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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 8.7, while Fortinet is ranked #25. Hewlett Packard Enterprise holds a 1.5% 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 37 Aruba Access Points reviews
  • 696 Views
  • 530 Comparison Views
94% willing to recommend
Fortinet FortiWLC
Read 3 Fortinet FortiWLC reviews
  • 369 Views
  • 283 Comparison Views
100% willing to recommend
 

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.

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To learn more, read our detailed Aruba Access Points vs. Fortinet FortiWLC Report (Updated: April 2025).
Buyer's Guide
Aruba Access Points vs. Fortinet FortiWLC
April 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
7.2
Number of Reviews
37
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
3
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of May 2025, in the Wireless LAN category, the mindshare of Aruba Access Points is 1.5%, up from 0.1% 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 - PeerSpot reviewer
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 - PeerSpot reviewer
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

"The solution gives good visibility into access points."
"Aruba Access Points is an easy-to-use solution."
"The controller software, which can control multiple access points remotely, is very convenient."
"The interest funds are valuable."
"The product’s most valuable feature is its ability to offer wireless connectivity to any service provider."
"I find AI Insights valuable."
"It has been a stable solution since its installation."
"After we installed the Aruba switches, the work became faster because the network speed improved."
More Aruba Access Points pros
"I rate the overall solution a ten out of ten."
"The most valuable feature of Fortinet FortiWLC is the overall high quality."
"It's easy to set everything up during implementation."
"FortiWLC is valuable due to its security features and the seamless WiFi experience it provides."
 

Cons

"The disadvantage of Aruba Access Points is experienced by me when I need it to offer me a long range of coverage."
"Aruba sometimes redesigns Aruba Central and the web interface, which is sometimes an annoyance."
"Going with a cloud solution will make dependency no longer a challenge from a connectivity point of view."
"The platform’s speed for data flow could be better."
"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 tool could be cheaper."
"There should be enhancements to support open Wi-Fi technology for seamless authentication across different access points."
"I have to go via HP's process, which is not as good as Aruba's used to be."
More Aruba Access Points cons
"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."
"Fortinet FortiWLC is not simple to configure when compared to other solutions. The design could be better."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Although not cheap, Aruba Access Points is a reasonably priced solution."
"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 more expensive than two of its competitors."
"Overall, I would say the pricing is reasonable and meets our expectations."
"The product is cheaper than Cisco and Huawei."
"The price compared to other brands is slightly higher."
"The tool is available in the market at a reasonable price"
"The product is costly and comes with a lifetime license. There is neither renewal nor subscription. It is a one-time 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
15%
Comms Service Provider
8%
Financial Services Firm
8%
Manufacturing Company
7%
Manufacturing Company
11%
Financial Services Firm
10%
Non Profit
10%
Real Estate/Law Firm
9%
 

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.
See all answers
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 would like Aruba to provide integration capabilities for Microsoft Entra ID, Azure Directory, or other identity verification engines like Okta, Google Identity, or Ping Identity. It is important ...
See all answers
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 Logo
Fortinet FortiAP vs Aruba Access Points
Compared 72% of the time
Ruckus Wireless vs Aruba Access Points Logo
Ruckus Wireless vs Aruba Access Points
Compared 13% of the time
Cisco Wireless vs Aruba Access Points Logo
Cisco Wireless vs Aruba Access Points
Compared 5% of the time
Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN vs Aruba Access Points Logo
Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN vs Aruba Access Points
Compared 5% of the time
ExtremeWireless vs Aruba Access Points Logo
ExtremeWireless vs Aruba Access Points
Compared 3% of the time
More Aruba Access Points Competitors
Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points vs Fortinet FortiWLC Logo
Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points vs Fortinet FortiWLC
Compared 55% of the time
Fortinet FortiWLM vs Fortinet FortiWLC Logo
Fortinet FortiWLM vs Fortinet FortiWLC
Compared 45% of the time
More Fortinet FortiWLC Competitors
 

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
Aruba Access Points
May 2025
Aruba Access Points reportDownload Aruba Access Points product report
Buyer's Guide
Wireless LAN
April 2025
Fortinet FortiWLC reportDownload 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
April 2025
Free Report: Aruba Access Points vs. Fortinet FortiWLC
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