router can offer). Firmware could be stock or third-party.

Asking because some third-party developers are not updating for AC (understandable) or have slowed down their activity. I realize their last releases may be older but fine. I’ve lost track of the state of play.

Thanks

 

[Tech9]

Run latest available stock firmware.

 

[bennor]

As already indicated, just run latest stock. As of this post that would be ASUS RT-AC5300 Firmware version 3.0.0.4.386_48439 (2025/03/28).

Asus-Merlin no longer supports the 386.x AC series routers. And Asus has End of Life/Support that router.

 

[sl4fko]

I need to get a few more months out of this dusty 6-year-old unit before a full upgrade to my home network this fall.

I only need smooth operation, VLAN, solid security (as far as this old router can offer). Firmware could be stock or third-party.

Asking because some third-party developers are not updating for AC (understandable) or have slowed down their activity. I realize their last releases may be older but fine. I’ve lost track of the state of play.

Thanks

start [FreshTomato Wiki]

wiki.freshtomato.org

https://freshtomato.org/downloads/freshtomato-arm/2025/2025.3/freshtomato-RT-AC5300-K26ARM714-2025.3-AIO-128K.zip