Raspberry Pi Foundation Raspberry Pi 3: OpenWrt Compatibility Report

Raspberry Pi Foundation Raspberry Pi 3 router
Image: OpenWrt Table of Hardware, CC BY-SA 4.0

The Raspberry Pi Foundation Raspberry Pi 3 runs OpenWrt 24.10.4 on the bcm27xx/bcm2710 target, and has been supported since 18.06.0. Its WiFi 5 (AC) wireless on the brcmfmac driver rates limited for open-source driver support (0.40/1.0), installation is rated moderate, and we have no current US retail listing for it.

Drivers: Limited (0.40) WiFi 5 (AC) Install: moderate

Hardware data and retail listings last checked .

Where to buy

We have no current retail listing for the Raspberry Pi Foundation Raspberry Pi 3. See current alternatives for devices we already have links for.

Not finding a listing does not mean you cannot buy one. Our retail links come from hand research rather than a live stock feed, so this device may well still be on sale somewhere we have not checked yet.

Specifications

SoC Broadcom BCM2837B0
CPU 4 cores @ 1400 MHz
RAM 1024 MB
Ethernet ports 1
USB 4x 2.0, 1x µUSB (power)
WiFi generation WiFi 5 (AC)
Radios 2.4GHz: b/g/n · 5GHz: a/n/ac
WLAN hardware Cypress CYW43455
WLAN driver brcmfmac
OpenWrt target bcm27xx / bcm2710
Package architecture aarch64_cortex-a53
Current release 24.10.4
Supported since 18.06.0
Install method SD card, see devicepage
Install difficulty moderate
Power supply 5 VDC, 2.5A
Device type Access point
Estimated throughput 1000 Mbps
Availability available

Installing OpenWrt on the Raspberry Pi 3

Installation on this device is rated moderate. Expect to use a recovery mode, TFTP or a vendor tool rather than a plain web upload. Documented methods: SD card, see devicepage.

Use an existing computer to flash disk image to MicroSD card

Flashing third-party firmware can brick a router and usually voids the warranty. Always check that the firmware image matches your exact hardware version.

Hardware versions

The Raspberry Pi 3 ships in several hardware revisions with different chipsets. Match the version printed on your device label before flashing.

Version Target Current release WLAN hardware
raspberry_pi_3_bplus shown above bcm27xx/bcm2710 24.10.4 Cypress CYW43455
raspberry_pi_3_aplus bcm27xx/bcm2710 24.10.4 Cypress CYW43455
raspberry_pi_3_b bcm27xx/bcm2710 24.10.4 Broadcom BCM43438
raspberry_pi_foundation_raspberry_pi_cm3 bcm27xx/bcm2710 24.10.4 -

Still sold and well supported

Ruckus R500

WiFi 5 (AC) Drivers: Excellent $173

MikroTik RB962UiGS-5HacT2HnT (hAP ac)

WiFi 5 (AC) Drivers: Excellent $115

Ubiquiti UniFi UK-Ultra

WiFi 5 (AC) Drivers: Excellent $100

Not sure which fits? Take the 60-second quiz.