Aruba Instant On Access Points vs Fortinet FortiWLM comparison

Aruba Instant On Access Points vs. Fortinet FortiWLM

Download the complete report

Helped 861,524 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:

Categories and Ranking

Aruba Instant On Access Points

Ranking in Wireless LAN

9th

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

6.5

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Fortinet FortiWLM

Ranking in Wireless LAN

14th

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

7.3

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of July 2025, in the Wireless LAN category, the mindshare of Aruba Instant On Access Points is 1.1%, up from 1.0% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Fortinet FortiWLM is 1.9%, down from 2.1% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Wireless LAN

Featured Reviews

Ricardo Quintero

Infrastructure/Telcom Coordinator at Schnellecke Group AG & Co. KG

Affordable and offers an easy setup phase

I was working on the on-premises solutions, like IronNet, Aironet, and some other tools from Cisco, but not with Meraki. The last Aironet model that we have here in Mexico, in the corporate office, and in some of the other regions of Mexico is Cisco Aironet 3700 and Cisco Aironet 3800, so it is just two or three devices. Aruba Instant On Access Points was working with Aruba 2540 and Cisco 3850 In Cisco, I found some issues. I was working well with a vendor. I was working with Cisco Catalyst 9200 and Cisco Catalyst 9300, along with Cisco Catalyst 2916M XL Switch. With all devices, we got a report. During the immigration, we choose another vendor, which Aruba. We have some issues with Aruba Instant On Access Points in iOS that are targeting the devices, and I have seen some problems with the DHCP solution.

Read full review

Mohammad Talha Talkin Alam

Assistant Manager - IT at PDS Limited

Reliable network creation and management with an efficient setup process

My primary use case involves creating SSIDs and defining VLANs within the VLAN using Fortinet FortiWLM. I have been working with Wi-Fi access points for network connectivity I primarily use Fortinet FortiWLM for creating SSIDs and defining VLANs. While there isn't much focus on security, layer…

Read full review

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"The solution has fast deployment and easy setup. There is no security PIN for this account."

"The initial setup is very simple."

"The product is incredibly stable and meets our needs excellently."

"The product is easy to set up, providing value for time since it is very quick."

"Aruba is much better than other vendors like Cisco and NETGEAR in terms of quality, price, and value for money."

"I would recommend Aruba Instant On Access Points to others."

"It's a good solution and a good technology."

"The solution's most valuable features include a simple deployment phase, easy management, and scalability."

More Aruba Instant On Access Points pros

"The security is a valuable feature."

"The most valuable feature is the ability to connect and broadcast to different networks without using a VLAN or a layer two switch, which allows you to easily create guest networks."

"Having the single pane of glass, by using the Fortinet Security Fabric, allows us to tighten security, and more easily and quickly create additional VLANs to help protect data. Rules in the firewall mean we can protect data and systems so that, should anything go wrong, any security issue is held to an individual device."

"The most valuable features of this solution are its speed, reliability, and integration with the firewall."

"This is the only product on the market currently that supports as many access points for wifi users."

"Security is the feature we like most from Fortinet. In general, their security architecture is really great, because it involves everything: firewalls, wireless LANs, the user. Everything is really secure."

"The firewall integration is very important for the security of the connection."

"The solution is controlled from one device and one GUI for all devices."

More Fortinet FortiWLM pros

Cons

"I believe there's room for improvement in the validation process, especially for customers facing compliance issues when managing access points from the cloud. It would be beneficial if the access points could also be managed from an on-premises controller. Regarding additional features, customers express interest in enhancing the controller, specifically improving the capability to manage a higher number of access points from the same controller. This feature is crucial for better scalability. Another feature that customers would appreciate is the ability to increase the number of access points. However, the current process for obtaining this permission can be time-consuming, and customers would like to see improvements in this regard."

"The solution can be more integrated with other brands."

"I want the product to be made available at a cheaper price point."

"The tool's pricing is not good."

"With Aruba, the documentation on the website is not too easy to use, and some information is not found."

"While it is mostly scalable, there are some limitations."

"In terms of financial benefits, the Aruba project is a high-cost solution, and I haven't seen specific financial returns."

"If anything, its reporting could be improved."

More Aruba Instant On Access Points cons

"Improving support and firmware upgrades is necessary."

"The pricing model can be improved to encourage use by small business and individuals and the hardware could stand to be redesigned."

"The roaming of Fortinet FortiWLM could improve when comparing it to other solutions. We are missing some of the functionality in the controller. Additionally, they should offer more logs instead of using FortiAnalyzer because all the users will not be using the same thing."

"Documentation could be improved."

"When using the FortiGate as the wireless controller, you cannot have automatic user registration, which is something that they should offer."

