Aruba Instant vs Ubiquiti WLAN comparison

Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Ubiquiti Networks are both solutions in the Wireless LAN category. Hewlett Packard Enterprise is ranked #11 with an average rating of 8.4, while Ubiquiti Networks is ranked #7 with an average rating of 7.8. Hewlett Packard Enterprise holds a 2.0% mindshare in Wireless LAN, compared to Ubiquiti Networks’s 5.1% mindshare. Additionally, 97% of Hewlett Packard Enterprise users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 82% of Ubiquiti Networks users who would recommend it.

Aruba Instant

Read 51 Aruba Instant reviews

2,729 Views
2,098 Comparison Views

97% willing to recommend

Ubiquiti WLAN

Read 44 Ubiquiti WLAN reviews

6,329 Views
6,078 Comparison Views

82% willing to recommend

Aruba Instant

Ubiquiti WLAN

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Oct 31, 2024

Ubiquiti WLAN and Aruba Instant are key competitors in the wireless LAN solutions market. Ubiquiti seems to have an edge due to its cost-effectiveness and ease of deployment, while Aruba Instant is favored for its advanced features and security.

Features: Ubiquiti WLAN provides an easy deployment process and robust performance with features like a free controller system, remote management, and straightforward configuration. It is competitively priced, making it appealing to users. Aruba Instant excels in cloud capabilities, security features, and seamless integration, offering centralized management and a strong end-user experience with its robust feature set.

Room for Improvement: Ubiquiti WLAN could improve its management features, support, and scalability as stability issues and limited troubleshooting tools have been noted. Aruba Instant needs enhancements in its management interface and support for larger deployments, with additional improvements in coverage and cloud management features necessary.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Ubiquiti WLAN is appreciated for its straightforward deployment process, adaptable to various environments, but has faced criticism for less responsive technical support compared to larger players. Aruba Instant also has a simple deployment process, benefiting from its Installation On feature, although its customer support availability and responsiveness have received mixed reviews.

Pricing and ROI: Ubiquiti WLAN is noted for its affordability, offering lifetime licenses and cost-effective pricing that appeals to small to medium environments without ongoing fees, resulting in a positive ROI when environmental needs are met. Aruba Instant, with a slightly higher initial cost, is favored for its comprehensive features despite the greater upfront price, delivering positive ROI when user requirements align.

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

Buyer's Guide

Aruba Instant 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

Ranking in Wireless LAN

11th

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

6.4

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 is 2.0%, down from 2.2% 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

Prashant-Patel

Senior Presales Consultant - Networking Solutions at Mannai

A highly stable and easy-to-deploy solution that is free and provides excellent deployment guides

The setup is very straightforward. There is no complexity at all. It took us 15 minutes. We need IP address details, DNS, a gateway, DHCP servers, and SSIDs. Single access points can act as controller-based, controller-less, and cloud-based solutions. That is the beauty of Aruba. If I have an on-premise solution and want to move to the cloud, I don't need separate hardware. The same hardware can be utilized in the cloud. The deployment guides that we get from Aruba are excellent. We have every piece of detail.

Read full review

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.

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 installation is very simple. We've limited the security feature, which I found valuable, and that allows two separate networks, one for the company and one for a guest network. During installation, it is very easy at that point to divide it."

"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."

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

"The integration with ClearPass is the most valuable feature."

"Aruba Instant is easy to manage."

"This is a very solid product. It is very powerful."

"I like the Instant On switches and the AP22"

"Aruba's mobility features, which facilitate seamless switching between wireless access points, are also quite impressive. Users don't even notice the transition, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted experience."

More Aruba Instant pros

"For me, the ease of configuration is a valuable feature."

"It is a very stable solution. Stability-wise, I rate the solution a ten out of ten."

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

"The web interface in the controller allows for quick configuration of devices with just one click, which is a significant advantage."

"The tool's deployment is very easy. The deployment of 15 access points can take a day."

"The solution is very easy to install."

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

"Ubiquiti Wireless LAN is reliable and offers a good quality product."

More Ubiquiti WLAN pros

Cons

"The reach of the solution could be improved. It could be a bit stronger."

"The security features must be improved."

"The product’s GUI must be improved."

"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."

"For some people, price is a concern."

"Aruba Instant does not currently offer a multi-gig switch or product, making it an area that requires improvement. Aruba Instant's competitors have multi-gig switches or products."

"Aruba Instant's visibility, firewalling, L3 functionality, and DHCP services could all be improved."

"I think that the next release should offer IP phone security/firewall."

More Aruba Instant cons

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

"The solution should include and expand on a central management system."

"When they release new products, you should know if there backward compatibility, or do you have to replace the entire forklift, It is useful to understand their strategy and where they are headed."

"Switching devices requires reconfiguration from scratch."

"Ubiquiti lacks troubleshooting tools. For example, there aren't tools that your clients can use to gather input on the AP itself. There's no visibility in the application layer or reporting. It doesn't have a lot of management features."

"The coverage could be increased."

"The product's area of concern revolves around its lack of support."

"Ubiquiti WLAN needs to expand the models with external antennas. It needs to improve stability."

More Ubiquiti WLAN cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"I would rate the pricing a five out of ten, where one is cheap and ten is expensive."

"There’s no licensing required to use the tool."

"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."

"The tool's pricing is neither cheap nor expensive."

"I personally would rather pay that little bit more and get what I need because I know what I'm getting, as opposed to going for something cheaper that's not as manageable and doesn't give as much."

"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."

"It's a one time cost, including the upgrades, but you have to pay on a yearly basis if you want support. The price is in the middle in comparison to that of competitors' products."

"The product is competitively priced"

More Aruba Instant pricing and cost advice

"The tool's price is very friendly."

"The tool's licensing costs are life-time charges."

"Ubiquiti WLAN’s price is higher than other competitors."

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

"It’s an expensive product but has all the essential qualities and functionality."

"There is a license required for this solution."

"This solution is reasonably priced."

"Ubiquiti WLAN is cheap. It can work without licensing."

More Ubiquiti WLAN pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

15%

Comms Service Provider

Manufacturing Company

Construction 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

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...

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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?

The licensing costs depend on the product. The smaller switch is around one hundred and twenty euros. We do not sell very expensive devices as we move to other products.

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

What do you like most about Ubiquiti WLAN?

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

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Ubiquiti WLAN?

Ubiquiti is affordable, as it does not require recurring licensing fees. It only requires purchasing the appliance itself, making it a cost-effective solution for wireless deployment.

See all answers

Comparisons

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Compared 40% of the time

Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN vs Aruba Instant

Compared 14% of the time

Ruckus Wireless vs Aruba Instant

Compared 13% of the time

Huawei Wireless vs Aruba Instant

Compared 11% of the time

Aruba Instant On Access Points vs Aruba Instant

Compared 4% of the time

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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

WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi vs Ubiquiti WLAN

Compared 2% of the time

More Ubiquiti WLAN Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Aruba Instant

March 2025

Download Aruba Instant product report

Buyer's Guide

Ubiquiti WLAN

March 2025

Download Ubiquiti WLAN product report

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

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

Ubiquiti Networks

Sample Customers

Purdue University, Orlando Magic, Brussels Airport Company, Molecaten Holiday Parks

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 vs. Ubiquiti WLAN

March 2025

Free Report: Aruba Instant vs. Ubiquiti WLAN

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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.