Cisco Wireless vs NETGEAR Insight Access Points comparison

Cisco and Netgear are both solutions in the Wireless LAN category. Cisco is ranked #4 with an average rating of 8.3, while Netgear is ranked #22 with an average rating of 8.0. Cisco holds a 9.5% mindshare in Wireless LAN, compared to Netgear’s 1.6% mindshare. Additionally, 88% of Cisco users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 83% of Netgear users who would recommend it.

Cisco Wireless

Read 155 Cisco Wireless reviews

8,948 Views
8,769 Comparison Views

88% willing to recommend

NETGEAR Insight Access Points

Read 13 NETGEAR Insight Access Points reviews

1,268 Views
1,268 Comparison Views

83% willing to recommend

Cisco Wireless

NETGEAR Insight Access Points

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Download the report

Executive SummaryUpdated on Oct 31, 2024

Cisco Wireless and NETGEAR Insight Access Points compete in the wireless networking space. Cisco Wireless seems to have the upper hand due to its robust support and integration, whereas NETGEAR Insight Access Points attracts with cloud-based management and cost-effectiveness.

Features: Cisco Wireless is notable for its comprehensive network management and high-level security features, making it ideal for enterprises. It offers integration with Cisco products, scalability, and powerful tools like CleanAir to detect interference. NETGEAR Insight Access Points excels with its cloud-based management system, allowing remote control and flexibility. It also provides advanced throughput speeds, easy configuration via mobile apps, and excellent remote monitoring capabilities.

Room for Improvement: Cisco Wireless could improve in terms of cloud integration and offering more user-friendly interfaces for non-IT professionals. Pricing could also be optimized for smaller businesses. NETGEAR Insight Access Points could enhance enterprise-level security features, expand scalability options, and offer more robust IT support and documentation to assist in complex deployments.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: NETGEAR Insight Access Points facilitates simplified deployment through its intuitive cloud platform, reducing complexity for small businesses. Cisco Wireless, while slightly more complex to deploy, offers robust customer service and detailed documentation, aiding enterprise-level IT environments with structured support channels.

Pricing and ROI: Cisco Wireless generally involves higher initial setup costs due to its feature-rich services, leading to a longer ROI period suitable for enterprises seeking advanced functionalities. Conversely, NETGEAR Insight Access Points offers competitive pricing, attractive for businesses aiming for quicker ROI through cost-effective solutions.

To learn more, read our detailed Cisco Wireless vs. NETGEAR Insight Access Points Report (Updated: February 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Wireless vs. NETGEAR Insight Access Points

February 2026

Download the complete report

Helped 881,733 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

Cisco Wireless

Ranking in Wireless LAN

4th

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

5.2

Number of Reviews

155

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

NETGEAR Insight Access Points

Ranking in Wireless LAN

22nd

Average Rating

7.8

Reviews Sentiment

6.3

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of February 2026, in the Wireless LAN category, the mindshare of Cisco Wireless is 9.5%, down from 11.7% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of NETGEAR Insight Access Points is 1.6%, up from 1.3% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Wireless LAN Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
Cisco Wireless	9.5%
NETGEAR Insight Access Points	1.6%
Other	88.9%

Wireless LAN

Featured Reviews

EvansEsezobor

Group IT Head at Euracare

Has enabled centralized user management and improved wireless access point aggregation

To improve Cisco Wireless, the ports on the access points are all 100 Meg, not 1 gig. We have not gotten a gigabyte interface of about 1,000, but the controller we have is just 1 gig. We would prefer if we could increase the controller to a 10 gig interface because we want to connect our controller to a 10 gig interface, which currently limits us to 1 gig. When we want to move higher capacity data via wireless, it limits us to 1 gig.

Read full review

Denis Gillet

Owner at ERIM S.A.

Centralized management has simplified our home Wi‑Fi setup and supports multiple users reliably

Given my experience with NETGEAR Insight Access Points, my piece of advice for other organizations considering it is that they have to look at the rest of their system because NETGEAR Insight Access Points is quite useless with anything but the Wi-Fi system. I rate this product an 8 out of 10.

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

"It can provide support for real-time applications, such as VoIP and Video Conferencing over wireless infrastructure."

"I've found it to be quite secure."

"Cisco Wireless technology allows us to logically segregate networks, to segregate the traffic between multiple types of endpoint devices, connected to the network. For example, corporate laptops are connected to one network, corporate iPhones will go through a different network."

"It is a reliable and robust solution. Access and Mobility Groups are useful. We don't use anything very fancy."

"Cisco Wireless is mostly stable with a low downrate and the signal rate is good. It is also easy to use."

"The most valuable feature is the coverage."

"The most valuable features are mobility and security."

"The product enables mobility and centralized control."

More Cisco Wireless pros

"Our company sometimes uses the solution's technical support, and we have seen that they sort out our general problems quickly."

"The product's deployment is straightforward."

"I'm able to do a lot of things, because the GUI is designed very well. I'm able to remotely make certain changes via my phone and apply them right away. It makes life easier when it comes to managing the equipment. The Insight management solution phone app is very good. It enables me to do what I want to do."

