Aruba Wireless vs Ruckus Wireless comparison

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Comparison Buyer's Guide
Executive Summary
Updated on Mar 21, 2022

We performed a comparison between Aruba Wireless and Ruckus Wireless based on our users’ reviews in five categories. After reading all of the collected data, you can find our conclusion below.

  • Ease of Deployment: Both Aruba Wireless and Ruckus Wireless reviewers say that the software is straightforward and easy to deploy.
  • Features: Users of Aruba Wireless like the aesthetically pleasing GUI and find that the product is very scalable, but there are complaints of stability issues.

    Users of Ruckus Wireless claim that the performance is amazing, the stability is great, and it is very scalable, but there are complaints that the security needs improvement.
  • Pricing: Reviewers feel Aruba Wireless is expensive, but it's reasonably priced compared to similar products on the market. Reviewers of Ruckus Wireless feel the pricing is costly, which may deter some of their clients.
  • Service and Support: Most reviewers of Aruba Wireless felt satisfied with the service and support they received. Reviewers of Ruckus Wireless had mixed reviews when it came to technical support, with some complaints on incompatibility in their time zones.
  • ROI: Users of Aruba Wireless say the ROI is not as great as they would like, mainly because of the money spent fixing the issues after implementing the solution. Users of Ruckus Wireless claim they see a significant ROI after implementing the product.

Comparison Results: Ruckus Wireless seems to be the superior solution, based on the parameters we compared. Our reviewers found Aruba Wireless to have stability issues and mentioned a poor ROI because of issues that needed fixing caused by the solution. Ruckus Wireless did better in these categories.

To learn more, read our detailed Aruba Wireless vs. Ruckus Wireless Report (Updated: March 2023).
686,748 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Featured Review
Quotes From Members
We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use.
Here are some excerpts of what they said:
Pros
"The simplicity is great.""The most valuable feature of Juniper Wireless Access Points (AP Series) is the ability to troubleshoot ports on the network. Additionally, when there is an update on the APs they are able to reboot quickly reducing downtime. Other solutions have a longer downtime when updates are done.""The solution is pretty generic and easy to use.""In terms of reporting, in terms of all the user reports, it's very rich.""The most useful feature of Juniper Wireless AP is the reporting Marvis."

More Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points Pros →

"We were able to increase capacity very easily.""I like the analytics feature.""I have found the most valuable features are the new Wi-Fi six technology and it also integrates with triple-A solutions. It has good bandwidth and virtual control.""The wireless controller and access points are valuable features.""Enterprise wireless LAN solution with good visibility and amazing scalability. Aruba Wireless also offers good technical support.""We like the centralized configuration and monitoring.""Aruba Wireless has been straightforward to set up.""The solution has been helpful in improving the way our company functions."

More Aruba Wireless Pros →

"Ruckus Wireless supports the most recent technologies. We can trace every individual and what kind of traffic they're using on our campus. It is very helpful.""I like the price and its capacity.""The product can scale.""The most valuable feature of Ruckus Wireless is its exceptional performance and reliability. The signal is highly reliable. We have not received a single complaint in the past year, which is a marked improvement from our prior equipment.""It gives you the whole user session, and you can tell that the client connected at the traffic post.""In my experience, Ruckus devices are much more reliable than other vendors when it comes to consistency, coverage, and client density. Ruckus is very simple to configure and troubleshoot.""The APs themselves have been pretty solid. We haven't had too many of them go bad or anything like that. The wireless performance seems pretty good. The ability to provision the devices is pretty good, and the back end is also pretty good.""The biggest advantages of Ruckus Wireless are pricing and support."

More Ruckus Wireless Pros →

Cons
"Juniper Wireless AP can improve by continually improving its reporting and integration with other systems.""If you want to do more specific stuff, it's a bit limited.""Juniper Wireless Access Points (AP Series) could improve if the MIST platform had a built-in master key. This would be an advantage.""I need a bit more time with it before criticizing the features.""The solution is expensive."

More Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points Cons →

"The solution's documentation could be better organized in an information portal.""Making the setup more simple is an area for improvement in Aruba Wireless. Security-wise, this solution also needs work.""Aruba Wireless can improve the assigning of access points. We have times that the nearest access point is not assigned but one far away. The integration between access points could improve.""We would like to declare a specific number of devices that an employee or a user can use to access their Wi-Fi.""I would like to see the management improve.""The coverage, concurrent user life, and visualization are the most valuable features of these solutions.""We have had issues with the availability of the equipment.""Because it's cloud-based, it takes time for the floor maps and the heat map to load."

