HGU vs SFU : which ONU to choose for fiber in 2026 ?
Contents
When choosing a fiber ONU for an FTTH installation, two major options are available to you : HGU (Home Gateway Unit) or SFU (Single Family Unit). The choice is not trivial : it determines your flexibility, the complexity of installation, scalability and total cost.
This guide compares the two, details modern HGU models (WiFi 5, WiFi 6, with USB 3.0, VoIP, CATV), explains when each architecture is the right fit, and shows how to combine an HGU with an Elfcam WiFi 6 mesh to efficiently cover a large house.
What is an HGU router ?
The HGU (Home Gateway Unit) is a category of ONU that integrates the following functions :
- Fiber termination (PON GPON or EPON port)
- Layer 3 IP routing with NAT
- WiFi (5, 6 or 6E depending on the model)
- VoIP (RJ11 POTS port for telephone)
- USB 2.0/3.0 for storage or a shared printer
- Built-in firewall, DHCP, DNS
It is the equivalent of an operator box : a single box, everything works. Ideal for most home users who want simplicity.
What is an SFU ?
The SFU (Single Family Unit) is a more basic ONU :
- Only a fiber terminal with 1-4 Ethernet ports
- No routing (equivalent to an L2 switch)
- No WiFi generally
- Bridge mode : passes Ethernet frames through to an external router
For normal use, an SFU must be combined with an external WiFi 6 router that handles NAT, DHCP, firewall, WiFi. More flexibility but more equipment.
HGU vs SFU : comparison
| Criterion | HGU | SFU |
|---|---|---|
| OSI layer | L2 + L3 | L2 only |
| IP routing | Yes (NAT, DHCP) | No (bridge mode) |
| Built-in WiFi | Yes (5/6/6E) | No (very rare) |
| VoIP POTS | Yes generally | Rare |
| USB storage | Yes | No |
| Number of LAN ports | 4 (standard) | 1-4 |
| Need for external equipment | None | Router + WiFi |
| Multi-user / multi-device | Native | Via external router |
| Target | Individual, family | Geek, SMB, POL |
| Price | 80-250 € | 40-120 € |
An HGU belongs to the Layer 3 home gateways. An SFU is equivalent to a Layer 2 switch. Two different paradigms for different needs.
Recommended HGU models
HG325ACT — 4GE+1POTS+WiFi 5+USB 3.0+CATV
- 4 Gigabit Ethernet ports
- xPON port compatible with EPON PX20+ and GPON Class B+
- USB 3.0 port for storage and printer
- WiFi 5 up to 1.167 Gbps
- CATV port for cable TV
- One-click EasyMesh mesh support with a compatible mesh router
HG325AX — 4GE+1POTS+1USB3.0+WiFi 6
- WiFi 6 support : 802.11a/n/ac/ax 5 GHz + 802.11g/b/n/ax 2.4 GHz
- OFDMA, MU-MIMO, Dynamic QoS, 1024-QAM
- WiFi encryption enabled by default
- 4 Gigabit ports + POTS + USB 3.0
Available in our catalog : V-SOL HGU 4GE+POTS+USB 3.0+WiFi 6 (equivalent modern product reference).
HG3221D — Premium dual-band router
- 4 Gigabit LAN ports + 1 Gigabit WAN port
- USB 3.0, 12V DC power supply
- MTK WiFi 5 chipset
- IPv4 and IPv6
- Dual-band WiFi up to 1.2 Gbps (866 Mbps on 5 GHz + 300 Mbps on 2.4 GHz)
HGU and complementary Elfcam equipment
- V-SOL HGU WiFi 6 4GE+POTS+USB 3.0 — recommended modern HGU
- V-SOL HGU WiFi 5 4GE+POTS+USB — budget WiFi 5 version
- V-SOL HGU 2GE+CATV+USB 3.0+WiFi — with CATV for hotels
- V-SOL SFU GPON/EPON 1GE+2.5GbE — alternative multi-gig SFU
- WiFi 6 Mesh Router AX3000 — to extend an SFU into a mesh network
- Outdoor WiFi 6 AP IP67 — garden, outbuilding coverage
Concrete deployment cases
Case 1 : 2-bedroom apartment, family of 4
An HGU V-SOL WiFi 6 is more than enough. 4 Gigabit ports for a desktop PC, 4K TV, NAS ; WiFi 6 for smartphones and tablets ; POTS for a landline phone. 10-min installation, plug-and-play setup.