"The initial setup of NETGEAR Insight Access Points was straightforward."

"From the WiFi aspect, it's very intuitive and easy to use. The solution enables me to manage my entire WiFi from anywhere in the world..."

"The metrics demonstrate that NETGEAR really does a good job of balancing the load between the various access points on the networks and this results in an elimination of downtime."

"The internet connectivity is good."

"The meshing capabilities are the most valuable feature. When I am going in-between buildings, my phone doesn't have to pick up different WiFi. They are all the same. Even in-between the buildings, I stay connected."

More NETGEAR Insight Access Points pros

Cons

"There's a delay in equipment that comes to Columbia, to our country, and that lasts almost six months."

"There are some areas of improvement needed in roaming and streaming."

"The solution should introduce natural language troubleshooting processes. It will identify possible problems or errors due to the symptoms."

"The solution could improve by having an advanced model with a controller. Additionally, the solution could be more secure."

"The price should be reduced. It should be cheaper."

"Sometimes it requires three to five years, and it depends on the subscription. I sometimes face issues with clients regarding this."

"Improvement needed in RRM, ATF, Ortho-Polarization, AP concurrent client processing."

"For pricing, Cisco has to make an effort, or Cisco has to improve the distribution channel."

More Cisco Wireless cons

"The product's UI needs to be simplified and made more straightforward."

"There is always room for improvement."

"Due to certain shortcomings in the solution's stability, I feel that the solution's stability requires improvement."

"The registration is annoying. I have to go back to NETGEAR and log tickets. Access points and router registration are something that they need to address in Insight. They need to fix the bug of getting the devices activated and enrolled in Insight without fighting with them. I have probably done about six of these in the last month. You get to see patterns."

"Ubiquiti is a very good company. NETGEAR should look at that model and expand on its remote capabilities. Ubiquiti seems to have a better product."

"Software-wise, they need to provide the ability to kick users out. If multiple users are abusing the system or the network, I should be able to block them for a time and, when I need to unblock them, I should be able to do so by using their MAC ID. That feature might already be there and I just don't know about it."

"The pricing and standard connectivity can be further improved."

"The biggest issue I've had is that it works very well with the WiFi, but it does not offer any assistance at all with the routers. You can't control them or manage them at all. As soon as you want to use anything on the network side—because I have multiple 28-port switches—you can't manage them using this app."

More NETGEAR Insight Access Points cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"As far as I know Cisco is very competitive, price-wise. Talk to your third-party vendor. It all depends on the company size - how many employees, how big the building is. If it's wireless, and you have only 50 employees but you're using a large building floor, in that case you need many access points. But if you have 50 employees using two or three rooms, then you probably don't need it and it's going to be high density, so there is a different design. So you need to talk to a subject matter expert. Talk to them and design accordingly."

"They have simplified the licensing, now there is a single license that is required. Earlier, multiple licenses were required. Single licensing is good. As a customer, I don't need to keep an inventory of multiple licenses."

"It's expensive. The pricing is an obstacle."

"The product could be priced better."

"I rate the tool's pricing a seven out of ten."

"The price of Cisco Wireless is in the high range compared to other solutions. The solution could be less expensive."

"Users have to pay a yearly licensing fee for Cisco Wireless."

"Its licensing is hard to understand."

More Cisco Wireless pricing and cost advice

"The pricing seems to be reasonable."

"My company does not need to pay anything related to the solution's licensing costs."

"Price-wise, it is a little too high, about $20 higher than what it should be, but it's worth it. It's cheaper than Cisco's access point, but the products are not apples to apples."

"It wasn't much more than 100 dollars a year. For the devices that we have, the pricing was pretty fair."

"For what you get, the price of Insight access points is very reasonable."

"We have some basic models they give without a license."

"Their pricing is perfect for smaller businesses who are money and budget conscious. There are a lot of other solutions out there that are two to three times more expensive."

"I think that the price of the product is reasonable."

More NETGEAR Insight Access Points pricing and cost advice

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

881,733 professionals have used our research since 2012.

Comparison Review

it_user212721

President at a tech services company with 51-200 employees

Mar 24, 2015

Cisco vs. Aruba Wireless Solutions

Cisco or Aruba Networks? If you are considering wireless access solutions, this is a common question that you are probably asking. You probably have sales people knocking at your door. How do you make sense of all the stories that you are presented with. If you have done any research, you are…

Read full review

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

11%

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

Educational Organization

Comms Service Provider

Retailer

Outsourcing Company

University

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	78
Midsize Enterprise	41
Large Enterprise	73

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	9
Midsize Enterprise	1
Large Enterprise	2

Questions from the Community

Which is better - Cisco Wireless or Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN?

Cisco Wireless is very robust, very rugged, and can handle indoor and outdoor coverage extremely well. We found it to be very reliable and to consistently run very efficiently. Cisco Wireless helpe...

See all answers

Which is better - Ruckus Wireless or Cisco Wireless?

Ruckus Wireless offers users the benefit of being both easy to set up and get running as well as being very user friendly. This user-friendly quality also renders it easy to learn how to use and ma...

See all answers

How does Cisco Wireless compare with Aruba Wireless?

