Aruba Wireless vs WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi comparison

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Juniper Logo
5,118 views|3,582 comparisons
100% willing to recommend
HPE Aruba Networking Logo
46,892 views|38,061 comparisons
86% willing to recommend
WatchGuard Logo
839 views|700 comparisons
80% willing to recommend
Comparison Buyer's Guide
Executive Summary
Updated on Aug 14, 2023

We compared Aruba Wireless and WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi across several parameters based on our users' reviews. After reading the collected data, you can find our conclusion below:

  • Ease of Deployment: Aruba Wireless is considered user-friendly and suitable for individuals with basic technical skills, whereas WatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi demands more expertise and dedication. The deployment time for Aruba Wireless is flexible, while no specific details are given for WatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi.
  • Features: Aruba Wireless is highly praised for its user-friendly interface, ability to handle large-scale networks, and support for the latest Wi-Fi technology. WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi is known for its robust security features and advanced analytics that are accessible through the cloud.
  • Room for Improvement: Aruba Wireless has areas that can be improved, such as energy consumption, pricing, technical support, user-friendly GUI, reliability, configuration, and streamlined Return Material Authorization procedure. WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi should reconsider its pricing, as it lacks significant advantages compared to other Wi-Fi solutions. It also does not offer features like firewalls, access points, and secure Wi-Fi. 
  • Pricing: Reviewers appreciate the attractive and reasonable pricing of Aruba Wireless. They also value the inclusion of perpetual licenses for access points. WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi is seen as less competitively priced, receiving a lower rating for pricing from certain users.
  • ROI: Aruba Wireless is praised for its impressive performance, with users experiencing no interruptions for a substantial period of time. WatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi's ROI is dependent on individual requirements and the size of the organization. 
  • Service and Support: The customer service for Aruba Wireless has received both positive and negative feedback, with some users finding it responsive and helpful, while others have experienced slow response times and communication issues. Customers have had a positive experience with the technical support provided for WatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi.

Comparison Results: Both solutions provide excellent technical support and produce an ROI for users. Although, WatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi's ROI is dependent on individual requirements. WatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi is more expensive than Aruba Wireless. Aruba Wireless is praised for its user-friendly interface, whereas WatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi is praised for its robust security features.

To learn more, read our detailed Aruba Wireless vs. WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi Report (Updated: March 2024).
772,649 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Featured Review
Quotes From Members
We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use.
Here are some excerpts of what they said:
Pros
"The most valuable feature of the solution is Marvis, the AI-driven network management system.""The simplicity is great.""It provides private network access, helping us protect our company’s devices.""The most valuable feature of Juniper Mist is the Virtual Network Assistant, powered by artificial intelligence.""Juniper Mist offers valuable features like comprehensive network insight, granular policy control, fast device setup, strong security, and efficient SSL traffic management.""The solution is stable.""The AI capabilities of Mist Wireless are superior to other OEMs.""In terms of reporting, in terms of all the user reports, it's very rich."

More Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points Pros →

"The network strength is good.""One advantage is the built-in Zigbee-based IoT functionality. You don't need an additional dongle to enable that option.""If we really want to know where a specific user is connected, it gives us the ability to see that and how that user is actually receiving. We can know the speed and their IP, their MAC address and, most of the time, how much bandwidth they're using per day.""It helps the user to have a better vision of what is happening in their network.""The technical support is very good.""I like the way it groups and manages access points.""With Aruba Wireless Controller, all our access points are connected to one controller. Through that controller, we can actually handle each access point; we can disconnect or connect that access point, and then we can tell, or see, or allow how many users are, or should be, connected through that access point.""I have found the most valuable features are the new Wi-Fi six technology and it also integrates with triple-A solutions. It has good bandwidth and virtual control."

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"It makes it easy to obtain all information about the client experience.""They're very easy to set up and get running.""Cloud analytics that provide all its attributes.""The Wi-Fi security features of this solution have been great for our customers who need to strictly control access to their network.""The solution has been stable.""We like that WatchGuard works and integrates directly with the firewalls we use."

More WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi Pros →

Cons
"Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points’ support services need improvement.""They should include SD-WAN features to it.""I need a bit more time with it before criticizing the features.""Improvement is needed in the user-friendliness of Juniper Mist, particularly in enhancing the interaction with AI features.""Juniper Wireless Access Points (AP Series) could improve if the MIST platform had a built-in master key. This would be an advantage.""The product should include adaptive Wi-Fi to show a more accurate location.""Enrolling into the tool is a tedious process.""If you want to do more specific stuff, it's a bit limited."

More Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points Cons →

"Needs improvement in point-to-point deployment products.""The dashboards that represent the network access control in Aruba Wireless could improve.""The solution could be more user-friendly.""Aruba Wireless could improve the dashboard. It is not straightforward or intuitive to use and could be more user-friendly. For IT employees the dashboards are fine but when it comes to the end-user it is difficult. The Mobility Controller dashboard is not meant for non-IT employees.""There is a long queue whenever we reach out to support, and we have to wait for them to answer calls. Once we get in touch with them, we have to coordinate with different teams, so our engineers struggle to understand who are the correct team members. I think support is another area where Aruba needs to improve.""For a more senior tool, a local application monitoring related to IoT vendors would be useful.""Lacks a heat map analysis and a cloud-based wireless controller.""The latest design of their APs removes the console port and requires purchasing an expensive proprietary cable just to access the console."

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"If a client device had issues with authentication due to out of date browser or similar difficulties, it would be nice to have the ability to migrate the client onto the portal via one click.""The solution can be scaled but it has limitations from my experience.""The price of this solution needs to reviewed, as it is currently high enough to deter customers from trying it.""One of the things is if you buy it with a certain subscription, you can't easily change the subscription level.""Inability to import a user with one click.""I don't think they're available at the best price."

More WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi Cons →

Pricing and Cost Advice
  • "We pay maybe 1000 SEK per year, per access point."
  • "Juniper Wireless AP's price is a little more expensive than other solutions, but you get what you pay for."
  • "The pricing is something Juniper Wireless Access Points (AP Series) can work on. The pricing is very high compared to the competition."
  • "The pricing is too high."
  • "The solution is expensive."
  • "I rate Juniper Mist's pricing a ten out of ten since it is expensive."
  • "I rate the pricing an eight out of ten."
  • "The pricing is fair."
  • More Juniper Mist Wireless Access Points Pricing and Cost Advice →

  • "Partner had been using Cisco. They switched to Aruba, because of price and functionality, also with an option for adding a SW, like AirWave, Meridian, ClearPass, and Central."
  • "Pricing is very competitive."
  • "Pricing support has always been cost-effective."
  • "Licensing is a one time purchase (only the cloud license has to be renewed, which is worth trying out).​"
  • "​We will be buying the ClearPass solution, which will be pricey. However, in the trial version, it has even more tools to manage a busy network.​"
  • "There is so much licensing, you literally pay for every solution, add-on, or cool feature. Compared to others, we were in the middle with pricing, but as you start to invest more into features it will get very pricey."
  • "​Trial different solutions and compare pricing to how well they perform, their stability, how easy it is to maintain, etc."
  • "Licencing can be surprising and needs improvement. Look into all features, what you need versus what you want, and know that nothing comes without some kind of license."
  • More Aruba Wireless Pricing and Cost Advice →

  • "Your licensing and cost, as would be required for many other solutions, being considered for eighty to two hundred and eighty different physical locations, is just about the same amount per access point."
  • "The solution is priced high compared to competitors. However, for the features that are included in the solution, the price becomes more reasonable."
  • "WatchGuard is on the upper scale for pricing."
  • More WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi Pricing and Cost Advice →

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    Comparison Review
    Anonymous User
    Questions from the Community
    Top Answer:Juniper Mist is very reasonable in terms of pricing, especially when compared to competitors like Cisco.
    Top Answer:Someone enrolled in the tool will deploy it in our organization. Later, I could not enroll in the account until they… more »
    Top Answer:Depends.  I have personally used both Cisco and Aruba so I am familiar with them.  Extreme I am not, so unless they have… more »
    Top Answer:At my organization, we researched Ruckus Wireless among other solutions but ultimately chose Aruba wireless. What did… more »
    Top Answer:On the most basic level, Cisco Wireless can offer a rather straightforward initial setup. In the span of about three… more »
    Top Answer:We like that WatchGuard works and integrates directly with the firewalls we use.
    Top Answer:One of the things is if you buy it with a certain subscription, you can't easily change the subscription level. For… more »
    Comparisons
    Also Known As
    Juniper Wireless Access Points (AP Series), Mist Access Points
    Aruba WLAN, HP WLAN, HP Wireless, Aruba Instant On AP Series Access Point
    Learn More
    Overview

    Juniper Wireless Access Points work in conjunction with Juniper Mist Cloud Services and Mist AI to deliver premier wireless access capabilities. The Juniper Mist Edge extends microservices to the campus to bring agility and scale while enabling new applications at the edge.

    Aruba Wireless is a secure, high-performance, multi-user wireless LAN supporting Wi-Fi 6. As workplaces and user expectations change, users can now maintain hybrid workplaces and IoT without compromising performance, reliability, or security. Aruba Wireless delivers better performance and capacity and greater AIOps visibility throughout all devices and users. In addition, through built-in network intelligence, network operations are made simpler while keeping everything secure through user and guest encryption.

    Aruba Wireless, offered through Aruba Networks, is helping achieve digital transformation and IoT with seamless connectivity through multiple Wi-Fi access points. For the user’s convenience, Aruba Wireless provides indoor, outdoor, and remote access points to help boost faster and safer connectivity.

