What’s the difference between Access Point mode and Router mode on the Deco?

After setup the Deco network successfully, the Deco units will work in Router mode by default. When the Deco works in Router mode, it performs as a gateway device, so it has some gateway features like Antivirus, Parental Controls, QoS, and DHCP Server, etc.

Users can select Access Point mode when there is an existing router in front of the main Deco. In this case, the existing router will work as a gateway device and the main Deco is used to share the internet connection by connecting to the LAN port of the existing router. In Access Point mode, the gateway features will disappear on the Deco app.

If you want to configure the Deco to Access Point mode, please refer to this link.

Below are the feature differences between the Router and AP mode.

Note:

Different Deco models may differ in features.
The Deco models with the HomeShield feature do not support the Monthly Report feature when working in the AP mode.
Currently, some Deco models do not support the ECO mode, and they will support this feature via firmware updates in the future.

Features	Router mode supported	AP mode supported
Test Internet Speed	Yes	Yes
Network Optimization	Yes	Yes
Block List	Yes	Yes
Update Deco	Yes	Yes
WPS	Yes	Yes
Monthly Report	Yes	No
Managers	Yes	Yes
Fast Roaming	Yes	Yes
Beamforming	Yes	Yes
LED Control	Yes	Yes
Operation Mode	Yes	Yes
Connection Alerts	Yes	No
Smart Actions	Yes	Yes
ECO mode	Yes	Yes
Antivirus	Yes	No
Parental Control	Yes	No
QoS	Yes	No
HomeShield	Yes	No
IPv4/IPv6/LAN IP/DHCP server/MAC Clone	Yes	No
IPTV/VLAN	Yes	No
Address Reservation	Yes	No
Port Forwarding	Yes	No
DDNS	Yes	No
SIP ALG	Yes	No
UPnP	Yes	No
VPN Server/Client	Yes	No
Static Routing	Yes	No
Device Isolation	Yes	No
IoT Network	Yes	Yes
Reboot Schedule	Yes	Yes
Notifications	Support Update Firmware, Security Database Updated, Antivirus Alerts, Parental Controls, Monthly Report, Device Alerts, and Promotional Messages notifications	Support Update Firmware, Monthly Report, Device Alerts, and Promotional Messages notifications

Note:

When the Deco system works in Router mode, the Main Deco is a gateway router, other Deco units are similar to normal client devices, they are connected to the main Deco through wireless or Ethernet cables.

When the Deco system works in Access Point mode, there has to be the main Router in front of the main Deco, providing Internet. In this case, the main Deco and other Deco units are basically equal, they are clients of the main Router.