Dream Machine vs. Dream Machine Pro: What’s the Difference?

Dream Machine vs. Dream Machine Pro: 4 Key Points and Must-Know Facts

• The Dream Machine and Dream Machine Pro have advanced protection barriers against potential threats. They serve as an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) and Intrusion Prevention System (IPS). Therefore, the two routers guarantee a safe and secure network connection. 
• With IDP and IPS on, the Dream Machine Pro still supports a running speed of 3.5 Gbps.
• The Dream Machine Pro is an all-in-one controller device. Thus, this device comes with security door system access, VoIP talk, network, and protection. 
• The Unifi protect feature of the Dream Machine Pro enables security surveillance. The recorded video saves on your hard drive without an extra subscription payment. 

Many wonder what the difference is between the Dream Machine and the Dream Machine Pro.

The latest version of Unifi’s UDM-PRO console, the Dream Machine Pro, has all of the features of the original Dream Machine. In addition, it also has some new features that make it a better choice. It is an upgrade with a new model number, looks, and features, including a new design and an updated interface, making it easier to use than the original Dream Machine console.

The Dream Machine Pro has several new features that make it more powerful than its predecessor, including:

• A built-in Wi-Fi router called a UDN Server
• Integration with Unifi Controller for centralized management
• The ability to manage multiple networks at once or monitor multiple devices on one network

Both consoles support the same features, including video surveillance recording, video playback, voice recording, audio playback, data transfer between devices, fleet management (device reporting), remote access via a web browser or mobile app, and remote monitoring through mobile apps.

Let’s dive deeper into the differences to give you a better idea.

Dream Machine vs. Dream Machin Pro Full Comparison

Ubiquiti's Unifi Dream Machine and Unifi Dream Machine Pro are both innovative and powerful devices for Wi-Fi connectivity. The Dream Machine and the Dream Machine Pro provide robust network connectivity with a 1.7GHz quad-core processor. 

However, the Dream Machine is better suited for homes and small businesses. At the same time, the Dream Machine Pro is more suitable for a medium or large enterprise. The Dream Machine comes with:

• An inbuilt Wi-Fi AP (Access Point)
• Security gateway
• 4-Port switch
• An automatic quality of service
• Strong security
• Easy VLAN Support 
• A VON Server for protected transmission or data exchange

The Dream Machine Pro, however, comes with more advanced features, including:

• Advanced Security Gateway with an inbuilt switch
• Double WAN Ports — one (1) Gigabit RJ45 and one (1) 10G SFP+
• One (1) 10G SFP+ LAN Port
• 3.5-inch HDD Bay for NVR storage
• Supports 2.5-inch HDD
• An Enterprise Software — the Unifi Network

Other included features in the Dream Machine Pro that are absent from the Dream Machine include:

• A 1.3- inch status display touchscreen for comfortable surveillance and identifying problems and swift resolution
• Several redundancy alternatives

As we advance, we will look further into their specifications, functionality, price, and more to let us properly determine the better option. 

Dream Machine vs. Dream Machine Pro: A Side-by-Side Comparison 

	Dream Machine	Dream Machine Pro
Purchase Price	$449	$442
Memory Size	2GB	4GB
Unifi Controller	Inbuilt	Inbuilt
Inbuilt Switch	4 Gigabit Port	8 Gigabit Port
WAN Ports	1 Gbps	1 Gbps and 10 Gbps, plus Redundancy
Throughput IDS/IPS	850 Mbps	3.5 Gbps
Ports for 10 Gbps	None Available	Two (2) Ports
PoE Ports	None Available	None Available
Central Processing Unit (CPU)	Quad-core ARM Cortex-A57 runs at 1.7 GHz	Quad-core ARM Cortex-A57 runs at 1.7 GHz
Wi-Fi Support	Double band 802.11ac 4×4 wave 2	None Available
Support for Applications	It does not support any application	Access, Talk, Protect
Power	Standard Power Supply	Redundant Power Supply includes support for PSU failover
Outer Appearance	Independent	Rack Dependent

Dream Machine vs. Dream Machine Pro: What’s the Difference? 

Outer Appearance

The design of the Dream Machine makes it easy to be placed anywhere in your home or office. It doesn’t have any accompanying factor that may serve as an inconvenience. As for the Dream Machine Pro, we can’t say the same. This inconvenience is because it comes with a rack to mount it on. 

So, the Dream Machine Pro rack form is a bonus for individuals with an in-home specified network area. However, for others, it could become an inconvenience. The inconvenience could result from insufficient space in your home or office where you can mount the rack.