On the most basic level, Cisco Wireless can offer a rather straightforward initial setup. In the span of about three hours, the basic framework can be set up. Step-by-step instructions are availabl...

See all answers

What do you like most about NETGEAR Insight Access Points?

The product's deployment is straightforward.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for NETGEAR Insight Access Points?

We have some basic models they give without a license.

See all answers

What needs improvement with NETGEAR Insight Access Points?

The pricing and standard connectivity can be further improved.

See all answers

Comparisons

Ruckus Wireless vs Cisco Wireless

Compared 29% of the time

Aruba Wireless vs Cisco Wireless

Compared 21% of the time

Huawei Wireless vs Cisco Wireless

Compared 7% of the time

Fortinet FortiAP vs Cisco Wireless

Compared 6% of the time

Ubiquiti Wireless vs Cisco Wireless

Compared 1% of the time

More Cisco Wireless Competitors

Ubiquiti WLAN vs NETGEAR Insight Access Points

Compared 18% of the time

Aruba Wireless vs NETGEAR Insight Access Points

Compared 11% of the time

Omada Access Points vs NETGEAR Insight Access Points

Compared 11% of the time

Ruckus Wireless vs NETGEAR Insight Access Points

Compared 10% of the time

D-Link Wireless vs NETGEAR Insight Access Points

Compared 7% of the time

More NETGEAR Insight Access Points Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Wireless

February 2026

Download Cisco Wireless product report

Buyer's Guide

NETGEAR Insight Access Points

January 2026

Download NETGEAR Insight Access Points product report

Also Known As

Cisco WLAN Controller

No data available

Overview

Cisco Wireless is a comprehensive suite of wireless solutions designed to deliver secure, high-performance connectivity for enterprises of all sizes. Offering a range of access points, controllers, and advanced management tools, Cisco Wireless ensures seamless and reliable network access, enhancing mobility and productivity.

Cisco Wireless solutions provide robust, scalable wireless networks capable of supporting high-density environments and diverse applications. With features such as seamless roaming, advanced security protocols, and detailed analytics, Cisco Wireless addresses the needs of modern businesses. The solutions include the Cisco Catalyst and Aironet series access points, wireless LAN controllers, and the Cisco DNA Center for centralized management and automation.

What are the key features of Cisco Wireless?

High-Density Performance: Optimized for environments with a high number of devices, ensuring reliable connectivity and performance.
Advanced Security: Incorporates robust security measures such as WPA3, Secure Boot, and segmentation to protect data and devices.
Seamless Roaming: Enables uninterrupted connectivity as users move across different areas within the network.
Centralized Management: Cisco DNA Center provides a single pane of glass for managing and automating wireless networks, enhancing operational efficiency.
Flexible Deployment Options: Supports various deployment models, including on-premises, cloud-managed, and hybrid solutions.

What benefits should users look for in reviews when evaluating Cisco Wireless?

Improved Mobility and Productivity: Users often highlight how Cisco Wireless enhances user mobility and productivity through reliable and consistent connectivity.
Scalability: Reviews frequently mention the scalability of Cisco Wireless, making it suitable for growing businesses.
Ease of Management: Many users appreciate the centralized management capabilities, which simplify network administration and troubleshooting.
Enhanced Security: The advanced security features are often noted for providing peace of mind and compliance with industry standards.
User Experience: The overall user experience, including ease of use and seamless integration with other Cisco products, is a common point of praise.

Cisco Wireless solutions are implemented across various industries, including healthcare, education, retail, and manufacturing. In healthcare, they support critical applications like patient monitoring and electronic health records. Educational institutions use Cisco Wireless to provide reliable internet access for students and staff. Retailers benefit from enhanced customer experiences through in-store connectivity, while manufacturers use wireless networks to improve operational efficiency and automation.

Pricing and licensing for Cisco Wireless solutions are typically based on the scale of deployment and specific product selections. Cisco offers various support plans, including 24/7 customer service, technical support, and access to software updates and patches.

In summary, Cisco Wireless provides robust, scalable wireless networking solutions that enhance connectivity, security, and management for diverse enterprise environments.

Cisco

At NETGEAR, we turn ideas into innovative networking products that connect people, power businesses, and advance the way we live. Easy to use. Powerful. Smart. And designed just for you.

Netgear

Sample Customers

Aegean Motorway, Baylor Scott & White Health, Beachbody, Bellevue, Brunel University London, Bucks County Intermediate Unit , Chartwell School, Children's Hospital Colorado, Cisco Live Milan, City of Biel, City of Mississauga, Dundee Precious Metals, Electricity Authority of Cyprus, Erickson Living, Goldcorp, Great Ormond Street Hospital, Grupo Industrial Saltillo (GIS)

Information Not Available

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Wireless vs. NETGEAR Insight Access Points

February 2026

Free Report: Cisco Wireless vs. NETGEAR Insight Access Points

Find out what your peers are saying about Cisco Wireless vs. NETGEAR Insight Access Points and other solutions. Updated: February 2026.

DOWNLOAD NOW

881,733 professionals have used our research since 2012.

See our Cisco Wireless vs. NETGEAR Insight 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.