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D-Link Ethernet Switches vs Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 3, 2024

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

D-Link Ethernet Switches
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
12th
Average Rating
7.8
Reviews Sentiment
7.4
Number of Reviews
29
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secu...
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
6th
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
7.5
Number of Reviews
47
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of March 2025, in the Ethernet Switches category, the mindshare of D-Link Ethernet Switches is 6.2%, up from 5.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is 5.4%, down from 6.0% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Ethernet Switches
 

Featured Reviews

MichaelNdwiga - PeerSpot reviewer
Enhanced network efficiency through features and demonstrate minimal downtime
One of the issues is the range of their products. They need to increase it. For example, if I want a 12-port switch that is fully managed, it's not easy to find. So, I have to opt for a 24-port switch that is fully managed, which might not be necessary as I only need 12 ports. So if they could increase the range of the switches in regards to the features, and the number of ports, that would be beneficial. So, that's the only potential improvement. The switches are perfect otherwise. Ideally, I'd like to see a central management system included as part of their license, not as a separate purchase. Currently, we have to manage switches independently. A central portal for managing all switches and providing visibility would be great.
SherifAbdelrahman - PeerSpot reviewer
Efficient integration allows streamlined network management with a straightforward setup
I use it for retail business. We are using the FortiSwitch solution for our voice switches and access points as well It has helped us by providing easy management from a single platform through the firewall interface. It's very easy to manage and provides all the insights and vulnerabilities,…

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 scalable."
"D-Link has a graphical interface that is easy to use. It is simple enough that our junior technicians can configure the switches."
"Its integration is the most valuable."
"There are no stability issues with D-Link Ethernet switches."
"The solution is user-friendly."
"The main selling point for me was the pricing. Moreover, the performance is good. I haven't had any issues so far."
"The initial setup is straightforward."
"The switches have a graphical user interface that makes configuration good, easy, and straightforward."
"The product is very secure."
"It is easy to set up."
"The most valuable feature of this product is its simplicity."
"The solution has enhanced network security by integrating access control more seamlessly, reducing overhead, and simplifying the network environment by removing the need for interfaces with other vendors."
"What I actually use in this deployment are Forti APs (Fortinet Access Points). So, I can see all my office infrastructure from a single console, which is handy. One FortiGate, one FortiSwitch, and five access points, everything under good control. It's really nice to see it all together like this."
"Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access has essential features for managing switches."
"The powerful integration capabilities allow us to manage all devices from a single interface through the firewall."
"What I really love in FortiSwitch: its usability, the graphical user interface, and the ability to be managed by FortiGate."
 

Cons

"Currently, D-Link Ethernet Switches are often not used in large data centers due to issues with performance and scalability."
"In future releases, I would like to see improved security and an improved CLI (Command-Line Interface)."
"The availability could be improved."
"The solution needs better local support."
"They could be more stable. They were not as resistant as Cisco. After some time, some of them failed. This could be because we import quite a lot of products from different horizons, so there is no guarantee of quality. In Africa, these products don't always directly come from the manufacturer. We get these products from the Middle East or Asia. Therefore, you cannot be sure that the quality is exactly similar to what you have in Europe or America."
"We have issues with the stability."
"The D-Link Ethernet Switches have to be replaced because they are difficult to manage and security is poor. They should add centralized manageability to make the solution better, it will allow administrators to better know what is happening on the network."
"For high-end switches, the price could be 5% to 10% cheaper."
"The range of products could improve from Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access."
"It would be easier if Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access could be managed via cloud, and this is something that could be improved in this product. Bandwidth display could also be better."
"They could provide integration with Fortinet Authenticator."
"It is always nice when something is cheaper."
"We had experienced downtime. I would like to see it to be improved."
"More integration would be helpful, especially since we sometimes have devices from other companies. Improved interoperability would be very beneficial."
"FortiSwitch requires periodic firmware updates. It can be a little difficult because the switches aren't connected to the internet, so you cannot upgrade the firmware remotely. You need to go to the site and do it manually because it's a closed network."
"I would rate technical support at eight. It's a potential area for improvement, possibly in terms of response time or quality."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"There is not a license required for this solution and it is priced well."
"It has a good return on investment. It has indeed saved us resources significantly."
"The D-Link Switches are cheaper than Cisco."
"This product is very affordable, especially compared to Cisco."
"The price of D-Link Ethernet Switches is in the 4,000 to 5,000 rupees or 65 to 100 USD range. The price of the solution is not expensive."
"These units vary in price from $200 to one thousand dollars. They're available for a one-time purchase."
"The solution's pricing is reasonable."
"The solution is budget-friendly"
"The price is good."
"The cost appears to be high in comparison to other competing products although with this product you are paying for what you get."
"Licensing is billed annually and contracts are either one or three years in length."
"We have to pay for the solution's subscription."
"The solution is expensive but overall the cost makes sense."
"The solution is cheaper than Cisco but more expensive than Huawei."
"The pricing for Fortinet FortiSwitch is not expensive."
"Fortinet FortiSwitch is a pricey solution."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
15%
Healthcare Company
9%
Comms Service Provider
8%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Computer Software Company
14%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Government
8%
Financial Services Firm
7%
 

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 D-Link Ethernet Switches?
D-Link has a good VPN feature and quality of service.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for D-Link Ethernet Switches?
The pricing of D-Link Ethernet Switches is cost-effective. For small data centers, it is good to have D-Link switches as the cost is less compared to other features.
Which would you choose - Fortinet Fortiswitch secure access or Cisco Ethernet Switches?
We researched Cisco but ultimately chose Fortinet FortiSwitch Secure Access, mostly because of the price. Fortinet FortiSwitch is an ethernet switch solution that provides security and performance...
What do you like most about Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access?
With FortiSwitch, you can easily identify who is connected to each port, disable ports as needed, and retrieve configurations from FortiGate when required.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access?
Currently, I don't have an opinion about the price as I focus on implementation and am not informed about pricing in comparison to other vendors.
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

George Mason University, Somerville House, Hiperwall, New Brunswick School District 16, The Fulcrum Group, Bremond Independent School District, University of Texas Health Science Center, Grand Canyon Skywalk, SUN Area Career & Technology Center, Abington Senior High School
Black Gold Regional Schools, Amadeus Hospitality, Jefferson County, Chunghwa Telecom, City of Boroondara, Dimension Data
Find out what your peers are saying about D-Link Ethernet Switches vs. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access and other solutions. Updated: March 2025.
842,296 professionals have used our research since 2012.