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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
102
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 March 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 4.0%, up from 3.9% 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

"We found the installation process to be simple."
"The solution is easy to set up and easy to use, unlike, for example, Cisco, which is more complex."
"The graphical userface is very good and quite easy to run with."
"It's fairly lightweight, they don't require a lot of maintenance."
"HPE Ethernet Switches have a lifetime warranty. I am using an old version of the solution, but I have heard the new models have incorporated a lot of new features, such as remote setup."
"I like that these switches are reliable, and the support is good."
"HPE is very reliable because it has a lifetime warranty, so the switches didn't give us any problems."
"These switches have been in use for easily 11 years."
"Quality of Service is easy to deploy. The ease of deployment, in general, is valuable. It is easy to do port configuration and VLAN assignments."
"The most valuable features of Meraki MS Switches are simple deployment and administration. You can have all your switches in one place and manage them."
"The most valuable feature about Meraki is the console. The second most valuable feature, to me, is the technical support and the infrastructure behind the console."
"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."
"Its cloud feature and cloud management are great. They are the most valuable aspects."
"The product is reasonably priced."
"The technical support is very good. They offer some of the best support on the market."
"We found the initial setup to be easy."
 

Cons

"When we have a lot of clients on the system, we lose signal and have to restart our antenna."
"It would be ideal if the product offered more security."
"HPE Ethernet Switches must ensure that the updates and patching are done regularly. When we have new software updates, we can resolve issues quickly."
"The solution is a bit expensive."
"If there is any fluctuation in power then we will face an outage with our POE switches, so this is something that should be improved."
"The ability to stack, as well as a unified operating system, would be extremely beneficial."
"Integrating AI features could make it better."
"It would be helpful to have training available for this solution."
"The lead time for delivery can be a challenge, and there is room for improvement in this area."
"Some people would have some reservations about the yearly subscription. Maybe they could offer an option of having a one-off or perpetual license to let people test it and see how it goes."
"Communication of compliance risk is awkward at best and threatening at worst. It needs to be addressed."
"There is not much training available for this solution."
"The lead times can be long in terms of actually getting the hardware."
"The licensing model needs to be improved."
"The documentation could be more extensive. For example, it could describe more scenarios. It would be great if they could incorporate AI engines into the switching infrastructure and firewall so you can configure it to prevent intrusion. They have intrusion prevention and detection, but they could enhance it by incorporating AI into their firewall."
"It would be helpful to have more features like an iOS interface."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"HPE costs almost the same as Cisco."
"The price could be more competitive."
"It would be great if certain features, like licensing, were included in the base price of the switches."
"I like HPE switches because you get a perpetual license with the hardware. The initial cost is about the same as other switches, but it starts beating the competitors after three or four years because you don't have to pay for additional annual licensing costs."
"This is not an expensive solution."
"It is a more expensive solution."
"We have to see only the security part when considering licenses because the licenses upgrade."
"The cost is a bit high."
"We don't use standard licensing. Most of the time, we use the advanced security model. If there is a drawback to Meraki, it is the cost, but you also have to evaluate it based upon the other factors that you do get. Their support is really good; their hardware is really good. The ease of configuration and deployment is really good, but it is more expensive than most."
"The DNA subscription is a three-year minimum term."
"It would be better if they had a one-time purchase option instead of a subscription model."
"This is not a cheap solution."
"The pricing is high and it is where we get the most pushback from customers."
"This product is quite expensive."
"Meraki MS Switches is a pricey product. You have to get a license for each product annually. It would have been perfect if there were product bundles."
"The price of Meraki MS Switches is high."
report
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
16%
Government
8%
Educational Organization
8%
Financial Services Firm
8%
Computer Software Company
18%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Educational Organization
6%
Government
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 needs improvement with HPE Ethernet Switches?
Based on my experience, I am quite happy with the switches at the moment and do not see any immediate room for improvement.
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: March 2025.
839,515 professionals have used our research since 2012.