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Aruba Instant vs SonicWall SonicWave Access Points comparison

Hewlett Packard Enterprise and SonicWall are both solutions in the Wireless LAN category. Hewlett Packard Enterprise is ranked #10 with an average rating of 8.5, while SonicWall is ranked #20 with an average rating of 10.0. Hewlett Packard Enterprise holds a 2.0% mindshare in Wireless LAN, compared to SonicWall’s 0.6% mindshare. Additionally, 97% of Hewlett Packard Enterprise users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of SonicWall users who would recommend it.
Aruba Instant
Read 51 Aruba Instant reviews
  • 2,065 Views
  • 1,982 Comparison Views
97% willing to recommend
SonicWall SonicWave Access ...
Read 4 SonicWall SonicWave Access Points reviews
  • 510 Views
  • 510 Comparison Views
100% willing to recommend
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Oct 31, 2024

Aruba Instant and SonicWall SonicWave Access Points compete in wireless network solutions. While Aruba Instant has advantages in pricing and customer support, SonicWave Access Points offers robust features, making it a worthwhile investment.

Features: Aruba Instant supports seamless scalability, intelligent app visibility, and integrated security features. SonicWall SonicWave provides advanced threat prevention, superior Wi-Fi signal strength, and compatibility with various security standards.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Aruba Instant is easy to deploy with auto-configuration and has user-friendly support. SonicWave Access Points requires more setup but offers extensive documentation and reliable service.

Pricing and ROI: Aruba Instant offers competitive pricing with lower setup costs, appealing to budget-conscious buyers. SonicWall SonicWave, while more expensive, offers a comprehensive feature set that may justify the investment.

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To learn more, read our detailed Aruba Instant vs. SonicWall SonicWave Access Points Report (Updated: September 2025).
Buyer's Guide
Aruba Instant vs. SonicWall SonicWave Access Points
September 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
Ranking in Wireless LAN
10th
Average Rating
8.6
Reviews Sentiment
6.4
Number of Reviews
51
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
SonicWall SonicWave Access ...
Ranking in Wireless LAN
20th
Average Rating
10.0
Reviews Sentiment
7.4
Number of Reviews
4
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of October 2025, in the Wireless LAN category, the mindshare of Aruba Instant is 2.0%, up from 2.0% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of SonicWall SonicWave Access Points is 0.6%, up from 0.4% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Wireless LAN Market Share Distribution
ProductMarket Share (%)
Aruba Instant2.0%
SonicWall SonicWave Access Points0.6%
Other97.4%
Wireless LAN
 

Featured Reviews

Alessandro Salvadori - PeerSpot reviewer
Comes at a good price and has a good cloud console
We usually sell Aruba Instant where there is no need for more than four or five switches. It is generally recommended for very small companies where we don't need more than three or four switches We are using it only for very small companies. We have had a reduction in time, but it is not that…
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Jasmit Singh Juneja - PeerSpot reviewer
Easy-to-deploy platform with prompt technical support services
The platform's most valuable feature is the ability to provide cloud access to configure and manage devices. It integrates with ETP solutions; thus, we don't need to run a firewall. They provide an online wireless line manager application. Its basic access point is Wi-Fi 621, which has 2.5 G connectivity. None of the competitors, including Fortinet, enables this facility on the most basic level.
Read full review

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Pros

"You can handle all of the access points at once virtually instead of manually handling each one. You're able to populate all of the information to all of the access points through the virtual controller as well. It transforms everything it a single access point, which simplifies things."
"Has many advanced features: Built-in firewall, local radius, application visibility and control, not locked into support agreements."
"It's a good solution for small businesses because it's easy to figure out. It's simple to set Aruba up in any configuration, like link aggregation or static loads. It's suitable for less complicated configurations, whereas Cisco devices are bigger and more difficult to implement."
"Aruba Instant is easy to manage."
"I like that the solution is not complex."
"The central management of multiple devices is the solution's most valuable aspect."
"The most valuable feature of Aruba Instant is its cloud capability, which allows us to manage it through the cloud."
"I like the Instant On switches and the AP22"
More Aruba Instant pros
"The security features of SonicWall are highly valued."
"Unlike the Cisco solution that needs a dedicated wireless controller outside of a firewall, SonicWall has everything in one box. Fortinet is close to it."
"The platform's most valuable feature is the ability to provide cloud access to configure and manage devices."
"I rate SonicWall a nine out of ten."
"A good management tool that can be managed through the cloud or firewall."
 

