Cisco Wireless vs Ubiquiti WLAN comparison

Cisco and Ubiquiti Networks are both solutions in the Wireless LAN category. Cisco is ranked #2 with an average rating of 8.5, while Ubiquiti Networks is ranked #5 with an average rating of 7.9. Cisco holds a 13.1% mindshare in Wireless LAN, compared to Ubiquiti Networks’s 5.3% mindshare. Additionally, 88% of Cisco users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 81% of Ubiquiti Networks users who would recommend it.

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Oct 8, 2024

Cisco Wireless and Ubiquiti WLAN compete in the wireless networking market with Cisco often leading in enterprise reliability and Ubiquiti in cost-effectiveness.

Features: Cisco Wireless offers advanced security protocols, seamless infrastructure integration, and robust customer support tailored for large-scale operations. Ubiquiti WLAN provides intuitive management, scalable solutions, and high performance at a budget-friendly price, appealing to small businesses looking for value.

Room for Improvement: Cisco Wireless has a steep learning curve with configuration processes, necessitating better user-friendly setup options. Some users find Ubiquiti WLAN's firmware updates inconsistent and could benefit from a regular update schedule. Meanwhile, Cisco's advanced features sometimes require simplification in accessibility, and Ubiquiti could work on elevating its enterprise-level capabilities and option variety.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Cisco Wireless presents a complex installation process but is backed by comprehensive customer support assisting with deployment issues. Ubiquiti WLAN offers simpler deployment but may not match the extensive support provided by Cisco, making it ideal for straightforward setups without specialized guidance.

Pricing and ROI: Cisco Wireless involves a higher initial investment with potential for significant ROI due to its durable solutions and support services. Ubiquiti WLAN attracts with its lower setup costs, delivering a satisfactory ROI for budget-conscious users seeking quick financial returns.

To learn more, read our detailed Cisco Wireless vs. Ubiquiti WLAN Report (Updated: October 2024).

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Wireless vs. Ubiquiti WLAN

October 2024

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Juniper Mist Wireless Acces...

Mindshare comparison

As of October 2024, in the Wireless LAN category, the mindshare of Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points is 5.4%, up from 2.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Cisco Wireless is 13.1%, down from 16.4% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Ubiquiti WLAN is 5.3%, down from 8.3% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Wireless LAN

Featured Reviews

Gyan Sharma

Assistant Programmer at Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha

Apr 17, 2024

Offers good performance, good solution and smooth implementation

I do have a suggestion: it would be helpful to have even stronger security features to help protect against interference from other nearby access points that aren't part of our network. If there are access points from other brands installed nearby; they can cause interference and disrupt the range of our Mist access points. So, the security features could be stronger, especially in terms of authentication. The connectivity is excellent, but security needs improvement. In future releases, integrating more AI features would be beneficial. If Mist had stronger AI features, it could provide better security against network threats and cyberattacks. So, this solution still needs to improve its AI capabilities. It would be great if the AI could improve the range of the access points, and auto-protect functionality should be there to avoid interference by other nearby access points and enhance threat detection. In the future, I'd like to see stronger threat detection features integrated with Mist, as well as better detection of nearby access points that might cause interference.

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Michael Lees

Production Director at Whitespider

Feb 19, 2024

Affordable, resilient, and performs better than other solutions in the market

Assurance capabilities must be improved. There should be more Assurance features on the Wireless LAN Controller. A lot of it is bundled into the DNA Center. Having a little more Assurance regarding what the RF Spectrum looks like will be good. Juniper Mist has a lot of analytical data on the dashboard. The customers would be compelled to look at DNA Center as a longer-term and more comprehensive solution if Cisco were to give them an insight into some of the Assurance capabilities that might be available in DNA Center. The tool must provide something like RF Neighbor. It must enable organizations to receive signal strength and signal-to-noise ratio and see how clients perform in their wireless network. It must have a cap. If we want additional functionality to see our entire network, that's where DNA Center fits in.

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Geoff Rubin

CEO at Forward Thinking Network Consultancy Ltd

Jul 12, 2024

Useful for network management and far more competitive than the other leading American brands

As an importer and distributor, we don't spend any time installing Ubiquiti WLAN products ourselves. We only resell the products to installers and don't do any installations directly. From my knowledge, though, the installation process is extremely straightforward. We get very few technical questions from our customers who do the installations. Based on our experience as distributors, I can say that virtually every installation we deal with now is centered around the UniFi Gateway. Although we don't handle installations directly, more companies rely on Ubiquiti gateways instead of standard options like FortiGate switches as routers. With the new UDM Pro Max product, Ubiquiti WLAN has covered the whole spectrum from home installations to the largest possible enterprise installations.

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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 artificial intelligence feature is very good."

"With Mist, every Wednesday they roll out new features."

