Cisco Wireless vs NETGEAR Insight Access Points comparison

Cisco and Netgear are both solutions in the Wireless LAN category. Cisco is ranked #3 with an average rating of 8.5, while Netgear is ranked #21 with an average rating of 7.3. Cisco holds a 11.2% mindshare in Wireless LAN, compared to Netgear’s 1.2% mindshare. Additionally, 88% of Cisco users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 81% of Netgear users who would recommend it.

Cisco Wireless

Read 153 Cisco Wireless reviews

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12,077 Comparison Views

88% willing to recommend

NETGEAR Insight Access Points

Read 12 NETGEAR Insight Access Points reviews

1,742 Views
1,324 Comparison Views

81% willing to recommend

Cisco Wireless

NETGEAR Insight Access Points

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Oct 31, 2024

Cisco Wireless and NETGEAR Insight Access Points compete in the wireless networking space. Cisco Wireless seems to have the upper hand due to its robust support and integration, whereas NETGEAR Insight Access Points attracts with cloud-based management and cost-effectiveness.

Features: Cisco Wireless is notable for its comprehensive network management and high-level security features, making it ideal for enterprises. It offers integration with Cisco products, scalability, and powerful tools like CleanAir to detect interference. NETGEAR Insight Access Points excels with its cloud-based management system, allowing remote control and flexibility. It also provides advanced throughput speeds, easy configuration via mobile apps, and excellent remote monitoring capabilities.

Room for Improvement: Cisco Wireless could improve in terms of cloud integration and offering more user-friendly interfaces for non-IT professionals. Pricing could also be optimized for smaller businesses. NETGEAR Insight Access Points could enhance enterprise-level security features, expand scalability options, and offer more robust IT support and documentation to assist in complex deployments.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: NETGEAR Insight Access Points facilitates simplified deployment through its intuitive cloud platform, reducing complexity for small businesses. Cisco Wireless, while slightly more complex to deploy, offers robust customer service and detailed documentation, aiding enterprise-level IT environments with structured support channels.

Pricing and ROI: Cisco Wireless generally involves higher initial setup costs due to its feature-rich services, leading to a longer ROI period suitable for enterprises seeking advanced functionalities. Conversely, NETGEAR Insight Access Points offers competitive pricing, attractive for businesses aiming for quicker ROI through cost-effective solutions.

To learn more, read our detailed Cisco Wireless vs. NETGEAR Insight Access Points Report (Updated: June 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Wireless vs. NETGEAR Insight Access Points

June 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 Wireless

Ranking in Wireless LAN

3rd

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

6.5

Number of Reviews

153

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

NETGEAR Insight Access Points

Ranking in Wireless LAN

21st

Average Rating

7.8

Reviews Sentiment

6.9

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of June 2025, in the Wireless LAN category, the mindshare of Cisco Wireless is 11.2%, down from 14.6% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of NETGEAR Insight Access Points is 1.2%, down from 1.6% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Wireless LAN

Featured Reviews

Theesula Majuwanagamage

Head Of ELV and ICT at Intec Systems Solution Pvt Ltd

Bridging capabilities ensure network continuity and reliability in large-scale deployments

The most valuable feature of Cisco Wireless ( /products/cisco-wireless-reviews ) is the bridging capability. If one network fails, there is a link between different access points, which ensures network continuity. Additionally, Cisco offers significant discounts for large projects. The reliability and robust solution are also key aspects, as there have been no errors or failures. The implementation is straightforward, and the user interface connection is easy.

Read full review

Piyush Jain

Product manager at Oracle

A product with load-balancing features that offers scalability to its users

My major problem is right now, the area which I need to cover is around 7,000 to 10,000 square feet, where even the mesh routers don't work out for me because it is a huge area to be covered. To cover huge areas, I will have to put extenders. I will have to use mesh routers with extenders to cover a whole huge area with Wi-Fi. I would like NETGEAR Insight Access Points to extend the area coverage they provide. One of the major problems I see is that when you try to use NETGEAR Insight Access Points, the huge amount of options that are there can only be handled by a person who is experienced or knows the process. So there should be a guide that walks anyone through different options and different things about how to go work with the UI.

