Cisco Wireless vs Fortinet FortiAP comparison

Cisco and Fortinet are both solutions in the Wireless LAN category. Cisco is ranked #3 with an average rating of 8.6, while Fortinet is ranked #13 with an average rating of 8.3. Cisco holds a 12.1% mindshare in Wireless LAN, compared to Fortinet’s 3.0% mindshare. Additionally, 88% of Cisco users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 90% of Fortinet users who would recommend it.

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Dec 8, 2024

Cisco Wireless and Fortinet FortiAP compete in the wireless networking market, with Cisco having the upper hand due to its advanced security features and robust integration capabilities.

Features: Cisco Wireless excels in robust management, seamless integration with Cisco products, and enhanced security with CleanAir capabilities. Its support for high performance real-time applications makes it suitable for enterprise environments. Fortinet FortiAP offers a straightforward single-console management when integrated with Fortinet products, focusing on cost-effective security solutions appealing to budget-conscious buyers.

Room for Improvement: Cisco Wireless can enhance its cost efficiency, user-friendliness, and broader third-party solution integration. Fortinet FortiAP could improve outdoor performance, seamless integration with legacy devices, and support response times for technical issues.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Cisco Wireless often has a steeper learning curve but provides strong customer service and extensive documentation. Fortinet FortiAP offers a simpler deployment process, especially with other Fortinet solutions, though customer service experiences can vary by region.

Pricing and ROI: Cisco Wireless is perceived as expensive but delivers high reliability and integration, resulting in expected ROI over time. Fortinet FortiAP, more affordable with competitive pricing against enterprise rivals, appeals to those seeking cost-effective solutions with satisfactory ROI.

To learn more, read our detailed Cisco Wireless vs. Fortinet FortiAP Report (Updated: December 2024).

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Wireless vs. Fortinet FortiAP

December 2024

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Categories and Ranking

Juniper Mist Wireless Acces...

Mindshare comparison

As of December 2024, in the Wireless LAN category, the mindshare of Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points is 5.7%, up from 2.6% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Cisco Wireless is 12.1%, down from 16.2% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Fortinet FortiAP is 3.0%, up from 0.1% 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

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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Michael Lees

Production Director at Whitespider

Affordable, resilient, and performs better than other solutions in the market

Assurance capabilities must be improved. There should be more Assurance features on the Wireless LAN Controller. A lot of it is bundled into the DNA Center. Having a little more Assurance regarding what the RF Spectrum looks like will be good. Juniper Mist has a lot of analytical data on the dashboard. The customers would be compelled to look at DNA Center as a longer-term and more comprehensive solution if Cisco were to give them an insight into some of the Assurance capabilities that might be available in DNA Center. The tool must provide something like RF Neighbor. It must enable organizations to receive signal strength and signal-to-noise ratio and see how clients perform in their wireless network. It must have a cap. If we want additional functionality to see our entire network, that's where DNA Center fits in.

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Yati Gharat

Chief Technology Officer at Litmus

Integrates well with Fortinet products, but there are signal issues in the outdoor environment

FortiAP is very good in an indoor environment, but we are struggling with the outdoor environment. That is where we are having certain issues. We are not 100% happy with it. With the indoor environment, we are okay, but we are facing some issues when certain voice-related calls go from wireless points. There are certain drops, and we have faced these issues on an ongoing basis. We also have other vendors such as Aruba and Meraki, and we do not face any issues when there is a Teams or Zoom meeting going on. It could be that FortiAP is okay, but that particular device or appliance is not capable of handling that much load of voice and video. This might be the issue. RF Spectrum Analysis helps to understand what is the coverage and hotspots related to a particular access point, but then when we bought it, we did heat mapping through different vendors. If there are any rogue APs, we can identify them with RF Spectrum Analysis. We can see what the coverage area is, but there are some issues with that. Some of the offices have thick glasses, or the cabins are different, so in the RF coverage, what is shown is not what we get on the practical grounds. There are some issues with signal performance. It has the basic functionality that is mostly used, but there are certain devices that are not able to interconnect. When there is any issue or problem, if the administrator can get some information about that, that will be good. With Meraki and Aruba, we get certain beautiful things. If those can be integrated into this solution, it will be more beneficial, but we understand that being a security company, Fortinet's focus is on security.