Cons

"The captive portal through Facebook doesn't work."
"If you need to access the master access point the integration between the two becomes quite expensive."
"The network planner could be improved. You should be able to import a floor plan, and the application should suggest the optimal placement of your devices."
"The management component is difficult to understand and not very user-friendly which increases deployment time."
"Aruba Instant can improve by increasing the gigabit range of the switch or by adding additional management features and tools. It can be helpful."
"The tool needs to enhance its security features."
"The restart time should be improved."
"Embedding a heatmap tool within the product would make it easier to conduct a wireless survey."
More Aruba Instant cons
"The main issue is the management of the access points. They are sometimes difficult to manage from the end-user side because they are not yet familiar with the configuration."
"The product's pricing is high and could be improved."
"We have a lot of overlapping wireless networks with a lot of cheap equipment that does not run on any rules or regulations. The best way to improve the wireless network, like in SonicWaves, is to defeat these networks by isolating, preventing them, or overcoming their wireless signal. We try to do that, but I live near an airport, and the AirPortRadar glitches my wireless network every nine seconds."
"They are sometimes difficult to manage from the end-user side because they are not yet familiar with the configuration."
"Integrating with the firewall and management console was a little complex."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Avoid the Central cloud license if you can."
"Aruba Instant is affordable."
"We only pay for the support and the contract licenses from Aruba Instant."
"The pricing is reasonable."
"In terms of costs, Aruba Instant is cheap because it doesn't require a license, but you'll incur charges for the access points. Access point charges could be more affordable."
"Two years ago, I paid INR 12,000 for access points, but now, I will have to pay double the amount, which comes up to INR 24,000, making it a costly product."
"The setup cost varies based on each organization's requirements but it is within reason."
"In my region right now, Aruba Instant comes with a default two-year cloud access license."
More Aruba Instant pricing and cost advice
"The platform offers yearly licenses."
"The pricing of the SonicWave Access Points solution is different in the US and Brazil. In the US, the solution is priced more competitively than other vendors. In Brazil, the exchange rate is a problem. To address this, SonicWall managers in Brazil are running several sales promotions and improving the price of new units."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
14%
Comms Service Provider
10%
Manufacturing Company
6%
Construction Company
6%
Computer Software Company
18%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Financial Services Firm
8%
Educational Organization
6%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business29
Midsize Enterprise8
Large Enterprise14
No data available
 

Questions from the Community

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 Aruba Instant?
I find network management features related to monitoring Wi-Fi usage and visited sites particularly valuable. Content filtering is also important to prevent access to malicious or inappropriate web...
See all answers
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Aruba Instant?
In my experience, Aruba Instant's price is reasonable compared to premium products like Ruckus, Cisco, or Juniper. However, when compared to entry-level market segments, the price is higher. Overal...
See all answers
What do you like most about SonicWall SonicWave Access Points?
The platform's most valuable feature is the ability to provide cloud access to configure and manage devices.
See all answers
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for SonicWall SonicWave Access Points?
The platform offers yearly licenses. We receive all the support services through our partners. Thus, there are no extra costs involved. However, some partners might charge for deployment services.
See all answers
What needs improvement with SonicWall SonicWave Access Points?
The main issue is the management of the access points. They are sometimes difficult to manage from the end-user side because they are not yet familiar with the configuration.
See all answers
 

Comparisons

Omada Access Points vs Aruba Instant Logo
Omada Access Points vs Aruba Instant
Compared 33% of the time
Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN vs Aruba Instant Logo
Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN vs Aruba Instant
Compared 16% of the time
Ruckus Wireless vs Aruba Instant Logo
Ruckus Wireless vs Aruba Instant
Compared 12% of the time
Aruba Instant On Access Points vs Aruba Instant Logo
Aruba Instant On Access Points vs Aruba Instant
Compared 9% of the time
Huawei Wireless vs Aruba Instant Logo
Huawei Wireless vs Aruba Instant
Compared 9% of the time
More Aruba Instant Competitors
Ruckus Wireless vs SonicWall SonicWave Access Points Logo
Ruckus Wireless vs SonicWall SonicWave Access Points
Compared 33% of the time
Ubiquiti WLAN vs SonicWall SonicWave Access Points Logo
Ubiquiti WLAN vs SonicWall SonicWave Access Points
Compared 29% of the time
Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN vs SonicWall SonicWave Access Points Logo
Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN vs SonicWall SonicWave Access Points
Compared 13% of the time
Aruba Wireless vs SonicWall SonicWave Access Points Logo
Aruba Wireless vs SonicWall SonicWave Access Points
Compared 13% of the time
Cisco Wireless vs SonicWall SonicWave Access Points Logo
Cisco Wireless vs SonicWall SonicWave Access Points
Compared 12% of the time
More SonicWall SonicWave Access Points Competitors
 

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
Aruba Instant
September 2025
Aruba Instant reportDownload Aruba Instant product report
Buyer's Guide
Wireless LAN
August 2025
SonicWall SonicWave Access Points reportDownload SonicWall SonicWave Access Points product report
 

Also Known As

No data available
SonicWave 200 Series, SonicWave 200 Series Access Points, SonicWave 400 Series, SonicWave 400 Series Access Points
 

Overview

Aruba Instant delivers the only controllerless Wi-Fi solution that is easy to set-up, and loaded with security and smarts needed to accelerate your business without breaking your budget.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise

SonicWall SonicWave series wireless access points (APs) combine high-performance IEEE 802.11ac Wave 2 wireless technology with flexible deployment options. These APs can be managed via the cloud using SonicWall WiFi Cloud Manager (WCM) or through SonicWall's industry-leading next-generation firewalls.

SonicWall
 

Sample Customers

Purdue University, Orlando Magic, Brussels Airport Company, Molecaten Holiday Parks
St. Dominic's School for Girls
Buyer's Guide
Aruba Instant vs. SonicWall SonicWave Access Points
September 2025
Free Report: Aruba Instant vs. SonicWall SonicWave Access Points
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