"The AI capabilities of Mist Wireless are superior to other OEMs."

"The most valuable feature of Juniper Mist is the Virtual Network Assistant, powered by artificial intelligence."

"Overall, we've been very pleased with the performance."

"The most valuable feature of the solution is Marvis, the AI-driven network management system."

"The most valuable feature of Juniper Wireless Access Points (AP Series) is the ability to troubleshoot ports on the network. Additionally, when there is an update on the APs they are able to reboot quickly reducing downtime. Other solutions have a longer downtime when updates are done."

"The most useful feature of Juniper Wireless AP is the reporting Marvis."

More Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points pros

"Cisco Wireless is mostly stable with a low downrate and the signal rate is good. It is also easy to use."

"The most valuable features of this solution are the Cisco CleanAir and Cisco RRM."

"The feature that I have found most valuable is its durability because we can rely on this solution. It is also easy to configure. Lastly, if something happens, we get good support from Cisco."

"It is a stable solution. The performance was good."

"I find the tool to be 99 percent stable."

"You need to learn the technology but after that the setup is easy."

"The customer always feels confident with the solution because of its reliability."

"It is an extremely stable and scalable solution. Its documentation and support are also very good."

More Cisco Wireless pros

"Ubiquiti WLAN has good performance."

"Ubiquiti WLAN's most valuable features are that it works well in a hybrid environment and isn't heavy on resources."

"The solution has a lot of great features."

"It is a very stable solution. Stability-wise, I rate the solution a ten out of ten."

"Ubiquiti WLAN has been stable and is easy to install."

"The most valuable feature of Ubiquiti WLAN is its stability."

"The product is simple to use in terms of GUI and dashboard."

"Ubiquiti provides good connectivity for the end-user, so I think it's stable."

More Ubiquiti WLAN pros

Cons

"Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points’ support services need improvement."

"It would be helpful to have even stronger security features to help protect against interference from other nearby access points that aren't part of our network."

"The product should include adaptive Wi-Fi to show a more accurate location."

"Juniper Wireless AP can improve by continually improving its reporting and integration with other systems."

"The pricing should be made cheaper."

"Though certain security features are integrated into the product, my company has to always look forward to tightening certain security functionalities in the solution."

"They should include SD-WAN features to it."

"Improvement is needed in the user-friendliness of Juniper Mist, particularly in enhancing the interaction with AI features."

More Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points cons

"The solution should introduce natural language troubleshooting processes. It will identify possible problems or errors due to the symptoms."

"We use a Cisco product called Room Kit for meetings. It would be nice if Cisco could improve that. I would also like a cloud solution."

"The software quality could be improved, in particular for the new Cisco Aironet Series 2800/3800 Access Point which is pretty Linux-based."

"In the future, I would like to have Cisco add video documentation on configuring and overall learning of how to use the solutions. For example, in such areas as, security, authentication, and load balancing."

"Cisco Wireless does not have a dashboard that would make it easier for people to manage the solution, such as Cisco Meraki where you are able to monitor the network through the dashboard and everything is visible making it easier."

"The security must be improved."

"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."

"This solution is very expensive, which means we often have to go for cheaper options instead."

More Cisco Wireless cons

"If they can integrate or release a single platform because, currently, there are two different platforms for switches and routers. So, maintaining just one unified platform, like, for example, unifying the models or brands, and avoiding separate platforms for edge switches, edge routers, and other Ubiquiti products, would simplify the integration and implementation process."

"The solution should support a larger bandwidth or distance between the access points and the main stations."

"Ubiquiti WLAN only supports 2.4GHz Wi-Fi radio and would be improved by including support for 5GHz."

"The logs are not detailed enough. You can't clearly see what is being blocked in Ubiquiti WLAN, making the troubleshooting process a little bit harder."

"The solution needs to improve robustness, security, and stability."

"The statistics you can get on it are a bit limited from what I have seen so far."

"Switching devices requires reconfiguration from scratch."

"Ubiquiti WLAN is not a cheap solution."

More Ubiquiti WLAN cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"We pay maybe 1000 SEK per year, per access point."

"The pricing is too high."

"The solution is expensive."

"I rate the pricing an eight out of ten."

"I rate the product price as a six on a scale of one to ten, where one is inexpensive, and ten is expensive. It is a reasonably priced tool."

"Juniper Wireless AP's price is a little more expensive than other solutions, but you get what you pay for."

"I rate Juniper Mist's pricing a ten out of ten since it is expensive."

"The pricing is something Juniper Wireless Access Points (AP Series) can work on. The pricing is very high compared to the competition."

More Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points pricing and cost advice

"Cisco is not a cheap solution. Their licensing cost is higher than that for others."

"The cost model is expensive."

"It might be around $100 for a license. The internal ones are far cheaper than that."

