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Aruba Instant On Switches vs HPE ProCurve comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Apr 6, 2025

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 Switches
Ranking in LAN Switching
2nd
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
6.5
Number of Reviews
29
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
HPE ProCurve
Ranking in LAN Switching
5th
Average Rating
8.6
Reviews Sentiment
7.4
Number of Reviews
38
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of April 2025, in the LAN Switching category, the mindshare of Aruba Instant On Switches is 10.5%, up from 8.9% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of HPE ProCurve is 12.1%, down from 13.7% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
LAN Switching
 

Featured Reviews

MashukThakur - PeerSpot reviewer
A centrally managed switches ideal for small and medium businesses but does not have any console access
The solution does not have any console access. For example, if you do not have internet access on your side and you need to configure anything, you should at least have CLI access to do something or manage the solution to put to some IP. It will only work if we have a TSCT on the network. We can port and configure the initial settings before we get the Instant On Switches. I am not working deeply on Instant On devices. I have only installed it in a couple of accommodation sites. Even today, one customer has ordered to install 80 pieces of Instant On. I’ve to order additional 94 access points. I was confused about whether to go with Aruba Instant On or AP-505. Instant On has limited accessibility but AP-505 have cloud or local access on normal infrastructure. This would be better and easier to configure. So, there are further improvements in regard to console access and some limitations with access.
Sandeep Rajguru - PeerSpot reviewer
Offers reliability and helps with vulnerability assessment
I use HPE ProCurve network in our organization. I can say that the product has improved the network flexibility in our company since I haven't seen any challenges from the last seven to eight years. The most valuable product for network management revolves around the area of VSB, also known as virtual switch bonding, which can quickly attach two or three switches or make them come together to quickly form a single switch. From a security perspective, my company does vulnerability assessment. From a security perspective, my company does vulnerability assessment. Following the hardening guidelines, the switches are configured according to the hardening parameters. The tool's reliability and uptime match our company's needs. My company enjoyed configuring the switches a lot, especially since we saw similarities between Cisco's and HPS's configuration processes. HPE ProCurve is user-friendly. We have a different product for network management, so my company doesn't use HPE ProCurve since we have already collaborated with some third-party products. I recommend the product to those who plan to use it. I recommend the product to those who plan to use it, especially since I have been using it without any issues for many years. I rate the tool a nine out of ten.

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"The cost and simplicity of the product are its most valuable features."
"The solution's most beneficial feature is that you obtain A-class equipment for the lowest price."
"Regarding the feature, my clients are currently favoring it because it enables them to switch back to phone functionality."
"Setup is easy."
"The solution is suitable for small businesses and small offices."
"It is straightforward to set up."
"Its customer service is good."
"Aruba Central provides various AI features that we can use. It collects data on health and performance issues for wireless and wired clients."
"The LAN features give us exactly what we need."
"The network management solutions that they have is great."
"It is easy to deploy."
"The most valuable features of HPE ProCurve are the reports, lifetime warranty, and CLI."
"The solution is fast and inexpensive."
"We don't mind the cost in general."
"The user interface is simple to use."
"This is a very reliable solution."
 

Cons

"Some customers have made complaints about Aruba Instant On Switches' stability."
"We are interested in acquiring a firewall that provides a comprehensive solution. In other words, we're seeking a firewall that encompasses multiple aspects, such as exceptional switches and active phone functionalities."
"In the next version, they should add a firewall from a single source."
"You cannot use many VLANs, like VLAN 10, VLAN 20, VLAN 30, and VLAN 100 on Aruba Instant On AP."
"It is not a very scalable solution."
"The pricing is competitive but could be improved."
"It could have an MSP portal version."
"If Aruba can provide guidance on features through sessions or explanations, it would be helpful. We have to search and work online."
"The solution should offer different gigabit interfaces. Right now, they have ten gigabits. However, for our needs, we only need one gigabit. We don't need 24 or 48 ports. We only need eight to ten. HPE should introduce into their portfolio some smaller and more compact options."
"The only things that might need improvement would be the administrative tools and the graphical interface. The GUI could be improved on the administrative interface, for example."
"It might be best if it offers better scalability."
"Since we transfer from one gigabit to ten gigabits of information, in a future release, it would benefit to have more high-speed ports."
"If we're aiming for an improvement, focus on enhancing security features in HPE ProCurve, particularly in terms of filtering."
"A few areas included in the network performance managers can be integrated into the solution's dashboard since it is the only area with a few concerns."
"Procurve would work better if it had more options like the web environment."
"If you make a change and you disconnect yourself from the switch, you will create an issue."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The product has good pricing."
"The license for Instant On Switches is free."
"We pay an annual licensing fee."
"I give the price seven out of ten."
"The pricing is quite low compared to other products, which is good for the customer."
"Aruba Instant On Switches is slightly cheaper than Cisco."
"Aruba Instant On Switches is cheaper than Cisco and expensive compared to some Chinese brand products."
"The solution is the cheapest A-class switch."
"We have an annual support subscription."
"The product has a good price compared to other solutions."
"The price of HPE ProCurve is very good."
"The purchasing cost a few years ago for two units was approx €5,000."
"The cost of HPE ProCurve is good."
"You buy the switch and that's it."
"The price of HPE ProCurve can be reasonable. However, it depends on the use case. They could improve the pricing model."
"The product is reasonably priced."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
16%
Manufacturing Company
11%
Comms Service Provider
8%
University
6%
Educational Organization
13%
Computer Software Company
13%
Comms Service Provider
10%
Government
8%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Aruba Instant On Switches?
The solution has a simple deployment and zero border.
What needs improvement with Aruba Instant On Switches?
I have run into a couple of problems with the switches. Recently, one of the newer stacks stopped working and had to be rebooted individually. They don't have a lot of diagnostics tools, which coul...
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for HPE ProCurve?
HPE ProCurve is competitively priced, with a difference of approximately 30 to 35% compared to other vendors like Cisco. This makes it a viable option for businesses with limited budgets, particula...
What needs improvement with HPE ProCurve?
The product could improve scalability and support for advanced networking features. Including advanced interfaces like QSFP and enhanced support for AI-driven network solutions would make it more c...
 

Also Known As

Aruba Instant On 1930 Switches
ProCurve, HP ProCurve
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

KEMET, Vestavia Hills City Schools, Dropbox
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, Cardinal Newman Catholic Secondary School, DY 4 Systems, EdgeWing, Edmonton Public Schools District, Halton Catholic District School Board, Hartwick College, Hatch Associates, Huntingdon College, Roseville Joint Union High School District, Saddleback Valley Unified School District, One Superior Place
Find out what your peers are saying about Aruba Instant On Switches vs. HPE ProCurve and other solutions. Updated: April 2025.
848,716 professionals have used our research since 2012.