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Cisco Catalyst Switches vs HPE ProCurve comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Jan 12, 2025

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

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)
HPE ProCurve
Ranking in LAN Switching
5th
Average Rating
8.6
Number of Reviews
38
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of April 2025, in the LAN Switching category, the mindshare of Cisco Catalyst Switches is 29.4%, down from 32.2% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of HPE ProCurve is 12.1%, down from 13.7% 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.
Sandeep Rajguru - PeerSpot reviewer
Offers reliability and helps with vulnerability assessment
I use HPE ProCurve network in our organization. I can say that the product has improved the network flexibility in our company since I haven't seen any challenges from the last seven to eight years. The most valuable product for network management revolves around the area of VSB, also known as virtual switch bonding, which can quickly attach two or three switches or make them come together to quickly form a single switch. From a security perspective, my company does vulnerability assessment. From a security perspective, my company does vulnerability assessment. Following the hardening guidelines, the switches are configured according to the hardening parameters. The tool's reliability and uptime match our company's needs. My company enjoyed configuring the switches a lot, especially since we saw similarities between Cisco's and HPS's configuration processes. HPE ProCurve is user-friendly. We have a different product for network management, so my company doesn't use HPE ProCurve since we have already collaborated with some third-party products. I recommend the product to those who plan to use it. I recommend the product to those who plan to use it, especially since I have been using it without any issues for many years. I rate the tool a nine out of ten.

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"Since Cisco Catalyst Switches don't go online, they are secured."
"We have dealt with Cisco's technical support in the past. They were especially helpful and very polite. They are always there if we need them and their insights are always excellent. I would say that we have been satisfied with the level of support we've gotten so far."
"The most valuable feature of the solution is reliability."
"Catalyst Switches are efficient and swift, which is valuable for my organization."
"The most valuable feature of Cisco equipment is reliability."
"I like the flexibility of this product."
"Cisco Catalyst Switches is very stable, configurable, and durable. It is also easy to manage."
"They have a robust monitoring system."
"The initial setup was straightforward."
"The most valuable features are the price and the warranty."
"It has an excellent menu system where you can use both the CLI and a menu system and the GUI version. They have three options for manipulating, updating, and changing the switch, which we like."
"One of the biggest things in HPE ProCurve that I like, though not necessarily a feature, is the HPE warranty because it's probably better than any of the other vendors that we deal with, as it has a lifetime replacement. Feature-wise, the web interface of HPE ProCurve is typically pretty good and I like that as well."
"HPE ProCurve is used to connect servers and storage in the data center."
"HPE ProCurve's most valuable feature is that it is user-friendly."
"The user interface is simple to use."
"It has a lifetime warranty, that includes lifetime updates."
 

Cons

"The price is high and it should be improved."
"They need to implement sFlow."
"The price could be improved."
"In terms of what could be improved, more integration is the main thing they should be focused on."
"The solution is quite expensive for our clients. It's a pain point for some companies. They should work to reduce the price."
"Compared to other switches, the Cisco products are expensive."
"An area for improvement would be the documentation and training on configuring this product."
"The pricing needs improvement."
"HPE ProCurve's web interface is old, and I have to log in on each device separately, making them the product's shortcomings that need improvement."
"An area for improvement in HPE ProCurve is the web interface not being as robust because you still have to go to the COI to make modifications or look at the exact configuration."
"One of the weakest points of this solution is its on-premise. We are not able to do all we need to with the CLI."
"A few areas included in the network performance managers can be integrated into the solution's dashboard since it is the only area with a few concerns."
"Procurve would work better if it had more options like the web environment."
"The solution's pricing could be made cheaper."
"We do occasionally have issues with the solution and need to change out the switches sometimes. This can be due to the fan, but, in most cases, it's because the power supply was broken."
"If we're aiming for an improvement, focus on enhancing security features in HPE ProCurve, particularly in terms of filtering."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"We had to pay for the product’s licenses."
"It's expensive."
"The prices of Cisco devices are too high."
"The pricing of these devices can be better."
"We pay the licensing fees annually because we have an enterprise license agreement."
"This is expensive, even when compared to competitors' products."
"It's overpriced and should be cheaper."
"The new products from Cisco in the market are expensive. My company cannot import Cisco products, so they are mostly unavailable."
"This is an expensive switch."
"We have an annual support subscription."
"The licensing for HPE ProCurve is a one-time cost, though it's varied somewhat. What my company purchased was usually between $3,500 and $5,000 one-time cost."
"HPE ProCurve products are reasonably priced."
"ProCurve's pricing is its strongest point. The value proposition is quite good, and we have seen a return on investment."
"I would rate the pricing a six out of ten, with one being very cheap and ten being very expensive."
"There is a license required to use HPE ProCurve."
"The product is reasonably priced."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Educational Organization
67%
Computer Software Company
6%
Government
3%
Manufacturing Company
3%
Educational Organization
14%
Computer Software Company
13%
Comms Service Provider
10%
Government
8%
 

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 is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Cisco Catalyst Switches?
Although Juniper is cheaper, Cisco provides unique features that justify their pricing.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for HPE ProCurve?
HPE ProCurve is competitively priced, with a difference of approximately 30 to 35% compared to other vendors like Cisco. This makes it a viable option for businesses with limited budgets, particula...
What needs improvement with HPE ProCurve?
The product could improve scalability and support for advanced networking features. Including advanced interfaces like QSFP and enhanced support for AI-driven network solutions would make it more c...
 

Also Known As

Cisco Catalyst, Catalyst
ProCurve, HP ProCurve
 

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
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, Cardinal Newman Catholic Secondary School, DY 4 Systems, EdgeWing, Edmonton Public Schools District, Halton Catholic District School Board, Hartwick College, Hatch Associates, Huntingdon College, Roseville Joint Union High School District, Saddleback Valley Unified School District, One Superior Place
Find out what your peers are saying about Cisco Catalyst Switches vs. HPE ProCurve and other solutions. Updated: March 2025.
842,767 professionals have used our research since 2012.