Modem vs. Router vs. Gateway, Explained: Tips on Identifying Them Among Popular Internet Hardware Boxes

In getting connected to the Internet, you might have run into different devices you may call, quite correctly, “my Internet box”. But this box, or boxes, have different technical names and knowing how to differentiate them will ensure you get the right equipment or do the right thing when troubleshooting or getting help.

OK. That “box” is likely a modem, a router, or a combination of the two, namely a gateway. The question is, which one is which? This post will explain these devices in simple terms. When you’re through, you’ll be comfortable knowing which you currently have or need.

Modem vs. router vs. gateway: Same, same, but totally different

Modem, router, and gateway (a.k.a. residential gateway) are three standard hardware devices that connect a home to the Internet. Chances are you’re using one or more of them right now in your home.

The table below gives you a quick idea of what they are.

	Broadband Terminal Device	Wi-Fi Router	Gateway
Composition	A broadband receiver device that connects to the Internet, often a cable modem or a fiber-optic ONT	A router with a built-in Wi-Fi access point, including the primary unit of a Wi-Fi mesh system. (a 2-in-1 device)	A single device that includes a terminal device and a Wi-Fi router in one box (a 3-in-1 device)
Internet-Related Role	Brings the Internet to a single device (the router) in your home via the service line	Brings the Internet from the terminal device to local devices for them to communicate with the outside world via network cables or Wi-Fi signals.	Both
Local Network Role	None	Creates a local area network (LAN) for devices to communicate internally within the home network.	Both
IP Address Handling	Maintain a wide area network (WAN) public IP address	Assigns and manages LAN private IP addresses to local devices	Both
Notes	1. Easy to replace or upgrade. 2. Can connect a single wired device, the router, to the Internet.	1. Easy to replace/upgrade. 2. Need a terminal device to connect to the Internet, but works with all Internet types. 3. Share the Internet connection (of the terminal device) to multiple devices in the network via Wi-Fi or network ports. 4. Will create a double NAT when connected to a gateway. 5. Most models can be configured to work simply as an access point	1. Support only the broadband type of the service port (cable or fiber-optic), but can immediately share Internet access with multiple local devices. 2. Impossible to replace or upgrade just the terminal or router part, which is often limited in features and hardware capability. 3. Some models can be “bridged” to work as simply a terminal device.

With that, let’s go into the details of each.

What is a modem?

The word should be MoDem. It’s an acronym for a device that works both as a modulator and a demodulator. A modem converts computer data signals into those of the service line and vice versa.

Modems were first invented for the original Internet connection via the phone line, which required a dial-up modem. After that, a newer type of modem was used for the faster DSL, which also used the phone line. Nowadays, the cable modem, which applies to the coax service line originally laid for cable TV, is more relevant.

The gist is that a modem is needed when the Internet is delivered to a home using a service line that’s not initially intended for the Internet. As such, the modem is one of the two popular broadband terminal devices. The other is the optical network terminal (ONT), which is made for the latest purpose-built broadband connection via fiber-optic wiring.

It’s relatively easy to identify a modem. It’s a device that always has one service connector (or port) to connect to the service line, which comes into your home from the utility pole outside. For example, a cable modem will have a tip connector made for the coax wire. After that, a modem has at least one network port, often in the form of an RJ45 port. This network port is where you connect the router’s WAN port.

Some cable modems also have a phone jack for phone service, and others might have an additional network port for WAN Link Aggregation. But generally, when you see a service port on a device, it’s either a modem or has a modem on the inside. Here’s the clearest sign when a device is a modem: it often has the word “Modem” on its label.

Generally, a terminal device can bring the Internet to just one wired device that is connected to its LAN port. Since we all have more than one device at home, we need a way to share that connection with multiple devices. That brings us to the router.

What is a router?

Every home network must have one router, and preferably no more. A standard router always has one WAN (Internet) port to connect to the Internet source and a few LAN ports to host wired devices. Nowadays, routers are actually “Wi-Fi routers,” which also have a built-in Wi-Fi access point.

Most Wi-Fi routers can be configured to work as a simple Wi-Fi access point. In this case, all of its routing-related features are not used, and all of its network ports work as LAN ports.

Here’s how to identify a Wi-Fi router: Other than the ports mentioned above, a Wi-Fi router tends to have a few external antennas, though some might have internal ones. But generally, if you look at its label, you’ll see the word “router” on it.

The job of a router is to create a network that allows multiple devices to talk to one another locally via different IP addresses. After that, it shares the broadband connection of the connected terminal device (like a modem) to the entire network.

All you need to know about the IP address

What is a gateway?

A gateway, or residential gateway, is a combo device that has a Wi-Fi router and a terminal device (such as a modem) inside a single hardware box. That said, a gateway generally has a service connector/port plus a few LAN ports. Since it can connect directly to the service line, it tends not to have a WAN port.

If you use equipment provided by a cable service provider, chances are it’s a gateway. In this case, the company technician might call it a “modem,” which, though partly true, is incorrect. However, the misnomer is so prevalent that many hardware vendors actually use the word “modem” to name their gateways to make them relatable to consumers who have been so used to the practice.

For example, the Netgear Orbi CBK752 is a cable gateway, but Netgear calls it a “Cable Modem Router”. Similarly, SURFboard G54, pictured below, is also a cable gateway, but ARRIS calls it a “Quad-band Wi-Fi 7 Cable Modem”. Consider those the proper names and not the device type.

A gateway is convenient since you don’t have to deal with many hardware boxes and wires. In a way, it helps declutter your home. In return, it’s rigid in the sense that you simply can’t upgrade just the terminal (modem) or the router part—you have to replace the entire box. However, the biggest issue with gateways is that they’re often relatively poor in functionality and features compared to standard Wi-Fi routers.

Note that while a gateway has a router and a modem on the inside, and many gateways can work as a modem, a gateway without a WAN port (which is often the case) can’t work as a standalone router.

The final tips

If you get an Internet box from your Internet service provider, chances are it’s a gateway. However, you can also buy a retail gateway, though in this case, as mentioned, the options are much more limited than getting a standard router (or mesh Wi-Fi system).

Generally, it’s best to get only the broadband terminal device (cable modem or fiber-optic ONT). This way, you have the freedom of getting any router or system that best fits your needs, with the easy option for future upgrades.

In the case you already have a gateway and can’t replace it, keep in mind that some of them have the “bridge mode” that makes them work as a simple terminal device. That is an effective way to upgrade your hardware without having to use a double NAT setup.

Double NAT vs. single NAT: How to deal with an ISP-provided gateway you can’t replace.