Catalyst 9100 Access Points vs Fortinet FortiAP comparison

Cisco and Fortinet are both solutions in the Wireless LAN category. Cisco is ranked #20 with an average rating of 9.5, while Fortinet is ranked #5 with an average rating of 8.5. Additionally, 100% of Cisco users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 92% of Fortinet users who would recommend it.

Catalyst 9100 Access Points

Read 3 Catalyst 9100 Access Points reviews

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122 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Fortinet FortiAP

Read 16 Fortinet FortiAP reviews

3,412 Views
3,412 Comparison Views

92% willing to recommend

Catalyst 9100 Access Points

Fortinet FortiAP

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 23, 2025

Fortinet FortiAP and Catalyst 9100 Access Points compete in network connectivity. Catalyst 9100 holds an advantage due to its advanced features, making it appealing for those seeking a long-term investment.

Features: Fortinet FortiAP is valued for simplified management, easy integration with Fortinet security solutions, and competitive pricing. Catalyst 9100 Access Points offer advanced scalability, support for the latest Wi-Fi 6 technologies, and enhanced network performance and security features.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Fortinet FortiAP offers straightforward deployment and strong support, leveraging seamless integration with existing Fortinet products. Catalyst 9100 provides more complex deployment options, supported by comprehensive Cisco documentation and resources.

Pricing and ROI: Fortinet FortiAP is cost-effective, appealing to budget-conscious buyers with reasonable initial costs and solid ROI through integrated security features. Catalyst 9100 commands a higher price, justified by advanced technology and future-ready capabilities, offering long-term ROI through improved performance and security.

To learn more, read our detailed Catalyst 9100 Access Points vs. Fortinet FortiAP Report (Updated: December 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Catalyst 9100 Access Points vs. Fortinet FortiAP

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

Catalyst 9100 Access Points

Ranking in Wireless LAN

20th

Average Rating

9.6

Reviews Sentiment

5.8

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Fortinet FortiAP

Ranking in Wireless LAN

5th

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

7.3

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Featured Reviews

Syed Aathif Hussain

Principal Associate IT at a tech services company with 10,001+ employees

Has improved wireless connectivity by supporting high user density and signal reliability

Catalyst 9100 Access Points reduce network vulnerabilities. The frequency reuse technology is used in Wi-Fi 6 technology. The devices are nowadays intelligent compared to the legacy devices. They communicate with each other, adapt themselves, and improve the quality of Wi-Fi infrastructure connectivity within the premise. They are more robust and adaptable. They have significantly improved wireless connectivity compared to the legacy environment. The legacy environment was not effective with those kinds of algorithms, whereas Catalyst 9100 Access Points have different inbuilt features and are more optimized and adaptable to situations. Catalyst 9100 Access Points provide Wi-Fi connection to end users, similar to home routers with broadband connectivity. When a technician connects the device to the modem, it starts providing Wi-Fi. The configuration is inbuilt, requiring only an IP address to operate. It listens to the wireless controller, and whatever SSID is configured in the controller will be broadcasting. Catalyst 9100 Access Points are next-generation access points without the limitations of legacy access points. They have better reachability, signal strength, power utilization, and scalability. While legacy access points could accommodate 15 users practically, Catalyst 9100 Access Points can reach up to 40 or 50 users simultaneously on different radios with MIMO technology. There are different models of Catalyst 9100 Access Points depending on site requirements. Wi-Fi 6 technology has improved wireless connectivity significantly. Post-pandemic, everything has become hybrid, and wireless network has become an undeniable infrastructure requirement. Previously, LAN cable connectors were used for better speed achievement. Now, Wi-Fi 6 technology has improved wireless connectivity to such an extent that LAN cable connectivity is no longer necessary. Users can work remotely with Wi-Fi connectivity, achieving both speed and scalability. The sixth-generation Wi-Fi provides improved bandwidth and security on wireless infrastructure.

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Shahnawaz Nusrat

Head Of Technical Operations at ITE

Has simplified wireless integration while needing better throughput and captive portal features

The product can be improved depending on the model selected as per requirements. Support is good and throughput is good. What we need to do is select a better product as per our requirement and environment. If proper working is done in terms of wireless heat map or radio connectivity in our environment, I believe it's good. There is always a chance to improve. Throughput can be better in terms of other vendors, but currently, it's working fine. One feature that I still need to explore is the captive portal. When we deploy a unit in a public environment, users need to sign in with a pop-up box to connect.

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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

"The features in Catalyst 9100 Access Points that I have found most valuable include that it's a complete solution; we go with Cisco because you have access points, you have a controller, you have Cisco ISE, and you have Cisco DNA Center."

"The reliability of Cisco is the number one aspect I have seen, and the performance is pretty stable."

"Wi-Fi 6 technology has improved wireless connectivity to such an extent that LAN cable connectivity is no longer necessary, allowing users to work remotely with Wi-Fi connectivity while achieving both speed and scalability."

"The product's deployment phase is very easy since its documentation part is available in the public domain."

"Fortinet FortiAP provides value for money, and I can quantify the savings at about 80%."

"The integration is efficient, allowing for management through the firewall."

"We really don't need to call technical support. Any time we have had to call, they've been great."

"The stability of the solution is very high."

"I like FortiAP's performance and stability. The reporting is also quite good."

"The setup was straightforward."

"FortiAP's integration using SSID configuration for the input/output makes deploying permission rules easier."

More Fortinet FortiAP pros

Cons

"Frankly, ease of use is one of the things that needs improvement, as the management interfaces have always been complex and not very intuitive."

"Theoretically, you can connect up to 100 clients simultaneously, but practically, this is not feasible. There will be bandwidth deterioration, and 100 clients using the same bandwidth will impact the quality of service."

