Detailed comparison between the Ubiquiti UniFi Cloud Gateway Ultra and the Cloud Gateway Max.
🔍 UniFi Cloud Gateway Ultra vs. Cloud Gateway Max
| Feature | Cloud Gateway Ultra (UCG-Ultra) | Cloud Gateway Max (UCG-Max) |
|---|---|---|
| Ideal Use Case | Small offices, home networks | Medium-sized businesses |
| UniFi Applications Supported | UniFi Network only | Full UniFi OS suite (Network, Protect, Access, Talk, UID) |
| CPU | Quad-core ARM® Cortex®-A53 @ 1.5 GHz | Quad-core ARM® Cortex®-A53 @ 1.5 GHz |
| Memory | 3 GB DDR4 | 3 GB DDR4 |
| Storage | 16 GB eMMC | NVMe SSD slot (0 GB – 2 TB options) |
| WAN Ports | 1 Ă— 2.5 GbE RJ45 | 1 Ă— 2.5 GbE RJ45 |
| LAN Ports | 4 Ă— 1 GbE RJ45 | 4 Ă— 2.5 GbE RJ45 |
| IDS/IPS Throughput | 1 Gbps | 1.5 Gbps |
| Max Routing Throughput | 1 Gbps | 2.5 Gbps |
| VPN Throughput (WireGuard/Site Magic) | ~500 Mbps | ~500 Mbps |
| UniFi Device Support | 30+ devices | 30+ devices |
| Client Device Support | 300+ clients | 300+ clients |
| Display | 0.96″ LCM status display | 0.96″ LCM status display |
| Power Input | USB-C (5V / 3A) | USB-C (5V / 5A) |
| Max Power Consumption | 6.2 W | 16.1 W |
| Dimensions (W Ă— D Ă— H) | 142 Ă— 127 Ă— 30 mm | 142 Ă— 127 Ă— 30 mm |
| Mounting Options | Desktop, optional wall mount | Desktop, optional wall mount |
| Price (Approximate) | $129 |
 479 (depending on storage)
|
🧠Key Differences
• Application Support: The Ultra runs only the UniFi Network application, while the Max supports the full UniFi OS suite, including applications like Protect, Access, Talk, and UID.
• Storage: The Ultra has fixed 16 GB eMMC storage, suitable for basic configurations. The Max offers an NVMe SSD slot with options up to 2 TB, ideal for applications requiring significant storage like UniFi Protect.
• Port Speeds: The Ultra provides 1 GbE LAN ports, whereas the Max offers 2.5 GbE LAN ports, catering to higher-speed LAN requirements.
• Throughput: The Max delivers higher IDS/IPS and routing throughput, making it suitable for environments with greater performance demands.
• Power Consumption: The Max consumes more power due to its enhanced capabilities and storage options.
âś… Recommendations
• Choose Cloud Gateway Ultra if:
• You’re setting up a small office or home network.
• Your primary need is managing the UniFi Network application.
• Budget constraints are a consideration.
• Choose Cloud Gateway Max if:
• You require support for additional UniFi applications like Protect or Access.
• Your network demands higher throughput and faster LAN speeds.
• You need scalable storage options for applications like UniFi Protect.
| Application | What It Does | Key Features | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|---|
| UniFi Network | Centralized management for Ubiquiti networking hardware (routers, switches, APs) |
– Device provisioning – VLANs – Firewall rules – Site Magic VPN – Traffic stats & DPI |
Any organization using UniFi gear to build a LAN/WAN |
| UniFi Protect | Surveillance system manager for UniFi cameras and NVRs |
– Live video monitoring – Motion detection & alerts – Smart detections (people/vehicles) – Mobile access |
Homes, offices, retail needing a self-managed CCTV system |
| UniFi Access | Door access control using UniFi door readers and badges |
– Door unlock rules – NFC card/badge/user control – Logs and schedules |
Offices, co-working spaces, schools needing smart entry |
| UniFi Talk | VoIP phone system built around UniFi desk phones |
– Cloud-managed VoIP – Extension dialing – Call routing, voicemail, mobile app |
Small businesses replacing a traditional office PBX |
| UniFi UID | Identity & access management platform with SSO and WiFi captive portals |
– SSO login – Visitor WiFi onboarding – Access control sync with UID accounts |
Larger businesses or campuses needing federated access control and user provisioning |
Certainly — let’s compare and comment on the two key performance metrics you provided for the Cloud Gateway Ultra and Cloud Gateway Max:
| Feature | Cloud Gateway Ultra | Cloud Gateway Max |
|---|---|---|
| IDS/IPS Throughput | 1 Gbps | 1.5 Gbps |
| Max Routing Throughput | 1 Gbps | 2.5 Gbps |
🔍 What These Mean
- IDS/IPS Throughput
• IDS (Intrusion Detection System) and IPS (Intrusion Prevention System) scan your network traffic in real time for threats, signatures, and suspicious patterns.
