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Aruba Instant vs Ubiquiti WLAN comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Oct 31, 2024

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
Ranking in Wireless LAN
11th
Average Rating
8.6
Reviews Sentiment
6.4
Number of Reviews
51
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Ubiquiti WLAN
Ranking in Wireless LAN
7th
Average Rating
7.4
Reviews Sentiment
6.9
Number of Reviews
44
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of May 2025, in the Wireless LAN category, the mindshare of Aruba Instant is 2.0%, down from 2.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Ubiquiti WLAN is 5.1%, down from 6.4% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Wireless LAN
 

Featured Reviews

Prashant-Patel - PeerSpot reviewer
A highly stable and easy-to-deploy solution that is free and provides excellent deployment guides
The setup is very straightforward. There is no complexity at all. It took us 15 minutes. We need IP address details, DNS, a gateway, DHCP servers, and SSIDs. Single access points can act as controller-based, controller-less, and cloud-based solutions. That is the beauty of Aruba. If I have an on-premise solution and want to move to the cloud, I don't need separate hardware. The same hardware can be utilized in the cloud. The deployment guides that we get from Aruba are excellent. We have every piece of detail.
Gabriele-Pizzigati - PeerSpot reviewer
Managing installations through one interface enhances efficiency but AI features improvement
Ubiquiti Wireless LAN is reliable and offers a good quality product. It provides one interface to manage all installations, allowing me to monitor all customers through the same web interface. The web interface in the controller allows for quick configuration of devices with just one click, which is a significant advantage.

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Pros

"The integration with ClearPass is the most valuable feature."
"If you don't need heavy-duty filtering and things like that, it's a cheap solution. And, you have central management, and it works."
"It's practical. It does what it needs to do."
"Aruba Instant's best feature is the ability to manage it in the cloud."
"Has many advanced features: Built-in firewall, local radius, application visibility and control, not locked into support agreements."
"Aruba Instant is easy to manage."
"In terms of stability, Aruba Instant is the best on the market."
"Works automatically in terms of setup with the product finding its master wifi access point."
"Ubiquiti WLAN has good availability, and it is much cheaper."
"The initial setup is easy."
"The Cloud Key Controller is a valuable feature because it allows me to access the wireless system from the cloud and locally within the same network, enhancing network management."
"Anyone can buy the product off the shelf and configure it."
"There was a time when we were using Cisco switches and attempting to integrate Ubiquiti UniFi switches into our network infrastructure. Eventually, after some effort, we managed to understand the process. Initially, it was challenging to configure the unified console to manage virtual networks alongside internal networks effectively. We had to comprehend how both systems would integrate carefully. It became apparent that maximizing the usage of Cisco switches required a thorough understanding of how UniFi operates at the backend."
"The initial setup process was relatively straightforward, with only minor challenges typically caused by user errors, such as password mismatches."
"Ubiquiti is affordable, as it does not require recurring licensing fees."
"The most valuable feature is the level of security on the Wi-Fi network."
 

Cons

"The support offered by Aruba is slow."
"There is a problem in the preferred portal access points when I'm using the portal."
"Aruba Instant does not currently offer a multi-gig switch or product, making it an area that requires improvement. Aruba Instant's competitors have multi-gig switches or products."
"The tool's customer service should improve."
"If you need to access the master access point the integration between the two becomes quite expensive."
"The product's high cost is an area where improvements are required."
"They could offer a new model for access points that are outdoors."
"It is good as it is. If anything, its reporting could be improved."
"The statistics you can get on it are a bit limited from what I have seen so far."
"The solution could improve by having a cloud version. A cloud version is the easiest to configure anywhere in the world."
"Ubiquiti WLAN only supports 2.4GHz Wi-Fi radio and would be improved by including support for 5GHz."
"The solution should support a larger bandwidth or distance between the access points and the main stations."
"Largely we're happy with the product, however, the firmware deployments could maybe be managed a little bit differently."
"The room for improvement is in the controller levels."
"The solution needs to improve robustness, security, and stability."
"Ubiquiti WLAN needs to expand the models with external antennas. It needs to improve stability."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"I purchased the hardware and there are no monthly or yearly licenses to buy."
"I would rate pricing six out of ten."
"In terms of costs, Aruba Instant is cheap because it doesn't require a license, but you'll incur charges for the access points. Access point charges could be more affordable."
"We pay about $300 per access point."
"The setup cost varies based on each organization's requirements but it is within reason."
"Aruba Instant is affordable."
"The product is reasonably priced."
"In my region right now, Aruba Instant comes with a default two-year cloud access license."
"Ubiquiti WLAN is cheap. It can work without licensing."
"The tool's price is good and falls somewhere in the middle."
"Ubiquiti WLAN is fairly well priced and available as a one-time purchase."
"The tool's licensing costs are life-time charges."
"It is a cost-effective solution."
"When comparing the price of Ubiquiti WLAN to Aruba the price is reasonable."
"The software to control it is free. The license is when we buy the Cloud Key."
"Ubiquiti has a good price compared to the other ones."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
15%
Comms Service Provider
8%
Manufacturing Company
6%
Financial Services Firm
6%
Computer Software Company
13%
Comms Service Provider
9%
Manufacturing Company
7%
Educational Organization
7%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

Which is better - Ubiquiti WLAN or Aruba Instant?
We researched Ubiquiti and Aruba when looking for a WLAN solution. Ubiquiti offers good WLAN access both indoors and outdoors. It provides an enterprise-level WIFI while remaining cost-effective. U...
What do you like most about Aruba Instant?
I find network management features related to monitoring Wi-Fi usage and visited sites particularly valuable. Content filtering is also important to prevent access to malicious or inappropriate web...
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Aruba Instant?
In my experience, Aruba Instant's price is reasonable compared to premium products like Ruckus, Cisco, or Juniper. However, when compared to entry-level market segments, the price is higher. Overal...
Is Ubiquiti Wireless better than Ruckus Wireless WAN?
Ubiquiti Wireless is extremely easy to set up and is an excellent option for small businesses, offering enterprise features for a one-time fee and no ongoing licensing fees. Ubiquiti Wireless is ve...
What do you like most about Ubiquiti WLAN?
Anyone can buy the product off the shelf and configure it.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Ubiquiti WLAN?
Ubiquiti is affordable, as it does not require recurring licensing fees. It only requires purchasing the appliance itself, making it a cost-effective solution for wireless deployment.
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Purdue University, Orlando Magic, Brussels Airport Company, Molecaten Holiday Parks
NASCAR Grand-AM, Maritime Parc, Outdoor Music Festival, One Republic Tour, British Armed Forces, Arcadia School District, Bartlett School District, Universidad del Azuay, Estelar Hotels, Intercontinental Bali, Moscow - Enforta, Miami - Sling Broadband, Manhattan - MST, Ecuador - Aire.EC
Find out what your peers are saying about Aruba Instant vs. Ubiquiti WLAN and other solutions. Updated: April 2025.
849,686 professionals have used our research since 2012.