Aruba Instant On Access Points vs Catalyst 9100 Access Points comparison

Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Cisco are both solutions in the Wireless LAN category. Hewlett Packard Enterprise is ranked #9 with an average rating of 8.9, while Cisco is ranked #20 with an average rating of 9.5. Additionally, 96% of Hewlett Packard Enterprise users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Cisco users who would recommend it.

Aruba Instant On Access Points

Read 33 Aruba Instant On Access Points reviews

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1,461 Comparison Views

96% willing to recommend

Catalyst 9100 Access Points

Read 3 Catalyst 9100 Access Points reviews

122 Views
122 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Aruba Instant On Access Points

Catalyst 9100 Access Points

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 23, 2025

Aruba Instant On Access Points and Catalyst 9100 Access Points compete in the wireless networking space. Catalyst 9100 has the upper hand due to its advanced features catering to enterprise needs, justifying its higher cost.

Features: Aruba Instant On Access Points offer seamless integration, intuitive management applications, and reliable connectivity, appealing to small to mid-sized businesses. Catalyst 9100 Access Points are known for superior performance, scalability, enhanced security, and Wi-Fi 6 capabilities, making them ideal for enterprise settings.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Aruba offers a straightforward setup process with limited configuration, suitable for smaller teams. Customer service is prompt and supportive. Catalyst 9100 Access Points require professional installation due to a more complex deployment model, yet the support team ensures a smooth setup and reliable operation.

Pricing and ROI: Aruba Instant On Access Points present a cost-effective solution offering a quick ROI, catering to budget-conscious users. Catalyst 9100 Access Points require a higher initial investment but offer extensive features that promise significant long-term ROI for enterprises.

To learn more, read our detailed Aruba Instant On Access Points vs. Catalyst 9100 Access Points Report (Updated: December 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Aruba Instant On Access Points vs. Catalyst 9100 Access Points

December 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 Instant On Access Points

Ranking in Wireless LAN

9th

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

6.3

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Catalyst 9100 Access Points

Ranking in Wireless LAN

20th

Average Rating

9.6

Reviews Sentiment

5.8

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Featured Reviews

ANKIT GAJJAR

IT Project Manager at CPS TECHNOLOGIES

Have faced challenges with visibility and support while exploring more accessible alternatives

I have been working with Aruba Instant On Access Points for the last five years, implementing the HP Enterprise series grade Wi-Fi in the Surat Diamond Bourse. HP Aruba is easily available in the India market, so sometimes customers are preferring the HP Aruba Central solution. When we talk about Cisco WireWorks, my thoughts about Advanced Threat Detection indicate that Cisco needs to improve the visibility of its products in the India market, as there is very much less visibility right now. I would rate the stability of Aruba Instant On Access Points as the best one. Overall, I rate Aruba Instant On Access Points eight out of ten, as Aruba is a most versatile solution. I can definitely recommend Aruba Instant On Access Points to others.

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Syed Aathif Hussain

Principal Associate IT at a tech services company with 10,001+ employees

Has improved wireless connectivity by supporting high user density and signal reliability

Catalyst 9100 Access Points reduce network vulnerabilities. The frequency reuse technology is used in Wi-Fi 6 technology. The devices are nowadays intelligent compared to the legacy devices. They communicate with each other, adapt themselves, and improve the quality of Wi-Fi infrastructure connectivity within the premise. They are more robust and adaptable. They have significantly improved wireless connectivity compared to the legacy environment. The legacy environment was not effective with those kinds of algorithms, whereas Catalyst 9100 Access Points have different inbuilt features and are more optimized and adaptable to situations. Catalyst 9100 Access Points provide Wi-Fi connection to end users, similar to home routers with broadband connectivity. When a technician connects the device to the modem, it starts providing Wi-Fi. The configuration is inbuilt, requiring only an IP address to operate. It listens to the wireless controller, and whatever SSID is configured in the controller will be broadcasting. Catalyst 9100 Access Points are next-generation access points without the limitations of legacy access points. They have better reachability, signal strength, power utilization, and scalability. While legacy access points could accommodate 15 users practically, Catalyst 9100 Access Points can reach up to 40 or 50 users simultaneously on different radios with MIMO technology. There are different models of Catalyst 9100 Access Points depending on site requirements. Wi-Fi 6 technology has improved wireless connectivity significantly. Post-pandemic, everything has become hybrid, and wireless network has become an undeniable infrastructure requirement. Previously, LAN cable connectors were used for better speed achievement. Now, Wi-Fi 6 technology has improved wireless connectivity to such an extent that LAN cable connectivity is no longer necessary. Users can work remotely with Wi-Fi connectivity, achieving both speed and scalability. The sixth-generation Wi-Fi provides improved bandwidth and security on wireless infrastructure.

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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 roaming feature and connectivity during disconnections are valuable."

"It's super user-friendly."

"Its performance is very good. It suits small and medium sites very well."

"The advantages of Aruba Instant On Access Points include using a mobile application to control various aspects, making it a user-friendly solution for home use."

"The most valuable aspect of Unifi switches is the Unifi Controller."

"When an error or alert happens, I receive it in the application. I do not have to be there to know if something is wrong."

"The initial setup is easy."

"The product is incredibly stable and meets our needs excellently."

More Aruba Instant On Access Points pros

"Wi-Fi 6 technology has improved wireless connectivity to such an extent that LAN cable connectivity is no longer necessary, allowing users to work remotely with Wi-Fi connectivity while achieving both speed and scalability."

