Gryphon Connect Reviews

This system could be good, the hardware works fine, but the software has only gotten worse with time. Biggest issues: New interface was implemented prior to updating the documentation on how to use the new interface. The new interface is still just as confusing and convoluted as the old interface. They removed the ability to remotely restart the router, the official support article now tells you to unplug it to restart. Are you kidding me!? It’s slow. I mean amazingly slow even when I am at home on the Wi-Fi network. Every screen shows the old information until you manually refresh, which gives you a false sense of knowledge. Did I mention it’s slow, once you get in the habit of manually refreshing get ready to wait or GryphonConnect will freeze: “Your request has timed out”. The address blocker by URL is asinine. Cut and paste the URL from my browser and all I ever get is, “Please enter a valid URL” 🤦‍♂️ I don’t know if there is a better option, but I wish I had tried anything other than this one.

I was a premium customer for 3 years, still am till it expires. I was always hoping for more, but never got anything. NO VPN, really! My kids cannot use this expensive parental protection router away from home on their laptop—- a $35 cheap router can do VPN, but not gryphon. I literally could write for days of 3 years of problems.. No webpage interface, no documentation, a FAQ section that only answers the most basic of questions, she should add “make sure the device is plugged in”. I really wanted to like this product, I gave it 3 years and over a $1000 dollars. TOTAL WASTE for me. By the way, I spend 3 hours today calling the phone support— over and over— tells me after being on hold for 6 mins no one is available, so I keep calling back.. Never got anyone. A chat did end up telling me that there is no way to do a VPN, and that there is no way for gryphon to protect my kdis laptops while away from home… Hope this helps. By the way, if you are reading this, it means Gryphon never did get back to me.

I’ve used the gryphon router for a few years. One base and one repeater. Worked good for the most part but still would get some slower spots around the house. Now with everyone working from home, I decided to add a guardian to the network to reach those slower spots. To add this to my network I had to update GryphonConnect . I really regret doing that and I regret getting the guardian. Nothing but constant struggles, slow speeds, dropped connections since then. I’ve been sending logs and email support back and forth. Since we are so reliant on the internet to work from home, this device and application is no longer something I would recommend until they fix these issues. Every other day there is a problem. Just today all my repeaters stopped working for no reason. Now I’m staying up late to try to get it to work. Sent another request to support tech.

I really want to like this router. There’s nothing else out there that quite compares. I’ve looked and searched the Internet for reviews of several different devices that try to do parent controls and things there’s no button that says activate even if it is already active, it never says activate, you get suspend suspend in five minutes suspend in 15 minutes. Will the internets not working on that device so what in the world is going on on the homepage? How about just make a nice simple button that says Internet for instead of having to try to figure out what Group is not working or what’s going on Group make three categories that you put things in and always on category category that turn on and off and one that’s always blocked. Then you can talk on everything that’s in the category that can turn on or off and you can see the devices that are in those grouped categories. Well still maintaining the other groups real life scenario happens frequently. Hey dad, the Internet, not working. I’d like to turn it on, but it appears that Group is already turned on sorry kids don’t know why you don’t have Internet that stinks. Maybe I should switch my router, but I really like the features turn off the Internet.

I love the features that sold me on this router. We have owned the router and a repeater over a year now and have around 50-60 devices connected. The mesh framework has improved reception throughout our house and speed too. However GryphonConnect leaves much to be desired. It is slow to adopt changes I make to the network, so are the other brands for these types of changes. However changes to the Gryphon regularly don’t take effect. Commands from GryphonConnect regularly time out. Various bugs make GryphonConnect reliable most of the time. Performance has really suffered since the end most recent update to this new app and the last two firmware update should. Our network has been on and off the last several days now. I’m strongly considering cutting my losses and going to a more established brand.

Update: Had to wipe and reset the router. It does not save anything on the profile you create in GryphonConnect , so having to re-create everything from scratch. GryphonConnect keeps having a hard time. I get constant notifications “Too many requests” or “Request timed out.”

But since the recent update, that’s rare. Having the users on the main screen is great, but the scheduled screen time takes FOREVER to load, meaning you can’t make one-time adjustments to screen time without changing the whole schedule manually. When I say it takes forever, I mean often it never loads at all. You can exit GryphonConnect , kill it, move to other areas in GryphonConnect , do anything you can think of to make it figure itself out and load the schedule and it still won’t. It’s wild how unresponsive it is. In the meantime, little ones who have completed all their chores and have earned their time, can’t get internet because we can’t turn off the scheduled homework or suspended time. So if that could be fixed, we would be so grateful!

Suggested fixes:

1. It appears that GryphonConnect isn’t synced real-time to actual usage. When I open the iOS app to check on specific times used on devices or iOS apps, the Gryphon app doesn’t reflect the current usage. For example, a device may have used all of it’s allotted time, but the Gryphon app still shows 20 minutes remaining. It takes 10-15 mins for the Gryphon app to update to “Time’s Up.”

