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Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center 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:
 

Categories and Ranking

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data...
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
15th
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
7.4
Number of Reviews
24
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Meraki MS Switches
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
9th
Average Rating
8.4
Reviews Sentiment
7.3
Number of Reviews
96
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of July 2025, in the Ethernet Switches category, the mindshare of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center is 1.9%, up from 1.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Meraki MS Switches is 3.4%, down from 4.2% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Ethernet Switches
 

Featured Reviews

Vishwajeet Pandey - PeerSpot reviewer
Management and monitoring efficiencies from a single platform increase network control and flexibility
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center ( /products/fortinet-fortiswitch-data-center-reviews ) offers flexibility and control over the entire network from a single pane of management. It allows me to create VLANs, implement security measures, and push configurations using a single tool. These features make the solution accurate, flexible, and valuable for network management.
MajidKhan - PeerSpot reviewer
Remote access enhances troubleshooting with potential for more intuitive interface
We are working with Citrix and router, but in Cisco for Cisco vendor only. We are taking from them since 2015.  The main use case involves some small business customers needing one router, one switch, and two to three access points. It is easy to handle the devices with just a small knowledge of…

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"I have found the solution to be scalable."
"The product's most valuable feature is its ability to manage switches from one central point."
"Based on my use cases, Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center was a great product that was easy to manage and work with while being a powerful tool."
"FortiSwitch Data Center allows for centralized management of both Fortinet switches and firewalls from a single interface."
"When configuring FortiSwitch with a FortiGate firewall, I can consider all FortiSwitch's ports as a part of the FortiGate firewall."
"It is very stable."
"The single pane of glass that helps us manage everything through FortiManager is the most important feature."
"The initial setup was simple."
"I found the cloud-managed dashboard most valuable in Meraki MS Switches."
"This is a sophisticated product with easy configuration that can save time and effort."
"The initial setup is straightforward. You only need two people for deployment and maintenance."
"Almost all of my functions perform very well."
"With the license, you can manage and track all logs from the dashboard, making monitoring very easy."
"I like the portal, it's really interesting."
"Setting up a switch can be performed prior to having your hands on the device. Once you purchase a Meraki switch you will get an email from Meraki with a code to add to your dashboard and then you can start setting up your switch so when it arrives it will download its configuration and be all setup."
"The product is very straightforward."
 

Cons

"There could be more porting software options for easy deployment in the product."
"There is room for improvement in customer support and device speed. Sometimes, customer support does not provide prompt assistance, leaving projects hanging."
"There is room to improve the integration between FortiSwitch and other third-party solutions, as challenges arise when integrating with different vendors."
"Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center needs to improve its UI and stability."
"FortiSwitch should improve the FortiGate map. The diagram cannot move automatically to show the switch. The map does not map the physical location. It cannot move or touch the diagram."
"When there are many switches being used, the speed declines noticeably."
"Compatibility with infrastructure from other vendors like Cisco and Sophos can be further improved."
"The UI of the firewall and reporting could be improved."
"If they added the option to manage it locally, not in the cloud, it would be better."
"At times, we didn't know whether the switch was operating or not so we have to take the console and we have to do some troubleshooting."
"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."
"The lead time for delivery can be a challenge, and there is room for improvement in this area."
"Their subscription model could be better. Some of our customers prefer a one-time payment to a monthly or yearly subscription model, so they don't buy the product. Technical support could also be better."
"The pricing can be made cheaper."
"Less flexibility than in some other solutions."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The tool's pricing is lower than Cisco's."
"We pay a yearly licensing fee for the solution, which is expensive."
"The solution is not expensive."
"The product is less expensive than one of its competitors."
"The product has a mid-range price."
"It is reasonably priced."
"Cost-wise, Fortinet solutions are cheaper than those offered by Cisco."
"This solution is expensive but it does not require a license."
"The tool is expensive."
"Extreme switches are more cost-effective than Cisco Meraki Switches."
"With the solution that we currently have, I think it costs about 1,200 pounds a year. They bill on a yearly basis."
"It would be better if they had a one-time purchase option instead of a subscription model."
"The licensing is purchased on a one, three, five, and seven year basis."
"We have an annual subscription for licensing and it is expensive."
"The price of the solution has room for improvement."
"The pricing is very expensive."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
17%
Government
10%
Financial Services Firm
8%
Manufacturing Company
7%
Computer Software Company
16%
Manufacturing Company
10%
Educational Organization
6%
Comms Service Provider
6%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center?
The Fortinet switches come with no additional cost as they are open source, with only hardware warranties applicable.
What needs improvement with Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center?
There is room for improvement in customer support and device speed. Sometimes, customer support does not provide prompt assistance, leaving projects hanging. Additionally, improving the speed of th...
What do you like most about Meraki MS Switches?
The most valuable features of Meraki MS Switches are their reliability and simplicity.
What needs improvement with Meraki MS Switches?
What could be improved is that when a switch disconnects from the internet, you can't make any changes to that switch. Sometimes the switches lose internet connectivity, and we can't do anything to...
 

Also Known As

No data available
MS220, MS320, MS420
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Black Gold Regional Schools, Amadeus Hospitality, Jefferson County, Chunghwa Telecom, City of Boroondara, Dimension Data
Cisco Live Milan, Hyatt
Find out what your peers are saying about Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center vs. Meraki MS Switches and other solutions. Updated: July 2025.
863,776 professionals have used our research since 2012.