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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 important thing for me is that all the access points are in one group and use one access code. So, when you move from one area to another, you don't disconnect and reconnect again. The device is also very easy to install and control."

"I find this solution easy to configure and use."

"Cisco is one of the leading brands, particularly in the commercial sector. Other brands such as Extreme, cater to different categories at lower levels. Cisco maintains a comprehensive product range across all levels and excels in comparison to other networking sites. They also boast a team of highly qualified professionals, a feature that sets them apart from competitors like Netgear, which lacks such expertise."

"Wireless connectivity is the main feature. It is also securely integrated with ISE, which is valuable because, in the banking industry, we also cover the security aspect. This Wi-Fi controller integrates with the ISE system that we have. Every user that comes on the wireless needs to log in with the domain. If they don't, it will not allow the user to join the network. This is the key feature of this solution."

"The initial setup is easy. It's fairly quick to deploy."

"The product has valuable features for integration and authentication."

"Stability is fine."

"Cisco Wireless always has the latest technology that supports WiFi 5 and 6."

More Cisco Wireless pros

"We use NETGEAR's Insight management solution to do off-property controls. It is user-friendly and provides network management, monitoring, and service deployment across multiple remote and local sites. That means I don't have to be physically at a location to do things if I want to make any changes to the network. It saves time and money."

"I'm able to do a lot of things, because the GUI is designed very well. I'm able to remotely make certain changes via my phone and apply them right away. It makes life easier when it comes to managing the equipment. The Insight management solution phone app is very good. It enables me to do what I want to do."

"The metrics demonstrate that NETGEAR really does a good job of balancing the load between the various access points on the networks and this results in an elimination of downtime."

"I am all about simplicity. With the Insight management solution, I don’t need an additional cloud controller, appliance, network manager, or PC/server to configure and manage my access points. You have to look at cost, and everything has a cost. There is a cost to using Insight. But if the cost is reasonable, I don't want another layer. The ability to deploy a network and then have that software built-in, without having to go to a third-party, is big. Also, the less pieces that I have to call in on, the better. So, when I'm calling NETGEAR, it's not like I'm using some third-party piece of software to manage their product. It doesn't add that layer of complexity, which is key."

"The initial setup of NETGEAR Insight Access Points was straightforward."

"Our company sometimes uses the solution's technical support, and we have seen that they sort out our general problems quickly."

"The meshing capabilities are the most valuable feature. When I am going in-between buildings, my phone doesn't have to pick up different WiFi. They are all the same. Even in-between the buildings, I stay connected."

"The internet connectivity is good."

More NETGEAR Insight Access Points pros

Cons

"The integration with our CM and other technologies could improve this solution."

"Controllers could be improved."

"Most definitely the cost."

"It is not easy to use. It should be made easier to use. They can maybe migrate it to the cloud so that we can manage the WLCs together. I find the licensing part very hard to understand. Cisco is now moving towards smart licensing, so this issue will be addressed soon."

"Cisco Wireless needs to improve compatibility with Apple devices. Its deployment should also be made easier. It should also reduce the complexity around security."

"It would be great if it is compatible with other products."

"The configuration interface could be easier. They should make roaming easier and should fix it so that when you cross a building you can keep the signal."

"Many wireless controllers' firmware have bugs in their new releases, which are not stable, especially in an environment with many wireless AP (WAP) types."

More Cisco Wireless cons

"The pricing and standard connectivity can be further improved."

"While the data throughput does provide us with full insight into data being used, we find that it's not very accurate."

"My major problem is right now, the area which I need to cover is around 7,000 to 10,000 square feet...I would like NETGEAR Insight Access Points to extend the area coverage they provide."

"The biggest issue I've had is that it works very well with the WiFi, but it does not offer any assistance at all with the routers. You can't control them or manage them at all. As soon as you want to use anything on the network side—because I have multiple 28-port switches—you can't manage them using this app."