    Choosing Aruba Wireless can help improve your organization’s user experience with wireless LAN in many ways, including:

    • Transforming hybrid workplaces: Employees can move seamlessly between home and office, with reliable internet and without compromising security.

    • Connect and protect IoT: With built-in AP support for BLE, Zigbee, and USB-port extensions, users can extend visibility, control, and connectivity to IoT devices and applications.

    • Expand the 5G experience to the enterprise network: Empower users to experience 5G with Wi-Fi 6 by automatically enabling cellular devices to join Aruba Wireless LAN securely and reliably.

    Aruba Gateways and Controllers

    Small organizations as well as large enterprises require excellent performance and security for cloud, mobility, and digital transformation. Therefore, in addition to the access points, Aruba Wireless also offers a variety of gateways and controllers, including:

    • 9000 Series: With SD-WAN capabilities, it’s excellent for small campus networks looking for enhanced Wi-Fi scalability and security.

    • 7200 Series: Perfect for campus WLAN scalability or branch SD-WAN and VPN Concentrator capabilities, the 7200 Series optimizes Wi-Fi performance to guarantee smooth roaming.

    • 7000 Series: Acting as a controller or gateway to provide WAN intelligence, the 7000 Series is a policy-based router and an excellent solution for small to mid-sized campuses.

    • Mobility Controller Virtual Appliance: Maximizes Wi-Fi and network services in an economical, virtualized environment.

    • SD-WAN Virtual Gateways: Orchestrate virtual gateways in public cloud infrastructure, like Amazon Web Services (AWS).

    • Mobility Conductor Hardware Appliance: While enhancing the scalability and reliability for large campus WLANs, Aruba Mobility Conductors bring the full capability of ArubaOS.

    • Mobility Conductor Virtual Appliance: To scale large campus deployments, Aruba Mobility Conductors simplify the deployment and management of up to 1,000 Mobility Controllers.

    • ArubaOS Network Operating System: Great for remote workers in mid-sized and large companies who need seamless connectivity to and security over Wi-Fi.

    Reviews from Real Users

    Aruba Networks is aiding organizations in transforming to a hybrid work environment with Aruba Wireless. Users especially love its ability to work with many devices and its ability to group and manage access points.

    A senior IT solutions architect at a manufacturing company says, "The most valuable feature is the fact that it can work with many devices. It supports everything that we need it to."

    Gary F., a network administrator at wireless at Abilene Christian, notes, "I like the way it groups and manages access points."


    WatchGuard is a global leader in network security, secure Wi-Fi, and network intelligence products and services for SMBs and Distributed Enterprises worldwide. Our mission is to make enterprise-grade security accessible to companies of all types and sizes through simplicity, making WatchGuard an ideal solution for distributed enterprises and SMBs. WatchGuard is headquartered in Seattle, Washington, with offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Latin America.

    Sample Customers
    Information Not Available
    Consulate Health Care, Los Angeles Unified School District, Science Applications International Corp (SAIC), San Diego State University, KFC, ACTS Retirement-Life Communities
    Portsmouth Grammar School, HILOTEC
    Top Industries
    REVIEWERS
    Educational Organization25%
    Computer Software Company25%
    Newspaper13%
    Healthcare Company13%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company18%
    Manufacturing Company7%
    Government7%
    Educational Organization6%
    REVIEWERS
    University17%
    Comms Service Provider13%
    Educational Organization9%
    Manufacturing Company9%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company17%
    Comms Service Provider7%
    Government7%
    Manufacturing Company6%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company15%
    Retailer10%
    Government7%
    Comms Service Provider7%
    Company Size
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business38%
    Midsize Enterprise19%
    Large Enterprise44%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business30%
    Midsize Enterprise17%
    Large Enterprise53%
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business39%
    Midsize Enterprise22%
    Large Enterprise38%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business29%
    Midsize Enterprise17%
    Large Enterprise55%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business47%
    Midsize Enterprise20%
    Large Enterprise33%
    Buyer's Guide
    Aruba Wireless vs. WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi
    March 2024
    Find out what your peers are saying about Aruba Wireless vs. WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi and other solutions. Updated: March 2024.
    772,649 professionals have used our research since 2012.

    Aruba Wireless is ranked 1st in Wireless LAN with 139 reviews while WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi is ranked 24th in Wireless LAN with 6 reviews. Aruba Wireless is rated 8.4, while WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi is rated 8.0. The top reviewer of Aruba Wireless writes "The portal for centralized management and virtual controller for APs are very valuable". On the other hand, the top reviewer of WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi writes "A solution that offers excellent support and makes it easy to manage networks". Aruba Wireless is most compared with Cisco Wireless, Ruckus Wireless, Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN, Ubiquiti WLAN and Huawei Wireless, whereas WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi is most compared with Ubiquiti WLAN, Aruba Instant, Ruckus Wireless and Cisco Meraki Wireless LAN. See our Aruba Wireless vs. WatchGuard Secure Wi‑Fi 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.