Aruba Instant On Access Points vs Fortinet FortiWLM comparison

Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Fortinet are both solutions in the Wireless LAN category. Hewlett Packard Enterprise is ranked #11 with an average rating of 8.6, while Fortinet is ranked #17 with an average rating of 8.4. Hewlett Packard Enterprise holds a 0.9% mindshare in Wireless LAN, compared to Fortinet’s 2.0% mindshare. Additionally, 96% of Hewlett Packard Enterprise users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 95% of Fortinet users who would recommend it.

Aruba Instant On Access Points

Read 31 Aruba Instant On Access Points reviews

2,185 Views
1,074 Comparison Views

96% willing to recommend

Fortinet FortiWLM

Read 26 Fortinet FortiWLM reviews

2,366 Views
2,199 Comparison Views

95% willing to recommend

Aruba Instant On Access Points

Fortinet FortiWLM

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Oct 31, 2024

Fortinet FortiWLM and Aruba Instant On Access Points compete in the wireless market. Aruba appears to have an edge due to its ease of deployment and advanced features, making it more appealing for many users.

Features: Fortinet FortiWLM offers a comprehensive security fabric with seamless integration with other Fortinet products. Its centralized management and scalable options reduce manual intervention across extensive networks. Aruba Instant On Access Points are easy to manage and deploy, with robust mobile management and advanced antenna technology enhancing user experience.

Room for Improvement: Fortinet FortiWLM could improve reporting and support for smaller clients and enhance centralized management to showcase advanced technologies like Virtual Cell. Aruba Instant On Access Points should improve range and documentation, with a more flexible pricing model for additional features.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Fortinet FortiWLM provides exceptional customer service and suits enterprises with local infrastructure needs due to its on-premises deployment. Aruba Instant On Access Points offer cloud-based deployment but have average tech support, although deployment is straightforward for both products.

Pricing and ROI: Fortinet FortiWLM offers reasonable pricing but faces criticism over certain practices like RMA fees, though it integrates security and management well. Aruba Instant On Access Points are license-free and offer clear pricing, ensuring a quick ROI as all necessary features are included in the base price.

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

Buyer's Guide

Aruba Instant On Access Points vs. Fortinet FortiWLM

January 2025

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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

11th

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

6.8

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Fortinet FortiWLM

Ranking in Wireless LAN

17th

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

7.3

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of March 2025, in the Wireless LAN category, the mindshare of Aruba Instant On Access Points is 0.9%, down from 1.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Fortinet FortiWLM is 2.0%, 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.

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Zachary Wheeler

President / CEO at Secure Solutions Center LLC

Impressive manufacturing quality, highly durable, and very easy to deploy

They need to do more with their marketing. That's what's wrong with them. Nobody knows they do all this other stuff. I love the product. For an enterprise-level system, you never have to explain why you're recommending Fortinet, whereas you might have to do that if you want to use the Ubiquiti Professional or the new Netgear line, but you don't have to explain Fortinet. It has been remarkable to work with. It would be nice if they had some smaller switches or hubs. They should offer two-port, three-port, or four-port devices so that you don't have to buy an eight-port switch, and you don't have to use an unmanaged element, but their product line is very complete, and I can't say enough about it.

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Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"It's super user-friendly."

"Its performance is very good. It suits small and medium sites very well."

"The most valuable aspect of Unifi switches is the Unifi Controller."

"The product's initial setup phase is too easy."

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

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

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

"The initial setup is easy."

More Aruba Instant On Access Points pros

"The setup was easy."

"The greatest advantage is the security fabric Fortinet offers."

"The security is a valuable feature."

"The most valuable features are the roaming profile, the mesh, and the performance."

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

"The most valuable features are central management and the many other features available."

"If you do have a FortiGate Firewall somewhere in the network, you can connect the wireless controller to that... You get 100 percent visibility from a single point... You can see everything that's connected to the FortiGate, whether it's a switch or a wireless AP or a wireless controller or any other Fortinet product."

"We can deploy a tunnel-based VLAN and SSID, for something that happens at the last minute, in a matter of minutes, because of the interaction between the FortiGate, the FortiSwitches, and the FortiAPs."

