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ExtremeCloud IQ vs Fortinet FortiWLM comparison

The compared Extreme Networks and Fortinet solutions aren't in the same category. Extreme Networks is ranked #13 in NMA , with an average rating of 8.5, and holds a 2.7% mindshare in the category. Fortinet is ranked #12 in Wireless LAN , with an average rating of 8.7, and holds a 1.9% mindshare. Additionally, 97% of Extreme Networks users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 96% of Fortinet users who would recommend it.
ExtremeCloud IQ
Read 77 ExtremeCloud IQ reviews
  • 2,493 Views
  • 449 Comparison Views
97% willing to recommend
Fortinet FortiWLM
Read 29 Fortinet FortiWLM reviews
  • 1,791 Views
  • 1,648 Comparison Views
96% willing to recommend
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive Summary
We performed a comparison between ExtremeCloud IQ and Fortinet FortiWLM based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out what your peers are saying about Cisco, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Fortinet and others in Network Management Applications.

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To learn more, read our detailed Network Management Applications Report (Updated: October 2025).
Buyer's Guide
Network Management Applications
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:
 

ROI

Sentiment score
6.6
ExtremeCloud IQ boosts productivity, reduces costs, simplifies management, and enhances scalability, positively impacting ROI and customer satisfaction.
Sentiment score
1.0
Fortinet FortiWLM offers ROI within 6-12 months, reducing costs and enhancing sales through improved management and security integration.
I managed to support and deploy ExtremeCloud IQ and handle network management without requiring external staffing, thus saving on external hiring costs.
For more quotes and insights, download the ExtremeCloud IQ report
No quotes available
For more quotes and insights, download the Fortinet FortiWLM report
 

Customer Service

Sentiment score
7.8
ExtremeCloud IQ is praised for responsive, knowledgeable customer service, despite minor training and escalation improvement suggestions.
Sentiment score
6.6
Fortinet FortiWLM customer support is generally high-rated, proactive, and effective, though response times and first-level support need improvement.
GTAC receives a score of ten out of ten.
I experienced effective help mainly remotely, though for some issues, a technical person had to assist on-site.
For more quotes and insights, download the ExtremeCloud IQ report
The local support we receive from our distributor is perfect.
If we encounter any bugs, they inform us of the recommended configuration and firmware to resolve our problems.
Fortinet provides excellent customer support.
For more quotes and insights, download the Fortinet FortiWLM report
José Roldan - PeerSpot reviewer
UK
CW
Ahmed Auf - PeerSpot reviewerLuayHlaleh - PeerSpot reviewer
 

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score
7.9
ExtremeCloud IQ is praised for seamless scalability, easy integration, and reliable performance in both small and large deployments.
Sentiment score
6.9
Fortinet FortiWLM offers scalable architecture with strong support, excelling in diverse environments, despite occasional scalability limitations in enterprise settings.
No quotes available
For more quotes and insights, download the ExtremeCloud IQ report
Now, with any simple FortiGate 60F or newer model, you can manage more than 64 access points.
Fortinet's solutions are integrated into many standard frameworks, allowing for good scalability and interaction with other vendors' products.
For more quotes and insights, download the Fortinet FortiWLM report
 

Stability Issues

Sentiment score
7.5
ExtremeCloud IQ is generally stable with high performance, though occasional firmware bugs and delays can impact operations.
Sentiment score
8.4
Users praise Fortinet FortiWLM for its stability and reliability, citing minor issues and minimal downtime with high satisfaction.
It requires some time to update, which affects real-time management.
For more quotes and insights, download the ExtremeCloud IQ report
This is a stable solution.
For more quotes and insights, download the Fortinet FortiWLM report
 

Room For Improvement

Users seek a simpler interface, improved support, and enhanced features, highlighting issues with bugs, security, and pricing concerns.
Fortinet FortiWLM needs improved management, user interface, and integration, with enhancements in reporting, support, and advanced features.
This integration aids in resolving problems and issues found in the network and enhances support with the GTAC team of Extreme Networks.
I needed deep details and more thorough resources.
For more quotes and insights, download the ExtremeCloud IQ report
A mobile application to manage the Wi-Fi or the whole network would be beneficial.
Firmware upgrades and bug improvements need to be tested well.
The price is higher than I would like.
For more quotes and insights, download the Fortinet FortiWLM report
José Roldan - PeerSpot reviewer
UK
LuayHlaleh - PeerSpot reviewerAhmed Auf - PeerSpot reviewerMohammad Talha Talkin Alam - PeerSpot reviewer
 

