Cisco Meraki MR Wireless vs Fortinet FortiWLM comparison

Cisco and Fortinet are both solutions in the Wireless LAN category. Cisco is ranked #21 with an average rating of 9.0, while Fortinet is ranked #12 with an average rating of 8.7. Additionally, 50% of Cisco users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 96% of Fortinet users who would recommend it.

Cisco Meraki MR Wireless

Read 3 Cisco Meraki MR Wireless reviews

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15 Comparison Views

50% willing to recommend

Fortinet FortiWLM

Read 29 Fortinet FortiWLM reviews

1,791 Views
1,648 Comparison Views

96% willing to recommend

Cisco Meraki MR Wireless

Fortinet FortiWLM

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Aug 20, 2025

Fortinet FortiWLM and Cisco Meraki MR Wireless compete in the network management domain. Fortinet FortiWLM has the upper hand in security features and data analysis, while Cisco Meraki MR Wireless leads in ease of integration and cloud-based management.

Features: Fortinet FortiWLM offers advanced network monitoring, extensive security features, and comprehensive data analysis. Cisco Meraki MR Wireless provides seamless integration, cloud-based central management, and simplified network control.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Cisco Meraki MR Wireless is known for rapid deployment and straightforward cloud-based management with responsive customer service. Fortinet FortiWLM involves a more complex setup requiring technical expertise but offers deeper customization.

Pricing and ROI: Fortinet FortiWLM typically has higher upfront costs due to its comprehensive setup, offering strong ROI for businesses needing detailed analytics. Cisco Meraki MR Wireless features more competitive pricing with lower setup costs and flexible licensing, providing appealing ROI for scalable business solutions.

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Buyer's Guide

Wireless LAN

October 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

21st

Average Rating

7.0

Reviews Sentiment

3.6

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Fortinet FortiWLM

Ranking in Wireless LAN

12th

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

6.3

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Featured Reviews

Laurie Ellims

Enterprise Architect at Fujitsu

Has lacked advanced features and led to higher costs but has simplified management through cloud access

I don't think there's an advantage with Cisco Meraki MR Wireless; I think it's overpriced for what it does. The pricing is one reason, and there is also a limited feature set without spending more money. If you have a particular device at a site and want to add the advanced feature set, you may have to upgrade the hardware, which increases your costs. In contrast, products such as Palo Alto and Fortinet typically have all those features built in from day one, and they just need to be licensed, if that. There are limitations in terms of scalability. 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.

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LuayHlaleh

Information Technology Team Lead at TechnoPeak

Offers robust network management with cost considerations for large deployments

Large enterprises typically invest in FortiAnalyzer, though our company and SMB clients don't require this analysis tool. We use Ekahau for floor planning and Wi-Fi coverage analysis rather than Fortinet FortiWLM's built-in features. Ekahau helps us perform site surveys and plan access point placement. Fortinet FortiWLM is a flexible and common solution in Dubai. It's one of the best-selling products, with Etisalat, the largest ISP, installing Fortinet FortiGate for approximately 70-80% of their clients. The solution offers different series to accommodate various needs. The triple radio model costs around $1,000 (3,500 dirham) and supports 40-50 connected devices. The 231F model suits smaller deployments of 20-25 devices. I rate Fortinet FortiWLM a seven out of ten. While it's an excellent solution, Cisco remains the market leader.

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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 most useful feature of Cisco Meraki MR Wireless is its cloud-based management."

"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."

"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."

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

"The solution is controlled from one device and one GUI for all devices."

"Having the single pane of glass, by using the Fortinet Security Fabric, allows us to tighten security, and more easily and quickly create additional VLANs to help protect data. Rules in the firewall mean we can protect data and systems so that, should anything go wrong, any security issue is held to an individual device."

"The firewall integration is very important for the security of the connection."

"If you do have a FortiGate Firewall somewhere in the network, you can connect the wireless controller to that... You get 100 percent visibility from a single point... You can see everything that's connected to the FortiGate, whether it's a switch or a wireless AP or a wireless controller or any other Fortinet product."

"The setup was easy."

