Aruba Instant On Access Points vs Fortinet FortiAP comparison

Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Fortinet are both solutions in the Wireless LAN category. Hewlett Packard Enterprise is ranked #9 with an average rating of 8.9, while Fortinet is ranked #5 with an average rating of 8.5. Hewlett Packard Enterprise holds a 1.9% mindshare in Wireless LAN, compared to Fortinet’s 5.7% mindshare. Additionally, 96% of Hewlett Packard Enterprise users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 92% of Fortinet users who would recommend it.

Aruba Instant On Access Points

Read 33 Aruba Instant On Access Points reviews

1,461 Views
1,461 Comparison Views

96% willing to recommend

Fortinet FortiAP

Read 16 Fortinet FortiAP reviews

3,412 Views
3,412 Comparison Views

92% willing to recommend

Aruba Instant On Access Points

Fortinet FortiAP

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Download the report

Executive SummaryUpdated on Oct 31, 2024

Aruba Instant On Access Points and Fortinet FortiAP are popular contenders in the network access point category. Aruba takes the lead in ease of use and setup, while Fortinet excels in integration with its security suite, making it a strong choice for users within the Fortinet ecosystem.

Features: Aruba Instant On Access Points are known for easy management and setup with their cloud-based solutions, providing excellent area coverage with 4x4 antenna technology. They integrate flawlessly with existing infrastructures and receive positive feedback for their user-friendliness and quick provisioning. Fortinet FortiAP stands out for its seamless integration with Fortinet's security products, offering a unified management experience through a single console. Its performance and stability are praised, especially when deployed with other Fortinet solutions.

Room for Improvement: Users of Aruba Instant On Access Points express a need for enhanced monitoring features and scalability options for larger environments. Improved documentation and more integration capabilities are also desired. For Fortinet FortiAP, users suggest enhancements in outdoor performance and support for legacy devices, as well as improvements in automation and a simpler deployment process.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Aruba offers versatile deployment in on-premises and cloud environments, with users praising the intuitive app and cloud management platform. However, technical support experiences vary. Fortinet provides on-premises and hybrid cloud deployment with good product support, although some find its licensing and management challenging without Fortinet's full ecosystem. Integration with Fortinet's security suite is beneficial for existing customers.

Pricing and ROI: Aruba is noted for being cost-effective, offering essential features without hidden fees. Users commend its high return on investment due to reliability and ease of use. Fortinet FortiAP pricing is reasonable, especially compared to enterprise alternatives like Cisco. The ROI is favorable in a Fortinet-centric environment, though some consider it overpriced for non-enterprise needs.

To learn more, read our detailed Aruba Instant On Access Points vs. Fortinet FortiAP Report (Updated: December 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Aruba Instant On Access Points vs. Fortinet FortiAP

December 2025

Download the complete report

Helped 879,768 peers since 2012

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

ROI

Sentiment score

1.8

Organizations find Aruba Instant On Access Points offer great performance and easy management, justifying costs despite financial evaluation concerns.

Sentiment score

6.3

Fortinet FortiAP offers high ROI with robust security, minimal maintenance, and 80% cost savings compared to competitors.

No quotes available

For more quotes and insights, download the Aruba Instant On Access Points report

I do not have to continuously manage them, and their reliability means they are consistently up and running.

Brian M.

Network Administrator at a educational organization with 501-1,000 employees

Fortinet FortiAP provides value for money, and I can quantify the savings at about 80%.

JayPrajapati

Senior Network Security Engineer at ITCG SOlutions Pvt Ltd

For more quotes and insights, download the Fortinet FortiAP report

Customer Service

Sentiment score

6.2

Aruba Instant On Access Points have mixed reviews, praised for fast support but criticized for delays and language issues.

Sentiment score

7.5

Fortinet FortiAP's customer service experiences vary, with mixed support quality influenced by region, service tier, and training resources.

The technical support from Aruba is rated seven due to limitations, such as support issues when the controller is on the VM side.

Thatchapon Wongsri

Senior Network Engineer Specialist at Zenith Comp Co.,Ltd.

There are still issues with the language barrier and the overall quality of support.

reviewer2590536

Consultant at a tech services company with 1,001-5,000 employees

For more quotes and insights, download the Aruba Instant On Access Points report

The RMA process is very good, with same-day replacement in our case.

