Aruba Instant On Switches vs Cisco Catalyst Switches comparison

Aruba Instant On Switches vs. Cisco Catalyst Switches

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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

Aruba Instant On Switches

Ranking in LAN Switching

2nd

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

6.5

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Cisco Catalyst Switches

Ranking in LAN Switching

1st

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

6.9

Number of Reviews

175

Ranking in other categories

Ethernet Switches (7th), Data Center Networking (1st), AV Over IP Switching (1st)

Mindshare comparison

As of April 2025, in the LAN Switching category, the mindshare of Aruba Instant On Switches is 10.5%, up from 8.9% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Cisco Catalyst Switches is 29.4%, down from 32.2% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

LAN Switching

Featured Reviews

MashukThakur

Senior Wireless Engineer at FASTtelco

A centrally managed switches ideal for small and medium businesses but does not have any console access

The solution does not have any console access. For example, if you do not have internet access on your side and you need to configure anything, you should at least have CLI access to do something or manage the solution to put to some IP. It will only work if we have a TSCT on the network. We can port and configure the initial settings before we get the Instant On Switches. I am not working deeply on Instant On devices. I have only installed it in a couple of accommodation sites. Even today, one customer has ordered to install 80 pieces of Instant On. I’ve to order additional 94 access points. I was confused about whether to go with Aruba Instant On or AP-505. Instant On has limited accessibility but AP-505 have cloud or local access on normal infrastructure. This would be better and easier to configure. So, there are further improvements in regard to console access and some limitations with access.

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Joshua Odunsi

I.T INFRASTRUCTURE/SECURITY ADMINISTRATOR at Haggai Mortgage Bank Ltd

Ensures efficient performance and supports network growth with optimal speed

Catalyst Switches are efficient and swift, which is valuable for my organization. I experience optimal speed and effective configuration, making them stand out compared to other switches. The PoE switches offer more ports on SFP, and it is efficient in use. Overall, the switches provide me with the value I expect in terms of speed and efficiency.

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Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"I have enjoyed the switches. They are fairly easy to use."

"The simplicity of the tool's GUI is good."

"We use Aruba Instant On Switches for general communication, sending files, and going to the internet."

"The cost and simplicity of the product are its most valuable features."

"The tool's best part is the commercials. Its pricing is lower compared to other enterprise products. We pitch the product to customers who have budget constraints. Its implementation is plug-and-play."

"The product's initial setup phase is very simple."

"The solution's most beneficial feature is that you obtain A-class equipment for the lowest price."

"It is a very stable solution."

More Aruba Instant On Switches pros

"The product is convenient to deploy."

"The availability of resources for learning about the product and doing evaluation of any issues is excellent."

"The scalability is good."

"We can have multiple Cisco switches, like seven or eight, on a stack for 300 users. So it is highly scalable and easy to manage."

"These switches are very stable. We haven't had any problems. We also have some old switches that are working for almost ten years."

"VLAN gives us segregation."

"Cisco Catalyst Switches are very stable."

"Technical support is always very helpful and fast to respond."

More Cisco Catalyst Switches pros

Cons

"We are interested in acquiring a firewall that provides a comprehensive solution. In other words, we're seeking a firewall that encompasses multiple aspects, such as exceptional switches and active phone functionalities."

"The price has room for improvement."

"The difficulty with the tool is in the area of troubleshooting."

"The product's startup speed is very bad, as it is very slow."

"They don't have a lot of diagnostics tools, which could be an area for improvement."

"It is not a very scalable solution."

"In general, mostly in Instant On series, if we could have much more control on the switches, at least. We'd like a CLI access so that, when we want to do some advanced configurations we could."

"The solution’s initial setup is very complex."

More Aruba Instant On Switches cons

"Cisco has to lower the price of its products to make them more cost-effective."

"They should be cheaper."

"In terms of additional features or improvements, I would like to see more fiber ports, more security features, and perhaps the integration of wireless features into the switch."

"Cisco Catalyst Switches' pricing can be cheaper."

"It would be helpful to have the ability to load new IOS software without performing a reboot or to be able to perform the reboot without disrupting end-users."

"We would like the solution to be more stable."

"The solution could improve security."

"Their price should be improved. They are a little bit expensive."

More Cisco Catalyst Switches cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The solution is the cheapest A-class switch."

"Aruba Instant On Switches is cheaper than Cisco and expensive compared to some Chinese brand products."

"The pricing is cheap."

"We pay an annual licensing fee."

