Meraki Dashboard vs Pulseway comparison

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Meraki Dashboard

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Oct 10, 2024

Pulseway and Meraki Dashboard are competing in the IT management solutions category. Meraki Dashboard often has the upper hand due to its extensive feature set and robust infrastructure, which some believe justifies its higher price.

Features: Pulseway includes remote monitoring and management, automation, and mobile access, which provide versatility in IT management. Meraki Dashboard excels with advanced security features, cloud management capabilities, and seamless networking hardware integration.

Room for Improvement: Pulseway could enhance its feature depth, scalability, and integration with third-party applications. Meraki Dashboard might benefit from improving pricing flexibility, user interface simplification, and mobile app performance.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Pulseway offers a quick deployment model with effective customer support, suiting a wide range of businesses. Meraki Dashboard provides a detailed deployment process backed by comprehensive documentation and customer service tailored for complex networking needs.

Pricing and ROI: Pulseway's lower setup costs deliver rapid ROI through affordability and efficiency. Meraki Dashboard, despite a higher initial cost, offers significant value through comprehensive network solutions that yield substantial long-term ROI.

To learn more, read our detailed Meraki Dashboard vs. Pulseway Report (Updated: August 2026).

Meraki Dashboard vs. Pulseway

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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

Meraki Dashboard

Ranking in Network Monitoring Software

11th

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

6.0

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Pulseway

Ranking in Network Monitoring Software

51st

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

7.4

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Server Monitoring (19th), Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) (14th)

Mindshare comparison

As of August 2026, in the Network Monitoring Software category, the mindshare of Meraki Dashboard is 0.7%, down from 1.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Pulseway is 0.6%, up from 0.2% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Network Monitoring Software Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Meraki Dashboard	0.7%
Pulseway	0.6%
Other	98.7%

Network Monitoring Software

Featured Reviews

MURALI NIDAMANURI

Managing Director at a manufacturing company with 10,001+ employees

Dashboard provides comprehensive network security and management capabilities

I don't have specific handy names. Meraki Dashboard uses multiple functions where we can configure SSIDs, firewall policies, DHCP, multiple VLANs and DHCP configurations, VLAN configurations, access control policies, MAC binding, client access based on MAC authentication and certificate-based authentication. We have configured SSO for Windows Active Directory by configuring the RADIUS services. We have implemented many customer requirements in Meraki Dashboard. With the detailed visibility feature of Meraki Dashboard, I get connected clients information, including how much data each client downloaded and what applications they accessed. I can obtain detailed data including ISP links level monitoring and speed. I can perform speed tests, generate analytics reports, convert to Excel based on each user for each department, create dashboards, monitor and limit bandwidths, and restrict specific URLs. The advanced security configuration in Meraki Dashboard is useful for network security. Substantial security can be achieved within Meraki Dashboard itself, eliminating the need for additional firewalls to protect your network. You can configure WAN monitoring, users' ACLs, URL filtering, web filtering, and department-wise access configuration for specific client applications. It's completely cloud-managed, and in a simplified way, you don't need to visit any physical infrastructure to monitor activities. Apart from access points, everything is in the cloud. We have monitored IoT solutions, CCTV monitoring, and can detect and control intrusions. When people connect IoT devices to your network, Meraki Dashboard can detect what device it is and control those access controls, even with different operating systems.

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Pieter Plas

Owner at Beerepoot Automatisering B.V.

A solution with a great monitoring system and ability to control access remotely

The initial setup was straightforward. Deployment depends on the size of a customer. We make the customer in the enterprise server, and there is a download per customer for the installation package. We can also roll it out very easily, and when we install it on one or two systems, it explores the network for more systems. We can then fire a deployment package on the other systems. So in one hour, we can do a lot. Most of the time, 90% of the work is very easy, and the last 10% are the business-critical systems from a customer. Also, we manually install important customer systems, like special applications where we like to monitor specific services in the server itself.

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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 most valuable feature of Meraki Dashboard is we can manage our switches and access point in one place."

"It's a scalable solution."

"There is no need to swap the hardware at all the locations, and importing the APs into the Dashboard was a simple and quick process."