Case 2 : 200 m² house with a pfSense firewall
An SFU V-SOL 2.5 GbE in bridge mode → pfSense firewall → PoE switch + WiFi 6 mesh router in AP-only mode. Advanced configuration but full control over routing, VLAN, monitoring.
Case 3 : 80-room hotel POL
A 16-port GPON OLT in the server room + a WiFi 6 HGU in each room. Managed via centralized BS-EMS. Allows fast addition/removal of rooms.
Case 4 : 15-desk coworking office
An HGU CATV + USB as central equipment (if cable TV is kept), combined with a 16-port PoE switch for wired PCs and an outdoor AP for the terrace.
HGU + WiFi 6 mesh
Modern HGUs support the EasyMesh standard. You can therefore :
- Install the HGU as the main node (connected to the fiber)
- Add 1-3 compatible Elfcam mesh routers as satellites in the rest of the house
- Enjoy a unified SSID, seamless roaming and full coverage
Alternative : if the HGU does not support EasyMesh, place it in "modem only" mode (bridge) and use a complete WiFi 6 mesh kit behind it. Costs more but provides a premium WiFi experience.
Tip : Ethernet backhaul between the HGU and satellites
If you can run a Cat 6 Ethernet cable between the HGU (often near the fiber PTO) and the distant mesh nodes, you free up 100% of the WiFi bandwidth for clients. Performance multiplied by 2-3 compared to a WiFi-only backhaul.
FAQ — HGU vs SFU
1HGU or SFU for my home ?
- HGU : you want the simplicity of a box. Plug-and-play installation, no advanced config
- SFU + third-party router : you want control (VLAN, pfSense firewall, monitoring), or you are planning a high-end WiFi 6 mesh
2Does the HGU replace my operator box ?
- Free : official replacement supported on Freebox Ultra/Delta
- Orange, SFR, Bouygues : not officially authorized (proprietary LOID credentials)
- Alternative operators / RIP : often yes
3Can I use an SFU without a router behind it ?
4CATV on an HGU, is it useful in 2026 ?
- Hotel POL deployments with cable channels
- Regions where cable TV remains the standard
5WiFi 5 or WiFi 6 on an HGU ?
6Can I mix an HGU and a third-party WiFi mesh ?
- HGU + EasyMesh-compatible mesh : native integration, unified SSID
- HGU in bridge/AP mode + complete third-party mesh : better WiFi performance but the HGU is underused
7HGU with a 2.5 Gb or 10G port ?
- Multi-gig fiber (Freebox Ultra 8 Gb, Orange Pro 10 Gb)
- A recent NAS with a 2.5/10 Gb port
- A modern gaming PC with a 2.5/10 Gb network card
8Elfcam shipping and support ?
In summary
The HGU vs SFU choice depends on your technical level and your needs :
- HGU : simplicity, plug-and-play, all-in-one (ONU + router + WiFi + VoIP). Ideal for 80% of individuals
- SFU + third-party router : flexibility, advanced routing (VLAN, pfSense), premium WiFi 6 mesh. For geeks, SMBs, POL
For modern home use : HGU WiFi 6 V-SOL. For an advanced setup : SFU 2.5 GbE + WiFi 6 Mesh Router AX3000. In both cases, complete it with an outdoor AP IP67 for the garden and Cat 6 Ethernet cable for critical wired devices.