"I give the price seven out of ten."

"The pricing is quite low compared to other products, which is good for the customer."

"The license for Instant On Switches is free."

"Aruba Instant On Switches is not expensive."

More Aruba Instant On Switches pricing and cost advice

"They are a little bit expensive. We are a public institution, so we go through other traders, and sometimes, they put in their own surplus price because it is a government contract. Cisco products are expensive, especially when you compare them to Huawei."

"Pricing is an issue I have been facing, in comparison with HPE or Juniper. The Nexus series is out of the question right now. Scalability is more an issue on the pricing side and less on the technology side."

"Cisco Catalyst Switches are a bit expensive."

"I don't know a lot about the price, but they are affordable compared with other solutions."

"Pricing of Cisco equipment is high, but I think these switches are worth the price."

"Compared to the price of other solutions such as Huawei and HP, Cisco Catalyst Switches is a cheaper solution."

"The product is quite expensive."

"The price could be improved."

More Cisco Catalyst Switches pricing and cost advice

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845,040 professionals have used our research since 2012.

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

18%

Manufacturing Company

11%

Comms Service Provider

Educational Organization

67%

Computer Software Company

Government

Manufacturing Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Aruba Instant On Switches?

The solution has a simple deployment and zero border.

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Aruba Instant On Switches?

I think the pricing for the switches is reasonable.

What needs improvement with Aruba Instant On Switches?

I have run into a couple of problems with the switches. Recently, one of the newer stacks stopped working and had to be rebooted individually. They don't have a lot of diagnostics tools, which coul...

Would you recommend replacing a Cisco Catalyst Switch by a D-link one?

Hello Mesfin It depends on the real scenario, the cisco 2960 is a very good device and they usually have routing functions but there are many different models within the same 2960 line, and on the ...

What do you like most about Cisco Catalyst Switches?

We are a vendor for the healthcare sector, especially hospitals, and normally, we use a full Cisco solution for stability, especially for the stability of the Access Points and the security of swit...

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Cisco Catalyst Switches?

Although Juniper is cheaper, Cisco provides unique features that justify their pricing.

HPE ProCurve vs Aruba Instant On Switches

Comparisons

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NETGEAR Switches vs Aruba Instant On Switches

Compared 14% of the time

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Arista Networks Platform vs Cisco Catalyst Switches

Compared 20% of the time

HPE ProCurve vs Cisco Catalyst Switches

Compared 14% of the time

ExtremeSwitching vs Cisco Catalyst Switches

Compared 9% of the time

Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches vs Cisco Catalyst Switches

Compared 7% of the time

Cisco Nexus vs Cisco Catalyst Switches

Compared 6% of the time

More Cisco Catalyst Switches Competitors

Product Reports

Aruba Instant On Switches

Download Aruba Instant On Switches product report

Cisco Catalyst Switches

Download Cisco Catalyst Switches product report

Also Known As

Aruba Instant On 1930 Switches

Cisco Catalyst, Catalyst

Overview

The Aruba Instant On 1930 switches features advanced, smart-managed, fixed configuration Gigabit switches designed for small businesses that are easy-to-deploy and affordable. They’re made to handle today’s bandwidth-heavy applications like voice and video conferencing, enabling consistent connectivity to enhance performance. Using either the Instant On mobile app or the cloud-based web portal, you can quickly set up, monitor and manage the 1930 switch series from anywhere at any time. What’s more, up to 30 W PoE power delivery is available out-of-the-box for your class 4 PoE devices, like access points, surveillance cameras and VoIP phones, all easily managed from the same platform.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Cisco Catalyst Switches are a reliable and scalable network switching and routing solution, focusing on VLANs and VLAN switching. They are used as access switches, distribution switches, and core switches in various environments, deployed on-premises, and used for long connections. The switches are easy to configure, install, and upgrade and offer good pricing.

The most valuable features include warranty and firmware support, stability, security, good performance, flexibility, etc. The Cisco Catalyst Switches have provided a stable solution for the organizations and are widely used, trusted, and well-known in the networking industry.

Cisco

Sample Customers

KEMET, Vestavia Hills City Schools, Dropbox

Afni, Anilana Hotels and Resorts, Baylor Scott & White Health, Beachbody, Bellevue, Del Papa Distributing, Explorer Pipeline, Mindtree, Omaha World Herald, Radio 538, Sony Corporation, Telecom Italia, Telenor Arena

Aruba Instant On Switches vs. Cisco Catalyst Switches