• This metric shows how much bandwidth the device can inspect with IDS/IPS enabled.
| Model | IDS/IPS Throughput Description |
|---|---|
| Ultra | 1 Gbps – Can inspect full gigabit connection without bottlenecks |
| Max | 1.5 Gbps – Supports faster WAN (e.g., multi-Gigabit fiber) with IDS/IPS still active |
🧠If you’re on a 1 Gbps or slower connection, the Ultra is sufficient for security.
If you’re on a 2 Gbps or faster connection, or future-proofing, the Max is a better fit.
- Max Routing Throughput
• This is the raw speed the router can push traffic through — without IDS/IPS or other packet inspection overhead.
Ultra 1 Gbps – Tops out at standard gigabit routing performance
Max 2.5 Gbps – Handles higher LAN-to-LAN or faster WAN traffic
This matters for internal LAN performance and multi-Gigabit WAN, e.g., 2.5 Gbps fibre or high-speed file transfers between VLANs or subnets.
🧠Commentary
| Context | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Home or small office with ≤ 1 Gbps WAN | ✅ Ultra is fully capable |
| Office or lab with 2+ Gbps WAN or internal VLAN-heavy traffic | 🔼 Max is better suited |
| Future-proofing for 2.5 Gbps+ ISP | âś… Max is ideal |
| On a budget, < 1 Gbps internet, and simple needs | âś… Ultra is cost-efficient |
If you’re using a Starlink internet system, here’s how that impacts the choice between the UniFi Cloud Gateway Ultra and the Cloud Gateway Max, with all your prior data integrated and summarised in Markdown:
⸻
🚀 UniFi Cloud Gateway Ultra vs Max for Starlink Internet
Starlink typically provides:
• ~100–250 Mbps download
• ~10–20 Mbps upload
• 1 Gbps ceiling on enterprise plans (rare for most users)
• NAT and dynamic IPs (not ideal for on-prem VPN termination)
• High jitter and latency spikes vs fibre
⸻
âś… Which Gateway is More Appropriate for Starlink?
| Consideration | Recommendation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Starlink < 1 Gbps typical throughput | âś… Cloud Gateway Ultra | Starlink speeds fall well within Ultra’s routing and IDS/IPS limits |
| No use of UniFi Protect / Access | ✅ Ultra | Max’s storage and app support is unnecessary if not used |
| Needs UniFi Talk or Protect | 🔼 Max | Only the Max supports full UniFi OS suite |
| Using Starlink Business / 1 Gbps+ | âś… Max | Max handles faster routing and IDS/IPS better |
| Budget-conscious setup | âś… Ultra | More cost-effective with no wasted overhead |
🔍 Summary Table: IDS/IPS and Routing Comparison
| Feature | Cloud Gateway Ultra | Cloud Gateway Max |
|---|---|---|
| IDS/IPS Throughput | 1 Gbps | 1.5 Gbps |
| Max Routing Throughput | 1 Gbps | 2.5 Gbps |
Starlink rarely exceeds 1 Gbps — so the Ultra is already well-matched to the bottleneck imposed by your satellite connection.
🧠Verdict for Starlink Use
• Go with Cloud Gateway Ultra if:
• You’re using Starlink Residential or Roaming
• You want UniFi Network management only
• You don’t need camera recording or access control
• You’re not running high-throughput site-to-site VPNs
• Go with Cloud Gateway Max if:
• You’re planning to host UniFi Protect, UID, Talk, or Access NOT INTENDED
• You want extra headroom for internal routing or future ISP upgrades UNLIKELY
• You’ll be terminating VPN tunnels on the gateway with high traffic volumes LOW TRAFFIC ONLY
More Musings 