Aruba Instant vs WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi comparison

HPE Aruba Networking and WatchGuard are both solutions in the Wireless LAN category. HPE Aruba Networking is ranked #7 with an average rating of 8.5, while WatchGuard is ranked #24 with an average rating of 6.0. HPE Aruba Networking holds a 2.0% mindshare in Wireless LAN, compared to WatchGuard’s 0.5% mindshare. Additionally, 97% of HPE Aruba Networking users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 80% of WatchGuard users who would recommend it.

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Oct 31, 2024

Aruba Instant and WatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi are contenders in the wireless networking sector. WatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi takes the lead thanks to its comprehensive security features, even though Aruba Instant is more attractive in terms of pricing.

Features: Aruba Instant provides seamless scalability, intuitive management through a centralized platform, and advanced AI-driven security capabilities. It is well-suited for small to medium businesses seeking efficient network management. WatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi delivers superior security with advanced threat detection, robust cloud-managed controls, and exceptional features catering to enterprises focused on security.

Room for Improvement: Aruba Instant could enhance its feature set to match enterprise-grade security expectations and improve customization options for large deployments. WatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi could simplify its initial deployment process, refine user interface for ease of use, and enhance integration with third-party tools for broader application.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Aruba Instant offers hassle-free setup and prompt customer support, allowing businesses to quickly adapt. However, WatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi, despite being slightly more complex to deploy, offers extensive documentation and training resources that support its feature-rich environment.

Pricing and ROI: Aruba Instant stands out with competitive setup costs and promising ROI due to its cost-effective structure. WatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi requires a higher initial investment but is justified by long-term reliability and enhanced security features, appealing to security-focused businesses that seek higher value ROI.

To learn more, read our detailed Aruba Instant vs. WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi Report (Updated: October 2024).

Buyer's Guide

Aruba Instant vs. WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi

October 2024

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Categories and Ranking

Juniper Mist Wireless Acces...

Mindshare comparison

As of November 2024, in the Wireless LAN category, the mindshare of Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points is 5.6%, up from 2.3% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Aruba Instant is 2.0%, down from 2.3% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi is 0.5%, up from 0.4% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Wireless LAN

Featured Reviews

Gyan Sharma

Assistant Programmer at Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha

Apr 17, 2024

Offers good performance, good solution and smooth implementation

I do have a suggestion: it would be helpful to have even stronger security features to help protect against interference from other nearby access points that aren't part of our network. If there are access points from other brands installed nearby; they can cause interference and disrupt the range of our Mist access points. So, the security features could be stronger, especially in terms of authentication. The connectivity is excellent, but security needs improvement. In future releases, integrating more AI features would be beneficial. If Mist had stronger AI features, it could provide better security against network threats and cyberattacks. So, this solution still needs to improve its AI capabilities. It would be great if the AI could improve the range of the access points, and auto-protect functionality should be there to avoid interference by other nearby access points and enhance threat detection. In the future, I'd like to see stronger threat detection features integrated with Mist, as well as better detection of nearby access points that might cause interference.

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Prashant-Patel

Senior Presales Consultant - Networking Solutions at Mannai

Oct 23, 2023

A highly stable and easy-to-deploy solution that is free and provides excellent deployment guides

We use the product in a very small setup where the customers require 10 to 20 access points. A controller will not be suitable for such a customer. So, we provide them with a solution without a controller AirMatch is a key feature. We do not need any extra licenses for it. If we had a controller…

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WarrenWilliams

Senior Account Manager at Bralin Technology Solutions

Aug 18, 2023

A solution that offers excellent support and makes it easy to manage networks

To utilize the solution properly, you need some training and guidance on that. Getting it working is easy, but if you're going to use it with feature sets that make WatchGuard worthwhile to use, it's probably not the easiest to set up. I'd rate the initial setup a seven out of ten. The time taken to deploy the solution depends on the project scope you're doing. Do you need ten WiFi access points or one? You could deploy the solution in an hour. We need one person to deploy the solution. But the number of people required for deployment depends on where the access points are deployed. Like, if it's the ceiling or whatever. The way we do it, we usually have an on-site technician who sets up the backend. We usually have two people when deploying the solution, but you can do it with one person. We have a team that manages the solution. But if you have ten people on a site to manage the solution, 15 minutes daily is enough.

