Aruba Instant On Access Points vs Cisco Meraki MR Wireless comparison

Aruba Instant On Access Points vs. Cisco Meraki MR Wireless

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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

10th

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

6.3

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Cisco Meraki MR Wireless

Ranking in Wireless LAN

17th

Average Rating

7.6

Reviews Sentiment

3.5

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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Sanjay Gaiswal

Technical Presales at Vcom Technologies

Cloud-based management transforms branch network operations efficiently

The most useful feature of Cisco Meraki MR Wireless is its cloud-based management. Configuring Cisco Meraki MR Wireless is easy because it's a cloud-based solution. Once you connect it, it gets registered on the cloud. You can configure it through there itself, and you don't need to be at the site while configuring. Layer 7 traffic shaping helps with bandwidth management, and now you have the five gigabit port on the AP itself, so the bandwidth increases. No other wireless OEM provides a bandwidth of five gigabits. I have worked with the Network Analytics feature in Cisco Meraki MR Wireless, and it's used on the cloud. The Meraki controller, which is a cloud-based controller, allows us to manage multiple Cisco Meraki MR Wireless APs and monitor their performance, user connectivity, signal, and the AP performance itself. Regarding security features such as Air Marshal and WIPS, the Meraki 1700 series has the WIPS feature. We have used the WIPS feature to prevent rogue APs and to enable the security features in the wireless itself. You don't need to buy any other separate security devices, making it a very effective and useful feature.

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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's super user-friendly."

"The most valuable feature of Aruba Instant On Access Points is they are easy to manage."

"Aruba is much better than other vendors like Cisco and NETGEAR in terms of quality, price, and value for money."

"The initial setup is easy."

"Configuring everything in the cloud with Aruba Central and having all the devices be independent of a centralized controller has made it simple to deploy."

"Its technical support is excellent."

"With a variety of switches in their setup, they find that Aruba's online monitoring tools and configuration options for applications effectively manage most of their requirements, all while keeping the process straightforward and user-friendly."

"The mobile app is good. We have many things that are connected through mobile. Most users use mobile to connect to the Wi-Fi."

More Aruba Instant On Access Points pros

"The Meraki controller, which is a cloud-based controller, allows us to manage multiple Cisco Meraki MR Wireless APs and monitor their performance, user connectivity, signal, and the AP performance itself."

"As a user of the product, the biggest advantage for me is that it works seamlessly; users can switch between access points, and it works great."

"Cloud management is something I appreciate; it's an easy product to manage in comparison to many others."

"Some of the best features with the wireless solution are that you have a cloud console, so you don't have to create or manage your own instance of a controller."

"We benefit from using Cisco Meraki cloud as it makes manageability easier—two people can manage 200 locations efficiently."

"The most useful feature of Cisco Meraki MR Wireless is its cloud-based management."

Cons

"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."

"Stability largely depends on how access points are installed and managed. While Aruba cannot entirely ensure connection reliability, the deployment approach can minimize wireless link downtime."

"Improvement as per customer requirements."

"The challenging point for Aruba Instant On is the roaming capability, as it doesn’t perform as strongly as enterprise solutions."

"When I first deployed the solution, I couldn't use a tagged VLAN for the management. It might already have been fixed in a recent firmware upgrade."

"The customer service and support are terrible."

"With Aruba, the documentation on the website is not too easy to use, and some information is not found."

More Aruba Instant On Access Points cons

"My main concern is that Cisco Meraki MR Wireless is overpriced, has limited functionality, and the hardware is not prepared for any further improvements in terms of features."

"Overall, Cisco Meraki MR Wireless is a bit pricey; that's the main and probably only disadvantage."

"To do that effectively, I really need accurate floor plans, which I don't yet have. Without having the full picture, I'm operating somewhat blind and have to be careful."

"The challenge with Cisco Meraki MR Wireless is that for any Meraki device, you require internet connectivity to get it registered on the cloud."

"Regarding service support, Cisco Meraki does not provide direct support. When raising incidents or support tickets, the support is not always effective."

Pricing and Cost Advice

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

"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."

"There is a need to make yearly payments towards the standard licensing charges associated with the product. There are some additional costs associated with the product since I have seen customers who purchase three-year or five-year plans."

"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."

"It is expensive."

