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Aruba Instant On Access Points vs Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN comparison

Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Cisco are both solutions in the Wireless LAN category. Hewlett Packard Enterprise is ranked #8 with an average rating of 8.7, while Cisco is ranked #4 with an average rating of 8.2. Hewlett Packard Enterprise holds a 1.6% mindshare in Wireless LAN, compared to Cisco’s 11.1% mindshare. Additionally, 96% of Hewlett Packard Enterprise users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 92% of Cisco users who would recommend it.
Aruba Instant On Access Points
Read 33 Aruba Instant On Access Points reviews
  • 1,370 Views
  • 1,370 Comparison Views
96% willing to recommend
Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN
Read 121 Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN reviews
  • 11,730 Views
  • 10,440 Comparison Views
92% willing to recommend
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Sep 21, 2025

Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN and Aruba Instant On Access Points compete in the wireless connectivity category. Cisco Meraki appears to have the upper hand in centralized management and advanced features, while Aruba excels in ease of use and cost-effectiveness.

Features: Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN offers centralized management through a cloud-managed dashboard that simplifies monitoring and configuration, robust security features, and the ability to handle complex network needs. Aruba Instant On Access Points are known for their user-friendly setup, seamless integration, especially in smaller environments, and reliable performance.

Room for Improvement: Cisco Meraki could improve comprehensive error logging, advanced routing features, and more detailed network analysis capabilities. Users also desire better support in complex scenarios. Aruba Instant On Access Points could enhance radio frequency coverage, user density support, and provide better integration documentation along with advanced AI capabilities.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN is favored for its cloud-based deployment, allowing remote management and support for various environments, including public and private clouds. Installation is straightforward. Aruba Instant On Access Points advantage is their simple on-premises deployment, ideal for small to medium-sized businesses. Both products receive high marks for customer service, with Cisco praised for accessibility and Aruba for prompt support.

Pricing and ROI: Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN is perceived as a premium product, justified by its features and long-term ROI though pricing and licensing dependencies can be challenging. Aruba Instant On Access Points offer a cost-effective model with no recurring licensing fees, appealing to budget-conscious businesses. Both deliver satisfactory ROI, with Aruba noted for its affordability.

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To learn more, read our detailed Aruba Instant On Access Points vs. Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN Report (Updated: September 2025).
Buyer's Guide
Aruba Instant On Access Points vs. Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN
September 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:
 

ROI

Sentiment score
1.8
Organizations find Aruba Instant On Access Points offer great performance and easy management, justifying costs despite financial evaluation concerns.
Sentiment score
1.0
Cisco Meraki offers cost-effective features for small businesses, but larger enterprises find capital expenditure and licensing costly.
 

Customer Service

Sentiment score
6.2
Aruba Instant On Access Points have mixed reviews, praised for fast support but criticized for delays and language issues.
Sentiment score
4.9
Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN customer service is praised for responsive, knowledgeable support and 24/7 availability, despite minor knowledge base issues.
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.
For more quotes and insights, download the Aruba Instant On Access Points report
I would rate Cisco support a 10, as the response time and process via the dashboard are easy, and response times are always within the SLA.
It would be better if the SLA of technical support was less than four hours.
For more quotes and insights, download the Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN report
Thatchapon Wongsri - PeerSpot reviewerreviewer2590536 - PeerSpot reviewer
MD
RezaPradipta - PeerSpot reviewer
 

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score
7.6
Aruba Instant On Access Points are scalable for SMBs but limited for enterprises, suitable for smaller, budget-conscious implementations.
Sentiment score
5.0
Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN is ideal for medium enterprises, offering scalability and seamless integration despite large deployment limitations.
No quotes available
For more quotes and insights, download the Aruba Instant On Access Points report
Meraki is not scalable enough since it straightforwardly maps its products to segmented specifications.
For more quotes and insights, download the Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN report
 

Stability Issues

Sentiment score
7.9
Aruba Instant On Access Points provide reliable connectivity for up to 25 users, praised for stability and minimal issues.
Sentiment score
3.9
Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN is reliable but may experience minor issues during updates or high network demand.
The stability of Aruba Instant On Access Points is generally good.
For more quotes and insights, download the Aruba Instant On Access Points report
We have experienced many instances where we have experienced a lag in our network, and I am not sure if it is due to their devices or our network.
Stability is not an issue for me because it comes with Cisco's proven manufacturer quality.
For more quotes and insights, download the Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN report
Thatchapon Wongsri - PeerSpot reviewer
KD
RezaPradipta - PeerSpot reviewer
 

