IronWiFi vs JumpCloud
JumpCloud is a powerful cloud directory that can do RADIUS. But if WiFi authentication is your main goal, you might be paying for a whole directory platform you don't need.
IronWiFi is a dedicated WiFi authentication platform, while JumpCloud is a full cloud directory that includes RADIUS as one of many features. JumpCloud requires its directory subscription alongside RADIUS, effectively costing $6/user/month or more for WiFi auth alone. IronWiFi starts at $3/device/month (billed annually) and adds captive portals, guest WiFi, and OpenRoaming that JumpCloud does not offer.
Full Directory Platform vs WiFi Specialist
JumpCloud has built an impressive open directory platform — SSO, MDM, LDAP, conditional access, patch management, and yes, RADIUS. It's a one-stop shop for identity management. But here's the thing: if you mainly need WiFi authentication, you're buying into a full directory platform just to get one feature. IronWiFi is built specifically for WiFi, so you get exactly what you need — captive portals, guest WiFi, OpenRoaming, IoT auth — without paying for SSO, MDM, and everything else.
The Hidden Cost of "Just RADIUS"
JumpCloud's RADIUS module is $3/user/month — sounds reasonable, right? But it requires the JumpCloud directory at $3/user/month minimum. So you're actually looking at $6/user/month just for WiFi authentication, with no captive portal, no guest WiFi, and no per-AP pricing. If you go with their Core package to get more value, it's $13/user/month. For 200 users over 3 years, that's $14,400 (a la carte) to $93,600 (Core). IronWiFi for the same 200 users? About $4,700 over 3 years.
Cost Breakdown
| Cost Component | IronWiFi | JumpCloud |
|---|---|---|
| WiFi Auth Only | From $3/device/mo (annual) | $6/user/mo (directory + RADIUS) |
| Core Package | N/A | $13/user/mo |
| Plus Package | N/A | $19/user/mo |
| Guest WiFi Plan | $10/AP/month (annual) | N/A |
| IoT Plan | $3/device/month (annual) | N/A |
| SAML Authentication | Included | Included |
| SCEP | Included | N/A |
| Cloud PKI | Included | N/A |
| Setup Time | 30 minutes | Hours (full platform) |
| Free Option | 14-day trial | 10 users free |
| 200 Users, 3 Years | ~$4,700 | $14,400-$93,600 |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | IronWiFi | JumpCloud |
|---|---|---|
| 802.1X WiFi Authentication | ✓ | ✓ |
| EAP-TLS / PEAP / TTLS | ✓ | ✓ |
| Azure AD / Entra ID | ✓ Native | ✓ (directory) |
| Okta Integration | ✓ Native | Limited |
| Google Workspace | ✓ Native | ✓ |
| Cloud Directory / SSO | ✗ | ✓ |
| MDM | ✗ | ✓ |
| Conditional Access | ✗ | ✓ |
| LDAP-as-a-Service | ✗ | ✓ |
| Captive Portal | ✓ | ✗ |
| Guest WiFi Management | ✓ | ✗ |
| OpenRoaming | ✓ WBA Partner | ✗ |
| Passpoint | ✓ | ✗ |
| IoT Authentication | ✓ | Limited |
| Cloud PKI | ✓ Included | ✗ |
| SCEP | ✓ Included | ✗ |
| SAML Authentication | ✓ Included | ✓ (SSO platform) |
| Compliance Certifications | SOC 2, GDPR | SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, GDPR |
| Per-AP Pricing | ✓ | ✗ |
| Cloud-Native | ✓ | ✓ |
| AI-Powered Intelligence | ✓ AI Center | ✗ |
When Does JumpCloud Make Sense?
- You need a full cloud directory platform (SSO, MDM, LDAP, RADIUS all-in-one)
- Replacing Active Directory with a cloud-native directory is the goal
- Device management (MDM) and conditional access are requirements
- You're under 10 users and the free tier covers your needs
- RADIUS is just one piece of a bigger identity puzzle
When Is IronWiFi the Better Fit?
- WiFi authentication is the primary use case
- Captive portals and guest WiFi are must-haves
- You need per-AP pricing for guest WiFi scenarios
- OpenRoaming or Passpoint is on your roadmap
- IoT device authentication with a dedicated plan matters
- You already have an identity provider (Okta, Azure AD, Google) and just need RADIUS
- You want to be up and running in 30 minutes, not hours
The Bottom Line
JumpCloud is a solid cloud directory — if you need SSO, MDM, LDAP, and RADIUS under one roof, it makes sense. But if WiFi authentication is what you're really after, you're paying directory platform prices for a RADIUS feature. IronWiFi is purpose-built for WiFi: captive portals, guest WiFi, OpenRoaming, IoT, per-AP pricing — all at a fraction of what JumpCloud charges for just the RADIUS piece. Sometimes the specialist beats the generalist.
Ready to See What WiFi-First Looks Like?
Take IronWiFi for a spin with a 14-day free trial. All WiFi features included — captive portals, guest WiFi, OpenRoaming, and more.