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

"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."

More Aruba Instant On Access Points pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

Construction Company

Outsourcing Company

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

16%

Manufacturing Company

14%

Outsourcing Company

12%

Healthcare Company

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.

What needs improvement with Aruba Instant On Access Points?

I believe that software usability could be improved.

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...

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Cisco Meraki MR Wireless?

The cost of Cisco Meraki MR Wireless is high; the price of one AP to the end customer is approximately 50,000 INR.

What needs improvement with Cisco Meraki MR Wireless?

I have utilized Meraki's RF Optimization to some extent. To do that effectively, I really need accurate floor plans, which I don't yet have. Without having the full picture, I'm operating somewhat ...

What is your primary use case for Cisco Meraki MR Wireless?

My use case for Cisco Meraki MR Wireless is in automotive retail. I work with a dealership ownership group that currently operates 95 locations.

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Product Reports

Aruba Instant On Access Points

Download Aruba Instant On Access Points product report

Cisco Meraki MR Wireless

Download Cisco Meraki MR Wireless product report

Overview

Aruba Instant On Access Points deliver seamless connectivity, easy management through mobile apps, and robust security features for businesses seeking reliable wireless solutions.

Aruba Instant On Access Points ensure stable connectivity with stateful firewalls and user-friendly setup via virtual controllers. These devices offer efficient radio management, advanced antenna systems, and scalability, integrating smoothly into existing networks. Intuitive interfaces provide quick deployment and reliable performance, enhancing user experience. However, there is room for improvement in range, scalability, software usability, and management simplicity. Pricing also poses a concern, with a desire for enhanced security, better documentation, and improved monitoring. The mobile app could benefit larger setups by offering more advanced features and improving radio frequency coverage.

What are the key features of Aruba Instant On?

Seamless Setup: Quick and user-friendly installation through smartphone or laptop.
Stable Connectivity: Efficient radio management and advanced antenna systems.
Robust Security: Equipped with stateful firewalls for reliable protection.
Scalability: Supports easy expansion with seamless network integration.

What benefits can users expect?

User-friendly Management: Intuitive interfaces for easy control and operation.
Reliable Performance: Consistent and dependable network connectivity.
Cost-effectiveness: Affordable prices offering excellent user experiences.
Enhanced Network Monitoring: Notifications and monitoring for better management.

Aruba Instant On Access Points are employed across industries, providing wireless connectivity for offices, guest networks, and homes. Banking, insurance, warehouses, and medical facilities utilize them for reliable LANs. They are suitable for small to medium enterprises needing low indoor coverage, indoor and outdoor settings, and IoT monitoring support.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Cisco Meraki MR Wireless offers a robust wireless connectivity solution designed for scalability and ease of deployment, making it suitable for modern enterprises seeking reliable network performance.

With its cloud-managed structure, Cisco Meraki MR Wireless provides comprehensive visibility and control over wireless environments, catering to diverse locations and user counts. Its seamless integration simplifies network management, crucial for data-driven decisions in enterprises. The system's configuration and maintenance are streamlined via the intuitive dashboard, ensuring users can optimize performance with minimal effort.

What are the important features of Cisco Meraki MR Wireless?

Cloud Management: Access and control your wireless network from anywhere, providing flexibility and ease of administration.
Seamless Scaling: Effortlessly expand the network as the organization grows without disruption.
Advanced Security: Integrated security features protect against threats and ensure data integrity.
Powerful Analytics: Gain insights into network usage to make informed decisions and optimize performance.

What benefits and ROI should users consider when evaluating Cisco Meraki MR Wireless?

Cost Efficiency: Reduced operational costs due to simplified management and deployment tools.
Time Savings: Quick setup and easy maintenance lead to significant time savings for IT teams.
Improved Performance: Enhanced network reliability and speed increase productivity and satisfaction.
Scalability: Adaptable solution that supports business growth without needing significant manual intervention.

Healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and retail environments favor Cisco Meraki MR Wireless for its robust security and ease of management in environments demanding reliable connectivity. Its ability to handle high-density environments with minimal latency makes it an asset in education. Retail chains utilize comprehensive analytics to optimize in-store experiences and operations.

Cisco

Aruba Instant On Access Points vs. Cisco Meraki MR Wireless