"The reliability of Cisco is the number one aspect I have seen, and the performance is pretty stable."

"The features in Catalyst 9100 Access Points that I have found most valuable include that it's a complete solution; we go with Cisco because you have access points, you have a controller, you have Cisco ISE, and you have Cisco DNA Center."

Cons

"While it is mostly scalable, there are some limitations."

"It would be good to integrate some marketing features into Aruba Instant On Access Points, like heat maps. This would allow deployment in warehouses or malls to see how people move from one point to another, helping to locate the original fit."

"If anything, its reporting could be improved."

"If there's a way to get a floor map of our office space so we can place the access points on a map to be able to see what's what, where everything is going, where the most traffic is being connected, that would be a nice feature."

"The limited functionality of the mobile app restricts its use primarily to small and medium-sized setups, making it less suitable for enterprise-level solutions."

"Software-wise, I would like to have a way of moving APs from site to site and wish there would be a way to add more APs to one site. I know the limit is 25 APs per site and I wish there were more."

"The solution should include higher speed and lesser cost."

"It's only suitable for smaller offices. It doesn't scale well."

More Aruba Instant On Access Points cons

"Frankly, ease of use is one of the things that needs improvement, as the management interfaces have always been complex and not very intuitive."

"Technical support from Cisco has been a bit degraded lately because the first support we get is challenging."

"Theoretically, you can connect up to 100 clients simultaneously, but practically, this is not feasible. There will be bandwidth deterioration, and 100 clients using the same bandwidth will impact the quality of service."

Pricing and Cost Advice

"You buy it for $165 an AP, which is what we paid."

"Aruba Instant On Access Points are license-free. It's a very good and cheap solution for wireless networks. It can be compared with solutions from Ubiquiti and TP-Link, but it is in a different class. Aruba Instant On Access Points are cheaper than those from Cisco, Ruckus, and Motorola. It's perhaps the cheapest one. They do not use licenses, so it is a solution from the box. You don't need to pay extra money or deal with hidden payments."

"The price of Aruba Instant On Access Points is reasonable. They are competitively priced. I've even used it in my home at one time because of the low price."

"Its price is fair. It is not really cheap, and it is also not expensive. It is in the middle."

"It needs a license."

"It is expensive."

"The product's price falls on the cheaper end of the spectrum. The price of the product is one of the biggest benefits that it offers."

"I rate the product's pricing a six on a scale of one to ten, where one is cheap and ten is expensive."

More Aruba Instant On Access Points pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Manufacturing Company

Computer Software Company

Hospitality Company

Performing Arts

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Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	23
Midsize Enterprise	4
Large Enterprise	9

No data available

Questions from the Community

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

When comparing pricing with Cisco, Aruba Instant On Access Points are competitively priced, making them affordable solutions for SMBs, rather than being higher priced.

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What needs improvement with Aruba Instant On Access Points?

I believe that software usability could be improved.

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What is your primary use case for Aruba Instant On Access Points?

My clients mostly request Aruba Instant On Access Points for use cases involving IoT utilization, bandwidth utilization, and user interference monitoring. All products are monitored from HP Aruba C...

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What needs improvement with Catalyst 9100 Access Points?

Frankly, ease of use is one of the things that needs improvement, as the management interfaces have always been complex and not very intuitive. I believe Cisco needs to enhance its visibility solut...

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What is your primary use case for Catalyst 9100 Access Points?

We have recently deployed hundreds of access points in the last two years.

See all answers

What advice do you have for others considering Catalyst 9100 Access Points?

I am currently working with Fortinet, but frankly, I have a team which is more working on Fortinet and other products because I am managing them, so I am a little less hands-on right now. Basically...

See all answers

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Compared 12% of the time

Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN vs Aruba Instant On Access Points

Compared 10% of the time

Ubiquiti WLAN vs Aruba Instant On Access Points

Compared 9% of the time

Huawei Wireless vs Aruba Instant On Access Points

Compared 8% of the time

More Aruba Instant On Access Points Competitors

No data available

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Aruba Instant On Access Points

January 2026

Download Aruba Instant On Access Points product report

Buyer's Guide

Catalyst 9100 Access Points

January 2026

Download Catalyst 9100 Access Points product report

Overview

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.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Catalyst 9100 Access Points are cutting-edge wireless solutions designed for complex network environments, offering seamless connectivity, robust performance, and expansive coverage to enhance business operations.

Engineered to meet high-density demands, Catalyst 9100 Access Points deliver high-speed wireless performance with Wi-Fi 6 technology. These access points support advanced security protocols and artificial intelligence-driven analytics, ensuring optimal operational efficiency. Their seamless integration with existing infrastructures makes them adaptable for various enterprise needs.

What are the key features?

Wi-Fi 6: Enables faster speeds and increased capacity.
Advanced Security: Features embedded encryption for secure connections.
AI Analytics: Provides insights for network optimization.
Seamless Integration: Compatible with existing network setups.

What benefits and ROI can be expected?

Improved Connectivity: Enhanced device performance and fewer interruptions.
Cost Efficiency: Reduced operational costs through efficient energy use.
Scalability: Easily expand networks as business grows.

Catalyst 9100 Access Points are used in industries like healthcare and education, where reliable, high-performance wireless connections are essential, ensuring constant connectivity for critical applications and facilitating advanced data analytics to support industry-specific needs.

Cisco

Buyer's Guide

Aruba Instant On Access Points vs. Catalyst 9100 Access Points

December 2025

Free Report: Aruba Instant On Access Points vs. Catalyst 9100 Access Points

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