"We like how Meraki Dashboard lets you manage all the devices in a single pane of glass. The dashboard is intuitive and easy to use. They are constantly updating the functionality. Switches from other vendors have the same features for the life of the device, but Meraki is always improving."

"Meraki Dashboard is a great solution for every company, especially if you want ease and peace of mind throughout and if you are starting out with networking, as it is a great solution to learn."

"The most valuable features are the ease of use and a single-pane-of-glass that allows us to identify issues across the entire network from one dashboard."

"The initial setup was easy."

"Meraki Dashboard has everything together that legacy Cisco did not, with a simple interface that is easy to use and has made our expansions and acquisitions pretty easy."

More Meraki Dashboard pros

"The solution has great workflow and server modules."

"It has made life a lot easier for the administrators."

"One of the applications I have used the most was to troubleshoot users and I've never faced difficulties or issues with the application itself."

"It has been very helpful to get notifications about various issues with my servers and network to help me take action to resolve problems before they become major issues."

"We like the patching of the window updates in the client's systems. You can automatically do updates with a single click."

"So this solution allows for 24/7 support and is very handy."

"It gives you remote control and has a mobile app."

"The setup is simple."

More Pulseway pros

Cons

"Some features could be added."

"I am concerned about the fact that once your licensing expires the devices stop working and become a brick."

"This solution can be quite complicated to configure and manage, unless you have a technical person with specific knowledge working on it."

"It is not appropriate for large, enterprise businesses."

"Meraki Dashboard could improve integration with non-Cisco platforms."

"There needs to be more improvement on the device-connected interface."

"The one issue that we have had is that the VPN tunnel would go down unless you worked out with the ISP that you would be using a static IP address on the WAN interface."

"I appreciate the security that has been provided by Meraki, but they specifically require port 80 which is highly vulnerable towards Meraki domain itself, so I would like to remove it."

More Meraki Dashboard cons

"However, the solution does not allow you to make a script for just one customer, so it would be great if that is improved."

"Support needs to be improved because we've sometimes had to wait 24 hours to get a response."

"They have good technical support but it's not excellent."

"Sometimes the speed is a problem. When I've been remote controlling people, from time to time, there were some issues with people in Hong Kong."

"There are some bugs or glitches."

"Remote Desktop Assistance for Mac endpoints - not having this functionality is a major inconvenience in having to have two systems for clients using this platform."

"GUI needs to be improved and the solution lacks a process for monitoring VOIP calls."

"It would be nice if it also had a desktop application, similar to the phone app, which would allow me to monitor and control computers from my desktop."

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Typically, the license model is for one, three, and five years. They can just be a bit more flexible around it and look into providing an option for 24 months."

"Licensing for Meraki Dashboard is paid every year, and it's on a per-device model that costs roughly $300 to $400 per device, but that comes with full support and troubleshooting, etc. Compared to similar products, Meraki Dashboard is quite high-end, but the costs you pay are all-in."

"The price of Meraki Dashboard is not expensive because knowing that it is a cloud-based solution has its benefits."

"It is said to be expensive."

"Meraki Dashboard is a utility and portal that's part of the Meraki solution."

"You don't have to pay for the dashboard."

"From a pricing perspective, they are still expensive."

"My view is that it's expensive, but it's the best."

More Meraki Dashboard pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Construction Company

10%

Outsourcing Company

Healthcare Company

Financial Services Firm

Construction Company

12%

Outsourcing Company

10%

Comms Service Provider

Computer Software Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	23
Midsize Enterprise	14
Large Enterprise	29

No data available

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Meraki Dashboard?

My experience with pricing, setup costs, and licensing is that it is what it is. It is pricey and sometimes surprising. Of course, with Cisco, you pay for the premium because it is a premium produc...

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What needs improvement with Meraki Dashboard?

I think Meraki Dashboard can be improved with a couple of additional features, such as the ability to download analytics into a spreadsheet, which is not currently available, the ability to configu...

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What is your primary use case for Meraki Dashboard?

The main use case for Meraki Dashboard is to manage the Meraki Dashboard ecosystem, and the main reason is the ease of use.

