Graham Forrest
Senior Networking Architect
February 5, 2026
In recent years, the number of devices accessing enterprise wireless networks has continued to grow; from user devices such as laptops, smartphones and tablets, to an expanding range of IoT endpoints including sensors, cameras and operational technology. Gartner highlights that most enterprise data is now created and consumed outside the data centre, reinforcing the importance of the edge and the network that supports it.
Against this backdrop, we’ve compared two market-leading vendors in the enterprise WLAN market to assess which network solution is best suited to today’s density, performance and security demands.
The Market Leaders
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HPE Aruba and Cisco are recognised by the IDC as the only two market leaders in the enterprise wireless network space. Cisco’s end-to-end WLAN portfolio extends from small-midsized enterprises to large corporations, providing coverage to a wide variety of architectures.
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Aruba Networks was acquired by Hewlett Packard Enterprise in 2015 and has persisted to deliver innovate new products and expand its offerings ever since. The vendor offers an award-winning, flexible WLAN portfolio that covers on-premises and cloud-based management. The advanced and robust security, analytics and management tools help HPE Aruba stand out, appealing to a wide area of the market from mid-sized businesses to large enterprises.
How They Stack Up Against Each Other
The latest Gartner analysis provides a useful, independent comparison of Cisco and HPE. Rather than treating it as a scorecard, the real value is understanding where each platform is strongest and which approach best fits modern hybrid operating models.
| Comparison area | Cisco | HPE (Aruba) | DTP perspective |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automation & orchestration | Strong scores for breadth of integrations and network-led automation | More infrastructure- and policy-led automation | Cisco leads on integration depth; Aruba focuses on simplifying operations rather than orchestration sprawl |
| Hybrid & on-prem alignment | Best suited to network-first hybrid designs | Strong alignment with hybrid infrastructure and edge use cases | Aruba fits organisations balancing on-prem, edge and cloud without redesigning everything around the network |
| Operational complexity | Feature-rich, but can increase tooling and skills overhead | Designed to reduce operational effort and standardise operations | Customers often favour Aruba where simplicity and day-2 operations matter |
| Commercial model & flexibility | Typically longer contracts and layered licensing | More flexible consumption and contract options | Aruba is generally easier to align to evolving requirements and budget constraints |
Automation & Orchestration
Gartner’s analysis highlights a clear philosophical difference between Cisco and HPE Aruba when it comes to automation. Cisco scores strongly for the breadth of its integrations and its network-led orchestration capabilities. Aruba, by contrast, takes a more infrastructure and policy-driven approach, prioritising consistency and control across the estate rather than maximum orchestration depth.
From DTP Group’s perspective, this distinction is important. While deep integration and orchestration can be valuable in highly complex, multi-vendor environments, it often comes at the cost of increased tooling, specialist skills and operational overhead. Aruba’s automation strategy is deliberately more pragmatic: focus on repeatable outcomes, reduce manual intervention, and simplify day-to-day operations. For organisations looking to modernise without introducing orchestration sprawl, Aruba’s approach is typically easier to operationalise and sustain.
Hybrid Alignment & Operational Simplicity
Gartner also differentiates the two platforms in how they support hybrid operating models. Cisco is best suited to network-first hybrid designs, where the network acts as the primary control layer across environments. Aruba scores strongly for its alignment with hybrid infrastructure and edge use cases, enabling organisations to support on-prem, edge and cloud workloads without having to re-architect everything around the network.
This is where Aruba consistently resonates with DTP Group customers. Many organisations are not starting from a greenfield network design; they are balancing legacy on-prem infrastructure, growing edge requirements and selective cloud adoption. Aruba’s emphasis on operational simplicity and standardisation reduces day-two complexity and lowers the barrier to running hybrid environments effectively. Combined with more flexible commercial and consumption models, Aruba is often easier to align with changing business needs and budget constraints, making it a strong fit for organisations seeking hybrid resilience without unnecessary complexity.
Conclusion
Gartner Insights compared HPE Aruba against Cisco based on over one-thousand reviews from verified industry users. Both vendors achieved outstanding scores, but overall HPE Aruba came out on top, receiving 4.8/5 stars, while Cisco received 4.6/5 stars. While the margins were close, HPE Aruba achieved higher scores than Cisco in every category, including Overall Capability, and Service & Support. A staggering 91% of customers recommend HPE Aruba to others, while 86% would recommend Cisco.
Our Experts Can Help You
HPE Aruba guarantees a secure, scalable, and agile network solution that is designed with the edge in mind. Whilst matching all of the core benefits of Cisco, the solution provides a more advanced offering through innovative cloud-based management, AI capabilities, and a user-friendly monitoring and analytics platform.
“Customer First, Customer Last” has been HPE Aruba’s operating philosophy since their founding, valuing relationships over transactions and treating customers as partners. Together, we can help you employ HPE Aruba to co-create solutions that meet your individual requirements and solve the problems unique to your organisation.
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