Winner
16% OFF
$587.99
$699.99
Updated October 2026
Data from the official Asus site.
2026 verdict
Do you own devices that can use the 6 GHz band?
Then the Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro is the better Wi-Fi 7 router of the two, with quad-band radios, a 30 Gbps maximum and eight external antennas. The Asus RT-BE88U is dual-band, tops out at 7.2 Gbps and has four antennas, but it is the lower priced router and it has the longer list of wired ports, with ten in total against seven. Both are Wi-Fi 7 routers with MLO, AiMesh, WPA3, free AiProtection, a full VPN suite, USB storage sharing and a 3 year warranty. Neither acts as a Thread border router or Matter controller. Choose the Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro for the fastest wireless and multi-gig fiber, and the Asus RT-BE88U for a wired-first home that does not need 6 GHz.
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| Feature | Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro | Asus RT-BE88U | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $587.99 | $319.99 | Asus RT-BE88U |
| Rating | 4.2 | 4.3 | Asus RT-BE88U |
| Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) | YES | NO | Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro |
| Max Wi-Fi Speed | 30 Gbps | 7.2 Gbps | Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro |
| LAN Port Count | 7 | 10 | Asus RT-BE88U |
| Warranty | 3 years | 3 years | Tie |
| Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) | YES | YES | Tie |
| Mesh Wi-Fi | YES | YES | Tie |
| WPA3 Encryption | YES | YES | Tie |
| LAN 2.5 Gbps RJ45 Ports | 4 | 4 | Tie |
| WAN & Failover | Multi-WAN, WAN Failover | Multi-WAN, WAN Failover | Tie |
| USB Storage | FTP, Samba, Time Machine, Media Sharing | FTP, Samba, Time Machine, Media Sharing | Tie |
What the differences mean
6 GHz band
The Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro carries two 6 GHz radios (11,529 Mbps each) on top of 2.4 and 5 GHz, while the Asus RT-BE88U has none. If your laptop or phone supports Wi-Fi 7 on 6 GHz, only the GT-BE98 Pro lets it use the cleanest spectrum.
Top wireless speed
30 Gbps combined for the Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro against 7.2 Gbps for the Asus RT-BE88U. Both share the same 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz speeds, so the difference is the 6 GHz bands, and it only shows on the fastest clients.
Wired ports
The Asus RT-BE88U offers ten LAN ports, including a 10G port, an SFP+ cage and four 1G ports, plus a 10G SFP+ WAN option. The Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro has seven LAN ports, including two 10G, four 2.5G and one 1G. The RT-BE88U suits a bigger wired setup, while the GT-BE98 Pro has more 10G copper.
Size and USB
The Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro weighs 2 kg and measures about 350 mm across, with USB 2.0 and USB 3.0. The Asus RT-BE88U weighs 1.06 kg, has a compact 300 x 188 mm body and a single USB 3.0 port.
Which one to buy if
- you have Wi-Fi 7 clients that can use 6 GHz
Only the Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro has 6 GHz radios, two of them.
- you have multi-gig fiber and want two 10G ports on copper
The Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro provides two 10G LAN ports next to four 2.5G ports.
- you wire a lot of devices and want an SFP+ cage
The Asus RT-BE88U has ten LAN ports, including a 10G port and an SFP+ port, and a compact body.
- you want a shelf-friendly router
At 1.06 kg and 300 x 188 mm, the Asus RT-BE88U is much smaller than the Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro.
Winner
16% OFF
$587.99
$699.99
- + Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax): YES
- + Max Wi-Fi Speed: 30 Gbps
- - Price: $587.99 vs $319.99
- - Rating: 4.2 vs 4.3
9% OFF
$319.99
$349.99
- + Price: $319.99
- + Rating: 4.3
- + LAN Port Count: 10
- - Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax): NO vs YES
- - Max Wi-Fi Speed: 7.2 Gbps vs 30 Gbps
What owners say
Owners of both routers value the same things: an AsusWRT interface with real depth, free AiProtection and a VPN server and client with no subscription, and Asuswrt-Merlin compatibility for those who want to tinker. Both groups also admit the routers reward some networking knowledge and report mixed wireless reliability from a minority. Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro owners single out real Wi-Fi 7 speed, the Game Boost ping tools and solid build, while warning about a premium price, a buggy launch that firmware and hardware revisions fixed, weaker 2.4 GHz range for some and infrequent firmware updates. Asus RT-BE88U owners single out the rare pair of 10G ports, easy setup, stability and adaptive QoS, and point out weak signal for a few, opinions split on value and the missing 6 GHz band.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better overall: Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro or Asus RT-BE88U?
The Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro, thanks to its 6 GHz bands and 30 Gbps maximum. The Asus RT-BE88U is the lower priced router, with more wired ports.
What is the biggest difference between the Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro and the Asus RT-BE88U?
The 6 GHz band. The Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro is quad-band with two 6 GHz radios, while the Asus RT-BE88U is dual-band with 2.4 and 5 GHz only.
Does the Asus RT-BE88U support 6 GHz?
No. The Asus RT-BE88U is a dual-band Wi-Fi 7 router. The Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro adds two 6 GHz bands.
Which has more Ethernet ports, the Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro or the Asus RT-BE88U?
The Asus RT-BE88U, with ten LAN ports against seven on the Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro. The GT-BE98 Pro has two 10G LAN ports, though, while the RT-BE88U has one 10G and one SFP+.
Who should buy the Asus ROG Rapture GT-BE98 Pro?
Gamers and power users with fast fiber and 6 GHz-capable devices who want the fastest wireless and are comfortable with a large router and a premium cost.
Who should buy the Asus RT-BE88U?
Wired-first homes and small offices that want many multi-gig ports, an SFP+ option and AsusWRT features in a more compact box, without needing 6 GHz.
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