Aruba Instant On Access Points vs Ubiquiti WLAN comparison

Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Ubiquiti Networks are both solutions in the Wireless LAN category. Hewlett Packard Enterprise is ranked #10 with an average rating of 8.6, while Ubiquiti Networks is ranked #7 with an average rating of 7.8. Hewlett Packard Enterprise holds a 0.9% mindshare in Wireless LAN, compared to Ubiquiti Networks’s 5.1% mindshare. Additionally, 96% of Hewlett Packard Enterprise users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 82% of Ubiquiti Networks users who would recommend it.

Aruba Instant On Access Points

Read 32 Aruba Instant On Access Points reviews

2,010 Views
995 Comparison Views

96% willing to recommend

Ubiquiti WLAN

Read 44 Ubiquiti WLAN reviews

6,329 Views
6,078 Comparison Views

82% willing to recommend

Aruba Instant On Access Points

Ubiquiti WLAN

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Oct 31, 2024

Ubiquiti WLAN and Aruba Instant On Access Points compete in the wireless networking category. Aruba Instant On Access Points seem to have the upper hand due to their seamless cloud-based management and more responsive customer support.

Features: Ubiquiti WLAN is known for its robust stability, ease of installation, and comprehensive management capabilities, including a free controller system and effective VPN setup. It provides an intuitive interface without ongoing licensing fees. Aruba Instant On Access Points are praised for simple deployment and ease of management through a cloud-based interface, offering extensive coverage and reliability suitable for small and medium-sized environments.

Room for Improvement: Ubiquiti WLAN could benefit from enhanced signal strength, simpler management interfaces, and advanced enterprise features like automated channel conflict resolution. Improvements in cloud integration and management are also desirable. Aruba Instant On Access Points need better user density capabilities, improved radio frequency coverage, and integration tools to enhance monitoring and reporting.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Ubiquiti WLAN offers a straightforward on-premises deployment but lacks universal cloud management, making it more complex compared to Aruba Instant On Access Points, which provide both cloud and on-premises deployment options. Ubiquiti's community forums serve as a primary support source, though official responses can be slow. Aruba is noted for reliable and responsive support.

Pricing and ROI: Ubiquiti WLAN appeals to cost-conscious buyers with a budget-friendly one-time purchase cost, delivering good ROI for small deployments. Aruba Instant On Access Points are competitively priced, offering cost-effective solutions without recurring fees, covering essential features and catering well to small and medium-sized deployments.

To learn more, read our detailed Aruba Instant On Access Points vs. Ubiquiti WLAN Report (Updated: March 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Aruba Instant On Access Points vs. Ubiquiti WLAN

March 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:

Categories and Ranking

Aruba Instant On Access Points

Ranking in Wireless LAN

10th

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

6.5

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Ubiquiti WLAN

Ranking in Wireless LAN

7th

Average Rating

7.4

Reviews Sentiment

6.9

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of April 2025, in the Wireless LAN category, the mindshare of Aruba Instant On Access Points is 0.9%, down from 1.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Ubiquiti WLAN is 5.1%, down from 6.7% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Wireless LAN

Featured Reviews

Ricardo Quintero

Infrastructure/Telcom Coordinator at Schnellecke Group AG & Co. KG

Affordable and offers an easy setup phase

I was working on the on-premises solutions, like IronNet, Aironet, and some other tools from Cisco, but not with Meraki. The last Aironet model that we have here in Mexico, in the corporate office, and in some of the other regions of Mexico is Cisco Aironet 3700 and Cisco Aironet 3800, so it is just two or three devices. Aruba Instant On Access Points was working with Aruba 2540 and Cisco 3850 In Cisco, I found some issues. I was working well with a vendor. I was working with Cisco Catalyst 9200 and Cisco Catalyst 9300, along with Cisco Catalyst 2916M XL Switch. With all devices, we got a report. During the immigration, we choose another vendor, which Aruba. We have some issues with Aruba Instant On Access Points in iOS that are targeting the devices, and I have seen some problems with the DHCP solution.

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Gabriele-Pizzigati

Senior Software and Systems Engineer at SAMU.IT

Managing installations through one interface enhances efficiency but AI features improvement

Ubiquiti Wireless LAN is reliable and offers a good quality product. It provides one interface to manage all installations, allowing me to monitor all customers through the same web interface. The web interface in the controller allows for quick configuration of devices with just one click, which is a significant advantage.

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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 virtual Controller feature is valuable."

