Cambium Networks Wireless LAN vs Fortinet FortiWLM comparison

Cambium Networks and Fortinet are both solutions in the Wireless LAN category. Cambium Networks is ranked #17 with an average rating of 8.4, while Fortinet is ranked #15 with an average rating of 9.0. Cambium Networks holds a 1.2% mindshare in Wireless LAN, compared to Fortinet’s 1.9% mindshare. Additionally, 100% of Cambium Networks users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 95% of Fortinet users who would recommend it.

Cambium Networks Wireless LAN

Read 19 Cambium Networks Wireless LAN reviews

1,117 Views
879 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Fortinet FortiWLM

Read 27 Fortinet FortiWLM reviews

2,179 Views
2,016 Comparison Views

95% willing to recommend

Cambium Networks Wireless LAN

Fortinet FortiWLM

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Oct 31, 2024

Fortinet FortiWLM and Cambium Networks Wireless LAN compete in the network management solutions category. Fortinet FortiWLM appears to have the upper hand due to its robust security features and single-pane management.

Features: Fortinet FortiWLM offers Unified Threat Management, centralized control, and a unique Security Fabric integration for a seamless management experience. It also provides easy SSID and VLAN setup, along with hassle-free equipment replacement without local configurations. Cambium Networks Wireless LAN is recognized for its no-licensing-hassle configuration and strong outdoor coverage, suitable for industrial sites and remote environments. It also features easy cloud-based management.

Room for Improvement: Fortinet FortiWLM's reporting and central management could be improved to match competitors. Simplifying configuration processes for small businesses and enhancing service contract policies are necessary. Cambium Networks needs better efficiency in large areas and should add web and content filtering. Its pricing model and technical support need refinement.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Fortinet FortiWLM predominantly offers on-premises solutions with strong tech support and quick issue resolution. Cambium Networks provides both hybrid cloud and on-premises options with average tech support, often requiring escalations for complex issues.

Pricing and ROI: Fortinet FortiWLM offers competitive pricing with reduced costs through comprehensive network management, appealing to sectors like education. However, its international return policies are a drawback. Cambium Networks provides a cost-effective alternative, with savings from no recurring license fees. It offers scalable pricing with options for both free and paid controller solutions.

To learn more, read our detailed Cambium Networks Wireless LAN vs. Fortinet FortiWLM Report (Updated: April 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Cambium Networks Wireless LAN vs. Fortinet FortiWLM

April 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

Cambium Networks Wireless LAN

Ranking in Wireless LAN

17th

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

7.3

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Fortinet FortiWLM

Ranking in Wireless LAN

15th

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

7.3

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of June 2025, in the Wireless LAN category, the mindshare of Cambium Networks Wireless LAN is 1.2%, up from 0.8% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Fortinet FortiWLM is 1.9%, down from 2.1% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Wireless LAN

Featured Reviews

Mike Scofield

Director of Technology at a educational organization with 51-200 employees

Provides efficient, controllerless setup and supports high client numbers

Cambium Networks Wireless LAN was well-priced and offered a controllerless setup, which was more unusual at the time we first used them. This meant they could operate independently without a controller, unlike many other products that required a controller. Also, they had a software-based controller or management system that we initially used. The product was scalable, allowing for fewer access points to cover more area, and supported a high number of clients. We were able to deploy them across multiple sites within a limited timeframe, thanks to their efficient setup process.

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Mohammad Talha Talkin Alam

Assistant Manager - IT at PDS Limited

Reliable network creation and management with an efficient setup process

My primary use case involves creating SSIDs and defining VLANs within the VLAN using Fortinet FortiWLM. I have been working with Wi-Fi access points for network connectivity I primarily use Fortinet FortiWLM for creating SSIDs and defining VLANs. While there isn't much focus on security, layer…

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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

"They all have controllers built in, and we manage them all with a web-based management tool."

"Cambium is more economical compared to Cisco or Ruckus, which makes it suitable for budget-conscious customers."

"Cambium Networks Wireless LAN was highly scalable, allowing deployment of fewer access points while covering more area, adapting well with the evolution of wireless standards."

