We install all three platforms — UniFi, Meraki and Aruba — and we're often asked which is best. The honest answer: it depends on your size, budget, technical capability and management requirements. Here's our unbiased assessment.
Ubiquiti UniFi: Best Value for Most Businesses
UniFi is Ubiquiti's enterprise networking ecosystem — access points, switches, firewalls and cameras — all managed through a single cloud dashboard called UniFi Site Manager.
Strengths:
- Outstanding performance-to-cost ratio — enterprise features at mid-market prices
- No per-device subscription fees (a significant cost advantage over Meraki)
- Excellent WiFi 6 and WiFi 6E hardware
- Single pane of glass management across unlimited sites
- Active hardware development — frequent new products
Limitations:
- Requires more technical knowledge to configure correctly than Meraki
- Vendor support is community-based rather than direct enterprise support
- Less mature AI/ML analytics than Aruba or Meraki
Best for: SMBs and mid-market businesses up to ~500 users, hospitality, retail, education, healthcare
Cisco Meraki: The Enterprise Standard
Meraki is Cisco's cloud-managed networking platform and the most widely deployed enterprise WiFi system globally. It's the premium choice — and priced accordingly.
Strengths:
- Exceptional ease of management — the dashboard is genuinely intuitive
- Deep Cisco ecosystem integration (security, SD-WAN, switching)
- Outstanding analytics and network visibility
- Full Cisco TAC enterprise support
- Hardware warranty included with licensing
Limitations:
- Subscription licensing is expensive — typically £100–200 per device per year
- Hardware becomes a "brick" if licensing expires — a real vendor lock-in risk
- Premium pricing puts it out of reach for many SMBs
Best for: Large enterprises, finance, legal, multi-site organisations with IT teams and substantial budgets
HPE Aruba: AI-Powered Enterprise
Aruba Networks (now part of HPE) is the third-largest enterprise WiFi vendor globally and the strongest performer for AI-driven network management and high-density environments.
Strengths:
- AIOps-powered management in Aruba Central — genuinely useful AI recommendations
- Industry-leading performance in high-density venues (stadiums, universities, hospitals)
- ClearPass NAC for zero-trust network access — best-in-class
- Strong edge compute capabilities
Limitations:
- Subscription-based like Meraki — ongoing licensing costs
- More complex to configure than UniFi
- Premium pricing
Best for: High-density venues, universities, hospitals, organisations with advanced security requirements
Our Honest Recommendation
For most Bristol and South West businesses with up to 200 staff and 3–5 sites: UniFi. It delivers 95% of what Meraki does at roughly 30% of the total cost of ownership, and we can configure it to an equally high standard.
For larger enterprises, regulated industries or organisations that need direct Cisco TAC support: Meraki.
For high-density venues, universities or organisations with complex zero-trust requirements: Aruba.
