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D-Link Ethernet Switches vs Meraki MS Switches comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 3, 2024
 

Categories and Ranking

D-Link Ethernet Switches
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
11th
Average Rating
7.8
Reviews Sentiment
7.4
Number of Reviews
28
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
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
 

Mindshare comparison

As of December 2024, in the Ethernet Switches category, the mindshare of D-Link Ethernet Switches is 7.0%, up from 5.2% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Meraki MS Switches is 4.6%, up from 4.0% 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.
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

"These switches are simple and easy to configure."
"These switches are very easy to install because there is no configuration."
"It's plug-and-play. There is no configuration necessary."
"The initial setup was very easy and user-friendly."
"D-Link has a graphical interface that is easy to use. It is simple enough that our junior technicians can configure the switches."
"The tool's fault frequency is very less."
"The initial setup is straightforward."
"The solution is user-friendly."
"The dashboard and the interface, in general, are good features."
"The management is cloud-based so you do not have to be on-premises to work with it."
"The most valuable feature is the ability to access devices from anywhere in the world through the cloud."
"It helps manage multiple switches deployed in different locations with a single console on the cloud."
"The switches are very stable."
"The most valuable feature is the ability to orchestrate the network from the cloud."
"Setting up a Meraki switch is fairly simple. It can be done by one manager and a senior engineer developer."
"The main features of Meraki MS Switches are integration, high quality, and hardware guarantee."
 

Cons

"Its security features need improvement."
"The availability could be improved."
"This solution is not good for distribution at the core."
"It could be easier to scale on managed devices."
"There is room for improvement in terms of stability."
"The solution could be cheaper."
"For high-end switches, the price could be 5% to 10% cheaper. Improvements in the voltage facility, like increasing from 360 watts to 400 or 450 watts, would make them more competitive with other vendors."
"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."
"It would be helpful to have more features like an iOS interface."
"It would be great if the switch can identify the IP address connected to the network port. It seems most of the switches cannot identify the IP address. They can identify the MAC address but not the IP address."
"In reference to an area of improvement sometimes the switch does not connect to the internet initially."
"The product's high price is an area of concern where improvements are required."
"I don't like some of the mobile device management options. They're a little bit hard to find in the system."
"The pricing of the solution can be improved."
"In my opinion, there's room for improvement cost-wise. With Meraki's licensing terms, you're required to pay an annual licensing fee, which can be for a one-year license or perhaps a five-year license. But if you analyze the costs involved, there are huge expenses incurred as far as the licensing is concerned."
"This is quite an expensive solution."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"It has a good return on investment. It has indeed saved us resources significantly."
"The D-Link Switches are cheaper than Cisco."
"D-Link Ethernet Switches are cheap products for homes and small offices."
"They were cheap. We were not paying for any license."
"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."
"This product is very affordable, especially compared to Cisco."
"D-Link Ethernet Switches' price is good."
"These units vary in price from $200 to one thousand dollars. They're available for a one-time purchase."
"When you compare it to other switches like HP, Juniper, and Ruckus, Meraki MS Switches are cheaper."
"Its price is definitely competitive."
"It is very expensive so I want it to be cheaper."
"The pricing is very expensive."
"We paid for our switches outright, at a cost of between $15,000 USD and $18,000 USD."
"The tool is expensive."
"The pricing is overvalued in relation to the product's performance."
"This product is quite expensive."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
16%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Comms Service Provider
8%
Healthcare Company
8%
Computer Software Company
19%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Retailer
7%
Educational Organization
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?
Pricing is competitive. High-end switches should be slightly cheaper. Overall, D-Link offers a good option.
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

No data available
MS220, MS320, MS420
 

Learn More

Video not available
 

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
Cisco Live Milan, Hyatt
Find out what your peers are saying about D-Link Ethernet Switches vs. Meraki MS Switches and other solutions. Updated: December 2024.
824,168 professionals have used our research since 2012.