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Cisco Enterprise Routers vs HPE Enterprise Routers comparison

Cisco and Hewlett Packard Enterprise are both solutions in the Routers category. Cisco is ranked #2 with an average rating of 8.3, while Hewlett Packard Enterprise is ranked #6. Cisco holds a 15.8% mindshare in R, compared to Hewlett Packard Enterprise’s 5.3% mindshare. Additionally, 97% of Cisco users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 85% of Hewlett Packard Enterprise users who would recommend it.
Cisco Enterprise Routers
Read 111 Cisco Enterprise Routers reviews
  • 2,671 Views
  • 2,591 Comparison Views
97% willing to recommend
HPE Enterprise Routers
Read 7 HPE Enterprise Routers reviews
  • 592 Views
  • 586 Comparison Views
85% willing to recommend
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Jun 29, 2025

Cisco and HPE Enterprise Routers compete in the enterprise routing category, with Cisco leading in features and reliability, while HPE excels in pricing and manageability.

Features: Cisco Enterprise Routers offer high-performance WAN services, cloud connectivity, and robust security features like IPsec and VPN. HPE Enterprise Routers focus on manageability, affordability, and are ideal for smaller enterprises with simpler configuration needs.

Room for Improvement: Cisco routers are critiqued for high costs and complex WAN integration with a command-line interface that requires expertise. HPE routers, while generally cost-effective, can still be expensive compared to competitors, offering room for a better pricing strategy.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Cisco's routers are mainly used on-premises with some hybrid options, praised for technical support albeit with some responsiveness issues. HPE provides consistent customer service and support with fewer noted issues.

Pricing and ROI: Cisco's pricing is seen as expensive with complicated licensing, yet users acknowledge the long-term ROI from reliability. HPE offers straightforward, cost-effective pricing and licensing models with better upfront value for features included.

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To learn more, read our detailed Cisco Enterprise Routers vs. HPE Enterprise Routers Report (Updated: February 2026).
Buyer's Guide
Cisco Enterprise Routers vs. HPE Enterprise Routers
February 2026
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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 Enterprise Routers
Ranking in Routers
2nd
Average Rating
8.6
Reviews Sentiment
6.0
Number of Reviews
111
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
HPE Enterprise Routers
Ranking in Routers
6th
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
7.5
Number of Reviews
7
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of February 2026, in the Routers category, the mindshare of Cisco Enterprise Routers is 15.8%, down from 22.0% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of HPE Enterprise Routers is 5.3%, down from 5.5% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Routers Market Share Distribution
ProductMarket Share (%)
Cisco Enterprise Routers15.8%
HPE Enterprise Routers5.3%
Other78.9%
Routers
 

Featured Reviews

reviewer2759889 - PeerSpot reviewer
reviewer2759889
Pre-Sales Technical Specialist at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees
Has supported robust enterprise deployments and management while pricing and market reach for advanced features need attention
I'm not sure what improvements could be made on the configuration scale since I'm not involved in complete configuration. Currently, it works effectively and they are incorporating AI adoption. Commercially and financially, the pricing is too high. Customers feel that Cisco Enterprise Routers will not offer the most competitive prices. If they can work on pricing, it would be easier for customers who are considering local products. In India, the government has implemented the Make in India initiative, and Cisco has established a manufacturing unit there. Regarding security products, they need to improve market reach, marketing, and training. While Cisco Enterprise Routers are user-friendly for network and wireless platforms, security product configuration and integration are considered complex compared to FortiGate, Check Point, Sophos, and Palo Alto. They have introduced solutions such as Cloud Defense Orchestrator and Firewall Manager (FMC), but the reach of Cisco security products in India needs improvement.
Read full review
Chi-Zhang - PeerSpot reviewer
Chi-Zhang
Founder and President at Summit GAM
Has excellent scalability and is cost-effective compared to its competitors
The solution is reasonably priced and easy to configure. By collaborating with Aruba, they have integrated more products to streamline the porting process. Our project team comprises two or three network engineers for regular maintenance and troubleshooting. The workload is not heavy. I rate the solution as an eight and recommend it to network engineers and solution providers.
Read full review

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"The solution has great performance."
"The value of Cisco Enterprise Routers isn't about features, it's about stability. The features are comparable across products such as Huawei, as they compete in similar ways. However, regarding stability, Cisco Enterprise Routers performs much better."
"The most valuable feature is the ease of configuration."
"The solution is flexible."
"The documentation is very good."
"They are the most stable, have the highest availability, and are the most reliable on the market."
"The best feature regarding security is the shutdown port capability; the fact that you can shut down an unused port is great with Cisco Enterprise Routers."
"In itself, Cisco is a reliable product and does not require any major change."
More Cisco Enterprise Routers pros
"HPE routers are easier to manage than any other router I've used."
"The solution's initial setup is straightforward."
"Extensive support for cellular range for Wi-Fi technologies"
"These routers help us to provide high availability to our clusters."
"It is more durable than other products in the market."
"It has good scalability."
"It makes it easy to update the network technology and manage multiple deals, all without needing technical knowledge."
 