More Aruba Wireless Cons →

"The cost could be improved.""I have not got any major problem using Ruckus, but the price and technical support could be better.""The price could be improved.""It would be better if there were more visibility on the cloud. We have some lack of visibility because of wireless interference, and you have to do some troubleshooting for the packet capture. They have a built-in packet capture, and we can monitor the application. You can see all things over the cloud. They also provide an on-premise solution, so they need to improve the on-premise version and ensure an output with more visibility. Live monitoring in a live environment should be good. What is happening with wireless is that the wireless client is not connected due to interference, and there should be a shield zone on their wireless cloud. If they give us more features on both Ruckus Cloud or on-premises, that will be best. Nowadays, security is more important for everyone using wireless technology. If they implement a little bit of reduction and prevention features for some packets on the wireless cloud, some features like web filtering and some prevention for blocking will be good for the network.""Ruckus is a bad solution in general. It's pretty old and outdated.""The initial setup was not simple. We were installing indoor and outdoor wireless and this is why it took us three months.""The product licensing could be improved.""The initial setup could be more straightforward. It would be better if we could seamlessly integrate security tools like a firewall or IPS with Ruckus Wireless."

More Ruckus Wireless Cons →

Pricing and Cost Advice
  • "We pay maybe 1000 SEK per year, per access point."
  • "Juniper Wireless AP's price is a little more expensive than other solutions, but you get what you pay for."
  • "The pricing is something Juniper Wireless Access Points (AP Series) can work on. The pricing is very high compared to the competition."
  • More Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points Pricing and Cost Advice →

  • "Aruba Wireless is very attractive cost-wise."
  • "My main concern about this product is the price. The cost is causing me to look at other vendors and competing products."
  • "The price of Aruba Wireless is fairly reasonable. It was within our budget."
  • "The price is reasonable."
  • "The price of Aruba Wireless has a more competitive price than other solutions."
  • "The price is low. There is an additional cost for maintenance."
  • "In terms of pricing, the pricing for Aruba Wireless is not bad for large-sized companies, but for medium-sized companies, it's on the higher end, but because Aruba has a good company image, medium-sized companies still go with Aruba Wireless."
  • "Aruba Wireless is much cheaper than our previous solution by Cisco. It is a significant saving, measured in thousands of dollars per year."
  • More Aruba Wireless Pricing and Cost Advice →

  • "The price could be better. Normally, if you find customers paying for cost-effective wireless solutions, Ruckus devices are a little expensive compared to other vendors."
  • "It depends on the client. You have an initial license cost that you need to buy to bind the access point with the controller. This is a one-time fee. You also have to pay the support fee that, if I remember correctly, is about $25 per access point. Its pricing and licensing can be improved."
  • "It is decently priced."
  • "It is a pricey solution."
  • "We have a yearly license for our multiple mode 200 or 300 Ruckus Wireless systems. It's a good price."
  • "It's quite expensive, but that is what you get with these types of solutions."
  • "If you walk into any restaurant or hotel you will find Ruckus Wireless solutions because it is economical when it comes to pricing. There is a basic subscription for the license and support."
  • "The price of Ruckus Wireless is less expensive than other solutions, such as Cisco."
  • More Ruckus Wireless Pricing and Cost Advice →

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    Answers from the Community
    Vinny Govender
    Cesar Reza - PeerSpot reviewerCesar Reza
    Reseller

    1 Ruckus


    2 Aruba


    3 Cambium


    It depends on your enviroment.


    Greetings

    Johnrex Fernandez - PeerSpot reviewerJohnrex Fernandez
    User

    Here's my recommendation in order.


    #1  Aruba


    #2 Ruckus


    #3 Ubiquiti


    JorgeDe Leon - PeerSpot reviewerJorgeDe Leon
    User

    Hi Vinny, 


    I recommend you the following devices:

    1. Ruckus: Easily to deploy. Expensive but effective. Don’t ask for the advanced license -  you don’t need it. Buy only the basic one. A great option for hard users performance and large venues.