Another disadvantage the Dream Machine Pro has is the possibility of noise generation. The Dream Machine Pro has inbuilt fans that may pick up noise at certain times. Therefore, it can cause a nuisance when mounted in places like the bedroom or study as it is programmed to be 24/7. 

So, talking about the convenience factor of their outer appearance, the Dream Machine is better. But, if you can keep up with the potential noise factor and have mountable rack space, then you can opt for the Dream Machine Pro. 

Network Connectivity

Regarding their network, the two routers have a normal ethernet Wide Area Network (WAN) connection port of 7 gigabits RJ45. But the Dream Machine Pro comes with an included alternative of 10Gbps SFP+ WAN port. That means you can attain more incredible gigabit speed with a 1 Gbps and above internet service using this included port.

As for their Wi-Fi connection, the Dream Machine comes with an in-built access point (AP). The most recent version of the Dream Machine comes with a Wi-Fi 5 Wave 2 AP. The Dream Machine Pro, on the other hand, does not come with an inbuilt access point. That means you may be required to purchase an extra access point unit to utilize the wireless network in your Dream Machine Pro properly. 

Coming down to their wired network connectivity, the two routers, the Dream Machine and Dream Machine Pro, both come with an inbuilt gigabit ethernet port switch. However, the Dream Machine Pro has two more ethernet port switches than the Dream Machine. 

All in all, the major contrasting difference in their connectivity lies in the SFP+ Port found in the Dream Machine Pro. The Dream Machine lacks the 10 Gbps WAN and LAN connectivity found in the Dream Machine Pro. 

So, for network connectivity, the Dream Machine Pro, though lacking an inbuilt Wi-Fi AP (Access Point), is the better option. 

Hardware Specs and Features

The Dream Machine and Dream Machine Pro use a similar CPU. Their shared CPU is the ARM Quad Core A57 1.7GHz processor. As for the memory size of the two routers, the Dream Machine Pro has double the size of the Dream Machine.

Memory Size

The Dream Machine has a 2GB memory size, while the Dream Machine Pro has a 4GB memory size. 

However, though the Dream Machine Pro’s larger memory size makes it seem like it has better performance, that is not necessarily the case. The reason for this claim is a result of the Dream machine Pro having the possibility of managing other controller applications like:

• Access
• Unifi Protect
• Talk

NVR

Another feature that the Dream Machine Pro has over the Dream Machine is the network video recorder (NVR) slot. This NVR slot supports one HDD or SSD drive sold apart from the router. 

However, due to the single slot provided for the drive, the Dream Machine Pro lacks other options for data redundancy. So, with other specified NVR units, the Dream Machine is not a bad option. 

But for power redundancy, the Dream Machine Pro provides system protection against events of an unexpected power outage. It is a result of its compatibility with the Redundant Power Supply (RPS) module. The Dream Machine, however, is not compatible with this RPS module. 

Dual WAN Ports

Another fantastic feature of the Dream Machine Pro over the Dream Machine is its dual WAN ports. This dual WAN port gives the Dream Machine Pro two paths to connect to the internet, coming with the advantage of failover and load balance. 

Fail-over enables a switch from either router to the internet and vice versa if either one experiences failure. Therefore, you would still be connected to the internet regardless of the situation. Load balance, on the other hand, helps share the traffic load gathered, enhancing performance.

These failover and load balance advantages are not present in the Dream Machine. However, you can set it up using the Unifi LTE in the Dream Machine. For performance, the Dream Machine presents a gigabit speed of 850mbps. The Dream Machine Pro offers a gigabit speed of 3.5 Gbps. 

Performance

Therefore, in terms of performance, the Dream Machine Pro works much faster than the Dream Machine. 

Where to Buy

The Dream Machine and the are both available for purchase on Amazon.

Dream Machine vs. Dream Machine Pro: Which One is Worth It?

The comparison above clearly shows that the Dream Machine Pro is better. The reason for this selection is because the Dream Machine Pro:

• Runs more powerfully on a 3.5 Gbps performance speed
• Is compatible with the Redundant Power Supply (RPS) module
• Comes with an inbuilt Network Video Recorder (NVR)
• Features Dual WAN ports for failover and load balance

However, we can’t overlook the Dream Machine’s:

• Inbuilt Access Point (AP) for WiFi connectivity
• Convenience

The Dream Machine is also a good choice. So, despite our best pick, your preferences still determine what suits you best.

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