More Fortinet FortiWLM pros

Cons

"It is scalable to a certain degree but not nearly as scalable and robust as your enterprise-grade solutions."

"The solution's range could be better."

"The solution should include higher speed and lesser cost."

"The tool's pricing is not good."

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

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

"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."

"Stability largely depends on how access points are installed and managed. While Aruba cannot entirely ensure connection reliability, the deployment approach can minimize wireless link downtime."

More Aruba Instant On Access Points cons

"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."

"There are currently issues with Fortinet's software quality. We have concerns regarding the frequent updates needed because of short software cycles."

"They need to do more with their marketing. That's what's wrong with them. Nobody knows they do all this other stuff. I love the product. For an enterprise-level system, you never have to explain why you're recommending Fortinet, whereas you might have to do that if you want to use the Ubiquiti Professional or the new Netgear line, but you don't have to explain Fortinet. It has been remarkable to work with."

"The guest management features need to be improved by adding automation."

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

"The solution should improve user capacity."

"Areas for improvement would be the compatibility with Apple products and cross-platform integration."

"The pricing for the solution is expensive and can be improved."

More Fortinet FortiWLM cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"It is expensive."

"It's a cost-effective solution."

"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."

"It is competitively priced. It was at a price point that made sense for me to put in my home, and that says something. The cost of the solution includes everything we need to manage and upgrade our Wi-Fi network, including the mobile management app. Having the licensing and all the functionality built into the base price of the product is really important for me. There are no extra costs for the security feature or automatic software/firmware updates, which is really important to me."

"There is a need to make yearly payments towards the standard licensing charges associated with the product. There are some additional costs associated with the product since I have seen customers who purchase three-year or five-year plans."

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

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

"It needs a license."

More Aruba Instant On Access Points pricing and cost advice

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

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

"To save yourself from increased setup and maintenance costs, I highly recommend undertaking a proper site survey from the beginning."

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

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

"The product is highly expensive. I rate the pricing a ten."

"If a customer already is a FortiGate customer, the cost to go to the FortiAP is incredibly affordable, because you already have the controller."

"Licensing has become easier. There is no longer a per-AP license needed on the controller."

More Fortinet FortiWLM pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Educational Organization

64%

Computer Software Company

Manufacturing Company

Construction Company

Computer Software Company

15%

Financial Services Firm

Comms Service Provider

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.

See all answers

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

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

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What needs improvement with Aruba Instant On Access Points?

All features already exist in Aruba Instant On Access Points. However, in future updates, more AI for intelligence and the option for a separate network could be beneficial.

See all answers

What do you like most about Fortinet FortiWLM?

The security is a valuable feature.

See all answers

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

The pricing for Fortinet products has increased. While historically there was a bundle price available, it's now gone, making Fortinet less affordable than before. However, they are not the most ex...

See all answers

What needs improvement with Fortinet FortiWLM?

There are currently issues with Fortinet's software quality. We have concerns regarding the frequent updates needed because of short software cycles. More cloud orientation like that seen in compan...

See all answers

Comparisons

Cambium Networks Wireless LAN vs Aruba Instant On Access Points

Compared 20% of the time

Fortinet FortiAP vs Aruba Instant On Access Points

Compared 18% of the time

Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN vs Aruba Instant On Access Points

Compared 13% of the time

Omada Access Points vs Aruba Instant On Access Points

Compared 12% of the time

Aruba Instant vs Aruba Instant On Access Points

Compared 10% of the time

More Aruba Instant On Access Points Competitors

Aruba Wireless vs Fortinet FortiWLM

Compared 27% of the time

Cisco Wireless vs Fortinet FortiWLM

Compared 19% of the time

Ruckus Wireless vs Fortinet FortiWLM

Compared 14% of the time

Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN vs Fortinet FortiWLM

Compared 12% of the time

Cambium Networks Wireless LAN vs Fortinet FortiWLM

Compared 7% of the time

More Fortinet FortiWLM Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Aruba Instant On Access Points

March 2025

Download Aruba Instant On Access Points product report

Buyer's Guide

Fortinet FortiWLM

March 2025

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

Buyer's Guide

Aruba Instant On Access Points vs. Fortinet FortiWLM

January 2025

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

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