Fortinet FortiExtender vs Ubiquiti Wireless comparison

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Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between Fortinet FortiExtender and Ubiquiti Wireless based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out in this report how the two Wireless WAN solutions compare in terms of features, pricing, service and support, easy of deployment, and ROI.
To learn more, read our detailed Fortinet FortiExtender vs. Ubiquiti Wireless Report (Updated: March 2024).
765,386 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Featured Review
Quotes From Members
We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use.
Here are some excerpts of what they said:
Pros
"We appreciate that this solution can be used as an active secondary link as well as a backup.""The product is easy to use and easy to integrate.""Management can be carried out from a central point.""For me, the best feature of Fortinet FortiExtender is its integration with an external solution such as a 5G LTE broadband modem, wired modem, and cellular network. I also like that the product can be integrated into one device or a unified device, and that is one of its best features because it allows you to manage and centralize the control of every device.""You don't need to have two different vendors to interoperate and get into comparability issues or inter-operability issues.""The most valuable feature will be that it works.""The initial setup was was just beautiful. It was straightforward.""The solution is extremely user-friendly."

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"I have found the most valuable features to be how user-friendly it is and how simple it is to do the configurations.""The pricing of the solution is excellent. It offers a great value.""The most valuable features are ease of deployment, ease of use, and the interface.""I have found the most valuable features to be the ability to use the main centralized administration process and the internet.""The most valuable aspect of Ubiquiti is the ease of setup. It's easy to set up, secure, and use. It works on an adoption basis. I can pull the system up, design a network, and pull 20 different Ubiquiti units into it.""This access point provides internet to every lab on campus, including the computer laboratory""The setup is easy and user friendly.""Ubiquiti Wireless is very scalable. I don't know that there's a limit to the scalability. We just add more data switches to power more access points. We haven't come across a situation where it can't handle the Ubiquiti equipment."

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Cons
"What most of my clients are telling me is the price is a problem.""The support could be faster and more responsive.""We would like to see some improvement in the price for 5G models, as they are currently very expensive.""There is a huge downside because we need to remove and insert the SIM to get it working.""I would like to see them make it smaller in the next release so that it has a smaller footprint for mobile clients.""The solution would be a lot better if it was a little bit more intuitive. Additionally, the help menu would be a lot better if it was easier to identify the items that I was looking for. I find the graphical interface a little bit difficult to navigate. And I find the font that is used on the HTML interface not conducive to being able to be read in low light situations.""The engineering of the solution has some negative points, especially in terms of troubleshooting. It's difficult to troubleshoot when we have a problem. It's not like other products like Cisco or Palo Alto which make troubleshooting much easier.""Though Fortinet FortiExtender has some security features, the product could still be improved by adding features similar to those in FortiGuard, such as antivirus, intrusion, prevention, and detection, as well as web filtering features. The product is also not as user-friendly, so that's another area for improvement. In the FortiGate UTM solution of Fortinet, there's software-defined or SD-WAN, and in the next release of Fortinet FortiExtender, I'd like to see SD-WAN embedded in the product. Most of the communication in Fortinet FortiExtender is related to WAN and Edge, so having an SD-WAN function in the product would be useful for integrating and controlling WAN communication."

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"We'd like them to improve aspects of device management.""The control system can be improved by making it easier.""This might not be the best solution for a very large organization.""The documentation and support provided by the solution areas of concern where improvements are required.""Everything needs to be professionally done.""Tech support is mostly remote and could be better.""The range and maybe the quality of the signal can be improved. I had a feeling that the range wasn't long enough. Unfortunately, beyond a certain range, the signal was too weak. If I'm not mistaken, it must have been something like 100 or more than 100 meters, but I'm not sure. So, one improvement I wish for this equipment is to have a longer range, but that could mainly be due to the model we're using.""Ubiquiti Wireless could improve stability."

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Pricing and Cost Advice
  • "I'm not sure what the cost is. However, I anticipate that the purchase price will range between $2,500 and $5,000."
  • "I've only used the open-source version of Fortinet FortiExtender, but I know that it has some features that require you to pay for a license."
  • "The solution is not that expensive."
  • More Fortinet FortiExtender Pricing and Cost Advice →

  • "The price of this solution is ok."
  • "The product is a very good price."
  • "Right now the product is less expensive and of higher quality than other solutions."
  • "The price is reasonable and there's only a one-time payment. We have had this for a long time and I haven't seen any additional fee after paying for the installation."
  • "In South Africa, for some Cisco access points, it will cost you 10,000 Rand ($690 USD), whereas with Ubiquity that same access point will cost you less than 3,000 Rand ($210 USD)."
  • "The product is expensive."
  • "Ubiquiti Wireless is affordable."
  • "If you do not have a big budget, you can use Ubiquiti, it is cost-effective."
  • More Ubiquiti Wireless Pricing and Cost Advice →