Room For Improvement

Aruba Instant On Access Points need better integration, scalability, and user-friendly features to improve usability and customer satisfaction.
Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN needs feature and interface improvements, flexible licensing, WiFi 6 support, and better integration for enterprise users.
The default configuration can be overridden to enhance performance beyond the default settings.
In future updates, more AI for intelligence and the option for a separate network could be beneficial.
There is not enough focus on security across networking vendors, and they often add features without testing them thoroughly.
For more quotes and insights, download the Aruba Instant On Access Points report
The most important improvement needed is to eliminate the limitation of uplinks.
Some of the newer models of the Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN access point have encompassed the new wireless protocols and increased the strength of their antennas.
For more quotes and insights, download the Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN report
Thatchapon Wongsri - PeerSpot reviewer
AK
reviewer2590536 - PeerSpot reviewerRezaPradipta - PeerSpot reviewer
KD
 

Setup Cost

Aruba Instant On Access Points offer affordable, all-inclusive pricing under $200, contrasting with competitors like Cisco with no recurring fees.
Consider Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN's high cost justified by features, with possible discounts through negotiation, but requires active subscription.
When comparing pricing with Cisco, Aruba Instant On Access Points are competitively priced, making them affordable solutions for SMBs, rather than being higher priced.
The pricing of Aruba Instant On Access Points is competitive compared to Cisco, and they are actually cheaper.
Aruba Instant On Access Points work without a list price, suggesting that they are open source and no additional licensing costs are incurred.
For more quotes and insights, download the Aruba Instant On Access Points report
Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN is on par with other devices in that category, offering competitive pricing.
The pricing of Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN is not competitive enough for the SMB market compared to other brands.
My experience with the pricing of Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN is that it is competitive with other providers offering paid subscriptions.
For more quotes and insights, download the Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN report
ANKIT GAJJAR - PeerSpot reviewerreviewer2590536 - PeerSpot reviewer
AK
KD
RezaPradipta - PeerSpot reviewer
MD
 

Valuable Features

Aruba Instant On Access Points provide easy cloud management, seamless integration, and cost-effective security for small to medium-sized sites.
Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN offers centralized cloud management with excellent security, ease of deployment, and seamless integration into existing infrastructures.
We have implemented approximately 300 plus devices on one premise without receiving any complaints about malfunctioning or functionality errors; it runs smoothly.
Customers choose Aruba because it is more stable, has superior radio management, and offers features like mesh and a stateful firewall.
The virtual controller feature is very beneficial because it removes the need for a physical controller.
For more quotes and insights, download the Aruba Instant On Access Points report
Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN has helped optimize network traffic very effectively, as we do prioritization for streaming and web conferencing apps, resulting in a clear, visible improvement in performance.
It also manages security clients and switches, providing a single dashboard to manage multiple network infrastructures.
The ability to program all access points from the Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN dashboard, view the status of all of them, and examine the individual devices connected to each access point is very valuable.
For more quotes and insights, download the Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN report
ANKIT GAJJAR - PeerSpot reviewerThatchapon Wongsri - PeerSpot reviewerreviewer2590536 - PeerSpot reviewer
MD
RezaPradipta - PeerSpot reviewer
KD
 

Categories and Ranking

Aruba Instant On Access Points
Ranking in Wireless LAN
8th
Average Rating
8.6
Reviews Sentiment
6.3
Number of Reviews
33
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN
Ranking in Wireless LAN
4th
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
4.5
Number of Reviews
121
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of November 2025, in the Wireless LAN category, the mindshare of Aruba Instant On Access Points is 1.6%, up from 0.8% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN is 11.1%, down from 13.0% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Wireless LAN Market Share Distribution
ProductMarket Share (%)
Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN11.1%
Aruba Instant On Access Points1.6%
Other87.3%
Wireless LAN
 

Featured Reviews

ANKIT GAJJAR - PeerSpot reviewer
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.
Read full review
RezaPradipta - PeerSpot reviewer
Streamline network management with a unified dashboard for seamless device integration
The primary use case for Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN is mostly for enterprise wireless, including guest Wi-Fi and enterprise Wi-Fi. I use it across various industries with a focus on retail Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN offers a single pane of glass management. It only comes with a controller on the…
Read full review
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
8%
Performing Arts
7%
Hospitality Company
7%
Manufacturing Company
7%
Computer Software Company
15%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Comms Service Provider
8%
Educational Organization
7%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business23
Midsize Enterprise4
Large Enterprise9
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business69
Midsize Enterprise26
Large Enterprise31
 

