ExtremeCloud IQ vs UniFi Network

ExtremeCloud IQ provides machine-learning-driven unified management for access points, switches and SD-WAN. It offers real-time and historical views of client and device health with built-in remediation tools. Automatic configuration policies, near zero-touch deployment workflows and Instant operations support onboarding and provisioning. Enhanced WiFi Maps help with network planning and optimization. The product supports OpenAPI-standard APIs for provisioning, management and customization. It can manage Cisco and HPE Aruba switches, while other third-party devices receive basic setup and monitoring. Deployment options include public cloud, private cloud and ExtremeCloud Edge; the product page describes 21 global points of presence across AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform. Licenses are pooled and portable across devices, locations and users, covering wired and wireless devices. Pilot includes guest management, wireless intrusion prevention and location services; CoPilot adds anomaly detection and experience monitoring. Pricing is on request, with a 90-day trial and no free plan.

UniFi Network manages internet gateways, Wi-Fi, and switching through real-time traffic dashboards, topology maps, and optimization tips. License-free Site Manager supports remote management and cloud orchestration across UniFi deployments. The software can run on a Cloud Gateway or CloudKey, or be self-hosted on local hardware or in a cloud environment such as AWS, Azure, or GCP. Mobile applications for iOS and Android can manage a network, and the local control plane supports device management during internet outages or in air-gapped deployments.

Wireless security options include WPA2, WPA3, and mixed modes, with pre-shared key or RADIUS/802.1X authentication. Administrators can assign VLANs to Wi-Fi SSIDs and apply segmentation, isolation, and traffic policies. UniFi gateways provide IDS/IPS monitoring, alerts, and threat blocking; CyberSecure is a per-site subscription that expands the threat signature database. The Site Manager API supplies site-wide internet health, device status, and network performance data, while local APIs cover devices, client activity, and traffic insights. Core routing, firewall enforcement, and deep packet inspection run on local equipment, but some updates, notifications, and remote alerts rely on the cloud. UniFi Network software is free, and paid options start at $29/mo.