2. Along the same lines, the Gryphon app will show a device online when the device isn’t being used or the opposite where it will show as inactive when the device is currently in use.

3. Again, along the same line of issues, the Gryphon app will show that a particular iOS app has remaining time, but when trying to use the iOS app, the Gryphon router has it blocked.

In short, there is a big delay between the Gryphon app information and the actual current state of managed apps/devices.

I really like the Gryphon router an all of the built in features. One thing I would like to see is easier navigation. For example, when one of my kids wants me to approve a website or allow a friend on the network, I have to search for the place to add it. It would be great if, when I log in, I was provided witch a pop up or other alert that allows me to approve or decline. Also, it gives me the MAC address of devices on the network , but does not tell me anything about them. I then have to retype the MAC address into a MAC address identification tool to find out what it is. Most other routers automatically look up the MAC address and tell me what it is. At least allow me to copy the MAC address so I do not have to hand type it.

The Gryphon app provides a lot of useful information and control, but some functions aren’t necessarily as intuitive as I’d like. Telling me the MAC address of “something” it’s detected and then leaving me to search for where and what it is isn’t particularly helpful.
When designating the location of mesh routers, there’s a fixed list of pre-named locations, such as “basement”, but no option to add a specific name, like “laundry room” or “storage room”: just the option of “other”. This made a troubleshooting conversation with Gryphon support a bit awkward. Then there was the issue of having to set up multiple “users” groups to work around a software bug that was blocking internet access.
Small things in the aggregate, but GryphonConnect could be better. Thanks

The internet speed is way faster than our old router. Customer service do respond, which is good. I took out 1 star for the price of the Gryphon AX, it is expensive.

I do not want to be too restricted on my kids when they are using their devices and also the internet. This is just to help them be more responsible and learn self-control. GryphonConnect kinda helps me with it but I have a few wish list that I really hope the parental app can do, but nothing can be perfect in this world right?! We just have to make do with what we have.

So far this is the best that I can find after testing 5 years with all the available parental app and router in the market.

I know that Gryphon has had some negative reviews on account of GryphonConnect being buggy, which it is, let’s be honest. But here’s why you should get the Gryphon. 1) great support 2) protect your family 3) it’s the best choice for router-level protection.
I just finished getting help from JP, a tech support representative who helped me solve the bug THAT NIGHT. Gryphon has always provided help, and I’ve had it for years. I know solving bugs and issues is a challenge, but this is our family we are talking about here. With Gryphon we have router-level protection on every device that uses our wi-fi. It’s not the same as Circle or Bark, which are very nice, but not routers. Please keep up the good fight for your family and go with Gryphon!

With the new update on GryphonConnect , I give this a 1 star now. The screen time management is completely different and not as easy to manage as before the update. I can no longer increase screen time without it changing all the days. It used to revert back. That was the best part of GryphonConnect for parents who monitor their kids screen time and sometimes want to give them a little extra time for that one moment. GryphonConnect is awful now. Even the way it looks. Please change it back!!!

Changed back to 5 stars because of the amazing customer support. They are so responsive and dedicated. GryphonConnect works great now. So easy to use and manage my kid’s screen time! Thank you!

I’ve been using Gryphon for a little over a year. I don’t know if there is a better way to do your router. Let’s face it if your router connected to the ethernet and has an admin interface, it is vulnerable! I know because my Xfinity modem has been hacked time and time again!
Setup:
So what is the best way to stay secure? In my opinion having two routers connected, to a modem, that does not have wireless, is the best way to go. Obviously your modem can have a firewall, then you have a router in bridge mode with a different lan, or double NAT it if you want to.
Next you have Gryphon attached to your modem or router in bridge more, attached to your cable/Sat modem, going out.

Controlling Gryphon:
what I do is get everything connected to my router first. That means l leave new device blocking off, until all are connected. You can use, static IP‘s, or DHCP, your choice.
You should probably use a password generator/manager, to put in your network name(SSID) and password.
Using something above 12 digits, in order for it to be a strong password.
I turn off SSID myself, and I use other on my iPhone/iPad in order to connect them to the said network.
Afterwords set block new devices on

I’ll add to this later.

Gryphon is tackling a tough problem and does a good job at it. After some trial and error we have a setup that is providing protection for our family. The wireless speed is top notch, I easily get the full 500mbps from our ISP when doing a speed test wirelessly from my iPhone.

I was doing some network penetration testing for a client and was pleasantly surprised to see the gryphon alert me that my work computer was conducting a port scan and it offered to quarantine my work machine from the network :)

In the few instances I’ve had a problem I’ve contacted support and they’ve been available immediately. They have been able to resolve my issues, typically by releasing new firmware to our gryphon access points. It surprised me that it’s so easy to talk to real support people who are actually able to fix problems.

