Aruba Wireless and Aruba Instant On Access Points compete in the wireless network solutions category. Aruba Wireless holds the upper hand for complex environments, while Instant On is favored for ease and cost-effectiveness.
Features: Aruba Wireless provides an integrated firewall, captive portal authentication, and modular configuration. Its AppRF system and multi-site architecture offer enhanced scalability for complex deployments. Adaptive Radio Management and Spectrum Analysis are noted for advanced management and security features. Aruba Instant On is commended for ease of management and cost-effective pricing, though it lacks some enterprise-level features. It facilitates basic network setup without sacrificing user-friendly operation.
Room for Improvement: Aruba Wireless could improve with a more intuitive interface and simplified configuration processes. Stability enhancements in newer versions and improved documentation are also suggested. For Instant On, improvements could be made to its licensing model and support for enterprise-level features like SD-WAN and analytics.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Both Aruba Wireless and Instant On support on-premises deployments, with Wireless also offering hybrid and cloud options for flexibility. Instant On's initial setup is notably simple, even for non-technical users. Customer service is generally well-rated for both, although technical support experiences vary, with reports of potential improvements in response times and resolution efficiency.
Pricing and ROI: Aruba Wireless involves higher initial costs and potential fees for advanced features but provides a strong ROI for larger deployments. Its licensing model may require thorough planning to avoid unexpected costs. Instant On Access Points are praised for their cost-effective structure, with no ongoing fees for basic features, appealing to small businesses. Both products are competitively priced compared to peers, with Aruba Wireless offering a comprehensive feature set at a premium.
There is no need to buy additional controllers for managing access points.
There are significant time savings, around thirty to forty percent, due to minimal disconnections.
The technical support from Aruba is rated seven due to limitations, such as support issues when the controller is on the VM side.
There are still issues with the language barrier and the overall quality of support.
I only needed support once or twice for a replacement, and it was handled smoothly without any difficulty.
I would rate their technical support nine out of ten.
The customer support is good.
The solution is scalable, as multiple sites connect seamlessly.
It is easy to adapt and very scalable.
The stability of Aruba Instant On Access Points is generally good.
I have been using the product for the last nine years without facing any issues post-installation.
I don't remember it going down during the years it existed.
Aruba Wireless is stable.
In future updates, more AI for intelligence and the option for a separate network could be beneficial.
The default configuration can be overridden to enhance performance beyond the default settings.
There is not enough focus on security across networking vendors, and they often add features without testing them thoroughly.
The product should be more affordable, especially the cloud and console for the Aruba product as it is currently very expensive.
At the time of purchase, the prices were moderate, but now they are quite expensive.
Zero-touch provisioning is needed, and although a cloud version is available, like Aruba Central, easier provisioning and configuration would be beneficial in the future.
Aruba Instant On Access Points work without a list price, suggesting that they are open source and no additional licensing costs are incurred.
The pricing of Aruba Instant On Access Points is competitive compared to Cisco, and they are actually cheaper.
The cost of Aruba Instant On Access Points is reasonable;
It is very high compared to other products.
However, it's approximately five to ten percent more expensive than Cisco.
The initial prices were more affordable compared to the current high prices.
Customers choose Aruba because it is more stable, has superior radio management, and offers features like mesh and a stateful firewall.
The product is incredibly stable and meets our needs excellently.
The virtual controller feature is very beneficial because it removes the need for a physical controller.
It has many features and is integrated with Azure AD and multiple active directories, making authentication easy.
I do not need to buy a controller for the access point since the Aruba Access Point has a built-in virtual controller.
The Aruba Wireless solution has excellent roaming capabilities, ensuring seamless connectivity.
| Product | Market Share (%) |
|---|---|
| Aruba Wireless | 15.7% |
| Aruba Instant On Access Points | 1.3% |
| Other | 83.0% |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 22 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 4 |
| Large Enterprise | 9 |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 76 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 46 |
| Large Enterprise | 73 |
Ingredients for success.
Fast 802.11ac Wave 2, secure employee and guest access, easy-to-use web, and mobile app management.
Say yes to secure Wi-Fi access.
Pre-built access control lists (ACLs) and built-in firewall in the access points prevent malicious traffic from entering your network – we call it “hassle-free” security.
Never drop an important call.
With Instant On, voice and video business applications are automatically prioritized, so you stay connected with your peers.
Aruba Wireless is a secure, high-performance, multi-user wireless LAN supporting Wi-Fi 6. As workplaces and user expectations change, users can now maintain hybrid workplaces and IoT without compromising performance, reliability, or security. Aruba Wireless delivers better performance and capacity and greater AIOps visibility throughout all devices and users. In addition, through built-in network intelligence, network operations are made simpler while keeping everything secure through user and guest encryption.
Aruba Wireless, offered through Aruba Networks, is helping achieve digital transformation and IoT with seamless connectivity through multiple Wi-Fi access points. For the user’s convenience, Aruba Wireless provides indoor, outdoor, and remote access points to help boost faster and safer connectivity.
Choosing Aruba Wireless can help improve your organization’s user experience with wireless LAN in many ways, including:
Aruba Gateways and Controllers
Small organizations as well as large enterprises require excellent performance and security for cloud, mobility, and digital transformation. Therefore, in addition to the access points, Aruba Wireless also offers a variety of gateways and controllers, including:
Reviews from Real Users
Aruba Networks is aiding organizations in transforming to a hybrid work environment with Aruba Wireless. Users especially love its ability to work with many devices and its ability to group and manage access points.
A senior IT solutions architect at a manufacturing company says, "The most valuable feature is the fact that it can work with many devices. It supports everything that we need it to."
Gary F., a network administrator at wireless at Abilene Christian, notes, "I like the way it groups and manages access points."
We monitor all Wireless LAN reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.
