Apstra Operating System vs Cisco DNA Center comparison

Juniper and Cisco are both solutions in the Network Automation category. Juniper is ranked #13, while Cisco is ranked #2 with an average rating of 8.2. Juniper holds a 1.7% mindshare in NA, compared to Cisco’s 12.8% mindshare. Additionally, 100% of Juniper users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 89% of Cisco users who would recommend it.

Apstra Operating System

Read 1 Apstra Operating System review

344 Views
344 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Cisco DNA Center

Read 42 Cisco DNA Center reviews

8,314 Views
1,746 Comparison Views

89% willing to recommend

Apstra Operating System

Cisco DNA Center

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between Apstra Operating System and Cisco DNA Center based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out what your peers are saying about Red Hat, Cisco, VMware and others in Network Automation.

To learn more, read our detailed Network Automation Report (Updated: August 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Network Automation

August 2025

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

Apstra Operating System

Ranking in Network Automation

13th

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

7.3

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Cisco DNA Center

Ranking in Network Automation

2nd

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

6.3

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Network Management Applications (1st), Network Monitoring Software (11th)

Mindshare comparison

As of September 2025, in the Network Automation category, the mindshare of Apstra Operating System is 1.7%, down from 2.6% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Cisco DNA Center is 12.8%, down from 16.8% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Network Automation Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
Cisco DNA Center	12.8%
Apstra Operating System	1.7%
Other	85.5%

Network Automation

Featured Reviews

Hezio Fernandes

Works at wolterskluwer

Highly secure, useful AB test, and stable

I am using Apstra Operating System for some classes and for my personal use Apstra Operating System's most important features are the security and AB test to define what approach we need to take in my company. Additionally, the solution does not take a lot of maintenance. The report data could…

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Ahmed Helmy

Sr. Director, Business Development & Sales Operations at connect professional services

Experience unified visibility and monitoring for enterprise campus and significant time savings and enhanced troubleshooting with reliable support

We have been working with Cisco DNA Center for ten years. Our clients use Cisco DNA Center for unified visibility/monitoring across Enterprise Campus both LAN & WLAN along with Access and fast technical issues troubleshooting The solution provides fast troubleshooting capabilities and fast…

Read full review

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"Apstra Operating System's most important features are the security and AB test to define what approach we need to take in my company. Additionally, the solution does not take a lot of maintenance."

"I think that their LAN automation is a very good feature."

"Has a good processing feature with a high level of accuracy."

"The automation features are significant, reducing configuration time. This means outstanding functionality. By deploying the controller automatically, the rest becomes automated"

"We can monitor all devices and get the required information using the product."

"The solution helps with the management and orchestration of campaigns. It helps with visibility and analytics. I also like its SDA configuration."

"The most valuable features of the solution are all of its security features...It is a highly scalable solution."

"I like the visibility, instant build, network, policies, and the ability to control access. I also like that you can visualize your whole network."

"Automation helps configure devices without manual intervention, enabling zero-touch provisioning."

More Cisco DNA Center pros

Cons

"The report data could improve in Apstra Operating System."

"The solution can be quite pricey."

"They should include UTM features in the product."

"Integration with analytic tools and API integrations would be ideal."

"The solution's technical support is an area with which my company's clients have a problem. Cisco doesn't provide good technical support unless a user has a big account that Cisco wants to retain."

"As a user, it would be good if I could plug in controllers, suites, and devices from other vendors to Cisco DNA Center."

"They can improve the network visibility. Licensing and its maintenance are also needed."

"There is a limitation with the number of VRFs that you can have in your network, and this has caused us problems with some customers."

"Cisco DNA Center should improve its configuration management. It is better to have a dev version before pushing it."

More Cisco DNA Center cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The price of the solution is competitive."

"Affordability is a problem because it's created for large enterprises only. So, some customers, even if their engineers want the solution, might have problems with budget limitations."

"The price could be better. It's a very expensive tool."

"Our licensing agreement is for three years."

"The solution is expensive."

"I would rate the pricing a six out of ten, with ten being expensive."

