Aruba Instant On Access Points vs WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi comparison

Hewlett Packard Enterprise and WatchGuard are both solutions in the Wireless LAN category. Hewlett Packard Enterprise is ranked #9 with an average rating of 8.9, while WatchGuard is ranked #24 with an average rating of 7.0. Hewlett Packard Enterprise holds a 1.9% mindshare in Wireless LAN, compared to WatchGuard’s 0.8% mindshare. Additionally, 96% of Hewlett Packard Enterprise users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 83% of WatchGuard users who would recommend it.

Aruba Instant On Access Points

Read 33 Aruba Instant On Access Points reviews

1,461 Views
1,461 Comparison Views

96% willing to recommend

WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi

Read 7 WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi reviews

557 Views
540 Comparison Views

83% willing to recommend

Aruba Instant On Access Points

WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Oct 31, 2024

WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi and Aruba Instant On Access Points compete in the wireless network security space. Aruba Instant On seems to have the upper hand due to its comprehensive feature set providing better long-term value.

Features: WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi provides advanced threat protection, centralized management, and cloud-based analytics offering high security and versatility. It integrates directly with existing firewalls, providing a smooth deployment across multiple sites. Aruba Instant On Access Points deliver user-friendly scalability, seamless integration, and robust coverage through a cloud-based interface that's easy to manage without physical controllers. Its ease of setup and security features make it appealing for small to medium-sized businesses.

Room for Improvement: WatchGuard could enhance user experience with more intuitive interfaces and simplified initial deployments for non-technical users. Pricing structure clarity and feature parity with other market options could also be addressed. Aruba Instant On may benefit from introducing more advanced features for enterprise-level needs and addressing limitations like the cap on access points for larger networks without requiring additional configurations.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: WatchGuard offers structured deployment with detailed documentation focusing on secure, dependable implementation with responsive customer support. Aruba Instant On provides a straightforward setup process, facilitated by a mobile app and efficient cloud management, making it suitable for teams without dedicated IT support. Its user-centered approach simplifies deployment, access, and maintenance.

Pricing and ROI: WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi is recognized for competitive pricing and a focus on budget-conscious firms seeking robust security and support. Aruba Instant On, although potentially higher in initial cost, compensates this with strong ROI prospects due to operational efficiencies and reduced IT overheads. Its cost-effectiveness is perceived over time with user-friendly attributes justifying the initial investment.

To learn more, read our detailed Aruba Instant On Access Points vs. WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi Report (Updated: December 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Aruba Instant On Access Points vs. WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi

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

WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi

Ranking in Wireless LAN

24th

Average Rating

7.8

Reviews Sentiment

6.4

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of January 2026, in the Wireless LAN category, the mindshare of Aruba Instant On Access Points is 1.9%, up from 0.9% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi is 0.8%, up from 0.4% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Wireless LAN Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
Aruba Instant On Access Points	1.9%
WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi	0.8%
Other	97.3%

Wireless LAN

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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reviewer2562924

IT System Support Administrator at a non-profit with 501-1,000 employees

Configuration offers flexibility but response to incidents needs improvement

We recommend using WatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi, but when incidents occur, it can be very difficult to identify why they happen. Normally, the issues are simple to fix, but we recently faced a major incident. We are still trying to identify the cause, which is why I would rate it seven out of ten. Without this incident, I might have rated it eight to nine. Overall, I give the solution a rating of seven.

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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

"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."

"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."

"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."

"The virtual controller feature is very beneficial because it removes the need for a physical controller."

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

"The initial setup is very simple."

"The app and the provisioning are the best features of the product. It was really impressive that I was able to just provision it remotely. I didn't have to be on-site with my friend, and we were just able to get everything up and operational. So, the app is great. It sends me notifications when things are down, and it tells me how everything is doing."

"The coverage Aruba provides across the physical area is much better. Most probably because of the new technology, the 4x4 antenna, and everything around it. It's just a much better, easier to use, and easier to manage product."

