Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN and Fortinet FortiAP compete in the wireless networking solutions category. Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN has the advantage due to its centralized cloud-based management, which suits organizations with smaller IT teams, while Fortinet FortiAP offers seamless security integration with Fortinet's FortiGate firewalls.
Features: Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN distinguishes itself with cloud-based management, facilitating simple setup and centralized control. It provides Layer 7 protection, making it secure for managing extensive networks. The application visibility is a notable feature, providing an all-in-one networking solution. Fortinet FortiAP integrates seamlessly with other Fortinet products using a single console, offering strong security and efficient connectivity within enterprise environments.
Room for Improvement: Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN could benefit from enhancements in logging features, increased customization options, and better support channels. Users also mention its high cost and inflexible licensing as drawbacks. Fortinet FortiAP users desire better outdoor performance, scalability, and a more comprehensive configuration process along with improved radio band support.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN is recognized for easy deployment in cloud and hybrid environments, accommodating public and private clouds. Customer service is generally well-received, though experiences with support can vary. Fortinet FortiAP focuses on on-premises deployment and offers consistently high-rated support, providing direct and knowledgeable assistance.
Pricing and ROI: Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN, while considered expensive, offers robust performance that justifies the cost. It provides significant ROI through operational efficiencies and reducing personnel needs. Fortinet FortiAP offers a more cost-effective solution compared to similar products in the market, though it is still high in price. Both products deliver ROI, but their pricing and value vary depending on organizational needs and integration requirements.
I do not have to continuously manage them, and their reliability means they are consistently up and running.
Fortinet FortiAP provides value for money, and I can quantify the savings at about 80%.
I would rate Cisco support a 10, as the response time and process via the dashboard are easy, and response times are always within the SLA.
It would be better if the SLA of technical support was less than four hours.
We keep a support contract open with Fortinet, so we have instantaneous response from them.
The RMA process is very good, with same-day replacement in our case.
I am not satisfied with Fortinet FortiAP's technical support in India.
Meraki is not scalable enough since it straightforwardly maps its products to segmented specifications.
We have good scalability with Fortinet FortiAP because we have multiple ISPs connected to it through FortiManager.
There could be constraints where a product can't be scaled further without purchasing a new model.
We have experienced many instances where we have experienced a lag in our network, and I am not sure if it is due to their devices or our network.
Stability is not an issue for me because it comes with Cisco's proven manufacturer quality.
I have not experienced any issues, outages, or problems and have not had to interfere with them at all.
The stability of the solution is very high.
The most important improvement needed is to eliminate the limitation of uplinks.
Some of the newer models of the Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN access point have encompassed the new wireless protocols and increased the strength of their antennas.
I know they're going up to six soon, which will enhance reliability.
Security is always a concern for any business, and the network should not be compromised easily.
We earlier expected that Fortinet FortiAP could be managed through the cloud, which would be very good, but nowadays, FortiNet is providing FortiAPs with cloud management also.
Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN is on par with other devices in that category, offering competitive pricing.
The pricing of Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN is not competitive enough for the SMB market compared to other brands.
My experience with the pricing of Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN is that it is competitive with other providers offering paid subscriptions.
The license costs for Fortinet are more affordable when considering licensing costs with other leaders like Cisco.
The pricing is much better than Cisco pricing.
Fortinet FortiAP is affordable, not expensive.
Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN has helped optimize network traffic very effectively, as we do prioritization for streaming and web conferencing apps, resulting in a clear, visible improvement in performance.
It also manages security clients and switches, providing a single dashboard to manage multiple network infrastructures.
The ability to program all access points from the Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN dashboard, view the status of all of them, and examine the individual devices connected to each access point is very valuable.
Fortinet FortiAP is effective in protecting against wireless threats.
Compatibility with Fortinet firewalls allows clients to set up new businesses with integrated firewalls and access points, offering a cost-effective solution while providing excellent wireless coverage.
In a FortiGate, especially a Forti wireless environment, it's always easy to troubleshoot problems and it gives better visibility of our environment.
| Product | Market Share (%) |
|---|---|
| Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN | 10.6% |
| Fortinet FortiAP | 5.9% |
| Other | 83.5% |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 69 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 26 |
| Large Enterprise | 31 |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 11 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 2 |
| Large Enterprise | 3 |
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?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.
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.