Shahnawaz Nusrat

Head Of Technical Operations at ITE

We keep a support contract open with Fortinet, so we have instantaneous response from them.

reviewer2677554

Network Engineer III at a energy/utilities company with 1,001-5,000 employees

I am not satisfied with Fortinet FortiAP's technical support in India.

JayPrajapati

Senior Network Security Engineer at ITCG SOlutions Pvt Ltd

For more quotes and insights, download the Fortinet FortiAP report

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score

7.6

Aruba Instant On Access Points are scalable for SMBs but limited for enterprises, suitable for smaller, budget-conscious implementations.

Sentiment score

6.9

Fortinet FortiAP is scalable, supporting thousands of users, but may require new purchases due to technology constraints.

No quotes available

For more quotes and insights, download the Aruba Instant On Access Points report

We have good scalability with Fortinet FortiAP because we have multiple ISPs connected to it through FortiManager.

reviewer2677554

Network Engineer III at a energy/utilities company with 1,001-5,000 employees

There could be constraints where a product can't be scaled further without purchasing a new model.

reviewer2647713

Senior IT System Engineer at a tech services company with 1-10 employees

For more quotes and insights, download the Fortinet FortiAP report

Stability Issues

Sentiment score

7.9

Aruba Instant On Access Points provide reliable connectivity for up to 25 users, praised for stability and minimal issues.

Sentiment score

6.6

Fortinet FortiAP's stability is mixed; some praise performance while others face disconnections and vulnerabilities, influenced by location and setup.

The stability of Aruba Instant On Access Points is generally good.

Thatchapon Wongsri

Senior Network Engineer Specialist at Zenith Comp Co.,Ltd.

For more quotes and insights, download the Aruba Instant On Access Points report

I have not experienced any issues, outages, or problems and have not had to interfere with them at all.

Brian M.

Network Administrator at a educational organization with 501-1,000 employees

The stability of the solution is very high.

reviewer2677554

Network Engineer III at a energy/utilities company with 1,001-5,000 employees

For more quotes and insights, download the Fortinet FortiAP report

Room For Improvement

Aruba Instant On Access Points need better integration, scalability, and user-friendly features to improve usability and customer satisfaction.

Fortinet FortiAP needs improvements in wireless functionality, support, outdoor performance, and configuration, despite effective cloud management capabilities.

There is not enough focus on security across networking vendors, and they often add features without testing them thoroughly.

reviewer2590536

Consultant at a tech services company with 1,001-5,000 employees

In future updates, more AI for intelligence and the option for a separate network could be beneficial.

Aslam Khabou

Systems and support engineer at Lan to Wan

The default configuration can be overridden to enhance performance beyond the default settings.

Thatchapon Wongsri

Senior Network Engineer Specialist at Zenith Comp Co.,Ltd.

For more quotes and insights, download the Aruba Instant On Access Points report

I know they're going up to six soon, which will enhance reliability.

reviewer2677554

Network Engineer III at a energy/utilities company with 1,001-5,000 employees

Security is always a concern for any business, and the network should not be compromised easily.

reviewer2647713

Senior IT System Engineer at a tech services company with 1-10 employees

We earlier expected that Fortinet FortiAP could be managed through the cloud, which would be very good, but nowadays, FortiNet is providing FortiAPs with cloud management also.

JayPrajapati

Senior Network Security Engineer at ITCG SOlutions Pvt Ltd

For more quotes and insights, download the Fortinet FortiAP report

Setup Cost

Aruba Instant On Access Points offer affordable, all-inclusive pricing under $200, contrasting with competitors like Cisco with no recurring fees.

Fortinet FortiAP offers competitive enterprise pricing, though licensing costs can be high, generally rated six to nine out of ten.

When comparing pricing with Cisco, Aruba Instant On Access Points are competitively priced, making them affordable solutions for SMBs, rather than being higher priced.

ANKIT GAJJAR

IT Project Manager at CPS TECHNOLOGIES

Aruba Instant On Access Points work without a list price, suggesting that they are open source and no additional licensing costs are incurred.

Aslam Khabou

Systems and support engineer at Lan to Wan

The pricing of Aruba Instant On Access Points is competitive compared to Cisco, and they are actually cheaper.

reviewer2590536

Consultant at a tech services company with 1,001-5,000 employees

For more quotes and insights, download the Aruba Instant On Access Points report

The license costs for Fortinet are more affordable when considering licensing costs with other leaders like Cisco.

reviewer2647713

Senior IT System Engineer at a tech services company with 1-10 employees

The pricing is much better than Cisco pricing.

reviewer2677554

Network Engineer III at a energy/utilities company with 1,001-5,000 employees

Fortinet FortiAP is affordable, not expensive.

