We recently implemented ClearPass for a ministerial-level government agency with 2,500 users.
Network Product Manager/ Senior Presales engineer at Nahil Computers
It's powerful, and it provides a lot of features we're missing.
Pros and Cons
- "ClearPass prevents hackers from accessing the network. No one can get inside without authentication. It provides a lot of features we are missing. It's incredibly powerful and stable."
- "Like most security products, ClearPass is difficult to deploy. You need to use the CLI to implement security products from any vendor, so configuring the authentication is complicated."
What is our primary use case?
How has it helped my organization?
ClearPass prevents hackers from accessing the network. No one can get inside without authentication. It provides a lot of features we are missing. It's incredibly powerful and stable.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Aruba ClearPass for seven years.
How was the initial setup?
Like most security products, ClearPass is difficult to deploy. You need to use the CLI to implement security products from any vendor, so configuring the authentication is complicated. Some have a GUI, but the CLI is more powerful. However, after you get the authentication protocols set up, you can forget about this device. It's stable.
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Aruba ClearPass
March 2025

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What other advice do I have?
I rate Aruba ClearPass 10 out of 10. I recommend ClearPass. You'll get a lot of benefits.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Security Automation and Incident Response at a tech services company
Enables us to double verify whether a machine is compliant with our policy
Pros and Cons
- "We can double verify whether a machine is compliant with our policy on the one hand, and on the other hand if it's one of our machines we let it into the network."
- "The user interface should be improved. The logs and how the logging mechanism works can also use an upgrade."
What is our primary use case?
We use this solution mainly for NAC, network access control.
How has it helped my organization?
It's security control after all so just like you have an EDR installed, we double verify whether a machine is compliant with our policy on the one hand, and on the other hand, if it's also one of our machines so that we can let it into the network. It's security control.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable feature for us is the policy compliance. They have an API that assists you in checking whether a machine has specific clients. For example, we check whether the EDR is updated and whether there are specific clients whose machine should be allowed to connect to the network.
What needs improvement?
The user interface should be improved. The logs and how the logging mechanism works can also use an upgrade. It should also have better reporting, we were trying to do the reports and didn't manage to do them because technically we couldn't.
Better documentation on the API would be useful as well.
For how long have I used the solution?
We've been using Aruba ClearPass for around a year.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The scalability is good. We didn't have any problems there. We deployed it in 12 hours worldwide, so it's pretty scalable. There are about 2,500 users currently, in total.
In terms of increasing our user base, we increase the license whenever we acquire a company so it depends on whether we're growing organically or not organically. It's in the pipeline, so once we buy a company they go through us, pick a stage, and we implement all the security enforcement for that company. So as long as we buy companies, we implement this as well.
How are customer service and technical support?
Most of the problems we had were solved by the integrator. The technical support is medium to good.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup was complex. The deployment was fast, but in order to tune the policy, install the agent, and do everything else, I would say it took around 4 to 6 months.
What about the implementation team?
We used an integrator. They were very good. Most of the shortcomings were technology based, not implementation based.
What other advice do I have?
My advice is to get a good integrator.
I would rate this solution as an eight and a half out of ten.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Buyer's Guide
Aruba ClearPass
March 2025

Learn what your peers think about Aruba ClearPass. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: March 2025.
842,672 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Technology Manager at MediaTek
Helpfully identifies devices found in our network environment
Pros and Cons
- "Aruba ClearPass has improved the security control in our network environment."
- "Configuration should be more easy to understand between the link of two topics."
What is our primary use case?
We use this solution for controlling the security of our wireless network.
How has it helped my organization?
Aruba ClearPass has improved the security control in our network environment.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable feature for our network environment is the identification of discovered devices.
What needs improvement?
Configuration should be more easy to understand between the link of two topics.
For how long have I used the solution?
Four and a half years.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Solution Design Engineering at Cigna
Gives us network access control, visibility, scalability, security, and control
Pros and Cons
- "Gives us network access control, visibility, scalability, security, and control in what is becoming an uncontrollable, inundated BYOD and IoT world."
- "I would like to see is “AAS”. Not only Aruba APs with central, but NAC/ClearPass, AirWave, and everything licensed as a Service. This way, like AWS, they can spin up what they need when they need it and vice versa."
What is our primary use case?
OnBoard, OnGuard, SSO and IntroSpect UEBA, including Palo Alto integration. These are valuable from engineer to C-level executives, who want visibility, performance, statistics, and a platform which can take action for them without manual intervention, saving time and money.
How has it helped my organization?
Gives us network access control, visibility, scalability, security, and control in what is becoming an uncontrollable, inundated BYOD and IoT world.
What needs improvement?
Aruba is always finding better, innovative ways to make their products easier and more friendly. It is always being improved, but what I would like to see is “AAS”. Not only Aruba APs with central, but NAC/ClearPass, AirWave, and everything licensed as a Service. This way, like AWS, they can spin up what they need when they need it and vice versa.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
None.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
None.
How are customer service and technical support?
Awesome tech support when needed. Each customer is given a customer number and TAC will follow through until all issues are resolved, whether it be a flaw in the product or a customer misconfiguration.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I did not personally use a previous solution.
How was the initial setup?
Initial setup is straightforward. It is recommended to read the manual before implementation.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
I provide straight answers. Licensing and pricing are extremely straightforward.
Run a 90 day free Proof of Concept (PoC) for each product by implementing and using it fully in your environment. This way you will be educated on its features, functionality, and manageability.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
No.