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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

"Overall, we've been very pleased with the performance."

"Mist AI is a very powerful feature. Juniper is the only company that has introduced AI into networking."

"The product is quite user-friendly and easy to deploy, so one should definitely consider buying it."

"With Mist, every Wednesday they roll out new features."

"The AI capabilities of Mist Wireless are superior to other OEMs."

"The most valuable feature of Juniper Wireless Access Points (AP Series) is the ability to troubleshoot ports on the network. Additionally, when there is an update on the APs they are able to reboot quickly reducing downtime. Other solutions have a longer downtime when updates are done."

"The simplicity is great."

"In terms of reporting, in terms of all the user reports, it's very rich."

More Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points pros

"Aruba Instant is a cloud-managed solution that can be managed from the cloud."

"The access it grants to wifi is the solution's most valuable feature."

"What I like best about Aruba Instant is that it serves as a virtual controller, so you don't need to buy other equipment to manage all your access points. I also like that the solution is easy to use."

"The cost is low, and there is controller-less architecture."

"The central management of multiple devices is the solution's most valuable aspect."

"I like the notifications. I really like that it gives me those reports in terms of whether those access points are on or off."

"It's practical. It does what it needs to do."

"The coverage of the solution is great."

More Aruba Instant pros

"It makes it easy to obtain all information about the client experience."

"They're very easy to set up and get running."

"The solution has been stable."

"The Wi-Fi security features of this solution have been great for our customers who need to strictly control access to their network."

"Cloud analytics that provide all its attributes."

"We like that WatchGuard works and integrates directly with the firewalls we use."

Cons

"Juniper should make the products more affordable."

"The price could be better."

"Juniper Wireless Access Points (AP Series) could improve if the MIST platform had a built-in master key. This would be an advantage."

"I need a bit more time with it before criticizing the features."

"The pricing should be made cheaper."

"They should include SD-WAN features to it."

"There is room for improvement in terms of support and installation."

"Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points’ support services need improvement."

More Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points cons

"I think that the next release should offer IP phone security/firewall."

"Aruba Instant does not currently offer a multi-gig switch or product, making it an area that requires improvement. Aruba Instant's competitors have multi-gig switches or products."

"There is an issue with flooding to the Aruba access point on the ports."

"They could offer a new model for access points that are outdoors."

"The tool's support quality has changed since HPE acquired it. It is also impossible to tell the log dates."

"The tool needs to enhance its security features."

"The restart time should be improved."

"The product's high cost is an area where improvements are required."

More Aruba Instant cons

"Inability to import a user with one click."

"I don't think they're available at the best price."

"The solution can be scaled but it has limitations from my experience."

"If a client device had issues with authentication due to out of date browser or similar difficulties, it would be nice to have the ability to migrate the client onto the portal via one click."

"One of the things is if you buy it with a certain subscription, you can't easily change the subscription level."

"The price of this solution needs to reviewed, as it is currently high enough to deter customers from trying it."

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The pricing is fair."

"The solution is expensive."

"The pricing is something Juniper Wireless Access Points (AP Series) can work on. The pricing is very high compared to the competition."

"We pay maybe 1000 SEK per year, per access point."

"I rate Juniper Mist's pricing a ten out of ten since it is expensive."

"If a customer has a budget of around five lakhs in Indian currency, they can afford Juniper products."

"Juniper Wireless AP's price is a little more expensive than other solutions, but you get what you pay for."

"I rate the pricing an eight out of ten."

More Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points pricing and cost advice

"The pricing is reasonable."

"I purchased the hardware and there are no monthly or yearly licenses to buy."

"We pay about $300 per access point."

"The product is reasonably priced."

"I would rate pricing six out of ten."

"Two years ago, I paid INR 12,000 for access points, but now, I will have to pay double the amount, which comes up to INR 24,000, making it a costly product."

