Aruba Access Points vs Fortinet FortiWLC comparison

Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Fortinet are both solutions in the Wireless LAN category. Hewlett Packard Enterprise is ranked #5 with an average rating of 8.9, while Fortinet is ranked #25. Hewlett Packard Enterprise holds a 2.0% mindshare in Wireless LAN, compared to Fortinet’s 0.2% mindshare. Additionally, 94% of Hewlett Packard Enterprise users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Fortinet users who would recommend it.

Aruba Access Points

Read 38 Aruba Access Points reviews

1,022 Views
1,022 Comparison Views

94% willing to recommend

Fortinet FortiWLC

Read 3 Fortinet FortiWLC reviews

362 Views
329 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Aruba Access Points

Fortinet FortiWLC

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Oct 31, 2024

Fortinet FortiWLC and Aruba Access Points are competing products in the wireless networking market. Fortinet FortiWLC tends to have the upper hand in pricing and customer service, while Aruba Access Points lead with advanced features and wireless technology.

Features: Fortinet FortiWLC offers robust security features, integration with other Fortinet products, and enhanced network protection, making it a compelling choice for security-focused setups. Aruba Access Points provide advanced wireless technology, high-speed connectivity, and scalability for large-scale implementations, driving performance and growth potential in extensive environments.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Fortinet FortiWLC facilitates a straightforward deployment model with comprehensive customer support, beneficial for businesses prioritizing quick setup and attentive service. On the other hand, Aruba Access Points involve a more complex deployment process supported by extensive documentation and community resources, catering to users seeking advanced versatility.

Pricing and ROI: Fortinet FortiWLC is recognized for cost-effective setup expenses, ensuring a quick return on investment, appealing to budget-conscious businesses. Aruba Access Points require higher upfront costs, reflecting advanced capabilities, delivering significant ROI through enhanced performance and longevity, justifying the initial investment in high-demand environments.

To learn more, read our detailed Aruba Access Points vs. Fortinet FortiWLC Report (Updated: July 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Aruba Access Points vs. Fortinet FortiWLC

July 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 Access Points

Ranking in Wireless LAN

5th

Average Rating

8.8

Reviews Sentiment

7.3

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Fortinet FortiWLC

Ranking in Wireless LAN

25th

Average Rating

9.0

Reviews Sentiment

8.4

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of August 2025, in the Wireless LAN category, the mindshare of Aruba Access Points is 2.0%, up from 0.2% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Fortinet FortiWLC is 0.2%, down from 0.3% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Wireless LAN

Featured Reviews

PRADIPJOSHI

Owner at a transportation company with 11-50 employees

Pricing competitiveness and remote management have enhanced network flexibility

One of the most valued aspects of Aruba access points is their price competitiveness; they are available at half the price of Juniper access points. Additionally, they do not require any kind of license for implementation. Despite this, many customers have their own firewall, and they can control everything from their firewall, ensuring flexibility. Furthermore, the ease of management with Aruba access points enables customers to connect them directly to their network via a PoE switch and manage them remotely from mobile devices.

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Md.Mehedi Hassan

Team Lead Manager at Blue Pill Ltd

Offers a seamless and secure WiFi experience with outstanding customer support

FortiWLC is valuable due to its security features and the seamless WiFi experience it provides. Our customers benefit greatly from the security aspect, especially since they are already using Fortinet for Firewall services. The security features are crucial for their requirements. The stability and ease of use of FortiWLC also add to its effectiveness.

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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 is a stable solution."

"The controller software, which can control multiple access points remotely, is very convenient."

"The product's initial setup phase is very simple and very easy to use."

"One of the most valued aspects of Aruba access points is their price competitiveness; they are available at half the price of Juniper access points."

"Aruba Access Points provides secure and transparent access points for all users"

"After we installed the Aruba switches, the work became faster because the network speed improved."

"The manageability of both on-premise and cloud versions is valuable."

"We like the flexibility and the security, and the product is very easy to use."

More Aruba Access Points pros

"It's easy to set everything up during implementation."

"The most valuable feature of Fortinet FortiWLC is the overall high quality."

"I rate the overall solution a ten out of ten."

"FortiWLC is valuable due to its security features and the seamless WiFi experience it provides."

Cons

"Going with a cloud solution will make dependency no longer a challenge from a connectivity point of view."

"The only improvement would be to increase the market share if they try to reduce pricing slightly, and that would be excellent."

"The tool could be cheaper."

"The product should improve its integration and the grouping of the features and functions."

"Some customers comment that the shape and size of the access point is a little big, especially the one installed in the guest room."

"The disadvantage of Aruba Access Points is experienced by me when I need it to offer me a long range of coverage."

"The integration capabilities of the product with the tools from other vendors is an area of concern where improvements are required."