"Due to certain shortcomings in the solution's stability, I feel that the solution's stability requires improvement."

"A con is the backend system which is very, very slow."

"Ubiquiti is a very good company. NETGEAR should look at that model and expand on its remote capabilities. Ubiquiti seems to have a better product."

"Software-wise, they need to provide the ability to kick users out. If multiple users are abusing the system or the network, I should be able to block them for a time and, when I need to unblock them, I should be able to do so by using their MAC ID. That feature might already be there and I just don't know about it."

More NETGEAR Insight Access Points cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The solution is very costly."

"The price of Cisco Wireless could be adjusted down, it is a bit expensive. The solution is worth it for the name and the brand. However, there are more products now in the market that give you the same quality, but at a cheaper price."

"The price of this product is reasonable."

"They have simplified the licensing, now there is a single license that is required. Earlier, multiple licenses were required. Single licensing is good. As a customer, I don't need to keep an inventory of multiple licenses."

"It is an expensive product. I would rate the pricing a nine out of ten, with ten being expensive."

"Its price is a bit high. It is more expensive than its competitors, but when I look at the return on investment, it is worth it."

"Cisco WiFi 1572 is very expensive locally and our budget for this year is used."

"The product is expensive."

More Cisco Wireless pricing and cost advice

"Their pricing is perfect for smaller businesses who are money and budget conscious. There are a lot of other solutions out there that are two to three times more expensive."

"My company does not need to pay anything related to the solution's licensing costs."

"It is an expensive solution."

"I can source the stuff pretty quickly wherever I go through the distributor. There is pricing available at NETGEAR if you can spend between $2,000 and $5,000 on a solution. So, there is special pricing that they can help with. The vendor's reps are very responsive. They have a good channel system."

"We have some basic models they give without a license."

"For what you get, the price of Insight access points is very reasonable."

"Price-wise, it is a little too high, about $20 higher than what it should be, but it's worth it. It's cheaper than Cisco's access point, but the products are not apples to apples."

"The pricing seems to be reasonable."

More NETGEAR Insight Access Points pricing and cost advice

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Comparison Review

it_user212721

President at a tech services company with 51-200 employees

Mar 24, 2015

Cisco vs. Aruba Wireless Solutions

Cisco or Aruba Networks? If you are considering wireless access solutions, this is a common question that you are probably asking. You probably have sales people knocking at your door. How do you make sense of all the stories that you are presented with. If you have done any research, you are…

Read full review

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

15%

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

Educational Organization

Computer Software Company

15%

Retailer

Comms Service Provider

Manufacturing Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

Questions from the Community

Which is better - Cisco Wireless or Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN?

Cisco Wireless is very robust, very rugged, and can handle indoor and outdoor coverage extremely well. We found it to be very reliable and to consistently run very efficiently. Cisco Wireless helpe...

See all answers

Which is better - Ruckus Wireless or Cisco Wireless?

Ruckus Wireless offers users the benefit of being both easy to set up and get running as well as being very user friendly. This user-friendly quality also renders it easy to learn how to use and ma...

See all answers

How does Cisco Wireless compare with Aruba Wireless?

On the most basic level, Cisco Wireless can offer a rather straightforward initial setup. In the span of about three hours, the basic framework can be set up. Step-by-step instructions are availabl...

See all answers

What do you like most about NETGEAR Insight Access Points?

The product's deployment is straightforward.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for NETGEAR Insight Access Points?

We have some basic models they give without a license.

See all answers

What needs improvement with NETGEAR Insight Access Points?

The pricing and standard connectivity can be further improved.

