Try our new research platform with insights from 80,000+ expert users

HPE 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:
 

Categories and Ranking

HPE Ethernet Switches
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
9th
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
7.3
Number of Reviews
103
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Meraki MS Switches
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
8th
Average Rating
8.4
Reviews Sentiment
7.3
Number of Reviews
95
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of April 2025, in the Ethernet Switches category, the mindshare of HPE Ethernet Switches is 2.4%, down from 2.5% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Meraki MS Switches is 3.9%, down from 4.0% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Ethernet Switches
 

Featured Reviews

LuisSilva6 - PeerSpot reviewer
Provides ease of management and has an easy initial setup process
Primarily, we use the product for network and VLAN segmentation across our hospitality property. It forms the backbone of our network, providing connectivity to devices like TVs, phones, access points, and even electrical switches within guest rooms The product's most valuable feature is the ease…
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

"These switches have been in use for easily 11 years."
"The solution is very, very stable."
"HPE Ethernet Switches offer a good return on investment. They offer a lifetime warranty, which is good. Cisco SMB level only declares a one-year warranty, and for the enterprise level, you need to get a service pack, which costs extra."
"The solution is easy to set up and easy to use, unlike, for example, Cisco, which is more complex."
"The most valuable feature is the IRF."
"The simplicity of the commands is most valuable. The commands are the same for several devices."
"The main features of the solution I have found to be the interface and unique features other solutions do not have. Additionally, they have a lifetime warranty on the hardware."
"A very robust solution."
"Overall, the switches are really good."
"It offers a compelling solution due to its cloud management capabilities and strong security features."
"The product is reasonably priced."
"I found the cloud-managed dashboard most valuable in Meraki MS Switches."
"The cloud part of Meraki Switches is very good. They also have a good GUI. It's a complete solution. I like the switching and the monitoring part."
"It helps manage multiple switches deployed in different locations with a single console on the cloud."
"The product provides a single-pane-of-glass in for management of wireless, security, and switching from multiple devices."
"Meraki MS Switches have allowed us to access devices from anywhere in the world through the cloud."
 

Cons

"In the next release, I would like to see them include more features like the Aruba solution, to have more possibilities concerning the software design."
"The solution's throughput should be increased because we often get stuck when it comes to IPTV streaming."
"The scalability is limited."
"They should release more updates for the solution."
"The solution lacks certain protocols and has a limited warranty."
"Configuration can be complex."
"The pricing could be lowered."
"They could provide platform integration with other management tools for better reporting."
"There is not much training available for this solution."
"Meraki MS switches are great for pretty much all SMB networks and most enterprise networks. However, there are some higher-end functions that larger enterprise networks with full access, distribution, and core switch stack may find limiting."
"This is quite an expensive solution."
"I would like to see improvements to the dark mode in the next release, as I prefer the dark mode."
"Meraki MS Switches could improve if it was an SDN. It will be more flexible and WWE can use one link for specific traffic and another one for other traffic."
"If they added the option to manage it locally, not in the cloud, it would be better."
"It could be easier to use and easier to implement."
"Meraki MS Switches could improve the process of installing firmware."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"They are affordable and less expensive than Cisco. Their price was the decider at the time."
"All the solutions have a license for the QSFP. Additionally, there is a one-time license fee to increase the interface speed."
"The license cost is yearly."
"The price is fair."
"We just bought new switches for $500 last year, and now, the same switch is $800. It's gone up in price in the last 12 months."
"The price of the solution is expensive."
"Licensing fees are on a yearly basis."
"The price could be more competitive."
"With the solution that we currently have, I think it costs about 1,200 pounds a year. They bill on a yearly basis."
"The pricing is overvalued in relation to the product's performance."
"One key challenge often encountered is the perception that strategic products like Cisco and Meraki tend to be more expensive than alternatives like Aruba."
"We paid for our switches outright, at a cost of between $15,000 USD and $18,000 USD."
"They can get the price down for small businesses. The way I bought it, I paid hardly anything, and I got all my licensing with it. The firewall appliance is around $900, and the switches are around $150. This is for the device itself. For licensing, I signed at $70 or something like that for the switch. Technical Support is included in this."
"It depends on what type of equipment you have and other things. We're about $17,000 a year."
"This product is quite expensive."
"Its price is definitely competitive."
report
Use our free recommendation engine to learn which Ethernet Switches solutions are best for your needs.
848,989 professionals have used our research since 2012.
 

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
16%
Educational Organization
8%
Government
8%
Financial Services Firm
8%
Computer Software Company
17%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Government
6%
Educational Organization
6%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about HPE Ethernet Switches?
The solution is very stable and easy to use.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for HPE Ethernet Switches?
When compared to Cisco, Aruba is about 40% cheaper. However, Huawei would be even cheaper than Aruba. We can't compare HPE Ethernet Switches with Huawei directly because of different price ranges.
What needs improvement with HPE Ethernet Switches?
HPE Ethernet Switches have room for improvement in the initial setup and integration process, especially when incorporating them into an existing infrastructure with competitor products. It's a cha...
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?
Meraki MS Switches, including their licensing, are somewhat expensive, particularly when compared with competitor solutions like HP.
What needs improvement with Meraki MS Switches?
The prices are a little higher than other vendors. However, within the Cisco customer segment, customers mostly recommend it because they are existing users, and they are satisfied with their curre...
 

Also Known As

HP Ethernet Switches
MS220, MS320, MS420
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Emirates Palace Hotel
Cisco Live Milan, Hyatt
Find out what your peers are saying about HPE Ethernet Switches vs. Meraki MS Switches and other solutions. Updated: April 2025.
848,989 professionals have used our research since 2012.