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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

"You can easily monitor, manage, and cover all your IT equipment."

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

"Juniper Mist offers valuable features like comprehensive network insight, granular policy control, fast device setup, strong security, and efficient SSL traffic management."

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

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

"It provides private network access, helping us protect our company’s devices."

"The solution is stable."

"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."

More Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points pros

"Our environment has many devices constantly moving within our environment—approximately 3,000 devices daily, many of which change locations every 45 minutes. Therefore, the tool's seamless handoff is valuable for us. It's one of the reasons we have stayed with the product."

"The ability to make different types of networks, such as land networks, is the most valuable part of the solution."

"Stable and scalable with good technical support."

"It is an extremely stable and scalable solution. Its documentation and support are also very good."

"For me, there are two important features: 1) WLAN grouping – Allows us to have different groups and, within those groups, specific WLANs, so there is no overlapping. 2) FlexConnect – Enables us to have remote offices at different locations. We can have a central WLC to control all the locations."

"It is good, and it works."

"Before COVID, the emphasis was primarily on wireless connectivity in specific areas like conference rooms. However, with the shift to remote work and increased mobility, coverage areas needed to be expanded to accommodate users throughout the entire location. We are beginning to expand our infrastructure."

"This is a very stable solution that solves complex issues."

More Cisco Wireless pros

"The most valuable aspect of Fortinet FortiAP is the support."

"I like FortiAP's performance and stability. The reporting is also quite good."

"We really don't need to call technical support. Any time we have had to call, they've been great."

"FortiAP's integration using SSID configuration for the input/output makes deploying permission rules easier."

"The pricing is reasonable for what it offers."

"The solution supports recent security components like encryption or hashing algorithms. We can control the APs from FortiGate Firewalls and integrate those APs into FortiGate. You don't have to purchase a separate controller for it."

"The product's initial setup phase was easy, especially with FortiGate or your FortiManager in place."

"The setup was straightforward."

More Fortinet FortiAP pros

Cons

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

"The price could be better."

"The solution is expensive."

"Improving third-party integration is key for Juniper Mist's next release."

"Juniper should make the products more affordable."

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

"If you want to do more specific stuff, it's a bit limited."

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

More Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points cons

"There's a delay in equipment that comes to Columbia, to our country, and that lasts almost six months."

"It's end-of-life, it will be end-of-support in the next two years. The APs are also end-of-life."

"In the next release, they should add a better reporting feature. The reporting will tell you if you have a problem. That will make the diagnostics easier."

"The current issue with Cisco is I don't have centralized management."

"The price could be improved."

"We use a Cisco product called Room Kit for meetings. It would be nice if Cisco could improve that. I would also like a cloud solution."

"The solution could be more stable."

"There should be an option for a wireless bridge that can be used to join two access points."

More Cisco Wireless cons

"There is room for improvement in the product by expanding the number of SSIDs that can be broadcast."

"Technical support is a pain. Fortinet has to get its act together. If you don't pay for premium service, you will have issues."

"The wireless functionality is not the best."

"The improvement factor could be in APs. Also, it could have a control, like MAC address."

"The support offered by the solution has certain shortcomings, making it in areas where improvements are required."

"The security integration between the network and firewall has room for improvement."

"I would like to have automation capabilities that would help us reduce the configuration steps."

"FortiAP is very good in an indoor environment, but we are struggling with the outdoor environment."

More Fortinet FortiAP cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The solution is expensive."

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

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

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

"The pricing is fair."

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

"I rate the product price as a six on a scale of one to ten, where one is inexpensive, and ten is expensive. It is a reasonably priced tool."