"Technical support from Cisco has been a bit degraded lately because the first support we get is challenging."

"The product fails to offer default access points to deal with the areas revolving around configurations."

"There could be constraints where a product can't be scaled further without purchasing a new model."

"The security integration between the network and firewall has room for improvement."

"The improvement factor could be in APs. Also, it could have a control, like MAC address."

"There is nothing that particularly comes to mind for improvement."

"Technical support is a pain. Fortinet has to get its act together. If you don't pay for premium service, you will have issues."

"I am not satisfied with Fortinet FortiAP's technical support in India. Whenever we call them, they only provide KB articles first."

"FortiAP could be a little cheaper."

More Fortinet FortiAP cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

Information not available

"Fortinet FortiAP offers a more cost-effective solution compared to Palo Alto and Check Point."

"If I compare it with the other enterprise products, the price is good."

"The devices under Fortinet are not expensive. The solution's licensing part is expensive."

"The product is available at a very comfortable price for my company compared to the other products available in the market. The prices of products from Meraki and Aruba are high compared to those of Fortinet."

"FortiAP is more expensive than some other options."

"We purchased perpetual licensing, and additional costs may vary depending on the services acquired from Fortinet."

"On a scale of one to ten with ten being the most expensive, I would rate FortiAP a six."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

No data available

Computer Software Company

11%

Government

Manufacturing Company

Comms Service Provider

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	11
Midsize Enterprise	2
Large Enterprise	3

Questions from the Community

What needs improvement with Catalyst 9100 Access Points?

Frankly, ease of use is one of the things that needs improvement, as the management interfaces have always been complex and not very intuitive. I believe Cisco needs to enhance its visibility solut...

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Catalyst 9100 Access Points?

We have recently deployed hundreds of access points in the last two years.

See all answers

What advice do you have for others considering Catalyst 9100 Access Points?

I am currently working with Fortinet, but frankly, I have a team which is more working on Fortinet and other products because I am managing them, so I am a little less hands-on right now. Basically...

See all answers

What do you like most about FortiAP?

If we have FortiClient installed on multiple devices, it is seamless to connect with FortiAP. It supports passwordless authentication as well. That is a great thing about it.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for FortiAP?

Fortinet FortiAP is affordable, not expensive.

See all answers

What needs improvement with FortiAP?

See all answers

Comparisons

No data available

Aruba Access Points vs Fortinet FortiAP

Compared 23% of the time

Ruckus Wireless vs Fortinet FortiAP

Compared 18% of the time

Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN vs Fortinet FortiAP

Compared 13% of the time

Cisco Wireless vs Fortinet FortiAP

Compared 12% of the time

Ubiquiti WLAN vs Fortinet FortiAP

Compared 11% of the time

More Fortinet FortiAP Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Catalyst 9100 Access Points

January 2026

Download Catalyst 9100 Access Points product report

Buyer's Guide

Fortinet FortiAP

January 2026

Download Fortinet FortiAP product report

Overview

Catalyst 9100 Access Points are cutting-edge wireless solutions designed for complex network environments, offering seamless connectivity, robust performance, and expansive coverage to enhance business operations.

Engineered to meet high-density demands, Catalyst 9100 Access Points deliver high-speed wireless performance with Wi-Fi 6 technology. These access points support advanced security protocols and artificial intelligence-driven analytics, ensuring optimal operational efficiency. Their seamless integration with existing infrastructures makes them adaptable for various enterprise needs.

What are the key features?

Wi-Fi 6: Enables faster speeds and increased capacity.
Advanced Security: Features embedded encryption for secure connections.
AI Analytics: Provides insights for network optimization.
Seamless Integration: Compatible with existing network setups.

What benefits and ROI can be expected?

Improved Connectivity: Enhanced device performance and fewer interruptions.
Cost Efficiency: Reduced operational costs through efficient energy use.
Scalability: Easily expand networks as business grows.

Catalyst 9100 Access Points are used in industries like healthcare and education, where reliable, high-performance wireless connections are essential, ensuring constant connectivity for critical applications and facilitating advanced data analytics to support industry-specific needs.

Cisco

Fortinet FortiAP provides wireless network access for industries such as banking, healthcare, and logistics. It enhances connectivity with FortiGate and FortiSwitch, ensuring secure data exchange in settings like offices and malls.

Fortinet FortiAP is integral for managing connected devices across sectors. It integrates seamlessly with Fortinet products, enhancing security and connectivity. Users benefit from a unified console that simplifies configuration and monitoring without additional controllers. The support for passwordless authentication and cloud visibility adds value, while its use in environments like shopping centers and offices facilitates secure data sharing and access.

What are the key features of Fortinet FortiAP?

Integration with FortiGate and FortiAnalyzer: Simplifies network management and monitoring.
Passwordless Authentication: Enhances security and accessibility.
Cloud Dashboard: Provides comprehensive visibility over network activities.
Direct Control from FortiGate: Eliminates the need for separate controllers.
SSID Customization: Supports tailoring of wireless access.

What benefits should users expect from Fortinet FortiAP?

Efficient Network Management: Centralized control and configuration simplify operations.
Comprehensive Reporting: Transparent insights for improved decision-making.
Secure Access: Protects data through advanced security measures.
Seamless Connectivity: Improves user experience with simplified networking.

In industries like banking and healthcare, Fortinet FortiAP is deployed to enhance network security and provide reliable access. Retailers leverage its capabilities in shopping centers, while warehouses benefit from its reliable connectivity to support seamless operations. Managed service providers use it to deliver tailored solutions, ensuring effective network segmentation and coverage.

Fortinet

Buyer's Guide

Catalyst 9100 Access Points vs. Fortinet FortiAP

December 2025

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