JayPrajapati

Senior Network Security Engineer at ITCG SOlutions Pvt Ltd

For more quotes and insights, download the Fortinet FortiAP report

Valuable Features

Aruba Instant On Access Points provide easy cloud management, seamless integration, and cost-effective security for small to medium-sized sites.

Fortinet FortiAP excels in integration, management, and security, providing stability and performance for small to medium enterprises.

We have implemented approximately 300 plus devices on one premise without receiving any complaints about malfunctioning or functionality errors; it runs smoothly.

ANKIT GAJJAR

IT Project Manager at CPS TECHNOLOGIES

Customers choose Aruba because it is more stable, has superior radio management, and offers features like mesh and a stateful firewall.

Thatchapon Wongsri

Senior Network Engineer Specialist at Zenith Comp Co.,Ltd.

The virtual controller feature is very beneficial because it removes the need for a physical controller.

reviewer2590536

Consultant at a tech services company with 1,001-5,000 employees

For more quotes and insights, download the Aruba Instant On Access Points report

Fortinet FortiAP is effective in protecting against wireless threats.

JayPrajapati

Senior Network Security Engineer at ITCG SOlutions Pvt Ltd

Compatibility with Fortinet firewalls allows clients to set up new businesses with integrated firewalls and access points, offering a cost-effective solution while providing excellent wireless coverage.

reviewer2647713

Senior IT System Engineer at a tech services company with 1-10 employees

In a FortiGate, especially a Forti wireless environment, it's always easy to troubleshoot problems and it gives better visibility of our environment.

Shahnawaz Nusrat

Head Of Technical Operations at ITE

For more quotes and insights, download the Fortinet FortiAP report

Categories and Ranking

Aruba Instant On Access Points

Ranking in Wireless LAN

9th

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

6.3

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Fortinet FortiAP

Ranking in Wireless LAN

5th

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

7.3

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of January 2026, in the Wireless LAN category, the mindshare of Aruba Instant On Access Points is 1.9%, up from 0.9% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Fortinet FortiAP is 5.7%, up from 3.4% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Wireless LAN Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
Fortinet FortiAP	5.7%
Aruba Instant On Access Points	1.9%
Other	92.4%

Wireless LAN

Featured Reviews

ANKIT GAJJAR

IT Project Manager at CPS TECHNOLOGIES

Have faced challenges with visibility and support while exploring more accessible alternatives

I have been working with Aruba Instant On Access Points for the last five years, implementing the HP Enterprise series grade Wi-Fi in the Surat Diamond Bourse. HP Aruba is easily available in the India market, so sometimes customers are preferring the HP Aruba Central solution. When we talk about Cisco WireWorks, my thoughts about Advanced Threat Detection indicate that Cisco needs to improve the visibility of its products in the India market, as there is very much less visibility right now. I would rate the stability of Aruba Instant On Access Points as the best one. Overall, I rate Aruba Instant On Access Points eight out of ten, as Aruba is a most versatile solution. I can definitely recommend Aruba Instant On Access Points to others.

Read full review

Shahnawaz Nusrat

Head Of Technical Operations at ITE

Has simplified wireless integration while needing better throughput and captive portal features

The product can be improved depending on the model selected as per requirements. Support is good and throughput is good. What we need to do is select a better product as per our requirement and environment. If proper working is done in terms of wireless heat map or radio connectivity in our environment, I believe it's good. There is always a chance to improve. Throughput can be better in terms of other vendors, but currently, it's working fine. One feature that I still need to explore is the captive portal. When we deploy a unit in a public environment, users need to sign in with a pop-up box to connect.

Read full review

See which vendors are best for you

Use our free recommendation engine to learn which Wireless LAN solutions are best for your needs.

See recommendations

879,768 professionals have used our research since 2012.

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Manufacturing Company

Computer Software Company

Hospitality Company

Performing Arts

Computer Software Company

11%

Government

Manufacturing Company

Comms Service Provider

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	23
Midsize Enterprise	4
Large Enterprise	9

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	11
Midsize Enterprise	2
Large Enterprise	3

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Aruba Instant On Access Points?