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

More Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points pricing and cost advice

"I rate the tool's pricing a nine out of ten."

"The license structure is confusing."

"The pricing is high. It could be cheaper."

"There are annual subscriptions to use this solution. I have not been able to understand the licensing of Cisco. Some of the Cisco executives were not able to understand them either. When you first start out the price is zero but when it comes to a time of renewal you have to pay."

"Never pay the full GPL price."

"As far as I know Cisco is very competitive, price-wise. Talk to your third-party vendor. It all depends on the company size - how many employees, how big the building is. If it's wireless, and you have only 50 employees but you're using a large building floor, in that case you need many access points. But if you have 50 employees using two or three rooms, then you probably don't need it and it's going to be high density, so there is a different design. So you need to talk to a subject matter expert. Talk to them and design accordingly."

"The price of Cisco Wireless equipment is expensive."

"We opt for a one-time purchasing fee model in our setup. Since we don't utilize a management platform or WLAN controller, there are no recurring costs. The access points we typically use, which support Cisco's wireless masters, are priced at around $250 each. Occasionally, we purchase them in packs of five or as part of extended packs at a prorated cost."

More Cisco Wireless pricing and cost advice

"On a scale of one to ten with ten being the most expensive, I would rate FortiAP a six."

"The devices under Fortinet are not expensive. The solution's licensing part is expensive."

"We purchased perpetual licensing, and additional costs may vary depending on the services acquired from Fortinet."

"Fortinet FortiAP offers a more cost-effective solution compared to Palo Alto and Check Point."

"The product is available at a very comfortable price for my company compared to the other products available in the market. The prices of products from Meraki and Aruba are high compared to those of Fortinet."

"FortiAP is more expensive than some other options."

"If I compare it with the other enterprise products, the price is good."

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Comparison Review

it_user212721

President at a tech services company with 51-200 employees

Mar 24, 2015

Cisco vs. Aruba Wireless Solutions

Cisco or Aruba Networks? If you are considering wireless access solutions, this is a common question that you are probably asking. You probably have sales people knocking at your door. How do you make sense of all the stories that you are presented with. If you have done any research, you are…

Read full review

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

17%

Manufacturing Company

Educational Organization

Comms Service Provider

Computer Software Company

17%

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

Educational Organization

Computer Software Company

12%

Government

Comms Service Provider

Manufacturing Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

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)?

Juniper Mist is cheaper than Meraki, placing it in the middle of the pack.

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

Supporting multiple protocols would be beneficial.

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Which is better - Cisco Wireless or Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN?

Cisco Wireless is very robust, very rugged, and can handle indoor and outdoor coverage extremely well. We found it to...

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Which is better - Ruckus Wireless or Cisco Wireless?

Ruckus Wireless offers users the benefit of being both easy to set up and get running as well as being very user frie...

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How does Cisco Wireless compare with Aruba Wireless?

On the most basic level, Cisco Wireless can offer a rather straightforward initial setup. In the span of about three ...

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What do you like most about FortiAP?

If we have FortiClient installed on multiple devices, it is seamless to connect with FortiAP. It supports passwordles...

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for FortiAP?

The pricing for Fortinet FortiAP is good compared to other competitive vendors.

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What needs improvement with FortiAP?

The radio band support could be improved, especially for legacy devices. We have faced issues where older devices are...

See all answers

Comparisons

Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN vs Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points

Compared 44% 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

Ubiquiti WLAN vs Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points

Compared 4% of the time

ExtremeWireless vs Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points

Compared 2% of the time

More Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points Competitors

Aruba Wireless vs Cisco Wireless

Compared 37% of the time

Ruckus Wireless vs Cisco Wireless

Compared 25% of the time

Huawei Wireless vs Cisco Wireless

Compared 7% of the time

Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN vs Cisco Wireless

Compared 6% of the time

Alcatel-Lucent OmniAccess Stellar vs Cisco Wireless

Compared 1% of the time

More Cisco Wireless Competitors

Ruckus Wireless vs Fortinet FortiAP

Compared 28% of the time

Ubiquiti WLAN vs Fortinet FortiAP

Compared 22% of the time

Aruba Access Points vs Fortinet FortiAP

Compared 17% of the time

Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN vs Fortinet FortiAP

Compared 6% of the time

Huawei Wireless vs Fortinet FortiAP

Compared 3% of the time

More Fortinet FortiAP Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points

December 2024

Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points report

Download Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points product report