Setup Cost

ExtremeCloud IQ pricing is competitive, offering comprehensive licensing and discounts, appealing to buyers prioritizing quality and reliability.
Fortinet FortiWLM is competitively priced, but some find costs high, especially due to mandatory contracts and unbundled pricing.
The licensing was a challenge due to budget constraints, and I used ExtremeCloud IQ without a license for a period.
For more quotes and insights, download the ExtremeCloud IQ report
While the pricing of Fortinet FortiWLM is a bit high, it remains effective.
Fortinet's pricing is different from Aruba, as Aruba has solutions for small business and enterprise in different categories.
The price is competitive.
For more quotes and insights, download the Fortinet FortiWLM report
UK
Mohammad Talha Talkin Alam - PeerSpot reviewer
CW
Ahmed Auf - PeerSpot reviewer
 

Valuable Features

ExtremeCloud IQ provides scalable, cloud-based network management with AI analytics, enhancing performance, security, and reducing costs for businesses.
Fortinet FortiWLM offers centralized, scalable management with high security and integration, praised for ease and cost efficiency.
For networking and access points, it acts as a controller in a cloud environment, eliminating the need for an appliance controller or wireless LAN controller, thus saving on investment and reducing TCO costs.
The automation and information provided by ExtremeCloud IQ, such as connection status and logs, were very beneficial.
For more quotes and insights, download the ExtremeCloud IQ report
The solution is controlled from one device and one GUI for all devices.
The most useful aspect of Fortinet FortiWLM is that you can manage all the Fortinet products from one portal, from one device.
It also has integration capabilities with FortiFirewall which is beneficial for customers.
For more quotes and insights, download the Fortinet FortiWLM report
José Roldan - PeerSpot reviewer
UK
Ahmed Auf - PeerSpot reviewerLuayHlaleh - PeerSpot reviewer
CW
 

Categories and Ranking

ExtremeCloud IQ
Average Rating
8.8
Reviews Sentiment
7.3
Number of Reviews
77
Ranking in other categories
Network Management Applications (13th), Network Access Control (NAC) (11th), Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS) (21st)
Fortinet FortiWLM
Average Rating
8.4
Reviews Sentiment
6.3
Number of Reviews
29
Ranking in other categories
Wireless LAN (12th)
 

Mindshare comparison

ExtremeCloud IQ and Fortinet FortiWLM aren’t in the same category and serve different purposes. ExtremeCloud IQ is designed for Network Management Applications and holds a mindshare of 2.7%, down 2.8% compared to last year.
Fortinet FortiWLM, on the other hand, focuses on Wireless LAN, holds 1.9% mindshare, down 2.1% since last year.
Network Management Applications Market Share Distribution
ProductMarket Share (%)
ExtremeCloud IQ2.7%
Cisco DNA Center21.8%
Cisco Catalyst Center9.9%
Other65.6%
Network Management Applications
Wireless LAN Market Share Distribution
ProductMarket Share (%)
Fortinet FortiWLM1.9%
Aruba Wireless15.4%
Ruckus Wireless13.8%
Other68.9%
Wireless LAN
 

Featured Reviews

José Roldan - PeerSpot reviewer
Has improved network monitoring with AI-driven insights and centralized device management
The best features of ExtremeCloud IQ include the integration of different vendors in one dashboard, the evolution of the manager, and any devices in networking. The impact of ExtremeCloud IQ on my organization is positive as the deployment is for a hybrid solution, using third-party vendors and cloud solutions for Extreme devices, switches, IP, and access points or SD-WAN solution devices. My IT team is occupied with other jobs, and ExtremeCloud IQ helps with monitoring networking at low costs. For networking and access points, it acts as a controller in a cloud environment, eliminating the need for an appliance controller or wireless LAN controller, thus saving on investment and reducing TCO costs.
Read full review
LuayHlaleh - PeerSpot reviewer
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.
Read full review
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Comms Service Provider
11%
Computer Software Company
10%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Educational Organization
9%
Computer Software Company
12%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Comms Service Provider
8%
Healthcare Company
7%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business46
Midsize Enterprise13
Large Enterprise24
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business19
Midsize Enterprise3
Large Enterprise5
 