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Product Reports

Meraki Dashboard

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Overview

Meraki Dashboard offers intuitive, cloud-based network management, simplifying tasks with centralized control, real-time monitoring, and comprehensive security.

Offering ease of use and a single-pane-of-glass view, Meraki Dashboard enhances network management through centralized monitoring and configuration. Its intuitive interface allows remote device management, policy configuration, and real-time alerts. Cloud-based access provides scalability and automatic updates, while detailed analytics and security measures ensure robust control over networks. Though some users mention complexity in certain configurations and third-party integration gaps, its continuous improvement and network management efficiency accommodate extensive business requirements.

What are the Key Features of Meraki Dashboard?

Ease of Use: Simplified interface that allows easy navigation and operations.
Single-Pane-of-Glass View: Centralized management of all network components from one platform.
Real-Time Monitoring: Provides up-to-date insights for proactive network management.
Cloud-Based Access: Accessible from anywhere, enabling remote management and updates.
Automatic Updates: Ensures the system is always up-to-date with the latest features and security patches.
Detailed Analytics: Offers insights into network performance and security analytics.
Comprehensive Security Measures: Features built-in security protocols and tools for enhanced protection.

What Benefits and ROI Should Users Consider?

Centralized Control: Streamlines network management across multiple sites.
Scalability: Grows with business needs, supporting a wide range of devices and configurations.
Integration Capabilities: Merges easily with existing systems, though improvements are desired for third-party devices.
Improved Network Efficiency: Enhances visibility and control, reducing downtime and improving performance.
Remote Management: Facilitates convenient configuration and monitoring from any location.

Enterprises deploy Meraki Dashboard for diverse network management purposes, including monitoring, access point deployment, security configuration, and VLAN and LAN management. In education, it provides centralized Wi-Fi management and ensures secure student access. Retail businesses utilize it for seamless device integration and analytics, while healthcare facilities employ its robust security and real-time monitoring to safeguard patient data and maintain network efficiency. Its cloud-based interface enhances control and visibility across numerous sites, simplifying management and configurations.

Cisco

Pulseway is a comprehensive IT management tool offering critical functionalities such as integrated dashboards, automation, and remote support. It supports seamless IT operations across multiple platforms, providing ease in monitoring and management.

Pulseway provides a robust platform for IT teams seeking to efficiently manage their infrastructure. With its capabilities in system monitoring, remote control, and mobile app accessibility, users can effectively oversee endpoint performance and receive timely alerts. It simplifies the management of server workflows, software deployment, and updates, catering to diverse IT environments. Its compatibility with multiple platforms ensures convenience in network monitoring, password updates, and administration access, allowing IT support to function across locations. There's room for improvement, particularly in enhancing remote session performance, graphical interface, and adding features like Remote Desktop Assistance for Mac.

What features does Pulseway offer?

Integrated Dashboard: Centralizes monitoring for better visibility.
Automatic Windows Updates: Ensures systems are up-to-date automatically.
Remote Script Execution: Facilitates task automation remotely.
Advanced Reporting: Provides detailed analysis for informed decision-making.
Mobile App: Offers 24/7 accessibility and support capabilities.

What benefits do Pulseway users experience?

Enhanced IT Efficiency: Streamlines operations and reduces manual tasks.
Cross-Platform Support: Adapts to diverse IT environments and needs.
Improved Remote Support: Facilitates responsive and effective help desk capabilities.
Scalable Management: Supports expanding IT infrastructures seamlessly.

Pulseway is utilized across industries like healthcare, finance, and education, providing essential IT support. It enables organizations to monitor critical systems, ensuring minimal downtime and optimal resource usage. Cybersecurity teams benefit from its deployment for tracking disk space, memory, CPU usage, and installed applications, enhancing overall network security and operational reliability.

Sample Customers

Coop eG, Peet's Coffee & Tea, Priefert Manufacturing, Century Care Management, Clifton College, Zürs Ski Resort, Capital FM Arena, MAXI Autohöfe

Dell, Canon, Siemens, Harvard University, Northwestern University

Meraki Dashboard vs. Pulseway