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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 March 2025, in the LAN Switching category, the mindshare of Cisco Catalyst Switches is 29.9%, down from 32.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of HPE ProCurve is 12.6%, down from 13.9% 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

"Catalyst Switches are efficient and swift, which is valuable for my organization."
"The installation process is very straightforward."
"Configuring the solution is very easy. It's quite a straightforward process, and it's not difficult at all."
"We use a lot of security features available with Cisco Catalyst Switches."
"The operating system is great."
"The most valuable feature is the interface, it's easy to configure. The command line uses a switch that gives us security."
"A good feature of Cisco Catalyst is that it records crash log files which can be used to literally identify the cause of a crash because there is a lot of information. And Cisco Catalyst supports the use of external flash disks for storing of images and file systems."
"The most valuable feature of Cisco equipment is reliability."
"HPE ProCurve offers a very good value proposition compared to that of other switches and is very energy-efficient."
"The product is robust."
"The pricing is quite competitive."
"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."
"Inter-VLAN is a great feature."
"We have found the solution to be entirely stable."
"The most valuable feature of HPE ProCurve is its ease of use and implementation."
"The user interface is simple to use."
 

Cons

"Cisco should support all of the features that are included with the suite."
"In a future upgrade, I would like to see integrated wireless in the solution."
"This product could be improved with cheaper pricing."
"I can't use older Cisco devices with newer versions of the controller or switches. For example, if a switch was manufactured in 2014, I can't use it with a controller made in 2019. I have to change the switch so that I can upgrade my network or my devices. I don't have the option to update the version I have on the image of the AP or the controller."
"If they worked on lowering the price, they would be able to attract more customers."
"Compared to other switches, the Cisco products are expensive."
"Cisco should focus more on this type of product instead of on data center switches. They stopped improving the software of these switches and they are focusing on the data center. They should focus on this type of product, more than any other thing."
"The solution could be easy to use, you need a certificate to use it."
"If you make a change and you disconnect yourself from the switch, you will create an issue."
"The user interface (UI) could be better."
"Since we transfer from one gigabit to ten gigabits of information, in a future release, it would benefit to have more high-speed ports."
"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."
"These switches can be made more stable and robust."
"I would like to see some kind of packet tracer where people can study how the switch is operating."
"I don't have any recommendations for areas of improvement."
"The product could be cheaper."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"It's expensive."
"We are a large company and the price is reasonable because we have received a discount. However, the full price is expensive."
"This is an expensive product."
"Cisco's prices are not cheap, but the stability is worth it."
"The price is too high for this market."
"Cisco Catalyst Switches is an affordable solution."
"Could always be cheaper."
"The product is quite expensive."
"We have an annual support subscription."
"The price of HPE ProCurve can be reasonable. However, it depends on the use case. They could improve the pricing model."
"The price of this product is cheap."
"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."
"The price of HPE ProCurve is very good."
"The cost of HPE ProCurve is good."
"It provides quite good value for money."
"There is a license required to use HPE ProCurve."
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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.
842,690 professionals have used our research since 2012.