Questions from the Community

What are pros and cons of Aruba 515 Series AP vs. Cisco Meraki or Extreme Networks?
Depends. I have personally used both Cisco and Aruba so I am familiar with them. Extreme I am not, so unless they have some feature that I need or want, I wouldn't consider them. Do you have expe...
See all answers
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for ExtremeCloud IQ?
The licensing was a challenge due to budget constraints, and I used ExtremeCloud IQ without a license for a period. The documentation and training courses were also costly, impacting how easily I c...
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What advice do you have for others considering ExtremeCloud IQ?
I rate the overall solution nine out of ten only due to the poor documentation. Despite this, I was very happy with ExtremeCloud IQ as it greatly eased my workload, allowing me to manage the networ...
See all answers
What do you like most about Fortinet FortiWLM?
The security is a valuable feature.
See all answers
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...
See all answers
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...
See all answers
 

Comparisons

Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN vs ExtremeCloud IQ Logo
Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN vs ExtremeCloud IQ
Compared 12% of the time
Ruckus Wireless vs ExtremeCloud IQ Logo
Ruckus Wireless vs ExtremeCloud IQ
Compared 10% of the time
Ubiquiti Wireless vs ExtremeCloud IQ Logo
Ubiquiti Wireless vs ExtremeCloud IQ
Compared 9% of the time
Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) vs ExtremeCloud IQ Logo
Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) vs ExtremeCloud IQ
Compared 9% of the time
Aruba Wireless vs ExtremeCloud IQ Logo
Aruba Wireless vs ExtremeCloud IQ
Compared 8% of the time
More ExtremeCloud IQ Competitors
Aruba Wireless vs Fortinet FortiWLM Logo
Aruba Wireless vs Fortinet FortiWLM
Compared 26% of the time
Cisco Wireless vs Fortinet FortiWLM Logo
Cisco Wireless vs Fortinet FortiWLM
Compared 17% of the time
Ruckus Wireless vs Fortinet FortiWLM Logo
Ruckus Wireless vs Fortinet FortiWLM
Compared 11% of the time
Cambium Networks Wireless LAN vs Fortinet FortiWLM Logo
Cambium Networks Wireless LAN vs Fortinet FortiWLM
Compared 11% of the time
Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN vs Fortinet FortiWLM Logo
Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN vs Fortinet FortiWLM
Compared 10% of the time
More Fortinet FortiWLM Competitors
 

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
ExtremeCloud IQ
October 2025
ExtremeCloud IQ reportDownload ExtremeCloud IQ product report
Buyer's Guide
Fortinet FortiWLM
October 2025
Fortinet FortiWLM reportDownload Fortinet FortiWLM product report
 

Also Known As

Aerohive Networks, Aerohive HiveManager, HiveManager, ExtremeCloud , ExtremeSecurity
FortiWLM, FortiAP, Fortinet AP/OAP, Meru Wireless LAN
 

Overview

ExtremeCloud is a resilient and scalable cloud-based network management solution offered by Extreme Networks as a subscription service.

The network is your platform of engagement for clients and staff. We have designed ExtremeCloud to provide superior user experience by empowering you and the applications that drive your business. The combination of Extreme Networks’ smart wired and wireless edges and the elasticity, resilience and scalability provided via state-of-the-art datacenters distributed strategically for worldwide availability allows you to respond to the changing needs of your business, at the speed of cloud, through a simple, multi-site aware user interface.

Extreme Networks

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

Henry Ford Health System, Baltimore Ravens, Brandili, Federal University of Alagoas, CEDAE, Caxias do Sul, UNISC Concurrency, CenturyLink Field, Louisiana College, Cricket Tasmania Stadium, Moscow Internet Exchange
Black Gold Regional Schools, Amadeus Hospitality, Jefferson County, Chunghwa Telecom, City of Boroondara, Dimension Data
Buyer's Guide
Network Management Applications
October 2025
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We monitor all Network Management Applications 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.