    2. Ubiquiti: Easy to deploy, cheap but limited hardware. This is an option for basic performance. 


    3. Aruba: Easy to deploy, expensive, bad UX experience. 


    4. Cambium networks: A good option, between Ruckus and Ubiquiti.


    5. Huawei. Never. Never. Never. Bad UX, bad support experience, bad hardware, bad everything.


    6. Meraki. Too expensive. Don’t!


    Regards! 

    Ender Kefoglu - PeerSpot reviewerEnder Kefoglu
    Real User

    If you want high performance and stability, you should definitely go with Ruckus Wireless. 


    Ruckus Wireless APs have:


    - Adaptive antenna technology (called BeamFlex)


    This technology analyzes different paths to reach the client and electronically turns itself to a directional antenna, choosing the path that gives the best performance to reach each specific client. If the client is mobile or if the environment changes (such as a warehouse) the selection of paths/direction also changes instantly.


    Transmitting in a directional way allows a good Signal-to-Noise Ratio and also causes less interference for other nearby APs outside the path of the directional transmission.


    - ChannelFly technology


    This technology chooses the best channel based on performance rather than background scanning for noise.


    - Polarization Diversity


    This technology allows the clients not to lose signal strength when held at different angles (important for mobile devices such as tablets and telephones).


    - Better receive sensitivity compared to the competitors


    All these features make Ruckus Wireless a better choice than any other competitor (better performance, better coverage area, more stable and surprise-free communication especially in not so easy conditions such as noise, too many clients, too much traffic).

    reviewer1466157 - PeerSpot reviewerreviewer1466157 (Assistant Manager-Presales at a tech services company with 11-50 employees)
    Reseller

    Selecting an AP depends upon a couple of factors which include (the number of users per AP, coverage area and required speed/throughput)


    My recommendations are:


    1. Ruckus


    2. Aruba


    3. Cisco


    Ruckus: 


    Performs well in a high-density environment, with unique adaptive antenna technology & PD-MRC gives more coverage and interference mitigation. Ruckus offers a reliable Wireless network solution.


    Aruba: 


    Good but not the best with better security features.


    Cisco: 


    Complex deployment, is costly but it has better compatibility.

    Edy Missrie - PeerSpot reviewerEdy Missrie
    User

    I have a smaller venue where I am using Unifi: Dream Machine UDM, Aggregation Switch, U6-Lite APs and Pro Switches...fiber optic backbone.  


    I am extremely satisfied with its performance. I can't tell about the other brands.

    Malcolm Begley - PeerSpot reviewerMalcolm Begley
    User

    Have a look at Juniper Mist solution - it used in large retail stores and corps as well as a full integrated AI suite.


    You can implement hundreds in just a few hours using foundation staff as it can all be programmed up on the cloud, no need for expensive network engineers to deploy 



    https://mist.com



    Malcolm



    Steve Pender - PeerSpot reviewerSteve Pender
    Real User

    Hi Vinny,


    I'm biased toward Ubiquiti Unifi, but successful Wi-Fi deployment is hugely dependant on the type and number of Wi-Fi users, and more importantly, the layout and environment of the area you would like to cover. 


    Please feel free to PM me to discuss your application.

    Regards, 


    Steve Pender

    Questions from the Community
    Top Answer:In terms of reporting, in terms of all the user reports, it's very rich.
    Top Answer:It is a very expensive product. Not every company could afford a device like this. The cost is around 1.2 lakhs, or… more »
    Top Answer:I haven't had any issues with the product. The solution is expensive. That is why we have a very minor deployment.
    Top Answer:Depends.  I have personally used both Cisco and Aruba so I am familiar with them.  Extreme I am not, so unless they have… more »
    Top Answer:At my organization, we researched Ruckus Wireless among other solutions but ultimately chose Aruba wireless. What did… more »
    Top Answer:On the most basic level, Cisco Wireless can offer a rather straightforward initial setup. In the span of about three… more »
    Top Answer:Ruckus Wireless offers users the benefit of being both easy to set up and get running as well as being very user… more »
    Top Answer:Cisco’s Meraki Virtual MX is a virtual instance of the Meraki SD-WAN appliance. We liked the Meraki. The Wifi APs are a… more »
    Top Answer:Easy to configure and user-friendly.
    Comparisons
    Also Known As
    Juniper Wireless Access Points (AP Series), Mist Access Points
    Aruba WLAN, HP WLAN, HP Wireless, Aruba Instant On AP Series Access Point
    Learn More
    Overview

    Juniper Wireless Access Points work in conjunction with Juniper Mist Cloud Services and Mist AI to deliver premier wireless access capabilities. The Juniper Mist Edge extends microservices to the campus to bring agility and scale while enabling new applications at the edge.

