Some Good OpenWRT Packages

OpenWRT (Open Wireless Router) is an open source router operating system consisting of the kernel and utilities. It gives you full control and lets you install packages for a customised experience.

Jump to Package Screenshots and Usage

Some good OpenWRT packages are:

luci-app-nlbwmon – network monitoring to answer "who is using all the data?"
luci-app-vnstat – network monitoring to answer "how much data is the router sending and receiving?"
luci-app-adblock – ad blocking, telemetry blocking and tracking data blocking
luci-app-dns-https-proxy – force dns queries to be private (over https)
luci-app-statistics – Statistics for the hardware: processor, interfaces, wireless, memory and system load metrics over time series charts.

All packages with the luci- prefix mean they are shown or managed on the luci – web interface. As opposed to just on the command line.

How to Install Packages

See OpenWRT’s How to Install Packages FAQ

SSH into your router and run:

opkg update
opkg list
opkg install {package-name-here}

The other option is using the luci web-ui…

Go to http://192.168.1.1 in a web browser (or where your router is).
Log in and go to System -> Software.
Click Update List.
Click Install on Packages you want.