Cisco Meraki MR Wireless vs Fortinet FortiAP comparison

Cisco and Fortinet are both solutions in the Wireless LAN category. Cisco is ranked #23 with an average rating of 7.5, while Fortinet is ranked #5 with an average rating of 8.5. Additionally, 75% of Cisco users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 92% of Fortinet users who would recommend it.

Cisco Meraki MR Wireless

Read 5 Cisco Meraki MR Wireless reviews

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117 Comparison Views

75% willing to recommend

Fortinet FortiAP

Read 16 Fortinet FortiAP reviews

3,412 Views
3,412 Comparison Views

92% willing to recommend

Cisco Meraki MR Wireless

Fortinet FortiAP

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 23, 2025

Fortinet FortiAP and Cisco Meraki MR Wireless compete in the wireless networking space, serving businesses seeking robust connectivity solutions. Fortinet FortiAP is favored for its affordability and excellent customer support, while Cisco Meraki MR Wireless stands out for its advanced features, making it suitable for organizations wanting cutting-edge capabilities.

Features: Fortinet FortiAP integrates seamlessly with Fortinet security infrastructures, offers strong security protocols, and utilizes a single console for management. Cisco Meraki MR Wireless provides cloud-based management, Layer 7 traffic shaping for better bandwidth control, and support for the Air Marshal and WIPS security features.

Room for Improvement: Fortinet FortiAP could enhance its cloud management capabilities and broaden support for non-Fortinet infrastructures. It should improve its user interface to align with other modern solutions. There is also room for faster firmware updates. Cisco Meraki MR Wireless could improve the affordability of its solutions and offer more comprehensive offline features. There is a need for enhanced integration with third-party products and better pricing models for larger deployments.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Fortinet FortiAP allows traditional model deployments backed by a comprehensive security framework, ensuring reliable connections. Its customer service is commendable, offering responsive support. Cisco Meraki MR Wireless simplifies deployment with its streamlined cloud-based setup, real-time updates, and efficient remote management capabilities, providing a user-friendly experience with solid customer support.

Pricing and ROI: Fortinet FortiAP is noted for its competitive pricing structure, providing significant ROI through affordable initial costs and low ongoing expenses. Cisco Meraki MR Wireless tends to have higher upfront costs, balanced by its advanced features, but this may result in a lower ROI for businesses not fully utilizing these features. Fortinet's strong point is its affordability, whereas Cisco Meraki MR offers investment in premium features for those needing advanced technology.

To learn more, read our detailed Cisco Meraki MR Wireless vs. Fortinet FortiAP Report (Updated: December 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Meraki MR Wireless 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

Cisco Meraki MR Wireless

Ranking in Wireless LAN

23rd

Average Rating

7.6

Reviews Sentiment

3.5

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

Sanjay Gaiswal

Technical Presales at Vcom Teachnologies

Cloud-based management transforms branch network operations efficiently

The most useful feature of Cisco Meraki MR Wireless is its cloud-based management. Configuring Cisco Meraki MR Wireless is easy because it's a cloud-based solution. Once you connect it, it gets registered on the cloud. You can configure it through there itself, and you don't need to be at the site while configuring. Layer 7 traffic shaping helps with bandwidth management, and now you have the five gigabit port on the AP itself, so the bandwidth increases. No other wireless OEM provides a bandwidth of five gigabits. I have worked with the Network Analytics feature in Cisco Meraki MR Wireless, and it's used on the cloud. The Meraki controller, which is a cloud-based controller, allows us to manage multiple Cisco Meraki MR Wireless APs and monitor their performance, user connectivity, signal, and the AP performance itself. Regarding security features such as Air Marshal and WIPS, the Meraki 1700 series has the WIPS feature. We have used the WIPS feature to prevent rogue APs and to enable the security features in the wireless itself. You don't need to buy any other separate security devices, making it a very effective and useful feature.

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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

"Some of the best features with the wireless solution are that you have a cloud console, so you don't have to create or manage your own instance of a controller."

"As a user of the product, the biggest advantage for me is that it works seamlessly; users can switch between access points, and it works great."

"The Meraki controller, which is a cloud-based controller, allows us to manage multiple Cisco Meraki MR Wireless APs and monitor their performance, user connectivity, signal, and the AP performance itself."

"Some of the best features with the wireless solution are that you have a cloud console, so you don't have to create or manage your own instance of a controller."

"Cloud management is something I appreciate; it's an easy product to manage in comparison to many others."

"We benefit from using Cisco Meraki cloud as it makes manageability easier—two people can manage 200 locations efficiently."