    Aruba Wireless is a secure, high-performance, multi-user wireless LAN supporting Wi-Fi 6. As workplaces and user expectations change, users can now maintain hybrid workplaces and IoT without compromising performance, reliability, or security. Aruba Wireless delivers better performance and capacity and greater AIOps visibility throughout all devices and users. In addition, through built-in network intelligence, network operations are made simpler while keeping everything secure through user and guest encryption.

    Aruba Wireless, offered through Aruba Networks, is helping achieve digital transformation and IoT with seamless connectivity through multiple Wi-Fi access points. For the user’s convenience, Aruba Wireless provides indoor, outdoor, and remote access points to help boost faster and safer connectivity.

    Choosing Aruba Wireless can help improve your organization’s user experience with wireless LAN in many ways, including:

    • Transforming hybrid workplaces: Employees can move seamlessly between home and office, with reliable internet and without compromising security.

    • Connect and protect IoT: With built-in AP support for BLE, Zigbee, and USB-port extensions, users can extend visibility, control, and connectivity to IoT devices and applications.

    • Expand the 5G experience to the enterprise network: Empower users to experience 5G with Wi-Fi 6 by automatically enabling cellular devices to join Aruba Wireless LAN securely and reliably.

    Aruba Gateways and Controllers

    Small organizations as well as large enterprises require excellent performance and security for cloud, mobility, and digital transformation. Therefore, in addition to the access points, Aruba Wireless also offers a variety of gateways and controllers, including:

    • 9000 Series: With SD-WAN capabilities, it’s excellent for small campus networks looking for enhanced Wi-Fi scalability and security.

    • 7200 Series: Perfect for campus WLAN scalability or branch SD-WAN and VPN Concentrator capabilities, the 7200 Series optimizes Wi-Fi performance to guarantee smooth roaming.

    • 7000 Series: Acting as a controller or gateway to provide WAN intelligence, the 7000 Series is a policy-based router and an excellent solution for small to mid-sized campuses.

    • Mobility Controller Virtual Appliance: Maximizes Wi-Fi and network services in an economical, virtualized environment.

    • SD-WAN Virtual Gateways: Orchestrate virtual gateways in public cloud infrastructure, like Amazon Web Services (AWS).

    • Mobility Conductor Hardware Appliance: While enhancing the scalability and reliability for large campus WLANs, Aruba Mobility Conductors bring the full capability of ArubaOS.

    • Mobility Conductor Virtual Appliance: To scale large campus deployments, Aruba Mobility Conductors simplify the deployment and management of up to 1,000 Mobility Controllers.

    • ArubaOS Network Operating System: Great for remote workers in mid-sized and large companies who need seamless connectivity to and security over Wi-Fi.

    Reviews from Real Users

    Aruba Networks is aiding organizations in transforming to a hybrid work environment with Aruba Wireless. Users especially love its ability to work with many devices and its ability to group and manage access points.

    A senior IT solutions architect at a manufacturing company says, "The most valuable feature is the fact that it can work with many devices. It supports everything that we need it to."

    Gary F., a network administrator at wireless at Abilene Christian, notes, "I like the way it groups and manages access points."

    Ruckus Wireless is part of Ruckus Networks/Commscope and provides reliable wireless network solutions and services to large venues, schools, hotels, hospitals, malls, and public spaces (and more) worldwide.

    Wireless access is an integral necessary part of today’s modern, fast-paced lifestyle. It is essential that dependable, safe wireless capabilities be available in most of today’s largely populated public spaces. Ruckus Wireless is the trusted industry leader in assisting organizations of all sizes to provide wireless access throughout their locations, both inside their physical structures and adjacent open outdoor areas.

    Ruckus Wireless empowers users to design and create a wireless network across their organizational space to ensure that wireless coverage is available consistently to anyone who needs it. Ruckus can handle anything from homes and small to medium-sized businesses to hospitals, college campuses, airports, malls, stadiums and more. Ruckus also has excellent options for outdoor wireless networks. Many users choose Ruckus Wireless for broad extensive outdoor use. The solution offers excellent durable outdoor access points and a very robust, super fast, reliable Wi-Fi. Each and every access point is very powerful, and the outdoor access points can be very easily disguised to keep the network secure.

