Aruba Access Points vs WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi comparison

Hewlett Packard Enterprise and WatchGuard are both solutions in the Wireless LAN category. Hewlett Packard Enterprise is ranked #7 with an average rating of 8.5, while WatchGuard is ranked #23 with an average rating of 7.0. Hewlett Packard Enterprise holds a 3.0% mindshare in Wireless LAN, compared to WatchGuard’s 0.9% mindshare. Additionally, 94% of Hewlett Packard Enterprise users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 83% of WatchGuard users who would recommend it.

Aruba Access Points

Read 39 Aruba Access Points reviews

1,807 Views
1,807 Comparison Views

94% willing to recommend

WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi

Read 7 WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi reviews

616 Views
598 Comparison Views

83% willing to recommend

Aruba Access Points

WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Oct 31, 2024

WatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi and Aruba Access Points compete in the wireless networking solutions market. WatchGuard generally has an advantage due to its pricing and customer support, whereas Aruba is seen as superior because of its extensive features.

Features: WatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi provides comprehensive data protection, threat management capabilities, and compatibility with various APs. Aruba Access Points offer extensive IoT device integration, network mobility, and ease of use.

Room for Improvement: WatchGuard could enhance device compatibility, expand advanced configuration options, and improve scalability. Aruba might work on decreasing deployment complexity, offering better pricing tiers, and enhancing initial setup processes.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: WatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi ensures straightforward deployment with intuitive setups and reliable customer service. Aruba Access Points, although complex initially, are backed by responsive and knowledgeable support teams enhancing user experience.

Pricing and ROI: WatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi is more cost-effective, offering quicker ROI with lower initial costs. Aruba Access Points, with higher upfront investments, promise long-term value with their advanced features and scalability.

To learn more, read our detailed Aruba Access Points vs. WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi Report (Updated: February 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Aruba Access Points vs. WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi

February 2026

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Helped 881,733 peers since 2012

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

Aruba Access Points

Ranking in Wireless LAN

7th

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

7.0

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi

Ranking in Wireless LAN

23rd

Average Rating

7.8

Reviews Sentiment

6.4

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of February 2026, in the Wireless LAN category, the mindshare of Aruba Access Points is 3.0%, up from 0.9% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi is 0.9%, up from 0.4% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Wireless LAN Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
Aruba Access Points	3.0%
WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi	0.9%
Other	96.1%

Wireless LAN

Featured Reviews

reviewer1912536

Manager Technical at a tech services company with 11-50 employees

Positive features shine with room for growth in advanced analytics adoption

Aruba Access Points are technologically advanced. Price-wise, they are cheaper than Cisco and other options. Our market is very price-conscious, so we normally work with Aruba in general. Feature-wise, they are technically strong, but the main point is the price point, which is very important for proposing, developing, and establishing a solution. Regarding scalability, users can implement many types of access points and increase their quantity. When using the controller-based solution, scalability is readily available. The main advantage is the flexibility of usage and comfortability. Users can build networks on Aruba Access Points, and the price is very comparable with other products. The feature set is good enough. Aruba Wi-Fi 6 is available in the market, but it is not generally required because it is costlier than traditional Wi-Fi 4 and 5.

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reviewer2562924

IT System Support Administrator at a non-profit with 501-1,000 employees

Configuration offers flexibility but response to incidents needs improvement

We recommend using WatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi, but when incidents occur, it can be very difficult to identify why they happen. Normally, the issues are simple to fix, but we recently faced a major incident. We are still trying to identify the cause, which is why I would rate it seven out of ten. Without this incident, I might have rated it eight to nine. Overall, I give the solution a rating of seven.

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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 is a stable solution."

"The product has good coverage."

"The Adaptive Radio Management feature is quite good."

"Aruba Access Points provide further coverage, more coverage, with better throughput and signal strength."

"I would rate the stability a nine out of ten. It is a stable product."

"It offers remarkable client-handling capacity."

"It is a reliable solution with good coverage."

"The controller software, which can control multiple access points remotely, is very convenient."

More Aruba Access Points pros

"We like that WatchGuard works and integrates directly with the firewalls we use."

"The solution has been stable."

"The Wi-Fi security features of this solution have been great for our customers who need to strictly control access to their network."

"Cloud analytics that provide all its attributes."

"The configuration part of WatchGuard is very flexible."

"It makes it easy to obtain all information about the client experience."

"They're very easy to set up and get running."

Cons

"Since we manufacture medical devices, we must adhere to pharmaceutical guidelines. According to these guidelines, our rooms are categorized as 'head type' and thus require network connectivity. However, installing high-end APs in every room may not be feasible."

"The pricing can be improved."

"AI is a buzzword here without substance."

"The ICT dynamic is important. Every other vendor is innovating with new features and ideas. They need to compete and implement these things to stay ahead. So, I would suggest Aruba continue to gain the competitive edge."

"I have to go via HP's process, which is not as good as Aruba's used to be."

"The licensing models lack clarity."

"In Aruba Access Points, the security part is an area of concern where improvements are required."

"Going with a cloud solution will make dependency no longer a challenge from a connectivity point of view."

More Aruba Access Points cons

"If a client device had issues with authentication due to out of date browser or similar difficulties, it would be nice to have the ability to migrate the client onto the portal via one click."