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    Questions from the Community
    Top Answer:The product is easy to use and easy to integrate.
    Top Answer:The solution is not that expensive. I rate pricing a six out of ten. The product has a yearly subscription. The clients must pay only for the license. They need not pay any additional costs.
    Top Answer:The support could be faster and more responsive.
    Top Answer:Ubiquiti Wireless is extremely easy to set up and is an excellent option for small businesses, offering enterprise features for a one-time fee and no ongoing licensing fees. Ubiquiti Wireless is very… more »
    Top Answer:For me, Ubiquiti was easy to install, configure, set up, and maintain, while also providing solid coverage and better handoffs between APs. This is especially relevant if you are using Apple products… more »
    Top Answer:Ubiquiti Wireless offers a wide range of WLAN products. We tested their devices before ultimately choosing Cisco Meraki. Ubiquiti devices have good outdoor performance and the connection is very… more »
    Ranking
    6th
    out of 10 in Wireless WAN
    Views
    746
    Comparisons
    247
    Reviews
    5
    Average Words per Review
    740
    Rating
    8.2
    1st
    out of 10 in Wireless WAN
    Views
    10,673
    Comparisons
    6,498
    Reviews
    24
    Average Words per Review
    505
    Rating
    7.7
    Comparisons
    Learn More
    Ubiquiti Networks
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    Overview

    Fortinet FortiExtender is a cost-effective hardware WAN device that is robust, easily scales, and delivers 5G, LTE, and Ethernet options. FortiExtender is designed using Fortinet’s trademark security-focused networking. The solution enables organizations to have enhanced secure network connectivity with cellular and wired broadband network options.

    FortiExtender can be used for secure point of sale (POS) systems to transport fleet communications. The device delivers dependable broadband access to the internet and increases the usefulness of the Fortinet Security Fabric integration to enhance seamless business processes that rely heavily on remote device connectivity to get the job done.

    FortiExtender delivers super-fast 5G and LTE wireless to connect and quickly scale any WAN edge. Users get 5G/LTE cellular, out-of-band management (OBM), high availability (HA), and dynamic risk security in one comprehensive, reliable solution.

    Fortinet FortiExtender Benefits

    • Failover protection: Users get secure network failover protection with dual SIM, dual modem, and out of band management (OBM) functionalities.

    • Cloud-based processes: Organizations with a global reach can easily manage processes in the cloud from anywhere. Users can use FortiGate, FortiManager, or FortiExtender Cloud Dashboard to view and easily manage security controls, network changes, and policy and protocol automation.

    • Integration: Seamlessly integrates with Fortinet Secure SD-WAN for simplified deployment, security, and management.

    • Improves TCO: FortiExtender is a very cost-effective option when integrated with FortiGate Network Security Platform. FortiExtender implements processes that save money and improve connectivity, functionality, and profitability.

    Fortinet FortiExtender Features

    • Plug-and-play: Out of the box and ready to go, once FortiExtenders are connected to the FortiGate, they are available on the FortiOS management platform. Additionally, FortiOS provides complete visibility, monitoring data usage to ensure limits are not exceeded, resulting in significant cost savings.

    • Flexible connectivity options: 

      • LTE/5G : The FortiExtender devices provide dual SIM and dual modem options for four different ISPs. Dual SIM allows for active/passive cellular link for fast failover. Dual modem options provide two active/passive links for super-fast failover and disaster recovery. ISPs can be set for data usage limits and seamlessly switch to other ISPs to balance connectivity and reduce costs.

      • WAN connectivity: Using an Ethernet WAN port, users can connect cable, DSL, or another modem. Load balancing and failover options available.

      • Hybrid WAN-LAN connectivity: Four LAN ethernet ports enable users to have numerous connections to the LTE connection. Works well for high availability (HA) pairs of FortiGates to connect to FortiExtender. FortiGates then will run in failover or load balancing mode and receive WAN connectivity from the FortiExtender device.

    Reviews from Real Users

    “Fortinet FortiExtender helps facilitate Fortinet connectivity. When it comes to cell phone towers, you never know what you'll get with global configurations. We use this solution to mitigate switching cell phone towers. The scalability is limitless based on your cell and your internet or your cloud connectivity.  It's similar to any other VPN in terms of how simple it is to set up in a global or extended environment with a large number of clients.” - Clement J., Chief Executive Officer at Clemtech LLC

    Ubiquiti Wireless refers to the wireless networking solutions provided by Ubiquiti Networks, a leading technology company specializing in networking and wireless communication products. Ubiquiti Wireless offers a range of innovative and cost-effective wireless networking solutions designed for various applications, including enterprise networks, service providers, small and medium-sized businesses, and home users.

