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Cisco Catalyst Switches vs Meraki MS Switches comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 3, 2024
 

Categories and Ranking

Cisco Catalyst Switches
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
7th
Average Rating
8.6
Reviews Sentiment
7.3
Number of Reviews
173
Ranking in other categories
LAN Switching (1st), Data Center Networking (1st), AV Over IP Switching (1st)
Meraki MS Switches
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
8th
Average Rating
8.4
Reviews Sentiment
7.2
Number of Reviews
94
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Featured Reviews

SameerBali - PeerSpot reviewer
Reliable and stable catalyst switch; can be easily installed
I like Cisco Catalyst Switches because most of the time, we can do what we want with the product. Cisco has good guidelines that enable us to implement anything, so we can have a multiple ability product on most of the network equipment worldwide. Cisco has communities or forums that help us implement more complicated areas in terms of network, so in addition, Cisco is not just a network equipment company, because they provide us most of the solutions, development, protocols, and new technologies, more than any other company in the world. I also like the availability of Cisco Catalyst Switches, including scalability and reliability. You can find all these in this product.
Jóhann G. Thorarensen - PeerSpot reviewer
Reliable and easily accessible switches with a plug and play setup
We used Cisco switches, then we decided to go with Meraki MS Switches for several reasons. One reason was that the Cisco switches were originally set up by a company that was in charge of the whole system, which was run from a company outside the school. Then, we had someone come in to take charge here in our school, then we transferred that responsibility to an outsider. I then came in, and I started learning the system, so the outsider became the backup plan. It turned out, once we started digging into things, that the system was set up in a cumbersome and closed way, much like a banking system, rather than a setup that would be good for a school, that can rely on switches rather than closing the school into units. Another reason was that our switches were getting outdated, so we had to do something. We started looking at various solutions, and we had to decided whether to continue the way we were doing things, which we did not like because it was cumbersome and it had to be done on-site, or if we could do it in a way that would be more accessible both inside and outside the school, while having the level of security and stability we need. For example, we looked at Ubiquiti UniFi which was a cheaper system, but it was less stable, though I know that some schools were using that system. It was really just a question of stability and accessibility, and these were deciding factors in the system that we chose. Even though Meraki MS Switches were more expensive than the other solutions, we ended up with Meraki.

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"The solution is beneficial for interconnecting POE telephones, computers, printers, and buffering networks."
"The solution is highly reliable."
"The 802.1X port security and other security features work well and help keep the network secure."
"The most important features are that Cisco is one of the most robust switches, it is easy to configure, and the documentation is pretty good."
"The network is secure."
"The pricing is quite good."
"The technical support is at an expert level."
"Power over Ethernet (PoE) is one of the most valuable features. It eliminates the need for power supplies every time."
"I like the portal, it's really interesting."
"I found the cloud-managed dashboard most valuable in Meraki MS Switches."
"One of the most valuable features of Meraki MS Switches is its precise traffic analytics capabilities, allowing us to query the system for any place at any time."
"The top feature of Meraki MS switches for me is Layer 7 application visibility. Another positive in general is that you don't need to set up a console to the switch itself; it dials in to a single dashboard where you can completely manage all your network devices."
"The solution's most valuable aspect is the ease of stacking. The configuration on the MS Switches is very good, as well as its ability to assign the LANs."
"The management is cloud-based so you do not have to be on-premises to work with it."
"It is easy to configure and provides complete visibility of the graphic end point."
"The most valuable feature of Meraki MS Switches is user-friendliness."
 

Cons

"Pricing mainly is the only issue."
"The licensing process should be back to how it was before. Now, you have to register online, and it makes staging a bit trickier."
"It would be good if Cisco Catalyst Switches could align maintenance with one version."
"They should also have a graphic interface for the switches too without the command line."
"Any improvements that they make should be in the wireless area of the product."
"The general price of the solution could be cheaper."
"The initial setup can be easier in cases where the policy and ruleset are complex."
"The product could always be more secure."
"The lead time for delivery can be a challenge, and there is room for improvement in this area."
"The product's high price is an area of concern where improvements are required."
"It would be helpful to have more features like an iOS interface."
"One area where Meraki MS switches could improve is offering smaller switch sizes for distribution switches."
"Management from a single dashboard is what I want to see from Meraki MS Switches."
"The price of the solution has room for improvement."
"This is quite an expensive solution."
"It could be more advanced and secure. Meraki MS Switches are ideal for a mid-sized enterprise. But you can't work with this appliance if you need more security or want to do complex or advanced things. Technical support could be better."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The price of this solution is reasonable."
"Could always be cheaper."
"The pricing of Cisco Catalyst Switches could be better in general. There is an annual license required."
"The licensing, and maintenance fees are paid on a yearly basis."
"Cisco switches are expensive. Their price range is based not only on what the product does but also the name in the industry. They are good at what they do. If you need a better product, there are other lineups available."
"The solution is probably the most expensive, but users who want the best need to pay the premium."
"When compared with other products, the solution is kind of on the expensive side."
"The price could be improved."
"The pricing is overvalued in relation to the product's performance."
"It is very expensive so I want it to be cheaper."
"Securing licenses and devices for more than a year can make the product expensive. In general, the product is expensive."
"Meraki MS Switches is a pricey product. You have to get a license for each product annually. It would have been perfect if there were product bundles."
"They can get the price down for small businesses. The way I bought it, I paid hardly anything, and I got all my licensing with it. The firewall appliance is around $900, and the switches are around $150. This is for the device itself. For licensing, I signed at $70 or something like that for the switch. Technical Support is included in this."
"The pricing is high and it is where we get the most pushback from customers."
"The product's licensing cost is about 30% to 40% of the hardware cost."
"The tool is expensive."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Educational Organization
62%
Computer Software Company
7%
Government
3%
Financial Services Firm
3%
Computer Software Company
19%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Retailer
7%
Educational Organization
6%
 

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 Meraki MS Switches?
The most valuable features of Meraki MS Switches are their reliability and simplicity.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Meraki MS Switches?
The solution is a bit expensive as it is on the high end. The cost depends on the model and the number of years of usage.
What needs improvement with Meraki MS Switches?
There are compatibility issues with certain Power over Ethernet (PoE) devices, which we would like to see resolved.
 

Also Known As

Cisco Catalyst, Catalyst
MS220, MS320, MS420
 

Learn More

Video not 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
Cisco Live Milan, Hyatt
Find out what your peers are saying about Cisco Catalyst Switches vs. Meraki MS Switches and other solutions. Updated: December 2024.
824,053 professionals have used our research since 2012.