"One of the things is if you buy it with a certain subscription, you can't easily change the subscription level."

"The support response can be time-consuming because sometimes issues are very sensitive and require instant attention."

"I don't think they're available at the best price."

"Inability to import a user with one click."

"The solution can be scaled but it has limitations from my experience."

"The price of this solution needs to reviewed, as it is currently high enough to deter customers from trying it."

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The product's licensing cost is low. However, hardware is costly. Thus, it is overall expensive."

"The tool is priced the same as its competitors."

"The product is costly and comes with a lifetime license. There is neither renewal nor subscription. It is a one-time solution."

"The pricing is reasonable."

"My company needs to pay yearly for the licensing costs attached to the product. There are no additional payments towards the solution apart from its licensing costs."

"The price compared to other brands is slightly higher."

"Overall, I would say the pricing is reasonable and meets our expectations."

"The product is more expensive than two of its competitors."

More Aruba Access Points pricing and cost advice

"Your licensing and cost, as would be required for many other solutions, being considered for eighty to two hundred and eighty different physical locations, is just about the same amount per access point."

"WatchGuard is on the upper scale for pricing."

"The solution is priced high compared to competitors. However, for the features that are included in the solution, the price becomes more reasonable."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

12%

Comms Service Provider

10%

Manufacturing Company

10%

Financial Services Firm

Computer Software Company

10%

Non Profit

Comms Service Provider

Outsourcing Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	20
Midsize Enterprise	9
Large Enterprise	11

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	5
Midsize Enterprise	2

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Aruba Access Points?

After we installed the Aruba switches, the work became faster because the network speed improved.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Aruba Access Points?

When comparing pricing between Aruba Access Points and Forti, I find Aruba to be on the higher side.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Aruba Access Points?

AI is a buzzword here without substance. In a practical sense, nobody is working with AI or willing to work with AI features. Everyone discusses AI, but for providing wireless access to users, AI o...

See all answers

What needs improvement with WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi?

The support response can be time-consuming because sometimes issues are very sensitive and require instant attention. Also, when an incident occurs, the impact can be significantly huge. A recent p...

See all answers

What is your primary use case for WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi?

We use WatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi because we have used different tools as well, like Ubiquiti. The complexity of Ubiquiti is much more compared to WatchGuard, which provides more flexibility and is ea...

See all answers

What advice do you have for others considering WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi?

See all answers

Comparisons

Fortinet FortiAP vs Aruba Access Points

Compared 38% of the time

Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN vs Aruba Access Points

Compared 10% of the time

Cisco Wireless vs Aruba Access Points

Compared 10% of the time

Huawei Wireless vs Aruba Access Points

Compared 7% of the time

More Aruba Access Points Competitors

Ubiquiti WLAN vs WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi

Compared 29% of the time

Fortinet FortiWLM vs WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi

Compared 18% of the time

Aruba Wireless vs WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi

Compared 13% of the time

Ruckus Wireless vs WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi

Compared 10% of the time

Mojo Networks vs WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi

Compared 7% of the time

More WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Aruba Access Points

February 2026

Download Aruba Access Points product report

Buyer's Guide

WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi

January 2026

Download WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi product report

Overview

Aruba Access Points are a preferred choice for enterprises, providing efficient wireless connectivity across corporate settings, educational institutions, and healthcare facilities with both indoor and outdoor deployment options.

Aruba Access Points deliver reliable Wi-Fi and network access tailored for enterprise and guest connectivity, supporting IoT devices in diverse environments such as warehouses and offices. They ensure secure connections with features like VPN management and 802.1x authentication, along with flexibility in deployment. Users can benefit from their robust warranty, ease of use, and seamless integration possibilities. The devices facilitate convenient management through both on-premise and cloud solutions, although there is a need for improved coverage, security, and integration features.

What are the standout features of Aruba Access Points?

Virtual Controller: Manages multiple Access Points without additional hardware.
Client Match: Ensures devices connect to the best access point available.
Seamless Roaming: Provides uninterrupted connectivity without drop-offs.
Integration Capabilities: Allows easy incorporation of enterprise wireless solutions.
Advanced Authentication: Offers 802.1x and secure guest access.

What benefits or ROI can users look for?

High Stability: Consistent performance minimizes downtime.
Simple Configuration: Easy setup saves time and resources.
Network Mobility: Supports movement with uninterrupted access.
Visibility: Provides network insights for better management.
Warranty and Support: Offers robust warranty terms.

In specific industries, Aruba Access Points are implemented to enhance patient record access and guest connectivity in healthcare, support interactive learning environments in education, and streamline operations in warehouses with IoT integration. Their deployment aligns with industry-specific requirements, ensuring reliable connectivity and secure access to critical applications.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise

WatchGuard is a global leader in network security, secure Wi-Fi, and network intelligence products and services for SMBs and Distributed Enterprises worldwide. Our mission is to make enterprise-grade security accessible to companies of all types and sizes through simplicity, making WatchGuard an ideal solution for distributed enterprises and SMBs. WatchGuard is headquartered in Seattle, Washington, with offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America.

WatchGuard

Sample Customers

Information Not Available

Portsmouth Grammar School, HILOTEC

Buyer's Guide

Aruba Access Points vs. WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi

February 2026

Free Report: Aruba Access Points vs. WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi

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