    Ubiquiti Wireless products are known for their reliability, performance, and ease of use. They encompass a wide range of devices and technologies, including wireless access points, wireless routers, antennas, bridges, mesh networks, and point-to-point or point-to-multipoint wireless links.

    Ubiquiti Wireless Features:

    • Scalability: Ubiquiti Wireless products are designed to scale easily, allowing organizations to expand their wireless networks as needed without significant infrastructure changes.

    • Flexibility: Ubiquiti Wireless offers a range of products suitable for various deployment scenarios, including indoor and outdoor environments, long-range connectivity, and mesh networks.

    • Centralized Management: Ubiquiti provides a centralized management platform called the UniFi Controller, which allows administrators to configure, monitor, and manage their entire wireless network from a single interface.

    • Seamless Roaming: Ubiquiti Wireless solutions support seamless roaming, allowing wireless devices to maintain connectivity while moving across different access points within a network.

    • Advanced Security: Ubiquiti incorporates security features such as encryption, authentication, and firewall capabilities to protect wireless networks and data transmissions.

    • Cost-Effective: Ubiquiti Wireless products are known for their affordability without compromising performance, making them an attractive option for organizations with budget constraints.

    • Community Support: Ubiquiti has a vibrant community of users and enthusiasts who actively contribute to knowledge sharing, troubleshooting, and expanding the capabilities of Ubiquiti Wireless products.

    Ubiquiti Wireless Components:

    Ubiquiti Wireless encompasses a range of components that work together to provide reliable and scalable wireless networking solutions. Here are some key components commonly found in Ubiquiti Wireless deployments:

    • Wireless Access Points (APs) for providing wireless connectivity.
    • Wireless Routers as central network hubs for managing traffic.
    • Wireless Bridges for creating wireless connections between networks.
    • Antennas to enhance wireless range and coverage.
    • Mesh Networking Devices for seamless coverage across large areas.
    • Network Switches for wired connectivity within the network.
    • Management Software like the UniFi Controller for centralized management and monitoring.

    Reviews from Real Users

    George Ferns, Solution Architect - Networking and IoT at a wholesaler & distributor, states that Ubiquiti Wireless has "Attractive pricing and good for home use and small businesses, but it is not easily scalable and lacks security features".

    Walter Shelver, Owner at CableWeb, writes that "The most valuable aspect of Ubiquiti is the ease of setup. It's easy to set up, secure, and use. It works on an adoption basis. I can pull the system up, design a network, and pull 20 different Ubiquiti units into it".

    ThomasWilke, CEO at CITOM, says that “You can almost do everything with Cisco products for a much better price with a significantly lower learning curve”.

    Sample Customers
    Black Gold Regional Schools, Amadeus Hospitality, Jefferson County, Chunghwa Telecom, City of Boroondara, Dimension Data
    NASCAR Grand-AM, Maritime Parc, Outdoor Music Festival, British Armed Forces, Arcadia School District, Moscow - Enforta
    Top Industries
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company31%
    Insurance Company9%
    Government7%
    Comms Service Provider6%
    REVIEWERS
    Energy/Utilities Company15%
    University12%
    Educational Organization12%
    Computer Software Company9%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company12%
    Comms Service Provider9%
    Manufacturing Company6%
    Government6%
    Company Size
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business80%
    Midsize Enterprise10%
    Large Enterprise10%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business32%
    Midsize Enterprise24%
    Large Enterprise44%
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business62%
    Midsize Enterprise15%
    Large Enterprise23%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business35%
    Midsize Enterprise18%
    Large Enterprise47%
    Buyer's Guide
    Fortinet FortiExtender vs. Ubiquiti Wireless
    March 2024
    Find out what your peers are saying about Fortinet FortiExtender vs. Ubiquiti Wireless and other solutions. Updated: March 2024.
    765,386 professionals have used our research since 2012.

    Fortinet FortiExtender is ranked 6th in Wireless WAN with 8 reviews while Ubiquiti Wireless is ranked 1st in Wireless WAN with 67 reviews. Fortinet FortiExtender is rated 8.2, while Ubiquiti Wireless is rated 8.0. The top reviewer of Fortinet FortiExtender writes "Seamless with excellent integration capabilities and flexibility". On the other hand, the top reviewer of Ubiquiti Wireless writes "It's cheap and easy to use but isn't suitable for large deployments or complex use cases ". Fortinet FortiExtender is most compared with Cisco Wireless WAN, Cambium Networks Wireless WAN and Ruckus Wireless WAN, whereas Ubiquiti Wireless is most compared with Ruckus Wireless WAN, Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN, Cambium Networks Wireless WAN, Aruba Wireless and ExtremeCloud IQ. See our Fortinet FortiExtender vs. Ubiquiti Wireless report.

    See our list of best Wireless WAN vendors.

    We monitor all Wireless WAN 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.