What users are saying about
48 Ratings
<a href='https://www.trustradius.com/static/about-trustradius-scoring' target='_blank' rel='nofollow noopener'>trScore algorithm: Learn more.</a>Score 8.8 out of 100
Based on 48 reviews and ratings
11 Ratings
<a href='https://www.trustradius.com/static/about-trustradius-scoring' target='_blank' rel='nofollow noopener'>trScore algorithm: Learn more.</a>Score 8.6 out of 100
Based on 11 reviews and ratings
Attribute Ratings
- Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller is rated higher in 1 area: Likelihood to Recommend
- WatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi Cloud is rated higher in 1 area: Support Rating
Likelihood to Recommend
8.7
Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller
87%
27 Ratings
8.0
WatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi Cloud
80%
2 Ratings
Usability
8.2
Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller
82%
1 Rating
WatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi Cloud
N/A
0 Ratings
Support Rating
9.0
Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller
90%
2 Ratings
10.0
WatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi Cloud
100%
2 Ratings
Likelihood to Recommend
Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller
[Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller's] software quality has been shed in recent years. The only problem I have with it is its inability to work with older Cisco Access Points. However, that's to be expected for any deployment. While the controller's UI works well, some areas could be improved. API integrations lack flexibility. [I feel] it's time for policy redesign. It can be a little difficult to determine coding quality.
IT Specialist
Lamda I-TECHInformation Technology & Services, 11-50 employees
WatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi Cloud
The WatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi Cloud works well in any scenario. With the number of AP model options, this solution can work at a coffee shop all the way up to a multi-tenant facility with thousands of users.

Verified User
Engineer in Engineering
Information Technology and Services Company, 51-200 employeesPros
Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller
- The GUI on the Cisco 8540 WLC is much better designed than other Cisco products. Its easy to navigate between the different settings to find what is needed.
- The AP groups allows touching multiple APs at one time.
- It also allows us to create standard SSIDs that can be used at all sites that connect back to it, this saves a lot of time instead of hitting each site with a local controller.
Senior Network Engineer
EatonMachinery, 10,001+ employees
WatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi Cloud
- Ease of Management
- Secure
- Wi-Fi Reporting

Verified User
Administrator in Information Technology
Hospital & Health Care Company, 51-200 employeesCons
Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller
- Code quality is a bit hit and miss. This will be great for a while, then things will be bad for a while, then we'll do it again. The UI of the controller works, but could do with a refresh, and I would like to see some improvement on layout and organization.
- The constant code/firmware upgrades and the QA of new code could be better.
- Maybe the compatibility with old Cisco Access Points could be improved, but it's normal in all kinds of deployments.

Verified User
Analyst in Information Technology
Information Technology & Services Company, 51-200 employeesWatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi Cloud
- As far as a native VLAN configuration, VLAN 0 is used while mostly all other vendors use VLAN 1 as the default (native) VLAN. Minor detail, but keeps configuration standard across the board.
- The policing feature is powerful, but at times too powerful and needs to be modified a few times before getting the solution where you need it to be. Different levels of policing would be nice, with the option of creating your own and/or modifying an existing template.

Verified User
Engineer in Engineering
Information Technology and Services Company, 51-200 employeesPricing Details
Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller
General
Free Trial
—Free/Freemium Version
—Premium Consulting/Integration Services
—Entry-level set up fee?
No
Starting Price
—WatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi Cloud
General
Free Trial
—Free/Freemium Version
—Premium Consulting/Integration Services
—Entry-level set up fee?
No
Starting Price
—Usability
Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller
Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller 8.2
Based on 1 answer
Very well made product. Very stable. We have had no issues administering the 8540.
Senior Network Engineer
EatonMachinery, 10,001+ employees
WatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi Cloud
No score
No answers yet
No answers on this topic
Support Rating
Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller
Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller 9.0
Based on 2 answers
It is a better product. The evolution is positive.
Gerente de Noc and support
EVCON GROUPComputer & Network Security, 51-200 employees
WatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi Cloud
WatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi Cloud 10.0
Based on 2 answers
The support team is great! I have never had an issue getting the support I needed. They make it a point to stick with the issue until it's resolved to the customer's satisfaction. They do not make you feel like you need to hurry up and close the ticket. They make sure the solution is working as designed.

Verified User
Engineer in Engineering
Information Technology and Services Company, 51-200 employeesAlternatives Considered
Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller
We have [done] some work before with the Cisco 3504 product, but the more recent Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller provides a wider range of capabilities for managing the wireless network and each individual device [and] also being able to handle more users. Unfortunately, we didn't test and deploy equivalent products from other concurrent companies.
Researcher
Instituto de TelecomunicaçõesTelecommunications, 501-1000 employees
WatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi Cloud
WatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi Cloud offers the cloud management solution unlike Ubiquiti which needs a controller that you need to setup, configure, update, and maintain. Also Security is offered with Secure Wi-Fi cloud.

Verified User
Administrator in Information Technology
Hospital & Health Care Company, 51-200 employeesReturn on Investment
Cisco 8540 Wireless Controller
- Network engineers find it easier to [manage] high-stress levels since they're more reliable and robust.
- Their initial cost is very high compared to other router providers, such as Juniper.
- Their hardware dependability can be a big drawback if you run on a budget.

Verified User
Engineer in Information Technology
Information Technology & Services Company, 1-10 employeesWatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi Cloud
- Less time spend on setting up Wi-Fi on client devices
- Addressed our Security Concerns
- Less time spent on Wireless Configurations

Verified User
Administrator in Information Technology
Hospital & Health Care Company, 51-200 employees