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner.
Senior Proposal Manager at a tech services company with 201-500 employees
It's useful for network separation
Pros and Cons
- "It's a great solution with multi-vendor support. That's always useful."
- "I would like to see better integration with the firewall for zeroing out blacklisted users."
What is our primary use case?
I mostly use ClearPass for network separation.
What needs improvement?
I would like to see better integration with the firewall for zeroing out blacklisted users.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been using Aruba solutions for almost 20 years.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
When working with a virtual solution, it's always the same image when you do the initial installation, but you need to have a picture of the scale you want to achieve.
For example, let's say you are switching from a medium-sized solution to a larger-scale solution. Suppose you overestimate and wind up with too many endpoints. In that case, you'll need to reinstall the solution because it reserves resources of your virtual infrastructure, depending on the type of installation that you do.
Say, for instance, I want my next solution to service 5,000 endpoints, and in the end, you have 12,000. That means you needed the bigger version. The license is the same, but the installation reserves the resources of the virtual infrastructure.
How are customer service and support?
We handle all our support in-house. Our engineers have the highest certifications.
How was the initial setup?
Generally speaking, setting up a network access control solution is complex. You have to integrate the use cases.
What other advice do I have?
I rate Aruba ClearPass eight out of 10. It's a great solution with multi-vendor support. That's always useful. My advice is to take advantage of Aruba's identification solution called ClearPass Insight in addition to the network access control.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Senior Network Engineer/Mobility Specialist at CCSI - Contemporary Computer Services, Inc.
The features work in concert to provide secure on-boarding for guests and bring-your-own-device users. A more streamlined setup and more in-depth tutorials would be helpful.
What is most valuable?
All of the features work in concert to provide secure on-boarding for guests and bring-your-own-device users.
How has it helped my organization?
I implement this for other companies and they all greatly benefit. It's worked well in many sectors, such healthcare, financial, corporate, and transportation.
What needs improvement?
Helping streamline the setup and more in-depth tutorials would be helpful. The product is very complex and therefore the more info and tools that are available the better.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been using it for three years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I feel the product is stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I feel the product is scalable.
How are customer service and technical support?
Customer Service:
Customer service is top notch.
Technical Support:Very technical. The techs always help until resolution and will escalate quickly when you ask.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
It's the first AAA security product of its kind.
How was the initial setup?
Whether the setup is straightforward or complex will depend on how you need to apply the product. It can be streamlined or be quite intricate.
What about the implementation team?
I am the consultant who installs this for end-users.
What was our ROI?
Can come from the security or the ease of management it provides
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
It may be a little expensive or complex for very small clients.
What other advice do I have?
It's very powerful, but the individual needs to have a lot of knowledge across several IT disciplines.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Security/Pre-Sales Consultant at a tech services company with 51-200 employees
Its integration with existing tooling/databases improves efficiency and visibility.
Valuable Features:
- Open standards-based Networks Access Control, 802.1x
- Excellent API/third party integration module
- Radius server features
- Visibility reporting (see who accessed the network with which device, etc.)
- Onboarding solution for BYOD
Improvements to My Organization:
- Security of wired and wireless network increased significantly without any complexity for our user community.
- Integration with existing tooling/databases improved efficiency and visibility.
- Less components to manage (we phased out MS NPS, Cisco ACS).
- Guest experience improved while "load" on IT lowered.
Room for Improvement:
How the licenses-in-use counting works in educational environments could be improved.
Also, appliance sizing could be improved, as the gaps from 500 to 5,000 and from 5,000 to 250,000 is too large. There should be 2,500 and 10,000 appliances as well.
Deployment Issues:
No issues with deployment.
Stability Issues:
No issues with stability.
Scalability Issues:
No issues of scalability.
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: I'm a Security Consultant/Pre-Sales Consultant working for a Security Network Integrator. Mobility, Network Access Control, NGFW are a few of the solutions I'm specialized in.
Network Engineer at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
Enhances network access control with user-friendly efficiency
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable feature of Aruba ClearPass is its ease of use."
- "In my opinion, the price of Aruba ClearPass could be better."
What is our primary use case?
Our primary use case for Aruba ClearPass is network access control at various levels, from the base to the highest level. Most of our customers deploy it on-premises.
How has it helped my organization?
Because of the stability of Aruba ClearPass, most of our customers are okay with the price. It is very stable and provides a good balance between cost and functionality, leading to cost savings and efficiency gains.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable feature of Aruba ClearPass is its ease of use.
What needs improvement?
In my opinion, the price of Aruba ClearPass could be better. Additionally, since other vendors sometimes offer more competitive pricing, it may influence customers' decisions.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been working with Aruba ClearPass for about ten years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I rate the stability of Aruba ClearPass as nine out of ten. It is very stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I would rate the scalability of Aruba ClearPass as nine out of ten.
How are customer service and support?
I rate the technical support from Aruba as nine out of ten.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup of Aruba ClearPass is very easy.
What was our ROI?
Because of the stability, the main concern for customers is the price, but the solution works really fine. This implies a return on investment based on performance.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
I think that the pricing is relatively high, and I rate it a seven on a scale where one is cheap and ten is expensive.
What other advice do I have?
Based on my experience, I recommend Aruba ClearPass to others because it is user-friendly and effective.
I would rate it an eight out of ten.
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
Last updated: Oct 31, 2024
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