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Wireless

December 2024

Download Cisco Wireless product report

Buyer's Guide

Fortinet FortiAP

December 2024

Download Fortinet FortiAP product report

Also Known As

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

Cisco WLAN Controller

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Juniper

Cisco

Fortinet

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.

Cisco Wireless is a comprehensive suite of wireless solutions designed to deliver secure, high-performance connectivity for enterprises of all sizes. Offering a range of access points, controllers, and advanced management tools, Cisco Wireless ensures seamless and reliable network access, enhancing mobility and productivity.

Cisco Wireless solutions provide robust, scalable wireless networks capable of supporting high-density environments and diverse applications. With features such as seamless roaming, advanced security protocols, and detailed analytics, Cisco Wireless addresses the needs of modern businesses. The solutions include the Cisco Catalyst and Aironet series access points, wireless LAN controllers, and the Cisco DNA Center for centralized management and automation.

What are the key features of Cisco Wireless?

High-Density Performance: Optimized for environments with a high number of devices, ensuring reliable connectivity and performance.
Advanced Security: Incorporates robust security measures such as WPA3, Secure Boot, and segmentation to protect data and devices.
Seamless Roaming: Enables uninterrupted connectivity as users move across different areas within the network.
Centralized Management: Cisco DNA Center provides a single pane of glass for managing and automating wireless networks, enhancing operational efficiency.
Flexible Deployment Options: Supports various deployment models, including on-premises, cloud-managed, and hybrid solutions.

What benefits should users look for in reviews when evaluating Cisco Wireless?

Improved Mobility and Productivity: Users often highlight how Cisco Wireless enhances user mobility and productivity through reliable and consistent connectivity.
Scalability: Reviews frequently mention the scalability of Cisco Wireless, making it suitable for growing businesses.
Ease of Management: Many users appreciate the centralized management capabilities, which simplify network administration and troubleshooting.
Enhanced Security: The advanced security features are often noted for providing peace of mind and compliance with industry standards.
User Experience: The overall user experience, including ease of use and seamless integration with other Cisco products, is a common point of praise.

Cisco Wireless solutions are implemented across various industries, including healthcare, education, retail, and manufacturing. In healthcare, they support critical applications like patient monitoring and electronic health records. Educational institutions use Cisco Wireless to provide reliable internet access for students and staff. Retailers benefit from enhanced customer experiences through in-store connectivity, while manufacturers use wireless networks to improve operational efficiency and automation.

Pricing and licensing for Cisco Wireless solutions are typically based on the scale of deployment and specific product selections. Cisco offers various support plans, including 24/7 customer service, technical support, and access to software updates and patches.

In summary, Cisco Wireless provides robust, scalable wireless networking solutions that enhance connectivity, security, and management for diverse enterprise environments.

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.

Sample Customers

Information Not Available

Aegean Motorway, Baylor Scott & White Health, Beachbody, Bellevue, Brunel University London, Bucks County Intermediate Unit , Chartwell School, Children's Hospital Colorado, Cisco Live Milan, City of Biel, City of Mississauga, Dundee Precious Metals, Electricity Authority of Cyprus, Erickson Living, Goldcorp, Great Ormond Street Hospital, Grupo Industrial Saltillo (GIS)

Information Not Available

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Wireless vs. Fortinet FortiAP

December 2024

Free Report: Cisco Wireless vs. Fortinet FortiAP

Find out what your peers are saying about Cisco Wireless vs. Fortinet FortiAP and other solutions. Updated: December 2024.

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