Try our new research platform with insights from 80,000+ expert users

Cisco Catalyst Switches vs ExtremeSwitching comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Dec 8, 2024

Review summaries and opinions

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

ROI

Sentiment score
6.6
Cisco Catalyst Switches offer long-term ROI through operational efficiency and robustness, despite differing opinions on their cost-effectiveness.
Sentiment score
6.2
ExtremeSwitching offers moderate ROI with high licensing costs but achieves cost savings and client satisfaction in maintenance and support.
 

Customer Service

Sentiment score
6.9
Cisco Catalyst Switches support receives mixed reviews with varying experiences, but documentation and resources are generally appreciated.
Sentiment score
6.8
ExtremeSwitching's customer service is satisfactory; praised for support, but criticized for delays and initial training limitations compared to Cisco.
Cisco's support is good, one of the best supports that you will get.
I am paying for Cisco support and would rate it nine out of ten.
 

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score
7.6
Cisco Catalyst Switches offer scalability and flexibility but require careful planning and may incur higher costs for additional features.
Sentiment score
7.7
ExtremeSwitching offers scalable solutions for diverse needs, supporting seamless growth and adaptability for current and future requirements.
Cisco Catalyst Switches are scalable, and I would rate them eight to nine out of ten for scalability.
 

Stability Issues

Sentiment score
8.3
Cisco Catalyst Switches are praised for their reliability and durability, with minimal issues and high user satisfaction.
Sentiment score
8.0
ExtremeSwitching offers stable and reliable performance, with minimal issues, backed by effective support and warranty, satisfying most users.
 

Room For Improvement

Cisco Catalyst Switches need improvements in affordability, compatibility, configuration simplicity, security, cloud integration, stability, support, and advanced technology integration.
ExtremeSwitching needs to improve UI, support, pricing, integration, latency, documentation, and delivery to compete effectively in challenging markets.
Cisco Catalyst Switches could be a little bit cheaper as they are very costly.
The configuration options on the Cisco Commerce website could be more efficient.
There could be improvements in the repeat configuration with some file integration that is currently missing.
 

Setup Cost

Enterprise buyers find Cisco Catalyst Switches costly but reliable, with complex licensing; improvements for competitive pricing are suggested.
ExtremeSwitching is cost-effective compared to Cisco, offers flexible cloud licenses, but hardware controllers may be expensive.
Cisco provides unique features that justify their pricing.
Cisco Catalyst Switches are quite pricey.
 

Valuable Features

Cisco Catalyst Switches provide reliable performance, robust features, and customization, highly valued for stability, scalability, and security.
ExtremeSwitching offers reliable, scalable performance with intuitive management, robust security, non-blocking architecture, and competitive pricing appreciated by users.
Cisco Catalyst Switches are valuable for their reliability and performance.
The most beneficial features for our network management are their stability and good customer support.
Catalyst Switches are efficient and swift, which is valuable for my organization.
 

Categories and Ranking

Cisco Catalyst Switches
Ranking in LAN Switching
1st
Ranking in Data Center Networking
1st
Ranking in AV Over IP Switching
1st
Average Rating
8.6
Reviews Sentiment
6.9
Number of Reviews
175
Ranking in other categories
Ethernet Switches (7th)
ExtremeSwitching
Ranking in LAN Switching
7th
Ranking in Data Center Networking
6th
Ranking in AV Over IP Switching
3rd
Average Rating
8.4
Reviews Sentiment
7.2
Number of Reviews
22
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of February 2025, in the LAN Switching category, the mindshare of Cisco Catalyst Switches is 30.2%, down from 31.9% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of ExtremeSwitching is 6.0%, up from 5.1% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
LAN Switching
 

Featured Reviews

Joshua Odunsi - PeerSpot reviewer
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.
MURALI NIDAMANURI - PeerSpot reviewer
Outstanding performance with minimal maintenance and intuitive configuration
Our primary use case for ExtremeSwitching is for costing, access networking, routing, and meeting network requirements. We have sold it in defense, government, and IT industries ExtremeSwitching significantly adds value to customers because maintenance is minimal. Once the network is set up,…
report
Use our free recommendation engine to learn which LAN Switching solutions are best for your needs.
838,713 professionals have used our research since 2012.
 

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Educational Organization
66%
Computer Software Company
6%
Financial Services Firm
3%
Government
3%
Manufacturing Company
16%
Computer Software Company
12%
Government
8%
Financial Services Firm
7%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

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 do you like most about ExtremeSwitching?
The product offers a single management platform for multiple models of switches. The tool also allows users to manage multiple sites from a single dashboard.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for ExtremeSwitching?
I am not heavily involved with pricing, but my general understanding is they are competitive on the licensing and cost standpoint. When you compare equal features in the market, they are probably t...
What needs improvement with ExtremeSwitching?
While it is true of all vendors, there may be a slightly lower reliability standard. It's hard for me to compare as we are at one switch shop. However, I have heard through supporting networks that...
 

Also Known As

Cisco Catalyst, Catalyst
No data available
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

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
Blue Waters
Find out what your peers are saying about Cisco Catalyst Switches vs. ExtremeSwitching and other solutions. Updated: February 2025.
838,713 professionals have used our research since 2012.