Build Your Complete UniFi Network

Our configurator uses data from 200+ professional UniFi installations to recommend equipment based on your business type, square footage, user count, internet speed, and camera requirements. It considers factors like WiFi coverage per AP, PoE power budgets, and storage needs to generate a complete, balanced system.

These are educated starting points based on typical deployments for your business type and size. Every environment is different — building materials, layout, and specific workflows may require adjustments. Use this as your baseline, then consult our detailed guides or contact us for fine-tuning.

For small networks without cameras, the UCG Max ($199) offers excellent value with 2.5GbE and a built-in controller. Most of our business installations use the rack-mounted UDM Pro ($379), whose hard drive bay doubles as the camera NVR. For camera-heavy or high-performance sites (10G internet, 150+ users), the UDM Pro Max ($599) adds dual-HDD RAID and 15x 4K camera capacity — and the flagship Dream Machine Beast ($1,499) handles 10G networks with up to 40x 4K cameras.

As a rule of thumb: 1 AP per 1,500-2,000 sq ft for standard offices, or 1 per 1,000-1,500 sq ft for high-density environments like conference rooms or retail. Building materials matter — concrete and metal require more APs. Our configurator calculates this based on your square footage and user count.

Not always. The UDM Pro records up to 8x 4K (24 HD) cameras on its hard drive bay, and the Pro Max handles up to 15x 4K on dual drives — just budget for the drives, since all UniFi gateways and NVRs ship diskless. For small setups, the UNVR Instant ($199) is a compact NVR with a built-in 6-port PoE switch. Beyond gateway capacity, a dedicated UNVR ($299, 18x 4K) or the next-gen UNVR G2 ($699, 30x 4K with AI analytics) takes over.

Medical environments require network segmentation (VLANs) for HIPAA compliance, separating patient data from guest WiFi. We recommend rack-mounted business gateways like the UDM Pro or Pro Max with proper firewall rules, plus reliable coverage for medical devices. Our configurator automatically adjusts recommendations for healthcare.

For patios, parking lots, or outdoor dining, add UniFi Outdoor APs (U7 Pro Outdoor or U7 Outdoor). These are IP65 rated for weather resistance. Make sure your switch has enough PoE budget — outdoor APs typically need PoE+ (30W). Our configurator can factor in outdoor areas.

DIY is feasible for simple setups (1-2 APs, basic routing). Consider professional installation for: running ethernet cables through walls/ceilings, mounting ceiling APs, complex network segmentation, or camera systems. Proper cable management and AP placement dramatically impact performance.

Meraki charges $200-400 per device annually for licensing — a 10-device network costs $2,000-4,000/year just in subscriptions. UniFi has zero recurring fees. Over 5 years, a $3,000 UniFi setup stays at $3,000, while equivalent Meraki costs $13,000-23,000 including licenses.

Absolutely. UniFi's modular design means you can start with a gateway and one AP, then add devices as needed. All equipment is managed from the same dashboard. Many clients start with networking, then add cameras, access control, or VoIP over time — all integrated seamlessly.

A basic setup needs three components: a gateway (UCG Max or UDM Pro) for routing and security, a PoE switch to power devices, and at least one WiFi 7 access point. For cameras, add a hard drive to your gateway or a dedicated NVR. Our configurator recommends the right combination for your needs.

No. UniFi can be managed 100% locally through your gateway. Cloud access is optional and free — you can access your network remotely through ui.com without any subscription. This is a major advantage over cloud-dependent systems like Meraki.

A complete small business UniFi network typically costs $1,000-$5,500 depending on your requirements. Home-office setups with a Dream Router 7, compact NVR, and two cameras land around $1,100. Mid-range deployments (20-30 users) with a rack-mounted UDM Pro, WiFi 7 APs, four cameras, and storage run $2,000-$2,500. Premium setups with flagship APs and eight-plus cameras reach $5,500+. Use our configurator above for a personalized estimate.

For a 20-person office, we typically recommend: a rack-mounted UDM Pro gateway ($379) that doubles as the camera NVR, two U7 Pro WiFi 7 access points ($378) for coverage, a Pro Max 16 PoE switch ($399), four G6 Turret cameras ($796), and an 8TB surveillance drive ($200). Total investment around $2,150. This configuration handles 50+ devices, provides multi-gig WiFi, and includes 30+ days of 4K camera retention.

Yes, UniFi supports HIPAA-compliant deployments. Key features include VLAN segmentation to isolate patient data from guest WiFi, IDS/IPS threat detection, encrypted management, and audit logging. We recommend the UDM Pro or Pro Max for medical practices, as they provide the advanced firewall rules needed for compliance. Many healthcare clients also appreciate the local-only management option for data privacy.