"The most useful aspect of Fortinet FortiWLM is that you can manage all the Fortinet products from one portal, from one device."

"The greatest advantage is the security fabric Fortinet offers."

"The product is a stable solution."

More Fortinet FortiWLM pros

Cons

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

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

"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 range needs some improvement and also the stability."

"There are currently issues with Fortinet's software quality. We have concerns regarding the frequent updates needed because of short software cycles."

"Cost is something that could be improved, but you have to pay for what you get."

"The platform's pricing needs improvement."

"The roaming of Fortinet FortiWLM could improve when comparing it to other solutions. We are missing some of the functionality in the controller. Additionally, they should offer more logs instead of using FortiAnalyzer because all the users will not be using the same thing."

"There is very little publicly available information about Virtual Cell and Single Channel Architecture. Promotion of the overall technology is limited as well. Being more vocal about a product that has many advantages would go a long way to eliminating a lot of the confusion and negative perception about Virtual Cell and Single Channel Architecture."

"In the next release, they could improve by adding a controller-less server, or architecture that is provided in other solutions, such as Aruba. This would be a great benefit for customers."

"The pricing model can be improved to encourage use by small business and individuals and the hardware could stand to be redesigned."

More Fortinet FortiWLM cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

Information not available

"There is a perpetual license required for this solution and the price could be reduced."

"The price of Fortinet FortiWLM is reasonable compared to the other vendors. We are using a five-year license."

"Fortinet FortiWLM's pricing is regular and competitive."

"If a customer already is a FortiGate customer, the cost to go to the FortiAP is incredibly affordable, because you already have the controller."

"The solution is expensive. I give the solution a one out of ten for the price."

"To save yourself from increased setup and maintenance costs, I highly recommend undertaking a proper site survey from the beginning."

"Support contracts typically cost approximately $100.00 per year."

"Fortinet would do something with their pricing model to attract smaller business users and eliminate the mandatory service contracts."

More Fortinet FortiWLM pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

No data available

Computer Software Company

14%

Comms Service Provider

Manufacturing Company

Healthcare Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	19
Midsize Enterprise	3
Large Enterprise	5

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?

The challenge with Cisco Meraki MR Wireless is that for any Meraki device, you require internet connectivity to get it registered on the cloud. Most customers do not have internet connectivity due ...

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

The main use case for my customers is that they are using Cisco Meraki MR Wireless for their Wi-Fi users. Customers use Cisco Meraki MR Wireless across different industries, including plants and en...

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What do you like most about Fortinet FortiWLM?

The security is a valuable feature.

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Fortinet FortiWLM?

Regarding functionality, a lower price for Fortinet FortiWLM would be better, but it's difficult. Regarding the integration with other vendors, we try to buy only products from a single vendor to a...

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What needs improvement with Fortinet FortiWLM?

The price could be reduced by 20%. In Dubai, UniFi costs 700 dirham for the UniFi Pro 7th generation. For Fortinet FortiWLM, a similar model would cost around 1,300 dirham. If this price was reduce...

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Comparisons

No data available

Aruba Wireless vs Fortinet FortiWLM

Compared 26% of the time

Cisco Wireless vs Fortinet FortiWLM

Compared 18% of the time

Cambium Networks Wireless LAN vs Fortinet FortiWLM

Compared 11% of the time

Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN vs Fortinet FortiWLM

Compared 11% of the time

Ruckus Wireless vs Fortinet FortiWLM

Compared 10% of the time

More Fortinet FortiWLM Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Meraki MR Wireless

October 2025

Download Cisco Meraki MR Wireless product report

Buyer's Guide

Fortinet FortiWLM

October 2025

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Also Known As

No data available

FortiWLM, FortiAP, Fortinet AP/OAP, Meru Wireless LAN

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

Consolidate security and wireless LAN management with our integrated wireless solutions. Single-pane-of-glass management for security and access without the need to add point products simplifies deployment and reduces management complexity. These solutions are highly scalable to support even the largest organizations and distributed enterprises.

Fortinet

Sample Customers

Information Not Available

Black Gold Regional Schools, Amadeus Hospitality, Jefferson County, Chunghwa Telecom, City of Boroondara, Dimension Data

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