D-Link Wireless vs Fortinet FortiWLM comparison

D-Link and Fortinet are both solutions in the Wireless LAN category. D-Link is ranked #12 with an average rating of 8.2, while Fortinet is ranked #16 with an average rating of 9.0. D-Link holds a 2.2% mindshare in Wireless LAN, compared to Fortinet’s 1.9% mindshare. Additionally, 93% of D-Link users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 95% of Fortinet users who would recommend it.

D-Link Wireless

Read 17 D-Link Wireless reviews

2,506 Views
2,063 Comparison Views

93% willing to recommend

Fortinet FortiWLM

Read 27 Fortinet FortiWLM reviews

2,081 Views
1,889 Comparison Views

95% willing to recommend

D-Link Wireless

Fortinet FortiWLM

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Oct 31, 2024

D-Link Wireless and Fortinet FortiWLM compete in the networking solutions sector. Fortinet FortiWLM stands out for advanced features, providing more value for its cost in feature, deployment, and ROI considerations.

Features: D-Link Wireless offers affordability, ease of integration, and basic connectivity, focusing on essential network functions. Fortinet FortiWLM provides robust security, comprehensive management, and superior scalability, making it suitable for complex network environments.

Room for Improvement: D-Link Wireless could enhance its security features, scalability, and network stability to better meet larger enterprises' needs. Fortinet FortiWLM might improve affordability, reduce the complexity of deployment, and optimize customer support accessibility to attract more budget-conscious consumers.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: D-Link Wireless is praised for simple deployment with straightforward configurations, ideal for smaller setups. Fortinet FortiWLM, while requiring more extensive setup, offers efficient troubleshooting and comprehensive service options. D-Link is quicker to deploy, whereas Fortinet provides stronger support for complex installations.

Pricing and ROI: D-Link Wireless is known for its economical pricing with low initial costs, providing a reasonable ROI for small networks. Fortinet FortiWLM, with higher initial investment, is geared towards long-term ROI through advanced management features and network stability. D-Link appeals to budget-conscious buyers, while Fortinet attracts large enterprises by justifying its costs with enhanced performance.

To learn more, read our detailed D-Link Wireless vs. Fortinet FortiWLM Report (Updated: June 2025).

Buyer's Guide

D-Link Wireless vs. Fortinet FortiWLM

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

D-Link Wireless

Ranking in Wireless LAN

12th

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

6.9

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Fortinet FortiWLM

Ranking in Wireless LAN

16th

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

7.3

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 D-Link Wireless is 2.2%, down from 2.3% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Fortinet FortiWLM is 1.9%, down from 2.1% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Wireless LAN

Featured Reviews

NadirShahzad

System Engineer at a tech services company with 201-500 employees

Wireless projects run smoothly with more access point support and competitive pricing

D-Link Wireless offers more supported APs to the WLC with the default license compared to other brands like Cisco. With Cisco, only four to five APs are connected with the default license, but D-Link Wireless provides more flexibility. Local support in Pakistan is necessary for those with limited budgets, creating a reach in the market.

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Mohammad Talha Talkin Alam

Assistant Manager - IT at PDS Limited

Reliable network creation and management with an efficient setup process

My primary use case involves creating SSIDs and defining VLANs within the VLAN using Fortinet FortiWLM. I have been working with Wi-Fi access points for network connectivity I primarily use Fortinet FortiWLM for creating SSIDs and defining VLANs. While there isn't much focus on security, layer…

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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

"It's scalable, user friendly, and easy to manage."

"Overall, I rate D-Link Wireless nine out of ten as a solution."

"The solution is extremely easy to install. You just add them and in a few clicks, they are ready to go."

"The system simplifies network management."

"This product is user-friendly and we can manage it as per the requirements of the user."

"It is a scalable solution. Scalability-wise, I rate the solution a ten out of ten."

"The product's initial setup phase is easy."

"The setup process is very easy."

More D-Link Wireless pros

"The Fortinet FortiWLM system can be controlled through the cloud controller, which is convenient when the solution is not installed in our environment, as it allows us to manage the entire WiFi or access points and provides more adaptability."

"Security is the feature we like most from Fortinet. In general, their security architecture is really great, because it involves everything: firewalls, wireless LANs, the user. Everything is really secure."

"The product is a stable solution."

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

"Although there are a few steps, the initial setup is pretty straightforward."

"I found that It's really good when comparing it to any other product or it is much better in terms of features that the customer requires."

"At the moment, particularly with the COVID-19 situation, the most valuable feature is probably the IPsec VPN, which is easy to implement with Fortinet."

"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."

More Fortinet FortiWLM pros

Cons

"In future releases, it can keep improving on countering the new patterns of security attacks."

