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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
4th
Average Rating
8.6
Number of Reviews
38
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 HPE ProCurve is 12.4%, down from 13.8% 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

"Technical support is very responsive and helpful."
"If we are providing a switching solution, it's not just switching, it's a whole solution with DNA. That is where the whole concept of Network Management and Network Assurance comes in. So Catalyst plays a big role in putting everything together and providing a whole solution to the customer."
"When it comes to Cisco Catalyst Switches, one can say that the legacy switches are stable."
"We find the product very easy to configure."
"The Cisco Catalyst is very stable and it can last for many years."
"Configuring the solution is very easy. It's quite a straightforward process, and it's not difficult at all."
"These switches are stable. They work well and are easy to use."
"Mostly the LAN switching is the most valuable aspect of the solution."
"The product is robust."
"The GUI makes it easy to configure, manage, and work with."
"The pricing is quite competitive."
"The LAN features give us exactly what we need."
"It's easy to manage and configure. The configurations can be exported and imported to another solution."
"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."
"It has a lifetime warranty, that includes lifetime updates."
"Inter-VLAN is a great feature."
 

Cons

"The product should work on its pricepoints. It's an expensive solution."
"The switches could be improved."
"It would be good if they added some machine learning which would allow us to abandon the rigid rules for processing traffic priorities and, at the same time, save money, because equipment with similar logic (like DPI) is much more expensive."
"The configuration process is hard."
"The solution is quite expensive for our clients. It's a pain point for some companies. They should work to reduce the price."
"Cisco Catalyst Switches' pricing can be cheaper."
"Cisco Catalyst Switches could improve by having more integration with third-party products."
"We need to rely on other devices to provide management features."
"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."
"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."
"The solution should offer different gigabit interfaces. Right now, they have ten gigabits. However, for our needs, we only need one gigabit. We don't need 24 or 48 ports. We only need eight to ten. HPE should introduce into their portfolio some smaller and more compact options."
"The product could improve scalability and support for advanced networking features."
"These switches can be made more stable and robust."
"If you make a change and you disconnect yourself from the switch, you will create an issue."
"HPE ProCurve is very complex for junior engineers and beginners. You need a lot of experience in managing switches in order to use this switch."
"I would like to see some kind of packet tracer where people can study how the switch is operating."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"It's very pricey. Compared to competitors, it's a lot more expensive."
"The price for Cisco Catalyst Switches is not cheaper than other solutions."
"It's expensive."
"I would rate the features-to-pricing ratio at six out of 10. My advice about licensing is that you should have a perpetual license, not one that is subscription-based."
"The price could always be lower."
"The general price of the solution could be cheaper."
"The solution is probably the most expensive, but users who want the best need to pay the premium."
"It is expensive."
"The price of HPE ProCurve can be reasonable. However, it depends on the use case. They could improve the pricing model."
"HPE ProCurve products are reasonably priced."
"The price of this product is cheap."
"ProCurve's pricing is its strongest point. The value proposition is quite good, and we have seen a return on investment."
"There is no need to pay for the solution's license."
"This is an expensive switch."
"HPE ProCurve is competitively priced, with a difference of approximately 30 to 35% compared to other vendors"
"We have an annual support subscription."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Educational Organization
66%
Computer Software Company
6%
Government
3%
Financial Services Firm
3%
Educational Organization
14%
Computer Software Company
12%
Comms Service Provider
9%
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: January 2025.
839,164 professionals have used our research since 2012.