"There should be enhancements to support open Wi-Fi technology for seamless authentication across different access points."

More Aruba Access Points cons

"Fortinet FortiWLC is not simple to configure when compared to other solutions. The design could be better."

"For massive implementations, Fortinet should consider reducing the price to make it more affordable."

"One thing that is lacking is, compared with some other brands, the signal is a bit weaker. Ruckus has much wider signal coverage."

"However, for massive implementations, Fortinet should consider reducing the price to make it more affordable."

Pricing and Cost Advice

"My company needs to pay around 50,000 JPY to 1,00,000 JPY towards the licensing costs of the product on a monthly basis. Additional payments are to be made towards the maintenance and support costs of the product."

"The product is expensive if you want it to have a long life."

"My company needs to pay yearly for the licensing costs attached to the product. There are no additional payments towards the solution apart from its licensing costs."

"The price compared to other brands is slightly higher."

"The solution is expensive and licensing costs are yearly. Customers have to pay extra costs for service and subscription apart from the hardware cost."

"It is a reasonably priced tool."

"The product's pricing could be better than one of its competitors."

"Although not cheap, Aruba Access Points is a reasonably priced solution."

More Aruba Access Points pricing and cost advice

"The price of Fortinet FortiWLC is high. The solution will be out of the market for us because the price is too high for the features it provides."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

16%

Comms Service Provider

Financial Services Firm

Manufacturing Company

Non Profit

11%

Comms Service Provider

University

Real Estate/Law Firm

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Aruba Access Points?

After we installed the Aruba switches, the work became faster because the network speed improved.

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

Due to its pricing, Aruba access points provide good value. They are priced at half the rate of Juniper access points for basic models.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Aruba Access Points?

I'm a very small entity to comment on that, but I don't see any challenges as of today with the product getting improved. The only improvement would be to increase the market share if they try to r...

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

I cannot disclose the license price, however, I recommend Fortinet reduce its pricing for massive implementations.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Fortinet FortiWLC?

Until now, I have not observed any issues. However, for massive implementations, Fortinet should consider reducing the price to make it more affordable.

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Fortinet FortiWLC?

We are resellers of FortiWLC, and our customers mainly use it in enterprise settings, particularly for chemical companies.

See all answers

Comparisons

Fortinet FortiAP vs Aruba Access Points

Compared 64% of the time

Ruckus Wireless vs Aruba Access Points

Compared 11% of the time

Cisco Wireless vs Aruba Access Points

Compared 8% of the time

Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN vs Aruba Access Points

Compared 5% of the time

Huawei Wireless vs Aruba Access Points

Compared 4% of the time

More Aruba Access Points Competitors

Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points vs Fortinet FortiWLC

Compared 52% of the time

Fortinet FortiWLM vs Fortinet FortiWLC

Compared 48% of the time

More Fortinet FortiWLC Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Aruba Access Points

August 2025

Download Aruba Access Points product report

Buyer's Guide

Wireless LAN

July 2025

Download Fortinet FortiWLC product report

Overview

Aruba Access Points are a preferred choice for enterprises, providing efficient wireless connectivity across corporate settings, educational institutions, and healthcare facilities with both indoor and outdoor deployment options.

Aruba Access Points deliver reliable Wi-Fi and network access tailored for enterprise and guest connectivity, supporting IoT devices in diverse environments such as warehouses and offices. They ensure secure connections with features like VPN management and 802.1x authentication, along with flexibility in deployment. Users can benefit from their robust warranty, ease of use, and seamless integration possibilities. The devices facilitate convenient management through both on-premise and cloud solutions, although there is a need for improved coverage, security, and integration features.

What are the standout features of Aruba Access Points?

Virtual Controller: Manages multiple Access Points without additional hardware.
Client Match: Ensures devices connect to the best access point available.
Seamless Roaming: Provides uninterrupted connectivity without drop-offs.
Integration Capabilities: Allows easy incorporation of enterprise wireless solutions.
Advanced Authentication: Offers 802.1x and secure guest access.

What benefits or ROI can users look for?

High Stability: Consistent performance minimizes downtime.
Simple Configuration: Easy setup saves time and resources.
Network Mobility: Supports movement with uninterrupted access.
Visibility: Provides network insights for better management.
Warranty and Support: Offers robust warranty terms.

In specific industries, Aruba Access Points are implemented to enhance patient record access and guest connectivity in healthcare, support interactive learning environments in education, and streamline operations in warehouses with IoT integration. Their deployment aligns with industry-specific requirements, ensuring reliable connectivity and secure access to critical applications.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Fortinet controllers for infrastructure Wi-Fi manage authentication and encryption of our enterprise-class infrastructure access points. These controllers are powered by Fortinet’s System Director operating system for seamless mobility and high-density environments.

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 Access Points vs. Fortinet FortiWLC

July 2025

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