Cons

"The installation can be difficult, Cisco equipment is professional-grade and it requires someone with the skills and knowledge to do it."
"Compared to equipment by other vendors, such as Check Point, the physical size of the units is bigger."
"The main area for improvement with this product is with the price, which is currently very high compared to the rest of the market."
"The process of procuring Cisco Enterprise Routers equipment through channel partners needs improvement. The partners are limited compared to other products."
"The solution is not easy to manage for people that do not have the experience."
"The solution's cloud management capabilities could be better."
"Longer duration of support."
"We'd like to see some better UI."
More Cisco Enterprise Routers cons
"I'd like to see more security features, like support for different types of encryptions."
"They should work on lowering their prices in Brazil to stay competitive with rivals and offer customers more affordable options."
"The solution is expensive."
"Better management tools are needed."
"Compatibility with other platforms could be improved."
"Technical support could be better."
"Its customer service could be better for older equipment models."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Cisco's prices could be cheaper."
"Cisco Enterprise Routers are not the cheapest routers on the market, they are expensive."
"It is quite costly for the same feature as compared to Huawei and Juniper. I rate the pricing an eight out of ten."
"Cisco policy is to limit the features and performance through their license."
"There are licensing costs and they are expensive."
"It's quite expensive for small businesses."
"There is a router-only, perpetual license available for this product, but additional features will mean additional charges."
"I believe licensing fees are paid once per year."
More Cisco Enterprise Routers pricing and cost advice
"It is more reasonably priced than other vendors."
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882,886 professionals have used our research since 2012.
 

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Marketing Services Firm
13%
Computer Software Company
9%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Performing Arts
7%
No data available
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business46
Midsize Enterprise24
Large Enterprise44
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business5
Midsize Enterprise2
Large Enterprise1
 

Questions from the Community

How do Cisco Enterprise routers compare with Mikrotik routers and switches?
Cisco Enterprise Routers are very stable and easy to use. They offer a very solid performance and are very secure. They also have a very good, long lifespan. We feel the command configuration is ve...
See all answers
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Cisco Enterprise Routers?
It is expensive, but I am not the person purchasing the products; I just handle the configuration.
See all answers
What needs improvement with Cisco Enterprise Routers?
We do not have any impact for Cisco exactly in protecting sensitive information. The only concern we have across all of the products is the price. Additionally, because it is not integrated with so...
See all answers
Ask a question
Earn 20 points
 

Comparisons

MikroTik Routers and Switches vs Cisco Enterprise Routers Logo
MikroTik Routers and Switches vs Cisco Enterprise Routers
Compared 37% of the time
Huawei Enterprise Routers vs Cisco Enterprise Routers Logo
Huawei Enterprise Routers vs Cisco Enterprise Routers
Compared 17% of the time
Juniper MX Series Routers vs Cisco Enterprise Routers Logo
Juniper MX Series Routers vs Cisco Enterprise Routers
Compared 10% of the time
OneAccess Enterprise Routers vs Cisco Enterprise Routers Logo
OneAccess Enterprise Routers vs Cisco Enterprise Routers
Compared 9% of the time
MikroTik Cloud Router Switch vs Cisco Enterprise Routers Logo
MikroTik Cloud Router Switch vs Cisco Enterprise Routers
Compared 5% of the time
More Cisco Enterprise Routers Competitors
MikroTik Routers and Switches vs HPE Enterprise Routers Logo
MikroTik Routers and Switches vs HPE Enterprise Routers
Compared 15% of the time
Cisco Cloud Services Router vs HPE Enterprise Routers Logo
Cisco Cloud Services Router vs HPE Enterprise Routers
Compared 15% of the time
ADTRAN NetVanta Routers and Switches vs HPE Enterprise Routers Logo
ADTRAN NetVanta Routers and Switches vs HPE Enterprise Routers
Compared 13% of the time
Juniper MX Series Routers vs HPE Enterprise Routers Logo
Juniper MX Series Routers vs HPE Enterprise Routers
Compared 12% of the time
ExtremeRouting vs HPE Enterprise Routers Logo
ExtremeRouting vs HPE Enterprise Routers
Compared 10% of the time
More HPE Enterprise Routers Competitors
 

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
Cisco Enterprise Routers
February 2026
Cisco Enterprise Routers reportDownload Cisco Enterprise Routers product report
Buyer's Guide
Routers
February 2026
HPE Enterprise Routers reportDownload HPE Enterprise Routers product report
 

Also Known As

No data available
HP Enterprise Routers
 

Overview

The high-performance Cisco Enterprise Routers are the market leader due to their breadth of advanced support for LAN/WAN services, redundancy, reliability, and performance.
Cisco
HP Enterprise Routers navigates more devices and simplify complex networks with intelligent management of open standards routing. HP Enterprise Routers offer products: Fixed Port Routers- It connects workplace with internet access, Modular Routers- a fully-modular and Virtual & Wireless Routers-It quickly connects business with wireless routing. HP Enterprise Routers also provide features routers: HPE FlexNetwork MSR2000 Router Series & HPE FlexNetwork VSR1000 Virtual Services Router Series.
Hewlett Packard Enterprise
 

Sample Customers

Aegean Motorway, Boingo, Chartwell School, Children's Hospital of Orange County , Department of Justice, Explorer Pipeline, Linz AG, National Rugby League, New South Wales Rural Fire Service, Telecom Italia, Transwestern
Transdanubian Regional Waterworks Corporation (DRV)
Buyer's Guide
Cisco Enterprise Routers vs. HPE Enterprise Routers
February 2026
Free Report: Cisco Enterprise Routers vs. HPE Enterprise Routers
Find out what your peers are saying about Cisco Enterprise Routers vs. HPE Enterprise Routers and other solutions. Updated: February 2026.
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