"Regarding access points, the customer typically considers low-cost plans, and Ruckus Unleashed Access Points are commonly used. These access points are managed through the Microsoft console and can be accessed either with or without ports. The management is done through a controller. The main benefits customers see include cost-effectiveness, especially for those with budget constraints. Aruba, in particular, provides a good user experience. Some customers might choose Huawei, but enterprise access points are also considered. Additionally, the unified access point capabilities are valuable, allowing management from the same account. However, there is a limitation of twenty-five access points, and if a customer requires more, they need to create another site or account. If the customer exceeds twenty-five access points, they need to generate another site or virtual business to manage additional access points, as the external number is limited to twenty-five."

"When an error or alert happens, I receive it in the application. I do not have to be there to know if something is wrong."

"The initial setup is easy."

"Configuring everything in the cloud with Aruba Central and having all the devices be independent of a centralized controller has made it simple to deploy."

"The configuration is very simple."

"I would rate the stability of this solution a ten out of ten."

"The coverage Aruba provides across the physical area is much better. Most probably because of the new technology, the 4x4 antenna, and everything around it. It's just a much better, easier to use, and easier to manage product."

More Aruba Instant On Access Points pros

"The ease of use and simplicity of the solution is its most valuable feature. This tool is best suited for small environments."

"Ubiquiti provides good connectivity for the end-user, so I think it's stable."

"Ubiquiti is affordable, as it does not require recurring licensing fees."

"The initial setup process was relatively straightforward, with only minor challenges typically caused by user errors, such as password mismatches."

"The most beneficial thing about Ubiquiti is that it is simple to deploy."

"The solution is scalable."

"The solution works well and in the short time I have used it, I've enjoyed its capabilities."

"There was a time when we were using Cisco switches and attempting to integrate Ubiquiti UniFi switches into our network infrastructure. Eventually, after some effort, we managed to understand the process. Initially, it was challenging to configure the unified console to manage virtual networks alongside internal networks effectively. We had to comprehend how both systems would integrate carefully. It became apparent that maximizing the usage of Cisco switches required a thorough understanding of how UniFi operates at the backend."

More Ubiquiti WLAN pros

Cons

"It is suitable for smaller organizations, but it may not be the best choice for large enterprises."

"When I first deployed the solution, I couldn't use a tagged VLAN for the management. It might already have been fixed in a recent firmware upgrade."

"The pricing could be a little cheaper."

"I want the product to be made available at a cheaper price point."

"I believe there's room for improvement in the validation process, especially for customers facing compliance issues when managing access points from the cloud. It would be beneficial if the access points could also be managed from an on-premises controller. Regarding additional features, customers express interest in enhancing the controller, specifically improving the capability to manage a higher number of access points from the same controller. This feature is crucial for better scalability. Another feature that customers would appreciate is the ability to increase the number of access points. However, the current process for obtaining this permission can be time-consuming, and customers would like to see improvements in this regard."

"When there are a lot of people connected, especially during video streaming demonstrations, the connection can get a bit choppy."

"With Aruba, the documentation on the website is not too easy to use, and some information is not found."

"The tool is priced high."

More Aruba Instant On Access Points cons

"The downside is the interface changes, where they are constantly doing firmware updates."

"Ubiquiti WLAN would be improved with the addition of individual AP configuration, which would allow for fine-tuning of individual access points and logins."

"The solution should improve stability."

"Support from Ubiquiti is hard to obtain. However, there is a good forum where a lot of information can be found."

"When I started to upgrade, the controller for Unbuntu was really struggling to start up, however, that has since been solved."

"There seems to be a drop in service. It's definitely a reliability or stability issue we face."

"Ubiquiti WLAN is not a cheap solution."

"The product could be improved with more extensive documentation or resources for network engineers."

More Ubiquiti WLAN cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The price of Aruba Instant On Access Points is reasonable. They are competitively priced. I've even used it in my home at one time because of the low price."

"Aruba Instant On Access Points are license-free. It's a very good and cheap solution for wireless networks. It can be compared with solutions from Ubiquiti and TP-Link, but it is in a different class. Aruba Instant On Access Points are cheaper than those from Cisco, Ruckus, and Motorola. It's perhaps the cheapest one. They do not use licenses, so it is a solution from the box. You don't need to pay extra money or deal with hidden payments."

"It is expensive."

"The product's price falls on the cheaper end of the spectrum. The price of the product is one of the biggest benefits that it offers."

"You buy it for $165 an AP, which is what we paid."