See all answers

Comparisons

Aruba Wireless vs Cisco Wireless

Compared 27% of the time

Ruckus Wireless vs Cisco Wireless

Compared 27% of the time

Huawei Wireless vs Cisco Wireless

Compared 8% of the time

Fortinet FortiAP vs Cisco Wireless

Compared 7% of the time

Ubiquiti Wireless vs Cisco Wireless

Compared 1% of the time

More Cisco Wireless Competitors

Omada Access Points vs NETGEAR Insight Access Points

Compared 23% of the time

Aruba Wireless vs NETGEAR Insight Access Points

Compared 19% of the time

Ubiquiti WLAN vs NETGEAR Insight Access Points

Compared 19% of the time

Ruckus Wireless vs NETGEAR Insight Access Points

Compared 13% of the time

Aruba Instant On Access Points vs NETGEAR Insight Access Points

Compared 5% of the time

More NETGEAR Insight Access Points Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Wireless

June 2025

Download Cisco Wireless product report

Buyer's Guide

NETGEAR Insight Access Points

May 2025

Download NETGEAR Insight Access Points product report

Also Known As

Cisco WLAN Controller

No data available

Overview

Cisco Wireless is a comprehensive suite of wireless solutions designed to deliver secure, high-performance connectivity for enterprises of all sizes. Offering a range of access points, controllers, and advanced management tools, Cisco Wireless ensures seamless and reliable network access, enhancing mobility and productivity.

Cisco Wireless solutions provide robust, scalable wireless networks capable of supporting high-density environments and diverse applications. With features such as seamless roaming, advanced security protocols, and detailed analytics, Cisco Wireless addresses the needs of modern businesses. The solutions include the Cisco Catalyst and Aironet series access points, wireless LAN controllers, and the Cisco DNA Center for centralized management and automation.

What are the key features of Cisco Wireless?

High-Density Performance: Optimized for environments with a high number of devices, ensuring reliable connectivity and performance.
Advanced Security: Incorporates robust security measures such as WPA3, Secure Boot, and segmentation to protect data and devices.
Seamless Roaming: Enables uninterrupted connectivity as users move across different areas within the network.
Centralized Management: Cisco DNA Center provides a single pane of glass for managing and automating wireless networks, enhancing operational efficiency.
Flexible Deployment Options: Supports various deployment models, including on-premises, cloud-managed, and hybrid solutions.

What benefits should users look for in reviews when evaluating Cisco Wireless?

Improved Mobility and Productivity: Users often highlight how Cisco Wireless enhances user mobility and productivity through reliable and consistent connectivity.
Scalability: Reviews frequently mention the scalability of Cisco Wireless, making it suitable for growing businesses.
Ease of Management: Many users appreciate the centralized management capabilities, which simplify network administration and troubleshooting.
Enhanced Security: The advanced security features are often noted for providing peace of mind and compliance with industry standards.
User Experience: The overall user experience, including ease of use and seamless integration with other Cisco products, is a common point of praise.

Cisco Wireless solutions are implemented across various industries, including healthcare, education, retail, and manufacturing. In healthcare, they support critical applications like patient monitoring and electronic health records. Educational institutions use Cisco Wireless to provide reliable internet access for students and staff. Retailers benefit from enhanced customer experiences through in-store connectivity, while manufacturers use wireless networks to improve operational efficiency and automation.

Pricing and licensing for Cisco Wireless solutions are typically based on the scale of deployment and specific product selections. Cisco offers various support plans, including 24/7 customer service, technical support, and access to software updates and patches.

In summary, Cisco Wireless provides robust, scalable wireless networking solutions that enhance connectivity, security, and management for diverse enterprise environments.

Cisco

At NETGEAR, we turn ideas into innovative networking products that connect people, power businesses, and advance the way we live. Easy to use. Powerful. Smart. And designed just for you.

Netgear

Sample Customers

Aegean Motorway, Baylor Scott & White Health, Beachbody, Bellevue, Brunel University London, Bucks County Intermediate Unit , Chartwell School, Children's Hospital Colorado, Cisco Live Milan, City of Biel, City of Mississauga, Dundee Precious Metals, Electricity Authority of Cyprus, Erickson Living, Goldcorp, Great Ormond Street Hospital, Grupo Industrial Saltillo (GIS)

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Buyer's Guide

Cisco Wireless vs. NETGEAR Insight Access Points

June 2025

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