"It offers features that are essential for an efficient and high-performance wireless LAN deployment, where capacity, coverage, and quality are optimized, and frequency bands are selected based on the specific needs of the network."

"The after-sales services are helpful."

"What I like best about Cambium Networks Wireless LAN is that it's easy to configure, has no licensing hassle, and is a controller-based solution."

"The cloud-based management provided by Cambium Networks is particularly valuable to us, as it allows us to efficiently manage Wi-Fi, point-to-point connections, firewalls, and switches across various locations from a centralized platform. This enables us to be proactive in providing support and ensures smooth operations for our clients."

"Cambium Networks Wireless LAN is easy to deploy. The implementation can take two weeks to four months."

More Cambium Networks Wireless LAN pros

"We can deploy a tunnel-based VLAN and SSID, for something that happens at the last minute, in a matter of minutes, because of the interaction between the FortiGate, the FortiSwitches, and the FortiAPs."

"Overall, I would rate the solution a ten out of ten."

"We're using SD-WAN at all of our locations now, which helps increase and aggregate and lower response time and improve application performance."

"Although there are a few steps, the initial setup is pretty straightforward."

"The greatest advantage is the security fabric Fortinet offers."

"If you do have a FortiGate Firewall somewhere in the network, you can connect the wireless controller to that... You get 100 percent visibility from a single point... You can see everything that's connected to the FortiGate, whether it's a switch or a wireless AP or a wireless controller or any other Fortinet product."

"The solution is controlled from one device and one GUI for all devices."

"Fortinet FortiWLM is good for tracking assets, monitoring, and overall management."

More Fortinet FortiWLM pros

Cons

"Not a lot of technical engineers are familiar with Cambium Networks Wireless LAN. They are familiar with implementing and using other solutions such as Aruba. Therefore, Cambium Networks needs to be more visible in the marketplace."

"Channel management required manual intervention, especially in environments with multiple floors, leading to potential signal interference issues."

"The capacity and coverage could be improved."

"We would like this product to have more information data sheets available. At present we cannot easily access details around the full capability of a piece of equipment."

"Our areas for improvement would be a refresh with the most recent technology available."

"The platform's cost needs improvement."

"If they could include some sort of web filtering, in-built antivirus, anti-malware, and data stream scanning in the next release."

"Channel management required manual intervention, especially in environments with multiple floors, leading to potential signal interference issues."

More Cambium Networks Wireless LAN cons

"The interface could certainly do with some improvement. We have other customers with WiFi networks, and they always use Ubiquiti. With Ubiquiti, it's a much better user interface, and it is much easier to configure."

"One area that needs improvement is the configuration aspect, which is more challenging compared to other products, despite Fortinet FortiWLM being a popular brand in Sri Lanka."

"In terms of improvements, the price is higher than I would like. A reduction in pricing would be beneficial."

"Licensing is the only area that I think they are below average. They need enterprise licensing, an all-encompassing license to cover all products for a company."

"There is very little publicly available information about Virtual Cell and Single Channel Architecture. Promotion of the overall technology is limited as well. Being more vocal about a product that has many advantages would go a long way to eliminating a lot of the confusion and negative perception about Virtual Cell and Single Channel Architecture."

"When using the FortiGate as the wireless controller, you cannot have automatic user registration, which is something that they should offer."

"Technical support is very poor. We are not satisfied with the technical support because there is not any direct person from Fortinet for any troubleshooting, which we expected."

"The platform's pricing needs improvement."

More Fortinet FortiWLM cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"High-end products from Cambium PTP, point-to-point radio, maybe cost around $1000 per year."

"The pricing and licensing might vary based on each country's specific needs and telecommunication regulations."

"The licensing costs for this solution are calculated per asset, and depending on the model of the equipment, it starts at $230, and goes up to roughly $1,200. The benefit of this solution is that there are no hidden costs; no cost for managing the equipment, and no cost for maintaining the equipment during its usable lifetime."

"It's a good price, but not the best price. It's on the higher end of what I would call affordable for small to medium-sized businesses."

"It is an expensive product compared to other competitors."

