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D-Link Ethernet Switches vs Meraki MS Switches 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:
 

Customer Service

Sentiment score
5.5
D-Link Ethernet Switches are reliable, yet regional support varies, with users often relying on online resources and importers.
Sentiment score
8.5
Meraki MS Switches are praised for strong support and convenience, though some desire more senior engineers and improved communication.
Whenever there is an issue, the local technical team supports us, whether through physical presence or remotely.
If the devices are licensed, the support team will assist you depending on the severity level of the case.
Cisco's tech support is pretty good, and I would rate it an eight out of ten.
 

Room For Improvement

Sentiment score
4.4
D-Link Ethernet Switches require upgrades for stability, security, manageability, port options, and improved pricing compared to competitors like Cisco.
Sentiment score
4.7
Meraki MS Switches face pricing and cloud dependency issues, needing better licensing, scalability, security, and technical support features.
Improvements in the voltage facility, like increasing from 360 watts to 400 or 450 watts, would make them more competitive with other vendors.
Meraki should also consider improvements in stacking features, particularly in the lower-end models like NS130, where stacking isn't supported, unlike with Cisco traditional switching.
There are compatibility issues with certain Power over Ethernet (PoE) devices, which we would like to see resolved.
Most people are familiar with the Cisco commands, and it would be beneficial if the switch could be accessed by GUI configuration and by normally accessing the console.
 

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score
7.2
D-Link Ethernet Switches offer flexibility and scalability for various businesses, accommodating hundreds with competitive pricing and reliable performance.
Sentiment score
7.9
Meraki MS Switches offer scalability for SMBs and cloud environments but lack features and options for large enterprises.
The pricing is competitive in the market, making D-Link Ethernet switches a good option for both middle-end and high-end brands.
 

Setup Cost

Sentiment score
8.3
D-Link Ethernet Switches offer cost-effective, one-time purchase solutions without recurring fees, appealing to budget-conscious enterprise buyers.
Sentiment score
3.4
Meraki MS Switches are costly but valuable for features and support, with complex licensing. Some see it as competitive.
High-end switches should be slightly cheaper.
Meraki pricing is a little premium compared to other vendor products.
Pricing is affordable, and licenses for the cloud need to be purchased every three to five years.
 

Stability Issues

Sentiment score
8.4
D-Link Ethernet Switches receive mixed stability feedback, with praise for reliability but issues like hanging, heat, and mounting options.
Sentiment score
8.6
Meraki MS Switches offer stable performance, reliability, and ease of use, with minor issues resolved quickly in complex environments.
There are no stability issues with D-Link Ethernet switches.
If something happens to the device or hardware, Cisco will automatically change the device by the next business day.
We faced issues following firmware updates, which we now handle by performing updates outside of working hours.
 

Valuable Features

Sentiment score
8.4
D-Link Ethernet Switches offer cost-effective, energy-efficient, reliable solutions with flexible ports, comprehensive management, and strong security features.
Sentiment score
8.4
Meraki MS Switches offer centralized cloud management, robust security, and scalability, making them ideal for efficient, distributed network operations.
It's especially valuable because Cisco and other products function similarly, but for smaller networks where high transfer rates aren't necessary.
The most valuable feature is the ability to access devices from anywhere in the world through the cloud.
The control plane is in the cloud, and the data plane is local, allowing manageability from anywhere.
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.
 

Categories and Ranking

D-Link Ethernet Switches
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
11th
Average Rating
7.8
Reviews Sentiment
7.3
Number of Reviews
27
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 November 2024, in the Ethernet Switches category, the mindshare of D-Link Ethernet Switches is 6.8%, up from 5.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Meraki MS Switches is 4.7%, 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.
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
16%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Healthcare Company
8%
Comms Service Provider
8%
Computer Software Company
19%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Retailer
7%
Government
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 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?
People do not like paying for licenses on such a device. I don't know what the tech world thinks around the world, but it's good to have a perpetual license. People like that, especially on switche...
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?
Compared to other products in the market, it is always expensive.
What needs improvement with Meraki MS Switches?
The GUI can be improved for a better comfort level.
 

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: October 2024.
816,636 professionals have used our research since 2012.