Meraki Go vs Ubiquiti

Written By Eric Mejia

Cisco Meraki Go vs Ubiquiti UniFi: Why I Switched

Over the years, I’ve deployed and managed a variety of networking gear for both business and personal projects. For a long time, Cisco’s Meraki Go was my go-to choice it’s sleek, cloud-managed, and simple to set up.

My own Meraki Go network consisted of a Go Firewall Plus, a WiFi 6 AP, and a Go 8-Port POE Switch. It ran smoothly, handled my needs, and required minimal maintenance.

Recently, I replaced that entire setup with Ubiquiti hardware: a U7 Pro XG Access Point, a USW Flex 2.5G 8-Port PoE Switch, and a UCG Fiber Gateway. After living with both platforms, I think it’s worth sharing the differences, strengths, weaknesses, and ultimately why I switched.

Meraki Go: Polished, But Limited

Meraki Go is designed for small businesses and users who want enterprise-grade reliability without needing a network engineering degree.
Pros:

  • Dead-simple setup: You can get an entire network up and running in minutes using only the mobile app.

  • Solid reliability: Cisco’s hardware has always been dependable.

  • Cloud-managed convenience: No local controllers or complex configurations.

  • No subscription required: unless need for firewall prevention services

Cons:

  • Limited advanced controls: Great for plug-and-play, but not ideal if you need deep customization.

  • Hardware cost: You’re still paying a premium for the Cisco name.

  • End-of-sale approaching: Cisco has announced that Meraki Go will no longer be sold after April 2025, and support will be phased out. You can read the official statement here.

For many small businesses, Meraki Go just works. But with its end-of-sale on the horizon, future-proofing is now a serious concern.

Ubiquiti: The Power User’s Playground

My UniFi upgrade was built around three main components:

  • U7 Pro XG Access Point – Blazing-fast WiFi 7 coverage with massive capacity for high-density environments.

  • USW Flex 2.5G 8-Port PoE Switch – Multi-gig PoE switching in a compact, fanless design.

  • UCG Fiber Gateway – A small, powerful gateway with built-in SFP .

UniFi is a very different animal from Meraki Go. It’s still affordable, but it offers an incredible amount of customization if you’re willing to dive in.
Pros:

  • No ongoing subscription fees: Buy the hardware once, and you’re done.

  • Deep customization: VLANs, firewall rules, traffic shaping, VPN, site-to-site links—if you can think of it, you can probably configure it.

  • Ecosystem integration: Cameras, door access, Wi-Fi, routing, and switching all under one management interface.

  • Cloud or local control: Use UniFi Cloud Console or host your own controller.

Cons:

  • Steeper learning curve: The UniFi interface is cleaner than most enterprise platforms, but it’s still far more complex than Meraki Go.

  • More setup effort: You’ll spend more time tuning settings, especially if you’re a perfectionist.

For me, UniFi has been a game-changer. I can now segment my network, apply QoS rules for specific devices, and monitor traffic in real time without feeling like I’m stuck in a walled garden.

Why I Switched

The decision came down to control, cost, and longevity. My Meraki Go setup served me well, but I eventually needed:

  • More VLANs for IoT, guests, and work devices

  • Better insights into bandwidth usage

  • The ability to expand into cameras and access control without juggling multiple platforms

  • Confidence that my network hardware won’t be discontinued in a year

With Meraki Go’s end-of-sale announcement, switching became less of an option and more of a necessity. UniFi checked all my boxes and removed ongoing subscription costs. Yes, the setup took more time, but the payoff in flexibility and visibility was worth it.

Final Thoughts

If you want an ultra-simple, reliable network with minimal fuss and don’t mind paying for it. Meraki Go is fantastic. But with its end-of-life, it’s hard to recommend for new deployments.

If you want enterprise-grade control, the ability to grow your network, and zero subscription fees, UniFi is hard to beat.

For me, moving to UniFi was like trading in an automatic car for a stick shift. More work at first, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll never want to go back.

Eric Mejia