"I have used Cisco previously and I don't see any specific differences from Fortinet FortiWLM or other vendors."

"In terms of improvements, the price is higher than I would like. A reduction in pricing would be beneficial."

"The platform's pricing needs improvement."

More Fortinet FortiWLM cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"It needs a license."

"Aruba Instant On Access Points are license-free. It's a very good and cheap solution for wireless networks. It can be compared with solutions from Ubiquiti and TP-Link, but it is in a different class. Aruba Instant On Access Points are cheaper than those from Cisco, Ruckus, and Motorola. It's perhaps the cheapest one. They do not use licenses, so it is a solution from the box. You don't need to pay extra money or deal with hidden payments."

"The price of Aruba Instant On Access Points is reasonable. They are competitively priced. I've even used it in my home at one time because of the low price."

"I rate the product's pricing a six on a scale of one to ten, where one is cheap and ten is expensive."

"You buy it for $165 an AP, which is what we paid."

"Its price is fair. It is not really cheap, and it is also not expensive. It is in the middle."

"The product's price falls on the cheaper end of the spectrum. The price of the product is one of the biggest benefits that it offers."

"It's a cost-effective solution."

More Aruba Instant On Access Points pricing and cost advice

"For indoor access points, there is a one-time cost, upfront, whereas outdoor access points have an annual fee."

"There is a perpetual license required for this solution and the price could be reduced."

"Fortinet would do something with their pricing model to attract smaller business users and eliminate the mandatory service contracts."

"The price of Fortinet FortiWLM is reasonable compared to the other vendors. We are using a five-year license."

"Fortinet FortiWLM's pricing is regular and competitive."

"Licensing costs are reasonable. There are so many different types of licenses with Fortinet, but the licensing and the 24/7/365 support are so reasonable that I automatically include it with every transaction. I never line item it without it. There are no additional costs."

"The solution is expensive. I give the solution a one out of ten for the price."

"Support contracts typically cost approximately $100.00 per year."

More Fortinet FortiWLM pricing and cost advice

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

861,524 professionals have used our research since 2012.

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Educational Organization

14%

Computer Software Company

Construction Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Computer Software Company

15%

Financial Services Firm

Manufacturing Company

Educational Organization

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Aruba Instant On Access Points?

It's really easy to set up. And, you don't have to pay for the cloud solution. That's really interesting for our clients. And the other thing is, the roaming is also quite good.

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

The cost of Aruba Instant On Access Points is reasonable; however, I do not have information on the exact pricing, such as cost per user or annual license fees.

What needs improvement with Aruba Instant On Access Points?

We can improve Aruba Instant On Access Points by tuning some of the parameters of the radio. The default configuration can be overridden to enhance performance beyond the default settings.

What do you like most about Fortinet FortiWLM?

The security is a valuable feature.

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Fortinet FortiWLM?

While the pricing of Fortinet FortiWLM is a bit high, it remains effective. However, the cost could be better if reduced.

What needs improvement with Fortinet FortiWLM?

In terms of improvements, the price is higher than I would like. A reduction in pricing would be beneficial.

Aruba Instant vs Aruba Instant On Access Points

Comparisons

Compared 12% of the time

Fortinet FortiAP vs Aruba Instant On Access Points

Compared 12% of the time

Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN vs Aruba Instant On Access Points

Compared 11% of the time

Omada Access Points vs Aruba Instant On Access Points

Compared 11% of the time

Cambium Networks Wireless LAN vs Aruba Instant On Access Points

Compared 11% of the time

More Aruba Instant On Access Points Competitors

Aruba Wireless vs Fortinet FortiWLM

Compared 24% of the time

Cisco Wireless vs Fortinet FortiWLM

Compared 16% of the time

Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN vs Fortinet FortiWLM

Compared 11% of the time

Cambium Networks Wireless LAN vs Fortinet FortiWLM

Compared 10% of the time

Ruckus Wireless vs Fortinet FortiWLM

Compared 10% of the time

More Fortinet FortiWLM Competitors

Product Reports

Aruba Instant On Access Points

Download Aruba Instant On Access Points product report

Fortinet FortiWLM

Download Fortinet FortiWLM product report

Also Known As

No data available

FortiWLM, FortiAP, Fortinet AP/OAP, Meru Wireless LAN

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

Consolidate security and wireless LAN management with our integrated wireless solutions. Single-pane-of-glass management for security and access without the need to add point products simplifies deployment and reduces management complexity. These solutions are highly scalable to support even the largest organizations and distributed enterprises.

Fortinet

Sample Customers

Information Not Available

Black Gold Regional Schools, Amadeus Hospitality, Jefferson County, Chunghwa Telecom, City of Boroondara, Dimension Data

Aruba Instant On Access Points vs. Fortinet FortiWLM