More Aruba Instant On Access Points pros

"The Wi-Fi security features of this solution have been great for our customers who need to strictly control access to their network."

"The configuration part of WatchGuard is very flexible."

"It makes it easy to obtain all information about the client experience."

"The solution has been stable."

"They're very easy to set up and get running."

"We like that WatchGuard works and integrates directly with the firewalls we use."

"Cloud analytics that provide all its attributes."

Cons

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

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

"It is suitable for smaller organizations, but it may not be the best choice for large enterprises."

"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."

"In future updates, more AI for intelligence and the option for a separate network could be beneficial."

"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."

"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."

More Aruba Instant On Access Points cons

"The price of this solution needs to reviewed, as it is currently high enough to deter customers from trying it."

"Inability to import a user with one click."

"The support response can be time-consuming because sometimes issues are very sensitive and require instant attention."

"If a client device had issues with authentication due to out of date browser or similar difficulties, it would be nice to have the ability to migrate the client onto the portal via one click."

"I don't think they're available at the best price."

"The solution can be scaled but it has limitations from my experience."

"One of the things is if you buy it with a certain subscription, you can't easily change the subscription level."

Pricing and Cost Advice

"It is expensive."

"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."

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

"It is competitively priced. It was at a price point that made sense for me to put in my home, and that says something. The cost of the solution includes everything we need to manage and upgrade our Wi-Fi network, including the mobile management app. Having the licensing and all the functionality built into the base price of the product is really important for me. There are no extra costs for the security feature or automatic software/firmware updates, which is really important to me."

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

"It's a cost-effective solution."

"It needs a license."

"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."

More Aruba Instant On Access Points pricing and cost advice

"Your licensing and cost, as would be required for many other solutions, being considered for eighty to two hundred and eighty different physical locations, is just about the same amount per access point."

"WatchGuard is on the upper scale for pricing."

"The solution is priced high compared to competitors. However, for the features that are included in the solution, the price becomes more reasonable."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Manufacturing Company

Computer Software Company

Hospitality Company

Performing Arts

Computer Software Company

10%

Comms Service Provider

Non Profit

Manufacturing 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

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	5
Midsize Enterprise	2

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.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Aruba Instant On Access Points?

I believe that software usability could be improved.

See all answers

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...

See all answers

What needs improvement with WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi?

The support response can be time-consuming because sometimes issues are very sensitive and require instant attention. Also, when an incident occurs, the impact can be significantly huge. A recent p...

See all answers

What is your primary use case for WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi?

We use WatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi because we have used different tools as well, like Ubiquiti. The complexity of Ubiquiti is much more compared to WatchGuard, which provides more flexibility and is ea...

See all answers

What advice do you have for others considering WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi?

See all answers

Comparisons

Aruba Instant vs Aruba Instant On Access Points

Compared 16% of the time

Omada Access Points vs Aruba Instant On Access Points

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

Ubiquiti WLAN vs WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi

Compared 30% of the time

Fortinet FortiWLM vs WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi

Compared 19% of the time

Aruba Wireless vs WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi

Compared 15% of the time

Ruckus Wireless vs WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi

Compared 10% of the time

Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN vs WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi

Compared 10% of the time

More WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Aruba Instant On Access Points

January 2026

Download Aruba Instant On Access Points product report

Buyer's Guide

WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi

December 2025

Download WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi 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

WatchGuard is a global leader in network security, secure Wi-Fi, and network intelligence products and services for SMBs and Distributed Enterprises worldwide. Our mission is to make enterprise-grade security accessible to companies of all types and sizes through simplicity, making WatchGuard an ideal solution for distributed enterprises and SMBs. WatchGuard is headquartered in Seattle, Washington, with offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America.

WatchGuard

Sample Customers

Information Not Available

Portsmouth Grammar School, HILOTEC

Buyer's Guide

Aruba Instant On Access Points vs. WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi

December 2025

Free Report: Aruba Instant On Access Points vs. WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi

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