"It is competitively priced. It was at a price point that made sense for me to put in my home, and that says something. The cost of the solution includes everything we need to manage and upgrade our Wi-Fi network, including the mobile management app. Having the licensing and all the functionality built into the base price of the product is really important for me. There are no extra costs for the security feature or automatic software/firmware updates, which is really important to me."

"There is a need to make yearly payments towards the standard licensing charges associated with the product. There are some additional costs associated with the product since I have seen customers who purchase three-year or five-year plans."

"I would rate the solution's pricing an eight out of ten."

More Aruba Instant On Access Points pricing and cost advice

"There is a license required for this solution."

"This solution is reasonably priced."

"There is no licensing cost for this solution."

"I would rate the solution's pricing a nine out of ten. It is high."

"The solution is cheap. I rate its pricing as three out of ten."

"When comparing the price of Ubiquiti WLAN to Aruba the price is reasonable."

"Ubiquiti WLAN is a low-priced product."

"The software to control it is free. The license is when we buy the Cloud Key."

More Ubiquiti WLAN pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Educational Organization

63%

Computer Software Company

Construction Company

Manufacturing Company

Computer Software Company

13%

Comms Service Provider

Manufacturing Company

Educational Organization

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Aruba Instant On Access Points?

It's really easy to set up. And, you don't have to pay for the cloud solution. That's really interesting for our clients. And the other thing is, the roaming is also quite good.

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

Aruba Instant On Access Points work without a list price, suggesting that they are open source and no additional licensing costs are incurred.

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What needs improvement with Aruba Instant On Access Points?

All features already exist in Aruba Instant On Access Points. However, in future updates, more AI for intelligence and the option for a separate network could be beneficial.

See all answers

Is Ubiquiti Wireless better than Ruckus Wireless WAN?

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 ve...

See all answers

Which is better - Ubiquiti WLAN or Aruba Instant?

We researched Ubiquiti and Aruba when looking for a WLAN solution. Ubiquiti offers good WLAN access both indoors and outdoors. It provides an enterprise-level WIFI while remaining cost-effective. U...

See all answers

What do you like most about Ubiquiti WLAN?

Anyone can buy the product off the shelf and configure it.

See all answers

Comparisons

Fortinet FortiAP vs Aruba Instant On Access Points

Compared 19% of the time

Cambium Networks Wireless LAN vs Aruba Instant On Access Points

Compared 17% of the time

Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN vs Aruba Instant On Access Points

Compared 13% of the time

Omada Access Points vs Aruba Instant On Access Points

Compared 13% of the time

Aruba Instant vs Aruba Instant On Access Points

Compared 10% of the time

More Aruba Instant On Access Points Competitors

Fortinet FortiAP vs Ubiquiti WLAN

Compared 21% of the time

Huawei Wireless vs Ubiquiti WLAN

Compared 18% of the time

Aruba Wireless vs Ubiquiti WLAN

Compared 14% of the time

Ruckus Wireless vs Ubiquiti WLAN

Compared 10% of the time

Omada Access Points vs Ubiquiti WLAN

Compared 8% of the time

More Ubiquiti WLAN Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Aruba Instant On Access Points

March 2025

Download Aruba Instant On Access Points product report

Buyer's Guide

Ubiquiti WLAN

March 2025

Download Ubiquiti WLAN product report

Overview

Ingredients for success.

Fast 802.11ac Wave 2, secure employee and guest access, easy-to-use web, and mobile app management.

Say yes to secure Wi-Fi access.

Pre-built access control lists (ACLs) and built-in firewall in the access points prevent malicious traffic from entering your network – we call it “hassle-free” security.

Never drop an important call.

With Instant On, voice and video business applications are automatically prioritized, so you stay connected with your peers.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise

UniFi is a revolutionary Wi-Fi system that combines Enterprise performance, unlimited scalability, a central management controller and disruptive pricing.

Ubiquiti Networks

Sample Customers

Information Not Available

NASCAR Grand-AM, Maritime Parc, Outdoor Music Festival, One Republic Tour, British Armed Forces, Arcadia School District, Bartlett School District, Universidad del Azuay, Estelar Hotels, Intercontinental Bali, Moscow - Enforta, Miami - Sling Broadband, Manhattan - MST, Ecuador - Aire.EC

Buyer's Guide

Aruba Instant On Access Points vs. Ubiquiti WLAN

March 2025

Free Report: Aruba Instant On Access Points vs. Ubiquiti WLAN

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