Cisco Meraki MR vs. WatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi Cloud

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Meraki MR
Score 9.2 out of 10
N/A
Cisco's Meraki MR Series is a wireless LAN solution.N/A
WatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi Cloud
Score 9.0 out of 10
N/A
The vendor says WatchGuard Wi-Fi Cloud is where you take your access points to unlock their full potential. With a Secure Wi-Fi license, you get patented WIPS security, compliance reporting including PCI, Wi-Fi vulnerability assessment reporting, and every enterprise-grade WLAN feature you’ll need to take your access points into the toughest environments – with features like live floorplan views, hotspot 2.0, application firewall, and role-based access with 802.1x. WatchGuard Wi-Fi Cloud has…N/A
Pricing
Cisco Meraki MRWatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi Cloud
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Meraki MRWatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi Cloud
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Cisco Meraki MRWatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi Cloud
Considered Both Products
Meraki MR
Chose Cisco Meraki MR
The Meraki stacks well versus all the other solutions I have tested and installed. When I have installed other solutions, it is at the request of the customer. Everyone has their favorite, and has their whys they prefer one vendor over the other.
WatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi Cloud
Chose WatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi Cloud
WatchGuard Secure versus the Mojo Networks is the same being that they both use the same platform.
Versus the Fortinet solution- it has a stronger security suite, but as far as functionality, they are about equal.
Versus the Meraki solution- it has a stronger security suite, …
Top Pros
Top Cons
Best Alternatives
Cisco Meraki MRWatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi Cloud
Small Businesses
Ubiquiti WLAN
Ubiquiti WLAN
Score 9.3 out of 10
Meraki MR
Meraki MR
Score 9.2 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controllers
Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controllers
Score 9.7 out of 10
Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controllers
Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controllers
Score 9.7 out of 10
Enterprises
Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controllers
Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controllers
Score 9.7 out of 10
Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controllers
Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controllers
Score 9.7 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Cisco Meraki MRWatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi Cloud
Likelihood to Recommend
9.1
(47 ratings)
8.0
(2 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
8.7
(3 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Usability
8.6
(4 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
8.7
(25 ratings)
10.0
(2 ratings)
Product Scalability
8.6
(14 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
Cisco Meraki MRWatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi Cloud
Likelihood to Recommend
Cisco
If you are looking for enterprise-grade wireless networking solution, then Cisco Meraki MR is definitely a solution that you should consider. There are a wide variety of AP's which cover every eventuality from entry-level, to hotel rooms and then to high-density stadiums and external environments. The design is very easy on the eye and deployment is very straightforward, ensuring that you aren't installing something that stands out too much and is a problem from the outset to fit. Cisco Meraki MR lends itself to lean IT Teams that don't have the manpower or technical capability to manage large estates and with it being Cloud Controlled, it requires no on-site hardware (controller) and simply needs power and internet access. Where Cisco Meraki MR's deployment could be called into question, is when the admin team needs very granular control of users and traffic and also need enhanced reporting. Under these circumstances, Cisco Catalyst products should be considered.
Read full review
WatchGuard Technologies
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.
Read full review
Pros
Cisco
  • Provides real-time and historic data right in the dashboard, allowing my team to troubleshoot user issues and identify larger problems much easier.
  • Meraki APs are known as "loud talkers", and have really improved coverage on the edges of our spaces. Our users live and die by Zoom, and stability has been greatly enhanced. We did have an issue with significant packet drops, and their support team was able to quickly help us figure out the cause.
Read full review
WatchGuard Technologies
  • Ease of Management
  • Secure
  • Wi-Fi Reporting
Read full review
Cons
Cisco
  • For me, part of it comes down to the value proposition of Meraki MR is that it's easy to use, but as someone who's worked in IT a lot, sometimes I want to be able to dig under the hood to find those bells and whistles of things that I might want to configure on my own.
  • And I understand that sometimes that can create challenges. So maybe as someone a little bit more seasoned in the IT space, and my thought process is to hide that, but still let me get into it if I have to because there are occasions when there's a little setting I need to mess up with.
Read full review
WatchGuard Technologies
  • 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.
Read full review
Likelihood to Renew
Cisco
Cause its intuitive, very clear and easy of use (no brainer) interface. It's whole portfolio in one portal aproach. Also cause the new features cycle release and the cisco Meraki comprehension of WiFi market. Also cause the fastest deployment available on the market that also comes with a easy to scale platform adding features and services in the same interface thats unique and awesome.
Read full review
WatchGuard Technologies
No answers on this topic
Usability
Cisco
To get basic functionality doesn't take long. Set up a new Meraki Dashboard activate the licenses and get internet connection for the APs and you are more or less done. The Dashboard will find your items and you're good to go.
Read full review
WatchGuard Technologies
No answers on this topic
Support Rating
Cisco
Meraki support is usually top notch. The are quick to respond and stick with an issue until it is resolved. One of the difficulties I've had with Meraki MRs is the limited ability the customer has in troubleshooting. Much of the more technical aspects of resolution can only be accessed by the Meraki support team, meaning dedicated IT teams are reliant on them when more complicated issues arise.
Read full review
WatchGuard Technologies
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.
Read full review
Alternatives Considered
Cisco
The Cisco Meraki MR line of products stacks well against legacy Cisco Aironet equipment and comes with the added benefit of being cloud managed. I also like the fact that traditional legacy Wireless servers are no longer needed since all Meraki equipment runs through the Meraki Cloud.
Read full review
WatchGuard Technologies
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.
Read full review
Scalability
Cisco
Being able to add additional Cisco Meraki MR devices as required is very simple. After the initial deployment guided by both WiFi Surveys and 'eyeballing it', we did still find some areas with buildings where adjustments were required, both physical relocation and conflicts with other WiFi from other organizations. Using the tools available the team was able to rapidly solve these problems.
Read full review
WatchGuard Technologies
No answers on this topic
Return on Investment
Cisco
  • Hardware replacement - when a device has failed
  • Software license can be applied to a replacement device (ie: an upgrade)
  • Total cost of Management - ability to manage and monitor devices
  • Negative - the total cost of the renewal of 100 licenses for devices
Read full review
WatchGuard Technologies
  • Less time spend on setting up Wi-Fi on client devices
  • Addressed our Security Concerns
  • Less time spent on Wireless Configurations
Read full review
ScreenShots

WatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi Cloud Screenshots

Screenshot of WatchGuard Wi-Fi DiscoverScreenshot of WatchGuard Wi-Fi AnalyzeScreenshot of WatchGuard Wi-Fi EngageScreenshot of WatchGuard Wi-Fi Manage