"I would place it in the mid-range market segment, balancing affordability and profitability."

"The pricing for Cambium Networks Wireless LAN is much cheaper than Meraki. For example, I have to pay $200 for one AP from Cambium, while for a Meraki AP, I have to pay $450 including the user license. Meraki has a higher price over Cambium Networks Wireless LAN."

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

More Cambium Networks Wireless LAN pricing and cost advice

"Support contracts typically cost approximately $100.00 per year."

"Licensing has become easier. There is no longer a per-AP license needed on the controller."

"Fortinet would do something with their pricing model to attract smaller business users and eliminate the mandatory service contracts."

"To save yourself from increased setup and maintenance costs, I highly recommend undertaking a proper site survey from the beginning."

"The price of Fortinet FortiWLM is reasonable compared to the other vendors. We are using a five-year license."

"If a customer already is a FortiGate customer, the cost to go to the FortiAP is incredibly affordable, because you already have the controller."

"Licensing costs are reasonable. There are so many different types of licenses with Fortinet, but the licensing and the 24/7/365 support are so reasonable that I automatically include it with every transaction. I never line item it without it. There are no additional costs."

"In the last few years, due in part to the impact of COVID on the market, Fortinet has increased its prices by 35 percent."

More Fortinet FortiWLM pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Comms Service Provider

18%

Computer Software Company

13%

Educational Organization

Retailer

Computer Software Company

15%

Financial Services Firm

Comms Service Provider

Non Profit

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Cambium Networks Wireless LAN?

It is a stable and secure platform.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Cambium Networks Wireless LAN?

Cambium's pricing is better compared to Ruckus, which has multiple components with associated costs, like license support and access point support costs. Although nominal, these costs are still there.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Cambium Networks Wireless LAN?

I would Cambium Networks to improve by having more products on the product side.I would want more WiFi products, specifically WiFi indoor access point products. They should also look into getting a...

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What do you like most about Fortinet FortiWLM?

The security is a valuable feature.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Fortinet FortiWLM?

While the pricing of Fortinet FortiWLM is a bit high, it remains effective. However, the cost could be better if reduced.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Fortinet FortiWLM?

In terms of improvements, the price is higher than I would like. A reduction in pricing would be beneficial.

See all answers

Comparisons

Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN vs Cambium Networks Wireless LAN

Compared 31% of the time

Ruckus Wireless vs Cambium Networks Wireless LAN

Compared 17% of the time

Aruba Instant On Access Points vs Cambium Networks Wireless LAN

Compared 12% of the time

Fortinet FortiAP vs Cambium Networks Wireless LAN

Compared 10% of the time

Huawei Wireless vs Cambium Networks Wireless LAN

Compared 6% of the time

More Cambium Networks Wireless LAN Competitors

Aruba Wireless vs Fortinet FortiWLM

Compared 24% of the time

Cisco Wireless vs Fortinet FortiWLM

Compared 16% of the time

Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN vs Fortinet FortiWLM

Compared 12% of the time

Ruckus Wireless vs Fortinet FortiWLM

Compared 10% of the time

Omada Access Points vs Fortinet FortiWLM

Compared 7% of the time

More Fortinet FortiWLM Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Cambium Networks Wireless LAN

May 2025

Download Cambium Networks Wireless LAN product report

Buyer's Guide

Fortinet FortiWLM

May 2025

Download Fortinet FortiWLM product report

Also Known As

No data available

FortiWLM, FortiAP, Fortinet AP/OAP, Meru Wireless LAN

Overview

Information not available

Cambium Networks

Consolidate security and wireless LAN management with our integrated wireless solutions. Single-pane-of-glass management for security and access without the need to add point products simplifies deployment and reduces management complexity. These solutions are highly scalable to support even the largest organizations and distributed enterprises.

Fortinet

Sample Customers

Information Not Available

Black Gold Regional Schools, Amadeus Hospitality, Jefferson County, Chunghwa Telecom, City of Boroondara, Dimension Data

Buyer's Guide

Cambium Networks Wireless LAN vs. Fortinet FortiWLM

April 2025

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