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ExtremeCloud IQ vs Fortinet FortiWLM vs Ruckus Wireless comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive Summary

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 in 6-12 months, enhances profitability, simplifies management, and provides valuable retail customer insights.
Sentiment score
3.0
Organizations save costs and enjoy reliable, seamless connectivity with Ruckus Wireless, reducing hardware needs and technical support dependency.
I managed to support and deploy ExtremeCloud IQ and handle network management without requiring external staffing, thus saving on external hiring costs.
Technical Coordinator at Yildiz Technical University
I believe that in the coming years, it would be real value for the money.
CIO at Haier
 

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 service receives mixed reviews, praised for engineer support but criticized for average response times and escalation needs.
Sentiment score
6.6
Ruckus Wireless customer service receives mixed reviews, praised for responsiveness and quality, but criticized for response delays and staffing issues.
GTAC receives a score of ten out of ten.
Ingeniero De Preventa at a tech services company with 51-200 employees
I experienced effective help mainly remotely, though for some issues, a technical person had to assist on-site.
Technical Coordinator at Yildiz Technical University
If we encounter any bugs, they inform us of the recommended configuration and firmware to resolve our problems.
Cybersecurity SNB Technical Manager at a tech services company with 51-200 employees
The local support we receive from our distributor is perfect.
Network Specialist at Metropolitan Communications Pvt Ltd
Fortinet provides excellent customer support.
Information Technology Team Lead at IT Solutions AE
I have contacted Ruckus support through our managed services vendor, but the responses have been delayed, possibly due to the vendor.
manager at SSDU Innovations
I have communicated with Ruckus Wireless technical support directly for all technical issues.
CIO at Haier
 

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
6.5
Fortinet FortiWLM offers high scalability, efficiently managing numerous access points and integrating seamlessly into diverse environments.
Sentiment score
5.3
Ruckus Wireless offers scalable, flexible solutions for seamless operation, supporting diverse environments and easy expansion in high-density areas.
Now, with any simple FortiGate 60F or newer model, you can manage more than 64 access points.
Information Technology Team Lead at IT Solutions AE
Fortinet's solutions are integrated into many standard frameworks, allowing for good scalability and interaction with other vendors' products.
Product Owner at a financial services firm with 501-1,000 employees
With the Ruckus R1 Cloud, I just need to put it into the venue, and it will automatically sync up and configure itself.
manager at SSDU Innovations
 

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
8.3
Fortinet FortiWLM is highly stable, with minimal operational issues and high user satisfaction despite minor initial software bugs.
Sentiment score
7.0
Ruckus Wireless is highly dependable and stable, offering seamless connectivity even in dense environments with minimal maintenance required.
It requires some time to update, which affects real-time management.
Technical Coordinator at Yildiz Technical University
This is a stable solution.
Information Technology Team Lead at IT Solutions AE
 

Room For Improvement

Users seek a simpler interface, improved support, and enhanced features, highlighting issues with bugs, security, and pricing concerns.
Fortinet FortiWLM needs better management features, integration, pricing, support, usability, reporting, and enhanced automation and mobile app capabilities.
Ruckus Wireless needs improved tools, pricing, scalability, interface, support, security, and innovation for better user experience and market competitiveness.
I needed deep details and more thorough resources.
Technical Coordinator at Yildiz Technical University
This integration aids in resolving problems and issues found in the network and enhances support with the GTAC team of Extreme Networks.
Ingeniero De Preventa at a tech services company with 51-200 employees
Firmware upgrades and bug improvements need to be tested well.
Cybersecurity SNB Technical Manager at a tech services company with 51-200 employees
A mobile application to manage the Wi-Fi or the whole network would be beneficial.
Information Technology Team Lead at IT Solutions AE
The price is higher than I would like.
Assistant Manager IT at PDS Multinational
The current reporting is limited to 30 days, and it would be helpful if there was an option to extend it to one year.
manager at SSDU Innovations
Sometimes when there's a load of work, even within the range of the concurrent users, we feel that the system is burdened and slows down.
CIO at Haier
First of all, the product needs to be updated.
CEO at ajuntament del Prat
 

Setup Cost

ExtremeCloud IQ pricing is competitive, offering comprehensive licensing and discounts, appealing to buyers prioritizing quality and reliability.
Fortinet FortiWLM offers competitive, all-inclusive pricing, despite some concerns with enterprise licensing and recent price increases.
Ruckus Wireless, though costly, is valued for great client density management and flexible licensing compared to Cisco and Aruba.
The licensing was a challenge due to budget constraints, and I used ExtremeCloud IQ without a license for a period.
Technical Coordinator at Yildiz Technical University
While the pricing of Fortinet FortiWLM is a bit high, it remains effective.
Assistant Manager IT at PDS Multinational
Fortinet's pricing is different from Aruba, as Aruba has solutions for small business and enterprise in different categories.
Network Specialist at Metropolitan Communications Pvt Ltd
The price is competitive.
Cybersecurity SNB Technical Manager at a tech services company with 51-200 employees
Some access points cost approximately 3,000 euros per device, which would be appropriate for a great studio or similar facility.
CEO at ajuntament del Prat
Ruckus Wireless is quite economical compared to Meraki or Cisco Umbrella APs.
manager at SSDU Innovations
Regarding the pricing and licensing of Ruckus Wireless, it's a bit expensive compared to other solutions available in Pakistan.
CIO at Haier
 