"D-Link Wireless should include the 'cleaner' feature similar to Cisco's APs. This feature reduces signal interference with access points."

"The support offered by the product needs to be faster with better technical personnel."

"D-Link Wireless’s stability needs improvement."

"Its interface and support system need much improvement. Sometimes, when we use the interface to reset the password and configure SSIDs, or some other changes, the "Save" option does not show and we have to go to some internal setting and then we can "save" the setting. The “Save” option should be in front of or below of the settings."

"It would definitely help if we had more advanced features for distributing bandwidth."

"D-Link has some catching up to do in terms of advancing and improving its technology."

"Sometimes we configure the SSID with a password but the same AP shows two WiFi connections with the same SSID name (one is protected by a password and another one give access without a password)."

More D-Link Wireless cons

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

"One of the main features that I see as lacking in any of the Fortinet products is the reporting. If you want to have proper, end-to-end reporting, you must purchase the FortiAnalyzer... If Fortinet could offer some better, built-in reporting, that would be a point of improvement."

"The guest management features need to be improved by adding automation."

"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."

"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."

"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 interface could certainly do with some improvement. We have other customers with WiFi networks, and they always use Ubiquiti. With Ubiquiti, it's a much better user interface, and it is much easier to configure."

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

More Fortinet FortiWLM cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"There is no licensing fee for the solution."

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

"D-Link pricing is very competitive when you consider other OEMs."

"The cost can range from $100 to $400."

"D-Link Wireless' price is the same as Aruba's. You need to pay one-time costs for the product."

"The product is affordable."

"This solution is more affordable than others on the market."

"D-Link Wireless is cheaper than Ruckus or Cisco."

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

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

"Licensing costs are reasonable. There are so many different types of licenses with Fortinet, but the licensing and the 24/7/365 support are so reasonable that I automatically include it with every transaction. I never line item it without it. There are no additional costs."

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

"Licensing has become easier. There is no longer a per-AP license needed on the controller."

"The product is highly expensive. I rate the pricing a ten."

"For indoor access points, there is a one-time cost, upfront, whereas outdoor access points have an annual fee."

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

More Fortinet FortiWLM pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Comms Service Provider

12%

Computer Software Company

12%

Educational Organization

10%

Manufacturing Company

Computer Software Company

14%

Financial Services Firm

Comms Service Provider

Healthcare Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

Questions from the Community

Which wireless solution would you choose - Huawei or D-Link?

Huawei wireless is a strong and solid product that has a lot of features - and for all that it offers, it happens to be very cost effective. As a wireless solution, it is simple and its user interf...

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What do you like most about D-Link Wireless?

The tool supports new technologies.

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for D-Link Wireless?

D-Link Wireless is notably more affordable than Cisco and Juniper. It suits SMB needs without the financial burden of purchasing additional licenses for extended APs.

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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?

While the pricing of Fortinet FortiWLM is a bit high, it remains effective. However, the cost could be better if reduced.

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What needs improvement with Fortinet FortiWLM?

In terms of improvements, the price is higher than I would like. A reduction in pricing would be beneficial.

See all answers

Comparisons

Huawei Wireless vs D-Link Wireless

Compared 58% of the time

Ubiquiti WLAN vs D-Link Wireless

Compared 11% of the time

Aruba Wireless vs D-Link Wireless

Compared 10% of the time

Omada Access Points vs D-Link Wireless

Compared 9% of the time

Ruckus Wireless vs D-Link Wireless

Compared 8% of the time

More D-Link Wireless Competitors

Aruba Wireless vs Fortinet FortiWLM

Compared 24% of the time

Cisco Wireless vs Fortinet FortiWLM

Compared 16% of the time

Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN vs Fortinet FortiWLM

Compared 12% of the time

Cambium Networks Wireless LAN vs Fortinet FortiWLM

Compared 10% of the time

Ruckus Wireless vs Fortinet FortiWLM

Compared 10% of the time

More Fortinet FortiWLM Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

D-Link Wireless

June 2025

Download D-Link Wireless product report

Buyer's Guide

Fortinet FortiWLM

June 2025

Download Fortinet FortiWLM product report

Also Known As

D-Link WLAN

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

Overview

D-Link Wireless offers a wide range of robust wireless Access Points (APs) operating in both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands, supporting the latest wireless standards including 802.11ac and 802.11n. These access points can be managed independently as standalone devices, or collectively by using Central Wi-Fi Manager, a free centralized controller software that can be installed on a Windows server or PC.

D-Link

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

Metropolitan Public Defender, Mission Motorcycles

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

Buyer's Guide

D-Link Wireless vs. Fortinet FortiWLM

June 2025

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