"The tool's licensing may not come across as something that may be friendly for users."

"I do know that Cisco does offer some really good promotions for DNA Center to bring the costs down."

"Licensing for Cisco DNA Center is a little bit expensive, just like any Cisco solution. Its cost could still be improved."

More Cisco DNA Center pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

21%

University

12%

Financial Services Firm

10%

Government

Computer Software Company

14%

Manufacturing Company

11%

Government

Financial Services Firm

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	10
Midsize Enterprise	9
Large Enterprise	24

Questions from the Community

Ask a question

Earn 20 points

What do you like most about Cisco DNA Center?

The most valuable feature of the solution stems from the fact that it gives some kind of ease in operations, especially since our company is moving from CLI to GUI-based configuration.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Cisco DNA Center?

After evaluating other solutions, we will provide feedback.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Cisco DNA Center?

We have utilized the software-defined access (SDA) feature of Cisco DNA Center. The AI-driven needs enhancements and Integration and unification of visibility and monitoring to include other areas ...

See all answers

Comparisons

VMware NSX vs Apstra Operating System

Compared 40% of the time

More Apstra Operating System Competitors

Cisco Catalyst Center vs Cisco DNA Center

Compared 15% of the time

Juniper Mist Wired Assurance vs Cisco DNA Center

Compared 7% of the time

SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager vs Cisco DNA Center

Compared 6% of the time

Fortinet FortiManager vs Cisco DNA Center

Compared 5% of the time

Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) vs Cisco DNA Center

Compared 5% of the time

More Cisco DNA Center Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Network Automation

August 2025

Download Apstra Operating System product report

Buyer's Guide

Cisco DNA Center

September 2025

Download Cisco DNA Center product report

Also Known As

Apstra OS, AOS

DNA Center

Overview

The Apstra Operating System (AOS) is a turn-key automation solution that dramatically simplifies the process of designing, deploying and operating data center networks. Apstra AOS provides a singular view into the relationships and interdependencies of millions of data center elements. With real continuous validation, Apstra AOS enables you to instantly pinpoint and quickly resolve issues across all infrastructure silos, regardless of vendor or hardware.

Juniper

Cisco DNA Center offers a comprehensive platform for network automation and management, providing detailed analytics, enhanced security, and streamlined operations for both wired and wireless networks.

Cisco DNA Center integrates with Cisco infrastructure to deliver efficient network automation and management, helping organizations improve network visibility, security, and control. It supports AI-driven analytics and automated workflows to enhance operational efficiency and reduce errors. Challenges include compatibility with third-party systems, steep learning curve, and complex deployment. Its interface facilitates centralized control, vital for troubleshooting, policy management, and configuration management, with support for zero-touch provisioning and SD-Access.

What are the key features of Cisco DNA Center?

Robust Analytics: Provides detailed insights into network health with AI-driven analytics.
Centralized Security: Integrates with ISE for comprehensive security management.
Automated Device Management: Simplifies device provisioning and configuration transfers.
Wi-Fi Analytics: Offers deep insights into wireless network performance.
Zero-Touch Provisioning: Streamlines new device deployments with minimal human intervention.
Scalable Segmentation: Efficiently segments network traffic ensuring security and performance.

What benefits should users consider?

Operational Efficiency: Automation reduces potential errors and streamlines workflow.
Enhanced Security: Integration with Cisco ISE bolsters security capabilities.
Network Visibility: Comprehensive dashboards and analysis tools enhance monitoring.
Troubleshooting: Real-time monitoring aids in identifying and resolving issues swiftly.

In sectors such as healthcare, finance, and retail, Cisco DNA Center is utilized for its ability to enhance security and compliance, manage large-scale networks, and provide detailed analytics for better operational decision-making. Its support for location tracking and policy automation ensures efficient network management across diverse environments.

Cisco

Sample Customers

Bloomberg Television, Energy Corporation, A mid-sized financial services company

Information Not Available

Find out what your peers are saying about Red Hat, Cisco, VMware and others in Network Automation. Updated: August 2025.

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