More Cisco Meraki MR Wireless pros

"Fortinet FortiAPs are useful for small to medium-scale companies where there are budget concerns."

"I would give FortiAP a rating of ten out of ten so far."

"I always recommend to customers who have a FortiGate firewall to choose Fortinet FortiAP instead of deploying any other wireless controller or OEM because it provides a single posture of security and a single management console, is easy to use, easy to deploy, and offers central management with FortiGate."

"The product's initial setup phase was easy, especially with FortiGate or your FortiManager in place."

"The most valuable aspect of Fortinet FortiAP is the support."

"The setup was straightforward."

"The pricing is reasonable for what it offers."

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

More Fortinet FortiAP pros

Cons

"To do that effectively, I really need accurate floor plans, which I don't yet have. Without having the full picture, I'm operating somewhat blind and have to be careful."

"Overall, Cisco Meraki MR Wireless is a bit pricey; that's the main and probably only disadvantage."

"My main concern is that Cisco Meraki MR Wireless is overpriced, has limited functionality, and the hardware is not prepared for any further improvements in terms of features."

"The challenge with Cisco Meraki MR Wireless is that for any Meraki device, you require internet connectivity to get it registered on the cloud."

"To do that effectively, I really need accurate floor plans, which I don't yet have. Without having the full picture, I'm operating somewhat blind and have to be careful."

"Regarding service support, Cisco Meraki does not provide direct support. When raising incidents or support tickets, the support is not always effective."

"To do that effectively, I really need accurate floor plans, which I don't yet have. Without having the full picture, I'm operating somewhat blind and have to be careful."

More Cisco Meraki MR Wireless cons

"Throughput can be better in terms of other vendors, but currently, it's working fine."

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

"FortiAP is very good in an indoor environment, but we are struggling with the outdoor environment."

"The support offered by the solution has certain shortcomings, making it in areas where improvements are required."

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

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

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

"FortiAP could be a little cheaper."

More Fortinet FortiAP cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

Information not available

"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."

"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."

"FortiAP is more expensive than some other options."

"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."

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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 is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Cisco Meraki MR Wireless?

The cost of Cisco Meraki MR Wireless is high; the price of one AP to the end customer is approximately 50,000 INR.

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What needs improvement with Cisco Meraki MR Wireless?

I have utilized Meraki's RF Optimization to some extent. To do that effectively, I really need accurate floor plans, which I don't yet have. Without having the full picture, I'm operating somewhat ...

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What is your primary use case for Cisco Meraki MR Wireless?

My use case for Cisco Meraki MR Wireless is in automotive retail. I work with a dealership ownership group that currently operates 95 locations.

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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

Cisco Meraki MR Wireless

January 2026

Download Cisco Meraki MR Wireless product report

Buyer's Guide

Fortinet FortiAP

January 2026

Download Fortinet FortiAP product report

Overview

Cisco Meraki MR Wireless offers a robust wireless connectivity solution designed for scalability and ease of deployment, making it suitable for modern enterprises seeking reliable network performance.

With its cloud-managed structure, Cisco Meraki MR Wireless provides comprehensive visibility and control over wireless environments, catering to diverse locations and user counts. Its seamless integration simplifies network management, crucial for data-driven decisions in enterprises. The system's configuration and maintenance are streamlined via the intuitive dashboard, ensuring users can optimize performance with minimal effort.

What are the important features of Cisco Meraki MR Wireless?

Cloud Management: Access and control your wireless network from anywhere, providing flexibility and ease of administration.
Seamless Scaling: Effortlessly expand the network as the organization grows without disruption.
Advanced Security: Integrated security features protect against threats and ensure data integrity.
Powerful Analytics: Gain insights into network usage to make informed decisions and optimize performance.

What benefits and ROI should users consider when evaluating Cisco Meraki MR Wireless?

Cost Efficiency: Reduced operational costs due to simplified management and deployment tools.
Time Savings: Quick setup and easy maintenance lead to significant time savings for IT teams.
Improved Performance: Enhanced network reliability and speed increase productivity and satisfaction.
Scalability: Adaptable solution that supports business growth without needing significant manual intervention.

Healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and retail environments favor Cisco Meraki MR Wireless for its robust security and ease of management in environments demanding reliable connectivity. Its ability to handle high-density environments with minimal latency makes it an asset in education. Retail chains utilize comprehensive analytics to optimize in-store experiences and operations.

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

Cisco Meraki MR Wireless vs. Fortinet FortiAP

December 2025

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