IronWiFi vs Cisco ISE
Get 90% of ISE functionality at 10% of the cost. Enterprise WiFi authentication without enterprise complexity.
Right-Size Your WiFi Authentication
Cisco ISE is a powerful NAC platform. But if you're primarily using it for WiFi authentication, you're paying for capabilities you may not need. IronWiFi provides enterprise-grade WiFi authentication at a fraction of the cost.
Key Insight
Many organizations deploy Cisco ISE for WiFi 802.1X authentication but never use advanced NAC features like posture assessment or pxGrid. If WiFi authentication is your primary use case, IronWiFi saves $50,000-100,000+ while providing equivalent functionality.
Pricing Comparison
| Cost Component | IronWiFi | Cisco ISE |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware | $0 (cloud) | $15,000-50,000 |
| Base License | Included | $3-8/endpoint |
| Plus Features | Included | $4-10/endpoint additional |
| Annual Support | Included | 18-20% of license |
| Deployment Time | 30 minutes | 4-12 weeks |
| 1,000 Users Year 1 | ~$2,400 | ~$70,000+ |
| 3-Year TCO | ~$7,200 | ~$100,000+ |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | IronWiFi | Cisco ISE |
|---|---|---|
| 802.1X WiFi Authentication | ✓ | ✓ |
| EAP-TLS / PEAP / TTLS | ✓ | ✓ |
| Azure AD / Entra ID | ✓ Native | ✓ |
| Active Directory | ✓ | ✓ |
| Okta / Google Workspace | ✓ Native | Limited |
| Captive Portal | ✓ | ✓ |
| Guest WiFi Management | ✓ | ✓ |
| OpenRoaming | ✓ WBA Partner | ✗ |
| Wired NAC | ✗ | ✓ |
| Device Profiling | Basic MAC | ✓ Advanced |
| Posture Assessment | ✗ | ✓ |
| pxGrid Integration | ✗ | ✓ |
| Cisco Hardware Lock-in | None | Optimized for Cisco |
| Cloud-Native | ✓ | ✗ |
When to Choose Cisco ISE
- You need wired AND wireless NAC in one platform
- Device posture assessment is required (MDM compliance, antivirus checks)
- You use pxGrid for Cisco security ecosystem integration
- Advanced device profiling beyond MAC is essential
- You have Cisco networking throughout and want tight integration
When to Choose IronWiFi
- WiFi authentication is your primary use case
- You need modern IdP support (Okta, Google Workspace)
- OpenRoaming or Passpoint is on your roadmap
- You want to avoid hardware appliances and maintenance
- Budget is a concern ($65/month vs $50,000+)
- You have mixed-vendor networking (not all Cisco)
- Fast deployment matters (30 minutes vs 4-12 weeks)
The Verdict
Cisco ISE is the right choice for comprehensive NAC with wired+wireless authentication and advanced device compliance. But for WiFi-only authentication, IronWiFi provides equivalent functionality at 90% lower cost with faster deployment and easier management. If you're using ISE primarily for WiFi 802.1X, you're likely overpaying by $50,000+ over 3 years.
Ready for Simpler WiFi Authentication?
Start your 14-day free trial. Works with Cisco access points and Meraki. No credit card required.