I don’t think you will find a better product at this price point. It’s not a perfect solution— as some have noted GryphonConnect is a little odd but it gets the job done. To get something better I think you’d have to start shelling out cash for business class equipment and that is very expensive and still by no means perfect.

Recommended for anyone trying to protect their children from the ugly side of the Internet.

I have had the gryphon for about a year now.
GryphonConnect is easy to navigate and set up profiles for each device/user, to set screen time, homework time, block all sites without permission.

For my home we have max 7 devices connected as we do not allow excess net time.
Speeds are extremely fast. We have only had one issue with no connection but turned out the net was actually down- nothing to do with the router/app.

One thing I thought was very interesting about this system was that it blocked incoming access to devices such as when a teacher attempted to access chromebook during distance learning.
Teacher would randomly attempt to stream /view child’s screen/camera but was blocked by the router... & I appreciated that very much!

I think GryphonConnect works very well. I love how I can assign devices to different users/profiles. Homework time helps me with accountability -when the kiddos ask for extra time -reminds me to check their progress before giving reward time.

It’s been easy to set up users, assign devices to people, etc. There are a handful of additional features I’d like to see, like a report of websites and videos each child accesses. Or a popup of some kind showing recently blocked sites so I could quickly unblock sites needed for distance learning. Also the screens for setting a child’s bedtime are less than intuitive and a few times I’ve accidentally changed multiple days at once. (A “grant an extra 30 minutes of screen time” button would be great.) Overall this is a far better app than we’ve used before for this purpose.

I am using this router and GryphonConnect for more than 3 months and must admit, one of the best parental control tools I have ever used or heard of. There are more room to improve but what it comes with is best in the market today.

Highlights: Screen time management to set daily limit for screen time (with rewards), weekly plan with flexible bedtime, and homework time. A suspend button to stop Internet for all, for a user or even to block a device.

Content filtering starts with default settings based on age profile of the user but can be customized by the parents; you can block or unblock any site that you think (in) appropriate.
App control for most of the popular apps makes it easy for parents along with browsing history gives full visibility what a child is visiting online.

Lowlights: I would love to see some additional features like ability to set a time limit for games and apps. The ability to see how much time is spent on each site could be helpful.

The best part - this powerful parental control tool is free for ever.

Just set up our Gryphon router and mesh repeater. Installation was extremely easy moving from a Linksys EA8500 router and extender. Devices appear right away in GryphonConnect and I can then assign them to user profiles or keep them unmanaged. Love the UI of GryphonConnect and it easily lets me see what is going on and how to manage it. Changes on the network and in GryphonConnect are pretty quick, with just a few seconds of delay and the signals propagate throughout. Only hiccup we had was the firmware updated upon initial installation to version 2. Later learned that there was a version 4 which I applied from within GryphonConnect without issue. In other words, the first update did not bring Gryphon up to the latest firmware, but you can schedule automatic firmware updates within GryphonConnect too. Firmware updates can take some time so be patient - it is working. VERY pleased so far with the hardware, app, parental browsing controls, coverage and speed.

I purchased a lot of different hardware solutions to help detect when my kids were going to sites they shouldn’t and prevent the really bad ones. This is a perfect combination of form/function. GryphonConnect allows you to set homework time, suspend time, free time, and impose time limits. Also you can see where they’ve been! You can also create profiles for connected devices in your home like smart TVs so that the internet is disabled at bedtime (no more sneaking out of bed to watch TV or grab an iPad). Awarding time is also very simple. All in all, it’s a great solution and pares great with a solution like Mobicip or Bark.

After using the Gryphon Wi-Fi 5 routers and their Wi-Fi 6 AX routers and software for years with nothing but excellent results and barely a hiccup, we had to switch our home router to that of Ring Alarm Pro and that’s where Wi-Fi that worked turned into something that’s suppose to protect your family but can’t tell you what sites or apps it’s blocking because even though you paid for it, you’re still the product. Gryphon doesn’t have and endless junk store that needs to be turned over before the next cargo ship from China delivers our next batch of outsourced and off shored items whether the factory has nets to catch their suicidal employees , or not. Those things cost money and you should put your money with a company that values your privacy, and safety, and at least provides you with some information whereas with other systems you’d be left guessing. While it may not be perfect and that may lead to more customer service inquiries and questions, the support team at Gryphon was always willing able to assist tracking down whatever the issue may be and following up to see if it resolved. Unfortunately, bigger isn’t always better as companies perspectives and goals are different. You should choose wisely as your home router is truelly the gateway to all of your information, data, files, photos, etc. Sign up for the newsletter and don’t let others marketing shinanigans get in the way of using this underdog companies equipment and software at front of your internet.