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Aruba Instant On Access Points?
It's really easy to set up. And, you don't have to pay for the cloud solution. That's really interesting for our clients. And the other thing is, the roaming is also quite good.
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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Aruba Instant On Access Points?
The cost of Aruba Instant On Access Points is reasonable; however, I do not have information on the exact pricing, such as cost per user or annual license fees.
See all answers
What needs improvement with Aruba Instant On Access Points?
We can improve Aruba Instant On Access Points by tuning some of the parameters of the radio. The default configuration can be overridden to enhance performance beyond the default settings.
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What are pros and cons of Aruba 515 Series AP vs. Cisco Meraki or Extreme Networks?
Depends. I have personally used both Cisco and Aruba so I am familiar with them. Extreme I am not, so unless they have some feature that I need or want, I wouldn't consider them. Do you have expe...
See all answers
Which is better - Cisco Wireless or Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN?
Cisco Wireless is very robust, very rugged, and can handle indoor and outdoor coverage extremely well. We found it to be very reliable and to consistently run very efficiently. Cisco Wireless helpe...
See all answers
How does Ruckus Wireless compare to Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN?
Cisco’s Meraki Virtual MX is a virtual instance of the Meraki SD-WAN appliance. We liked the Meraki. The Wifi APs are a great feature. The dashboard is a simple interface and easy to learn. It feat...
See all answers
 

Comparisons

Aruba Instant vs Aruba Instant On Access Points Logo
Aruba Instant vs Aruba Instant On Access Points
Compared 15% of the time
Omada Access Points vs Aruba Instant On Access Points Logo
Omada Access Points vs Aruba Instant On Access Points
Compared 14% of the time
Huawei Wireless vs Aruba Instant On Access Points Logo
Huawei Wireless vs Aruba Instant On Access Points
Compared 9% of the time
Fortinet FortiAP vs Aruba Instant On Access Points Logo
Fortinet FortiAP vs Aruba Instant On Access Points
Compared 9% of the time
Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points vs Aruba Instant On Access Points Logo
Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points vs Aruba Instant On Access Points
Compared 8% of the time
More Aruba Instant On Access Points Competitors
Aruba Wireless vs Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN Logo
Aruba Wireless vs Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN
Compared 30% of the time
Ruckus Wireless vs Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN Logo
Ruckus Wireless vs Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN
Compared 11% of the time
Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points vs Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN Logo
Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points vs Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN
Compared 11% of the time
Fortinet FortiAP vs Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN Logo
Fortinet FortiAP vs Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN
Compared 6% of the time
More Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN Competitors
 

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
Aruba Instant On Access Points
November 2025
Aruba Instant On Access Points reportDownload Aruba Instant On Access Points product report
Buyer's Guide
Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN
November 2025
Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN reportDownload Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN product report
 

Also Known As

No data available
MR18, MR26, MR32, MR34, MR66, MR72, Meraki Wireless LAN, Meraki WLAN
 

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
Cisco Meraki access points are built from the highest grade components and carefully optimized for a seamless user experience. The outcome: faster connections, greater user capacity, more coverage, and fewer support calls. The Cisco Meraki dashboard gives visibility into the network users, their devices, and their applications. Armed with rich analytics, administrators can quickly create access control and application usage policies, optimizing both the end-user experience and network security.
Cisco
 

Sample Customers

Information Not Available
Advanced Medical Transport, Banco de Guayaquil, Baylor Scott & White Health, BH Telecom, Bowling Green State University, Calligaris, Children's Hospital Colorado, City of Biel, Del Papa Distributing, Department of Justice, Dimension Data, Dualtec Cloud Builders, Electricity Authority of Cyprus, Grupo Industrial Saltillo (GIS), Hertz, K&L Gates , LightEdge, Lone Star College System, Management Science Associates, Mindtree, NBC Olympics, Quest, Sony Corporation, The Department of Education in Western Australia, Valley Proteins
Buyer's Guide
Aruba Instant On Access Points vs. Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN
September 2025
Free Report: Aruba Instant On Access Points vs. Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN
Find out what your peers are saying about Aruba Instant On Access Points vs. Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN and other solutions. Updated: September 2025.
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