    Another strong point is that Ruckus technology is based on frequencies. If there is ever any type of wireless interference, Ruckus Wireless can change frequency automatically so there are never any interruptions. Users also have the option to block outside access points and signals that may interfere with their network and make their network the only one that people can see within the network. Users can additionally whitelist certain networks if desired.

    Ruckus uses the latest next-gen Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi 6, ensuring that more devices can be handled with greater speed and continuity. With Ruckus, users have great control over network traffic. They can also allocate the amount of bandwidth network users are granted based on their status - eg., guest, corporate, etc. - and give users priority on the network based on their status. Ruckus also has mesh and beamforming capabilities, which are recognized as a valued feature for many users.

    Ruckus Wireless is robust, extremely reliable, very easy to deploy, and offers amazing coverage and rock solid connectivity. It is very easy to add additional access points across the network. Ruckus Wireless is very easy to use and manage using an app on any mobile device.

    Reviews from Real Users

    A Director Engineering & New Business at a comms service provider says Ruckus “provides superior coverage and is very dependable”

    Sintayehu A., Director Of Information Communication Technology at Dire Dawa University, relates that "Ruckus Wireless supports the most recent technologies. We can trace every individual and what kind of traffic they're using on our campus. It is very helpful."

    Philip S., Independent Consultant - Wireless, says, "The solution is very stable. I've worked with it at a hospital before, where we deployed it all over the hospital. It worked everywhere and continuously worked flawlessly."

    Offer
    Learn more about Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points
    Learn more about Aruba Wireless
    Learn more about Ruckus Wireless
    Sample Customers
    Information Not Available
    Consulate Health Care, Los Angeles Unified School District, Science Applications International Corp (SAIC), San Diego State University, KFC, ACTS Retirement-Life Communities
    American University of Sharjah, Baruch College, Centro Escolar Liceo Santo Tomšs, Chevalier College, Chico Unified School District, Colegio de Fomento El Prado, Columbia Public Schools, Delta School District, Dordt College, Douglas County School District, Drew University, Armonea, Central Utah Clinic, Grove Hill Medical Center, Inner South Community Health Service, Midwest Surgical, Satilla Regional Medical Center, Lyndoch Living, Polonus, Roaring Fork School District, Sonora State, Vivid, Sydney, Players Club, Sandals, Scandic Hotels, Sheraton LAX, Sunbird
    Top Industries
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company19%
    Government8%
    Educational Organization7%
    Comms Service Provider6%
    REVIEWERS
    University20%
    Comms Service Provider15%
    Educational Organization9%
    Computer Software Company9%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company18%
    Comms Service Provider16%
    Government8%
    Educational Organization6%
    REVIEWERS
    Comms Service Provider45%
    Educational Organization11%
    Manufacturing Company7%
    University7%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company16%
    Comms Service Provider13%
    Educational Organization7%
    Government7%
    Company Size
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business30%
    Midsize Enterprise17%
    Large Enterprise54%
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business37%
    Midsize Enterprise25%
    Large Enterprise39%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business27%
    Midsize Enterprise18%
    Large Enterprise55%
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business57%
    Midsize Enterprise20%
    Large Enterprise23%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business34%
    Midsize Enterprise18%
    Large Enterprise48%
    Buyer's Guide
    Aruba Wireless vs. Ruckus Wireless
    March 2023
    Find out what your peers are saying about Aruba Wireless vs. Ruckus Wireless and other solutions. Updated: March 2023.
    686,748 professionals have used our research since 2012.

    Aruba Wireless is ranked 1st in Wireless LAN with 47 reviews while Ruckus Wireless is ranked 4th in Wireless LAN with 42 reviews. Aruba Wireless is rated 8.2, while Ruckus Wireless is rated 8.6. The top reviewer of Aruba Wireless writes "Simple to install, easy to use, and cost-effective". On the other hand, the top reviewer of Ruckus Wireless writes "Reliable with good performance, good backend, and good ability to provision the devices". Aruba Wireless is most compared with Cisco Wireless, Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN, Ubiquiti WLAN, Mist AI and Cloud and Fortinet FortiWLM, whereas Ruckus Wireless is most compared with Cisco Wireless, Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN, Ubiquiti WLAN and Fortinet FortiWLM. See our Aruba Wireless vs. Ruckus Wireless report.

    See our list of best Wireless LAN vendors.

    We monitor all Wireless LAN reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.