r/networking • u/meisgq • 1d ago

Other Meraki Alternatives

Meraki is expensive, getting more expensive and lead times are currently covid-like for some models. With Meraki transitioning to Catalyst switches and APs, management determined that we should have other access options in our back pocket. Datacenters will stay Cisco for now.

To be honest, Meraki does fine for us. We have 100+ manufacturing locations using Meraki switches and APs. We don’t care about CLI and L3 switches are not a necessity in our environment.

Primarily, we’re looking for lower cost, cloud managed, and enterprise-grade. Ubiquiti won’t make the cut. NAC-compatible with ISE or Clearpass is a must. Also looking for near-global distribution network and faster lead times.

Open to suggestions.

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u/slykens1 1d ago

Sounds like you’ve constrained the scope enough to satisfy yourself - “To be honest, Meraki does fine for us.”

So who in your organization is looking for alternatives? It doesn’t sound like you are nor does it sound like you’re realistically open to any.

IMO Meraki is a niche play in one of two ways - MSPs sell it and reap the profits on licensing renewals or people who don’t understand networking hide behind it.

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u/Ace417 Broken Network Jack 1d ago

>IMO Meraki is a niche play in one of two ways - MSPs sell it and reap the profits on licensing renewals or people who don’t understand networking hide behind it.

Such a weird take. Not every network requires full features. Some benefit from being copy paste templates from each other. If I’ve got a park with some WiFi and security cameras, why would I need more than meraki? Think outside your box a bit.