When comparing pricing with Cisco, Aruba Instant On Access Points are competitively priced, making them affordable solutions for SMBs, rather than being higher priced.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Aruba Instant On Access Points?

I believe that software usability could be improved.

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Aruba Instant On Access Points?

My clients mostly request Aruba Instant On Access Points for use cases involving IoT utilization, bandwidth utilization, and user interference monitoring. All products are monitored from HP Aruba C...

See all answers

What do you like most about FortiAP?

If we have FortiClient installed on multiple devices, it is seamless to connect with FortiAP. It supports passwordless authentication as well. That is a great thing about it.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for FortiAP?

Fortinet FortiAP is affordable, not expensive.

See all answers

What needs improvement with FortiAP?

See all answers

Comparisons

Aruba Instant vs Aruba Instant On Access Points

Compared 16% of the time

Omada Access Points vs Aruba Instant On Access Points

Compared 12% of the time

Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN vs Aruba Instant On Access Points

Compared 10% of the time

Ubiquiti WLAN vs Aruba Instant On Access Points

Compared 9% of the time

Cambium Networks Wireless LAN vs Aruba Instant On Access Points

Compared 6% of the time

More Aruba Instant On Access Points Competitors

Aruba Access Points vs Fortinet FortiAP

Compared 23% of the time

Ruckus Wireless vs Fortinet FortiAP

Compared 18% of the time

Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN vs Fortinet FortiAP

Compared 13% of the time

Cisco Wireless vs Fortinet FortiAP

Compared 12% of the time

Cambium Networks Wireless LAN vs Fortinet FortiAP

Compared 2% of the time

More Fortinet FortiAP Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Aruba Instant On Access Points

January 2026

Download Aruba Instant On Access Points product report

Buyer's Guide

Fortinet FortiAP

January 2026

Download Fortinet FortiAP product report

Overview

Ingredients for success.

Fast 802.11ac Wave 2, secure employee and guest access, easy-to-use web, and mobile app management.

Say yes to secure Wi-Fi access.

Pre-built access control lists (ACLs) and built-in firewall in the access points prevent malicious traffic from entering your network – we call it “hassle-free” security.

Never drop an important call.

With Instant On, voice and video business applications are automatically prioritized, so you stay connected with your peers.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Fortinet FortiAP provides wireless network access for industries such as banking, healthcare, and logistics. It enhances connectivity with FortiGate and FortiSwitch, ensuring secure data exchange in settings like offices and malls.

Fortinet FortiAP is integral for managing connected devices across sectors. It integrates seamlessly with Fortinet products, enhancing security and connectivity. Users benefit from a unified console that simplifies configuration and monitoring without additional controllers. The support for passwordless authentication and cloud visibility adds value, while its use in environments like shopping centers and offices facilitates secure data sharing and access.

What are the key features of Fortinet FortiAP?

Integration with FortiGate and FortiAnalyzer: Simplifies network management and monitoring.
Passwordless Authentication: Enhances security and accessibility.
Cloud Dashboard: Provides comprehensive visibility over network activities.
Direct Control from FortiGate: Eliminates the need for separate controllers.
SSID Customization: Supports tailoring of wireless access.

What benefits should users expect from Fortinet FortiAP?

Efficient Network Management: Centralized control and configuration simplify operations.
Comprehensive Reporting: Transparent insights for improved decision-making.
Secure Access: Protects data through advanced security measures.
Seamless Connectivity: Improves user experience with simplified networking.

In industries like banking and healthcare, Fortinet FortiAP is deployed to enhance network security and provide reliable access. Retailers leverage its capabilities in shopping centers, while warehouses benefit from its reliable connectivity to support seamless operations. Managed service providers use it to deliver tailored solutions, ensuring effective network segmentation and coverage.

Fortinet

Buyer's Guide

Aruba Instant On Access Points vs. Fortinet FortiAP

December 2025

Free Report: Aruba Instant On Access Points vs. Fortinet FortiAP

Find out what your peers are saying about Aruba Instant On Access Points vs. Fortinet FortiAP and other solutions. Updated: December 2025.

DOWNLOAD NOW

879,768 professionals have used our research since 2012.

See our Aruba Instant On Access Points vs. Fortinet FortiAP report.

See our list of best Wireless LAN vendors.

We monitor all Wireless LAN reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.