Primary use is to provide WLAN access for our managed clients networks; from 10-user offices, to wireless networks supporting 500 or more wireless clients with up to 30 wireless APs on a single layer 2 network.
Works at a tech services company with 1-10 employees
Provides a built-in firewall, local radius, and application visibility and control
Pros and Cons
- "Has many advanced features: Built-in firewall, local radius, application visibility and control, not locked into support agreements."
- "Although built-in troubleshooting tools are available, they are not at all intuitive to use. Aruba Instant lacks decent documentation to use for troubleshooting wireless issues (fortunately there aren’t many)."
- "The Central cloud management (optional) is far behind the competition in features, ease of use, and dependability. I have tried Aruba Central a few times over the years and, in my option, it is not where it needs to be for serious consideration in production environments."
What is our primary use case?
How has it helped my organization?
Wireless access is very reliable; once I install, it is solid and works very well.
What is most valuable?
Very simple setup, easy to use, rock-solid dependability.
Has many advanced features:
- Built-in firewall
- Local radius
- Application visibility and control
- Not locked into support agreements
Several deployment options:
- Instant
- Central cloud managed
- Controller managed.
What needs improvement?
Although built-in troubleshooting tools are available, they are not at all intuitive to use. Aruba Instant lacks decent documentation to use for troubleshooting wireless issues (fortunately there aren’t many).
The Central cloud management (optional) is far behind the competition in features, ease of use, and dependability. I have tried Aruba Central a few times over the years and, in my option, it is not where it needs to be for serious consideration in production environments.
Buyer's Guide
Aruba Instant
December 2025
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879,371 professionals have used our research since 2012.
For how long have I used the solution?
More than five years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Very stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
No issues. I had 30 WAPs on one layer 2 subnet and it worked flawlessly.
How are customer service and support?
Seven out of 10.
How was the initial setup?
Very simple to set up as Aruba Instant. Not so intuitive or stable with Central cloud (should you require this).
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Avoid the Central cloud license if you can.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
Meraki.
What other advice do I have?
When adding new IAPs to an existing cluster, make sure they are factory default and the same firmware version as is running on the cluster.
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Partner.
Senior Sales at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
An easy-to-manage solution that should improve customer support
Pros and Cons
- "Aruba Instant is easy to manage."
- "The tool's customer service should improve."
What is most valuable?
Aruba Instant is easy to manage.
What needs improvement?
The tool's customer service should improve.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using the product for a few months.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The product is scalable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The tool is stable.
How are customer service and support?
The support is fine.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Neutral
How was the initial setup?
Aruba Instant is easy to deploy.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The solution's pricing is reasonable.
What other advice do I have?
I would rate Aruba Instant an eight out of ten.
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Reseller
Buyer's Guide
Aruba Instant
December 2025
Learn what your peers think about Aruba Instant. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: December 2025.
879,371 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Network Product Manager/ Senior Presales engineer at a computer software company with 501-1,000 employees
Offers quality wireless connection for small businesses
Pros and Cons
- "We like being able to merge Aruba Instant to mobile via Bluetooth. You are also able to perform a lot of functions remotely such as creating an SSID IP."
- "I think that the next release should offer IP phone security/firewall."
What is our primary use case?
We use this solution as an SMB. Cafe's, small offices, restaurants, etc. are able to use Aruba Instant for wireless connection.
What is most valuable?
We like being able to merge Aruba Instant to mobile via Bluetooth. You are also able to perform a lot of functions remotely such as creating an SSID IP.
What needs improvement?
I think that the next release should offer IP phone security/firewall.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using this product since it was released about two or so years ago.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Aruba Instant is a stable solution.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Aruba Instant is a scalable solution.
What other advice do I have?
I would rate this solution a ten out of ten.
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Systems and support engineer at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
Has robust security features and blocks unauthorized connections
Pros and Cons
- "The simplicity of the dashboard is one of the most valuable features. It's easy to use, and manage and the security features are robust. We can block unauthorized connections and create secure SSIDs."
- "We have faced delay in customer support which has affected our business performance. So the customer support needs to be prompt in their responses."
What is our primary use case?
I use Aruba Instant for Wireless LAN and CCTV solutions.
How has it helped my organization?
My organisation hasn’t noticed any cost reduction since implementing Aruba Instant. However, there has been a significant time reduction in pushing orders.
What is most valuable?
The simplicity of the dashboard is one of the most valuable features. It's easy to use, and manage and the security features are robust. We can block unauthorized connections and create secure SSIDs.
What needs improvement?
We have faced delay in customer support which has affected our business performance. So the customer support needs to be prompt in their responses.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Aruba Instant for the past four years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I would rate the stability a ten out of ten, since it is very stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I would rate the scalability an eight out of ten.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is very swift and easy.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
I would rate the pricing a six out of ten.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We considered a lot of products before choosing Aruba Instant. We went ahead with Aruba Instant due to it being cheaper than Cisco and Fortinet.
What other advice do I have?
Overall, I would rate the product an eight out of ten.
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
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Updated: December 2025
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