Meter vs Cisco Meraki: NaaS Comparison (2026)

At a glance

Two different approaches to managed networking.

Meter

Meter delivers fully managed networking billed per square foot — one bill, no hardware to own.

No upfront hardware cost
One bill replaces hardware, licenses, install and support
Hardware buyback eases migration
Fast deployment — Meter owns the process
Per-sq-ft rate drops as you grow

Cisco Meraki

Cisco Meraki is the leading cloud-managed networking platform — powerful, but you buy and run it.

Industry-standard platform and ecosystem
Full stack: Wi-Fi, switching, SD-WAN, security, cameras
Dashboard skills common in the talent market
Granular engineer-level control
Cisco scale and global support

Feature comparison

Meter vs Cisco Meraki: side by side

	Meter	Cisco Meraki
Category	Fully managed NaaS	Cloud-managed platform
Pricing model	Per square foot, monthly	Hardware purchase + per-device license
Upfront hardware cost	✓ None — included	Significant CapEx
Who manages the network	✓ Fully managed by Meter	Self-managed via dashboard
Deployment	Meter manages the full install	VAR/partner or in-house
Built-in security	Network layer; firewall pairs alongside	Add-on Advanced Security licenses
Geographic coverage	US, Canada, Europe	Global
Billing	✓ One monthly bill	Hardware + licenses + support
Best for	Mid-market offices that want networking off their plate	Enterprise IT teams that want full control

When each wins

Match the model to your situation.

METER WINS

You want networking delivered, not operated

Meter is built to be fully managed by meter — mid-market offices that want networking off their plate. If reducing operational load is the goal, Meter fits cleanly.

METER WINS

Predictable cost matters more than deep control

With per square foot, monthly and no upfront hardware, Meter keeps budgeting simple and avoids surprise CapEx.

CISCO MERAKI WINS

Enterprise IT teams that want full control

Cisco Meraki is the leading cloud-managed networking platform — powerful, but you buy and run it. If that matches your environment, Cisco Meraki is the stronger choice.

Bottom line

Cisco Meraki is excellent infrastructure — but it's infrastructure you buy, run, and eventually replace. For mid-market teams without dedicated network engineers, or those under pressure to cut CapEx and IT overhead, Meter's fully managed model almost always means lower total cost and far less operational drag. Meraki wins when you have the engineering team and want deep control. If you're not sure which fits your environment, a NaaSAdvisor advisor can quote both side by side.

Talk to an Advisor Explore pricing

Common questions

Meter vs Cisco Meraki FAQ

Meter is priced per square foot, monthly with none — included upfront, billed as one monthly bill. Cisco Meraki uses hardware purchase + per-device license — hardware + licenses + support. The right model depends on your footprint and how you prefer to budget; an advisor can translate both into one comparable number.

Meter: fully managed by meter. Cisco Meraki: self-managed via dashboard. If your team doesn't have dedicated network engineers, a fully managed model removes a significant operational burden — which is often the deciding factor between these two.

Meter handles security via network layer; firewall pairs alongside, while Cisco Meraki uses add-on advanced security licenses. Neither is automatically better — it depends on whether you want security delivered inside the network service or as a dedicated layer you control.

Yes. Rather than approaching each vendor separately, a NaaSAdvisor advisor competes Meter, Cisco Meraki, and other providers against each other on your specific scope — independent, with no cost to you. Use the pricing tool for a ballpark, then talk to an advisor for real numbers.

Meter vs Cisco Meraki: Which NaaS Fits Your Network?