DD-WRT for me. DD-WRT has been in development longer and has a larger support group, IMO. Admittedly, I’ve not played with Tomato.
Stock firmware limits what your router can do to what the vendor wants it to do. DD-WRT maximizes the resources to allow for QoS (Quality of Service), virtual WAPs, logging, and tighter security. Many of them support CIFS sharing if your router has a USB port.
The chance of bricking your router is non-existent if you follow the instructions to the letter. I’ve installed DD-WRT on no fewer than 50 routers in the last 2 years with absolutely no failures. If it’s supported, it’ll work.
OK, thanks for the information. I just picked up a cheap Belkin(model-F7D7302)for about $18, just for something to mess around with. Been having connectivity issues with an old Netgear WNR2000(v1)that(from what I’ve read anyway)does not support the alternative firmware. Might be changing ISP soon so wanted to hold off getting something newer/more expensive, for now.