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Fortinet FortiWLM vs Ubiquiti Wireless comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive Summary

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

Fortinet FortiWLM
Average Rating
8.4
Reviews Sentiment
7.3
Number of Reviews
27
Ranking in other categories
Wireless LAN (14th)
Ubiquiti Wireless
Average Rating
8.0
Reviews Sentiment
7.0
Number of Reviews
76
Ranking in other categories
Wireless WAN (1st)
 

Mindshare comparison

While both are Enterprise Networking solutions, they serve different purposes. Fortinet FortiWLM is designed for Wireless LAN and holds a mindshare of 1.9%, down 2.1% compared to last year.
Ubiquiti Wireless, on the other hand, focuses on Wireless WAN, holds 39.6% mindshare, up 39.7% since last year.
Wireless LAN
Wireless WAN
 

Featured Reviews

Mohammad Talha Talkin Alam - PeerSpot reviewer
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…
Alejandro Del Rosal - PeerSpot reviewer
Software controller is very nice and provides excellent performance
Ubiquiti products are really good. I am a B2B wholesaler, and my type of business requires profit to sell to my installers or for my installers to sell to the end customers. Right now, Ubiquiti doesn't offer that. They are selling the product on their website. We face difficulties with Ubiquiti's supply chain because their products are usually out of stock. I would recommend Ubiquiti Wireless as a brand. However, we are no longer recommending it in my business. I am a wholesaler who recommends installing wireless or network solutions for other companies. I no longer recommend Ubiquiti Wireless because it is not profitable. Overall, I rate the solution an eight 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

"With Fortinet, there is a feature called Network-In-Control. It's the AP controller that decides what the clients are going to connect to... Even though your phone sees, let's say, two APs, since the wireless controller has visibility into and access across all the APs, it knows the best AP for the client to connect to. This way, the controller makes sure that none of the APs is over-crowded, and the spectrum is used properly."
"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 firewall integration is very important for the security of the connection."
"This is the only product on the market currently that supports as many access points for wifi users."
"The greatest advantage is the security fabric Fortinet offers."
"I found that It's really good when comparing it to any other product or it is much better in terms of features that the customer requires."
"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."
"I use Fortinet FortiWLM for wireless communication and the internet."
"The UniFi Controller Software provides excellent statistical and monitoring facilities."
"The seamless roaming feature was significant at the beginning, making it easier to grow into the system."
"I like that it's cheaper and inexpensive. It's also easy to use."
"It allows us to offer policy control."
"It's an excellent option for small businesses."
"The scalability of Ubiquiti Wireless is very good. We can add and transfer access points, it is highly scalable."
"One of the nice features is the backup version control."
"The indoor WiFi connection works well."
 

Cons

"There are currently issues with Fortinet's software quality. We have concerns regarding the frequent updates needed because of short software cycles."
"Improving support and firmware upgrades is necessary. Firmware upgrades and bug improvements need to be tested well."
"One area that needs improvement is the configuration aspect, which is more challenging compared to other products, despite Fortinet FortiWLM being a popular brand in Sri Lanka."
"Cost is something that could be improved, but you have to pay for what you get."
"The interface could certainly do with some improvement. We have other customers with WiFi networks, and they always use Ubiquiti. With Ubiquiti, it's a much better user interface, and it is much easier to configure."
"The platform's pricing needs improvement."
"In the next release, they could improve by adding a controller-less server, or architecture that is provided in other solutions, such as Aruba. This would be a great benefit for customers."
"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."
"The biggest downfall is support."
"This might not be the best solution for a very large organization."
"Its stability could be better."
"Some of our customers have reported problems with their outdoor WiFi connections."
"I feel the price could be optimized, as their equipment is priced on the higher side. Additionally, the user interface could be made more intuitive."
"In Ukraine at least, it's a problem when it comes to buying the hardware. For example, I made a request for 20 switches a few months ago. The solution needs to have worldwide availability."
"We'd like them to improve aspects of device management."
"The control system can be improved by making it easier."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"In the last few years, due in part to the impact of COVID on the market, Fortinet has increased its prices by 35 percent."
"The product is highly expensive. I rate the pricing a ten."
"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."
"There is a perpetual license required for this solution and the price could be reduced."
"The solution is fairly priced."
"The price of Fortinet FortiWLM is reasonable compared to the other vendors. We are using a five-year license."
"Licensing has become easier. There is no longer a per-AP license needed on the controller."
"Once you purchase the solution the license is included."
"If you do not have a big budget, you can use Ubiquiti, it is cost-effective."
"In South Africa, for some Cisco access points, it will cost you 10,000 Rand ($690 USD), whereas with Ubiquity that same access point will cost you less than 3,000 Rand ($210 USD)."
"We don't buy directly. We have our finance department that buys things. My speculation on the price is that because we buy from private companies and because the product is imported, people tend to give us at higher prices. This is due to the fact that it is government procurement. So, sometimes, they are not paid directly, and they have to go through the whole administrative process before they are paid. So, they tend to compensate by increasing the price, but I won't be able to say what is the exact price."
"The tool doesn't have any licensing costs."
"All the vendors' prices have gone up, so Ubiquiti has gotten more expensive. In terms of price versus performance, they're still well priced, but they are more expensive than entry-level products like Tenda and TP-Link."
"Its price is reasonable for a basic device."
"I think the price is okay for the product, but the price could always be cheaper."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
15%
Financial Services Firm
9%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Educational Organization
7%
Computer Software Company
10%
Comms Service Provider
9%
Real Estate/Law Firm
6%
Government
6%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

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.
Is Ubiquiti Wireless better than Ruckus Wireless WAN?
Ubiquiti Wireless is extremely easy to set up and is an excellent option for small businesses, offering enterprise features for a one-time fee and no ongoing licensing fees. Ubiquiti Wireless is ve...
Which is better - Cambium or Ubiquiti Wireless?
For me, Ubiquiti was easy to install, configure, set up, and maintain, while also providing solid coverage and better handoffs between APs. This is especially relevant if you are using Apple produc...
Which is better - Ubiquiti Wireless or Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN?
Ubiquiti Wireless offers a wide range of WLAN products. We tested their devices before ultimately choosing Cisco Meraki. Ubiquiti devices have good outdoor performance and the connection is very st...
 

Also Known As

FortiWLM, FortiAP, Fortinet AP/OAP, Meru Wireless LAN
No data available
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Black Gold Regional Schools, Amadeus Hospitality, Jefferson County, Chunghwa Telecom, City of Boroondara, Dimension Data
NASCAR Grand-AM, Maritime Parc, Outdoor Music Festival, British Armed Forces, Arcadia School District, Moscow - Enforta
Find out what your peers are saying about Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Ruckus, Cisco and others in Wireless LAN. Updated: June 2025.
861,524 professionals have used our research since 2012.