"In my region right now, Aruba Instant comes with a default two-year cloud access license."

"The solution's pricing is reasonable."

More Aruba Instant pricing and cost advice

"Your licensing and cost, as would be required for many other solutions, being considered for eighty to two hundred and eighty different physical locations, is just about the same amount per access point."

"The solution is priced high compared to competitors. However, for the features that are included in the solution, the price becomes more reasonable."

"WatchGuard is on the upper scale for pricing."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

18%

Manufacturing Company

Educational Organization

Government

Computer Software Company

16%

Manufacturing Company

Government

Construction Company

Retailer

12%

Computer Software Company

11%

Government

Comms Service Provider

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Juniper Wireless Access Points (AP Series)?

The solution is very secure.

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Juniper Wireless Access Points (AP Series)?

If a customer has a budget of around five lakhs in Indian currency, they can afford Juniper products. But for a new c...

See all answers

What needs improvement with Juniper Wireless Access Points (AP Series)?

HP recently acquired Juniper, and I'm not happy about that. Juniper is a brand, and HP acquired them because of Junip...

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Which is better - Ubiquiti WLAN or Aruba Instant?

We researched Ubiquiti and Aruba when looking for a WLAN solution. Ubiquiti offers good WLAN access both indoors and ...

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What do you like most about Aruba Instant?

I find network management features related to monitoring Wi-Fi usage and visited sites particularly valuable. Content...

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

At the end of the day, that is obviously a big thing in the industry where, for some people, price is a concern. That...

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What do you like most about WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi?

We like that WatchGuard works and integrates directly with the firewalls we use.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi?

WatchGuard is on the upper scale for pricing.

See all answers

What needs improvement with WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi?

One of the things is if you buy it with a certain subscription, you can't easily change the subscription level. For e...

See all answers

Comparisons

Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN vs Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points

Compared 45% of the time

Aruba Wireless vs Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points

Compared 18% of the time

Ruckus Wireless vs Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points

Compared 15% of the time

Cisco Wireless vs Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points

Compared 4% of the time

Cambium Networks Wireless LAN vs Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points

Compared 1% of the time

More Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points Competitors

Omada Access Points vs Aruba Instant

Compared 31% of the time

Ruckus Wireless vs Aruba Instant

Compared 16% of the time

Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN vs Aruba Instant

Compared 15% of the time

Huawei Wireless vs Aruba Instant

Compared 9% of the time

Cambium Networks Wireless LAN vs Aruba Instant

Compared 3% of the time

More Aruba Instant Competitors

Ubiquiti WLAN vs WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi

Compared 33% of the time

Ruckus Wireless vs WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi

Compared 26% of the time

Aruba Wireless vs WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi

Compared 19% of the time

More WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points

October 2024

Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points report

Download Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points product report

Buyer's Guide

Aruba Instant

November 2024

Download Aruba Instant product report

Buyer's Guide

WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi

October 2024

Download WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi product report

Also Known As

Juniper Wireless Access Points (AP Series), Mist Access Points

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Learn More

Juniper

HPE Aruba Networking

WatchGuard

Overview

Juniper Wireless Access Points work in conjunction with Juniper Mist Cloud Services and Mist AI to deliver premier wireless access capabilities. The Juniper Mist Edge extends microservices to the campus to bring agility and scale while enabling new applications at the edge.

Aruba Instant delivers the only controllerless Wi-Fi solution that is easy to set-up, and loaded with security and smarts needed to accelerate your business without breaking your budget.

WatchGuard is a global leader in network security, secure Wi-Fi, and network intelligence products and services for SMBs and Distributed Enterprises worldwide. Our mission is to make enterprise-grade security accessible to companies of all types and sizes through simplicity, making WatchGuard an ideal solution for distributed enterprises and SMBs. WatchGuard is headquartered in Seattle, Washington, with offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America.

Sample Customers

Information Not Available

Purdue University, Orlando Magic, Brussels Airport Company, Molecaten Holiday Parks

Portsmouth Grammar School, HILOTEC

Buyer's Guide

Aruba Instant vs. WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi

October 2024

Free Report: Aruba Instant vs. WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi

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