Cloud RADIUS Comparison 2026: How the Options Stack Up

Last fact-checked: July 10, 2026

Cloud RADIUS delivers 802.1X WiFi authentication as a hosted service instead of a server you run yourself. This page compares IronWiFi against FreeRADIUS, Cisco ISE, Microsoft NPS, JumpCloud, Portnox, SecureW2, Foxpass, and RADIUSaaS across hosting model, EAP support, captive portal, OpenRoaming, PKI, identity-provider integrations, AP compatibility, pricing transparency, and deploy time. IronWiFi is a cloud-managed platform that publishes its pricing — from $13/AP + $6.50/user per month, billed monthly or annually, $65/month per venue minimum ($50/month if paying annually) — and deploys in about 30 minutes. See pricing.

The Comparison at a Glance

These are all standards-based RADIUS or NAC products, so they overlap on the basics like 802.1X and EAP-TLS. Where they differ is hosting, extras (captive portal, roaming, PKI, threat detection), and how they price. The table below simplifies each product to one line per row — always confirm the details on the vendor's own site before you buy.

Simplified for comparison. Feature availability and tiers change; verify current details with each vendor. Last reviewed July 10, 2026.

A Quick Read on Each Option

IronWiFi

Cloud-managed RADIUS built specifically for WiFi authentication. It covers 802.1X with WPA2/WPA3-Enterprise, EAP-TLS/PEAP/EAP-TTLS, a built-in captive portal, OpenRoaming and Passpoint, Cloud PKI with SCEP, and WiFi ITDR. It connects to Microsoft Entra ID, Okta, Google, Active Directory, LDAP, and SCIM, works with 200+ AP vendors including Cisco, Meraki, Aruba, UniFi, and Ruckus, and publishes pricing from $13/AP + $6.50/user per month. It runs multi-region with automatic failover and carries SOC 2 Type II, SOC 3, and a DPA.

FreeRADIUS

The open-source workhorse that a huge share of RADIUS deployments are built on. The software is free and endlessly flexible, but you own the Linux servers, patching, high availability, and backups. Best when you have RADIUS expertise in-house and need deep customization. Full IronWiFi vs FreeRADIUS comparison →

Cisco ISE

A full network access control platform — wired and wireless NAC, posture assessment, profiling, and TrustSec segmentation. Powerful and broad, but heavy to deploy and licensed rather than publicly priced. Often more than teams need if the goal is mainly WiFi 802.1X. Full IronWiFi vs Cisco ISE comparison →

Microsoft NPS

The RADIUS role that ships with Windows Server. It is effectively free if you already run Windows Server and Active Directory, but it is tied to that infrastructure, has no built-in certificate lifecycle, and offers no captive portal or roaming. Full IronWiFi vs Microsoft NPS comparison →

JumpCloud

A cloud directory platform with RADIUS as one feature among many (SSO, MDM, device management). A good fit if you want its directory at the center of your stack. WiFi-specific extras like captive portal, OpenRoaming, and Passpoint are not its focus. Full IronWiFi vs JumpCloud comparison →

Portnox

Cloud-delivered NAC with device posture, TACACS+, and ZTNA alongside RADIUS. Strong if you need full NAC; pricing is quote-based. If WiFi authentication is the main job, it can be more platform than required. Full IronWiFi vs Portnox comparison →

SecureW2

Cloud RADIUS with a strong focus on certificate-based (passwordless) onboarding and managed PKI. Excellent if certificate lifecycle is your priority; captive portal and guest WiFi are not its emphasis. Full IronWiFi vs SecureW2 comparison →

Foxpass

Cloud RADIUS and LDAP aimed at engineering-led teams, with published per-user pricing and tidy Google/Microsoft integration. Lighter on WiFi extras like captive portal, OpenRoaming, and PKI depth. Full IronWiFi vs Foxpass comparison →

RADIUSaaS

Managed cloud RADIUS with a strong Azure/Entra and certificate story, commonly paired with SCEPman for PKI. A natural fit for Microsoft-centric, certificate-first shops. Full IronWiFi vs RADIUSaaS comparison →

How to Choose

• Want to run it yourself and customize deeply? FreeRADIUS, or Microsoft NPS if you are already all-in on Windows Server.
• Need full NAC (wired + wireless, posture, segmentation, TACACS+)? Cisco ISE or Portnox.
• Certificate-first, Microsoft-centric onboarding? SecureW2 or RADIUSaaS.
• Want your cloud directory at the center? JumpCloud.
• Mainly need cloud WiFi authentication with captive portal, OpenRoaming, PKI, and published pricing you can check today? IronWiFi or Foxpass are the WiFi-first cloud options; IronWiFi adds captive portal, OpenRoaming/Passpoint, Cloud PKI, and WiFi ITDR.