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 management with features like security and scalability, enhancing wireless network deployment and performance.
Ruckus Wireless excels with BeamFlex, offering superior coverage, easy management, scalability, and reliable connectivity in high-density settings.
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.
Ingeniero De Preventa at a tech services company with 51-200 employees
The automation and information provided by ExtremeCloud IQ, such as connection status and logs, were very beneficial.
Technical Coordinator at Yildiz Technical University
The solution is controlled from one device and one GUI for all devices.
Cybersecurity SNB Technical Manager at a tech services company with 51-200 employees
It also has integration capabilities with FortiFirewall which is beneficial for customers.
Network Specialist at Metropolitan Communications Pvt Ltd
The most useful aspect of Fortinet FortiWLM is that you can manage all the Fortinet products from one portal, from one device.
Information Technology Team Lead at IT Solutions AE
The most valuable feature of Ruckus Wireless is its AI capability, which automatically scales up and down the coverage areas.
manager at SSDU Innovations
Overall, we have fewer issues using these devices, and it's more stable.
CIO at Haier
We are satisfied, but there are some problems in the current Ruckus Wireless solution that we could not solve two years ago, and we are still waiting for a solution.
CEO at ajuntament del Prat
 

Mindshare comparison

Network Management Applications Mindshare Distribution
ProductMindshare (%)
ExtremeCloud IQ2.8%
Cisco DNA Center12.3%
Cisco Catalyst Center6.8%
Other78.1%
Network Management Applications
Wireless LAN Mindshare Distribution
ProductMindshare (%)
Fortinet FortiWLM2.9%
Aruba Wireless13.2%
Ruckus Wireless12.0%
Other71.9%
Wireless LAN
Wireless LAN Mindshare Distribution
ProductMindshare (%)
Ruckus Wireless12.0%
Aruba Wireless13.2%
Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN10.2%
Other64.6%
Wireless LAN
 

Featured Reviews

José Roldan - PeerSpot reviewer
Ingeniero De Preventa at a tech services company with 51-200 employees
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.
LuayHlaleh - PeerSpot reviewer
Information Technology Team Lead at IT Solutions AE
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.
PS
CEO at ajuntament del Prat
Reliable wireless coverage has supported busy operations and has improved daily connectivity
We have areas that are interference-prone. I am not using BeamFlex technology with Ruckus Wireless. We are satisfied, but there are some problems in the current Ruckus Wireless solution that we could not solve two years ago, and we are still waiting for a solution. These are lateral management problems, and we solved them with another type of tools. However, I do not know if the new versions of the product have resolved that issue. We had approximately 150 access points at that time, so we had many points to change. We had another solution five years ago, and we changed all the access points to Ruckus Wireless solution as well as the Ruckus Wireless platform to manage all the access points.
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Top Industries

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

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business45
Midsize Enterprise14
Large Enterprise24
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business18
Midsize Enterprise5
Large Enterprise5
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business69
Midsize Enterprise22
Large Enterprise26
 

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 h...
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. T...
What advice do you have for others considering ExtremeCloud IQ?
I use ExtremeCloud IQ's real-time analytics. In the cloud solution, I get reports, and it works together with machine...
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Fortinet FortiWLM?
I do not have knowledge about the pricing or the cost of Fortinet FortiWLM because the license is for the package of ...
What needs improvement with Fortinet FortiWLM?
Overall, I find it useful, though I have concerns because after every update, some functionality is deleted or closed...
What is your primary use case for Fortinet FortiWLM?
I use this solution for the enterprise to segment the department.
Aruba Wireless or Ruckus Wireless?
At my organization, we researched Ruckus Wireless among other solutions but ultimately chose Aruba wireless. What di...
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...
How does Ruckus Wireless compare to Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN?
Cisco’s Meraki Virtual MX is a virtual instance of the Meraki SD-WAN appliance. We liked the Meraki. The Wifi APs are...
 

Also Known As

Aerohive Networks, Aerohive HiveManager, HiveManager, ExtremeCloud , ExtremeSecurity
FortiWLM, FortiAP, Fortinet AP/OAP, Meru Wireless LAN
No data available
 

Overview

 

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
American University of Sharjah, Baruch College, Centro Escolar Liceo Santo Tomšs, Chevalier College, Chico Unified School District, Colegio de Fomento El Prado, Columbia Public Schools, Delta School District, Dordt College, Douglas County School District, Drew University, Armonea, Central Utah Clinic, Grove Hill Medical Center, Inner South Community Health Service, Midwest Surgical, Satilla Regional Medical Center, Lyndoch Living, Polonus, Roaring Fork School District, Sonora State, Vivid, Sydney, Players Club, Sandals, Scandic Hotels, Sheraton LAX, Sunbird
Find out what your peers are saying about Cisco, Fortinet, Hewlett Packard Enterprise and others in Network Management Applications. Updated: March 2026.
885,837 professionals have used our research since 2012.