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 #11 with an average rating of 8.5, while SonicWall is ranked #25. Hewlett Packard Enterprise holds a 2.3% mindshare in Wireless LAN, compared to SonicWall’s 1.0% 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 52 Aruba Instant reviews

2,249 Views
2,159 Comparison Views

97% willing to recommend

SonicWall SonicWave Access ...

Read 4 SonicWall SonicWave Access Points reviews

697 Views
697 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Aruba Instant

SonicWall SonicWave Access ...

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Download the report

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.

To learn more, read our detailed Aruba Instant vs. SonicWall SonicWave Access Points Report (Updated: March 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Aruba Instant vs. SonicWall SonicWave Access Points

March 2026

Download the complete report

Helped 884,873 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 Instant

Ranking in Wireless LAN

11th

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

6.2

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

SonicWall SonicWave Access ...

Ranking in Wireless LAN

25th

Average Rating

10.0

Reviews Sentiment

7.4

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of March 2026, in the Wireless LAN category, the mindshare of Aruba Instant is 2.3%, up from 2.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of SonicWall SonicWave Access Points is 1.0%, up from 0.4% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Wireless LAN Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Aruba Instant	2.3%
SonicWall SonicWave Access Points	1.0%
Other	96.7%

Wireless LAN

Featured Reviews

SreejeshSoman

Technical Consultant at Vertex Techno Solutions (B) Pvt Ltd

Has supported mid-market deployments with cloud-based centralized management and reliable wireless performance

I faced challenges earlier with a limitation of 50 APs in single sites, but that has enhanced to 100 numbers, eliminating that challenge for Aruba Instant On team. Additionally, some features are not listed in the cloud management platform and still require offline access, so enhancing the cloud management features would be better for us.

Read full review

Winsley De Oliveira

Owner at ANOC

An industry-leading security and wireless solution packaged in one box

We make our customers SonicWall clients. We have a solution package: If you have a contract to network with us, we will deliver SonicWall firewalls, access points, VPN clients, and all the other equipment with the SonicWall solution. We have been selling this solution for the past 30 years. We had a customer three months ago struggling with a Fortinet solution. We convinced them that the Fortinet solution would not work perfectly during renewal. We made a bet and delivered SonicWall equipment for free for one week, and if they had no more issues, they would buy it. That's precisely what happened. The customer ended up purchasing an $80,000 SonicWall solution. The SonicWall SonicWave Access Points are a good product compared to Cisco, Sophos, and Fortinet. In Brazil, Ruckus is taking market share in some key areas, such as hotels and hospitals. They are into big solutions with thousands of access points. Overall, I rate the solution a ten out of ten.

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

"The products offer a lot of flexibility. Almost everything can be configured. It works very well for providing remote services."

"The simplicity of the dashboard is one of the most valuable features. It's easy to use, and manage and the security features are robust. We can block unauthorized connections and create secure SSIDs."

"The most valuable feature of Aruba Instant is security."

"The coverage of the solution is great."

"I like the notifications. I really like that it gives me those reports in terms of whether those access points are on or off."

"I can implement it at small sites, and I can also implement it at mid-sized locations. It is very flexible. It is really nice and useful for customers who have many small sites."

"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 websites. It is reliable and simple."

"When users want to migrate from one location to another, they face no problems with connectivity."

More Aruba Instant pros

"The security features of SonicWall are highly valued."

"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."

"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."

"A good management tool that can be managed through the cloud or firewall."

Cons

"The only issue we've had is getting equipment supplies. The availability of the APs that I want to use has been an issue. It took almost two months to get them the first time. I've ordered a few more for another client, and they're still on back order. It has been over a month now."

"The Central cloud management (optional) is far behind the competition in features, ease of use, and dependability. I have tried Aruba Central a few times over the years and, in my option, it is not where it needs to be for serious consideration in production environments."

"The product is a little expensive."

"The tool needs to enhance its security features."

"The product's high cost is an area where improvements are required."

"We have faced delay in customer support which has affected our business performance. So the customer support needs to be prompt in their responses."

"For some people, price is a concern."

"The support offered by Aruba is slow."

More Aruba Instant cons

"They are sometimes difficult to manage from the end-user side because they are not yet familiar with the configuration."

"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."

"Integrating with the firewall and management console was a little complex."

"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."

Pricing and Cost Advice

"I rate the product’s pricing a two out of ten."

"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 product is competitively priced"

"The setup cost varies based on each organization's requirements but it is within reason."

"Avoid the Central cloud license if you can."

"In my region right now, Aruba Instant comes with a default two-year cloud access license."

"The product is reasonably priced."

"I purchased the hardware and there are no monthly or yearly licenses to buy."

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."

See which vendors are best for you

Use our free recommendation engine to learn which Wireless LAN solutions are best for your needs.

See recommendations

884,873 professionals have used our research since 2012.

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Comms Service Provider

11%

Manufacturing Company

Computer Software Company

Healthcare Company

Computer Software Company

12%

Manufacturing Company

10%

University

Financial Services Firm

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	31
Midsize Enterprise	7
Large Enterprise	14

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 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

What is your primary use case for SonicWall SonicWave Access Points?

I am using the SonicWall SonicWave Access Point for our Proof of Concept (POC) to our customers.

See all answers

What advice do you have for others considering SonicWall SonicWave Access Points?

I rate SonicWall a nine out of ten. It should provide training to end users to enhance their knowledge.

See all answers

Comparisons

Omada Access Points vs Aruba Instant

Compared 15% of the time

Aruba Instant On Access Points vs Aruba Instant

Compared 13% of the time

Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN vs Aruba Instant

Compared 9% of the time

Ruckus Wireless vs Aruba Instant

Compared 7% of the time

Huawei Wireless vs Aruba Instant

Compared 6% of the time

More Aruba Instant Competitors

Ruckus Wireless vs SonicWall SonicWave Access Points

Compared 16% of the time

Ubiquiti WLAN vs SonicWall SonicWave Access Points

Compared 12% of the time

Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN vs SonicWall SonicWave Access Points

Compared 9% of the time

Aruba Wireless vs SonicWall SonicWave Access Points

Compared 9% of the time

Alcatel-Lucent OmniAccess Stellar vs SonicWall SonicWave Access Points

Compared 9% of the time

More SonicWall SonicWave Access Points Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Aruba Instant

March 2026

Download Aruba Instant product report

Buyer's Guide

Wireless LAN

February 2026

SonicWall SonicWave Access Points report

Download 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

March 2026

Free Report: Aruba Instant vs. SonicWall SonicWave Access Points

Find out what your peers are saying about Aruba Instant vs. SonicWall SonicWave Access Points and other solutions. Updated: March 2026.

DOWNLOAD NOW

884,873 professionals have used our research since 2012.

See our Aruba Instant vs. SonicWall SonicWave Access Points report.

See our list of best Wireless LAN vendors.

We monitor all Wireless LAN 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.