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HPE Ethernet Switches vs Meraki MS Switches comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 3, 2024
 

Categories and Ranking

HPE Ethernet Switches
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
10th
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
7.2
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 HPE Ethernet Switches is 2.5%, down from 2.8% 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

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…
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 Another reason was that our switches were getting outdated, so we had to do something.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

"We get a lifetime warranty for the solution so whenever the switches get faulty, you can get a replacement."
"The most valuable feature of the solution is its stability."
"The switches are very important in our hospitals, which is a critical environment for our patients. They provide time-effective management and meet our needs."
"The solution performs well for its price."
"The solution is very stable and easy to use."
"The HPE Ethernet switches have very low latency."
"You can scale the product as needed."
"We found the installation process to be simple."
"The most valuable features are ease of use and configuration. It has a cloud-based configuration that makes it easy."
"Being able to look at every port and see what it is connected to is very useful. Everything seems to be running really well. They've got everything covered. They have a really cool mounting system at the bottom and an access point that you can use to level up your device. It is kind of cool."
"It is easy to set up and easy to monitor. It is also easy to check the status of the switch."
"Meraki MS Switches are amazing. Whoever built it is a genius. I like that it's a plug-and-play solution."
"They're easy to update."
"The management is cloud-based so you do not have to be on-premises to work with it."
"The switch supports various automation testing tools, and it's quite helpful for network troubleshooting as well."
"Its cloud feature and cloud management are great. They are the most valuable aspects."
 

Cons

"It is a bit complex to configure."
"VLAN can be improved, but I have to check that with the company expert. I have different switch models, but they don't have all the same interface. I don't know whether lower-level switches don't have the same interface as the better quality ones. I might have two different model types."
"The pricing could be better."
"It would be helpful to have training available for this solution."
"The solution's throughput should be increased because we often get stuck when it comes to IPTV streaming."
"The cost could be better. HPE has to study it carefully with other vendors in the market, like Cisco or Juniper."
"The scalability is limited."
"The pricing could be lowered."
"It would be good to include the command-line access someday."
"Better alerting capabilities are needed because they do not provide enough notification or detail about events."
"It can have better security. It needs more security enhancements, and in particular, a zero-trust element. If we could have external and internal users vetted in the same way as a zero-trust network, that will be handy."
"The cameras should be better integrated."
"I don't like some of the mobile device management options. They're a little bit hard to find in the system."
"It would be great if they can get the price down for small businesses."
"The throughputs, especially the throughput path, can be improved on the core switches. I think they should improve the throughput in the core switches to enable higher throughputs."
"I would like to see improvements to the dark mode in the next release, as I prefer the dark mode."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Licensing fees are on a yearly basis."
"It is a more expensive solution."
"All the solutions have a license for the QSFP. Additionally, there is a one-time license fee to increase the interface speed."
"The box itself is cheap, but when we have to install new features, it becomes very expensive."
"The cost is a bit high."
"This is not an expensive solution."
"We need to pay when we buy the switch. We pay for a license to use the software, but it is not required."
"I believe HPE is less expensive than Aruba's and UniFi and that is why certain clients have chosen them as their solution."
"It depends on what type of equipment you have and other things. We're about $17,000 a year."
"The Layer 3 switch is the most expensive switch."
"I don't have an issue with the price of this solution."
"The only drawback is the cost — that's what kills them."
"Meraki is not an expensive switch, like Cisco."
"The licensing is purchased on a one, three, five, and seven year basis."
"Meraki is a little bit expensive, but when you compare the pricing with others, Meraki is a good option."
"If you buy a license for one switch, it will include the licensing for the device RMA, device failure warranty, technical support, and everything else. Also covered is support for software updates for future releases. It's a single license for everything and there's nothing that customers need to pay in addition to the license."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
18%
Government
8%
Financial Services Firm
7%
Educational Organization
7%
Computer Software Company
19%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Retailer
7%
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 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?
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

HP Ethernet Switches
MS220, MS320, MS420
 

Learn More

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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: December 2024.
824,053 professionals have used our research since 2012.