"The price of Cisco Wireless is expensive and there is an additional cost for support."

"There are annual subscriptions to use this solution. I have not been able to understand the licensing of Cisco. Some of the Cisco executives were not able to understand them either. When you first start out the price is zero but when it comes to a time of renewal you have to pay."

"The price for this product is a little bit high, which is why I am not using the most recent version."

"Cisco licensing is usually provided on a yearly basis rather than monthly. You can get a hardware SLA or hardware and software SLA for a period of years. Longer terms influence the level of support that you get when it comes to Cisco SLA."

"Users have to pay a yearly licensing fee for Cisco Wireless."

More Cisco Wireless pricing and cost advice

"It is a stand-alone price."

"Ubiquiti WLAN is a low-priced product."

"This product is more cost-effective than some others on the market."

"Ubiquiti WLAN is less expensive than Ruckus, but its price could be improved to make it more affordable and accessible."

"Its cost is reasonable."

"On a scale from one to ten, where one is cheap and ten is expensive, I rate the solution's pricing a seven out of ten."

"I rate the pricing an eight on a scale of one to ten, where one is cheap, and ten is expensive."

"It’s an expensive product but has all the essential qualities and functionality."

More Ubiquiti WLAN 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…

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

18%

Manufacturing Company

Educational Organization

Government

Computer Software Company

17%

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

Educational Organization

Computer Software Company

14%

Manufacturing Company

Government

Educational Organization

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Juniper Wireless Access Points (AP Series)?

The solution is very secure.

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Juniper Wireless Access Points (AP Series)?

If a customer has a budget of around five lakhs in Indian currency, they can afford Juniper products. But for a new c...

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What needs improvement with Juniper Wireless Access Points (AP Series)?

HP recently acquired Juniper, and I'm not happy about that. Juniper is a brand, and HP acquired them because of Junip...

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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...

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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 frie...

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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 ...

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Is Ubiquiti Wireless better than Ruckus Wireless WAN?

Ubiquiti Wireless is extremely easy to set up and is an excellent option for small businesses, offering enterprise fe...

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Which is better - Ubiquiti WLAN or Aruba Instant?

We researched Ubiquiti and Aruba when looking for a WLAN solution. Ubiquiti offers good WLAN access both indoors and ...

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What do you like most about Ubiquiti WLAN?

Anyone can buy the product off the shelf and configure it.

See all answers

Comparisons

Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN vs Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points

Compared 45% of the time

Aruba Wireless vs Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points

Compared 18% of the time

Ruckus Wireless vs Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points

Compared 15% of the time

Fortinet FortiAP vs Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points

Compared 3% of the time

Fortinet FortiWLC vs Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points

Compared 3% of the time

More Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points Competitors

Aruba Wireless vs Cisco Wireless

Compared 39% of the time

Ruckus Wireless vs Cisco Wireless

Compared 24% of the time

Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN vs Cisco Wireless

Compared 6% of the time

Huawei Wireless vs Cisco Wireless

Compared 6% of the time

Fortinet FortiAP vs Cisco Wireless

Compared 2% of the time

More Cisco Wireless Competitors

Aruba Wireless vs Ubiquiti WLAN

Compared 25% of the time

Huawei Wireless vs Ubiquiti WLAN

Compared 11% of the time

Fortinet FortiAP vs Ubiquiti WLAN

Compared 11% of the time

Ruckus Wireless vs Ubiquiti WLAN

Compared 9% of the time

WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi vs Ubiquiti WLAN

Compared 2% of the time

More Ubiquiti WLAN Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points

October 2024

Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points report

Download Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points product report

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Wireless

October 2024

Download Cisco Wireless product report

Buyer's Guide

Ubiquiti WLAN

September 2024

Download Ubiquiti WLAN product report

Also Known As

Juniper Wireless Access Points (AP Series), Mist Access Points

Cisco WLAN Controller

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Juniper

Cisco

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Ubiquiti Networks

Overview

Juniper Wireless Access Points work in conjunction with Juniper Mist Cloud Services and Mist AI to deliver premier wireless access capabilities. The Juniper Mist Edge extends microservices to the campus to bring agility and scale while enabling new applications at the edge.

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.

UniFi is a revolutionary Wi-Fi system that combines Enterprise performance, unlimited scalability, a central management controller and disruptive pricing.

Sample Customers

Information Not Available

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)

NASCAR Grand-AM, Maritime Parc, Outdoor Music Festival, One Republic Tour, British Armed Forces, Arcadia School District, Bartlett School District, Universidad del Azuay, Estelar Hotels, Intercontinental Bali, Moscow - Enforta, Miami - Sling Broadband, Manhattan - MST, Ecuador - Aire.EC

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Wireless vs. Ubiquiti WLAN

October 2024

Free Report: Cisco Wireless vs. Ubiquiti WLAN

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