Meraki MS Switches vs MikroTik Cloud Router Switch comparison

Cisco and MikroTik are both solutions in the Ethernet Switches category. Cisco is ranked #7 with an average rating of 8.4, while MikroTik is ranked #16 with an average rating of 7.9. Cisco holds a 2.8% mindshare in ES, compared to MikroTik’s 2.1% mindshare. Additionally, 96% of Cisco users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 96% of MikroTik users who would recommend it.

Meraki MS Switches

Read 98 Meraki MS Switches reviews

4,970 Views
4,970 Comparison Views

96% willing to recommend

MikroTik Cloud Router Switch

Read 25 MikroTik Cloud Router Switch reviews

3,030 Views
2,151 Comparison Views

96% willing to recommend

Meraki MS Switches

MikroTik Cloud Router Switch

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 3, 2024

Meraki MS Switches and MikroTik Cloud Router Switches are strong contenders in network infrastructure solutions. Meraki seems to have the upper hand in complex environments with its advanced cloud management, while MikroTik holds an advantage in cost-sensitive setups with its competitive pricing.

Features: Meraki MS Switches offer centralized management, integrated security, and easy deployment with cloud-based control, which provides incredible ease of use and global access without the need for onsite management. The rich visibility and troubleshooting capabilities are highly valued. MikroTik Cloud Router Switches provide essential functions and flexibility, emphasizing simplicity and cost-effectiveness. They are known for their affordability and basic functionality, suitable for smaller-scale deployments.

Room for Improvement: Meraki users mention high licensing costs and dependence on stable internet for cloud services as drawbacks, alongside a need for better scalability and system integration. MikroTik could enhance security features like IDS/IPS, improve documentation and support, and optimize the OS for more complex setups.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Meraki's deployment is praised for its cloud-centric model, allowing remote management and configuration, though it requires consistent internet access. Customer service receives mixed reviews with some citing good support and others noting response delays. MikroTik focuses on cost-effectiveness with on-premises and public cloud deployment capabilities. Customer service feedback is favorable, highlighting quick resolutions and satisfactory support, despite being simpler in scope.

Pricing and ROI: Meraki MS Switches come with premium pricing, justified by their extensive features and global management capabilities, often seen as high-value investments due to reduced operational costs. However, the licensing model can be a concern for tighter budgets. MikroTik Cloud Router Switches offer significant savings and tangible ROI for smaller businesses or budget-focused organizations, standing out for their affordability and lack of recurring subscription fees.

To learn more, read our detailed Meraki MS Switches vs. MikroTik Cloud Router Switch Report (Updated: April 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Meraki MS Switches vs. MikroTik Cloud Router Switch

April 2026

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Helped 896,034 peers since 2012

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

Meraki MS Switches

Ranking in Ethernet Switches

7th

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

6.7

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

MikroTik Cloud Router Switch

Ranking in Ethernet Switches

16th

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

6.3

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Routers (3rd)

Mindshare comparison

As of May 2026, in the Ethernet Switches category, the mindshare of Meraki MS Switches is 2.8%, down from 3.8% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of MikroTik Cloud Router Switch is 2.1%, up from 1.3% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Ethernet Switches Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Meraki MS Switches	2.8%
MikroTik Cloud Router Switch	2.1%
Other	95.1%

Ethernet Switches

Featured Reviews

Thanadesh Namuengrak

Lead IT Specialist at a computer software company with 51-200 employees

Cloud-managed switches have improved secure segmentation and simplified automated patching

Meraki MS Switches are easy to manage, but I believe they are more suitable for use on the IT side because Meraki faces the internet, requiring an open connection through the internet for control. It is not the same as Cisco switches, which operate via command line. I normally use command line for configuration, while Meraki utilizes a cloud-based dashboard that necessitates a constant internet connection for configuration. Therefore, I find Meraki MS Switches more suitable for the IT side. The improvement needed for Meraki MS Switches is the ability to connect in the worst case when I encounter internet issues. When I cannot connect to the internet and need to configure or connect directly to Cisco switches or access Meraki for changes, I face difficulties. When Meraki MS Switches can be configured without an internet connection, I think I can use Meraki MS Switches on the OT side. The only improvement I seek is configuration without an internet connection.

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Andriejus Artamonovas

IT Specialist at a outsourcing company with 501-1,000 employees

Has supported deeper configuration through traffic mirroring and advanced VLAN setup

The main reason why MikroTik Cloud Router Switch is usually chosen is its raw performance to price ratio. In comparison to UniFi switches, MikroTik Cloud Router Switch can mirror all ports for traffic inspection for further traffic analysis, which UniFi cannot do. VLANs in MikroTik Cloud Router Switch are always useful. The way MikroTik implements VLAN-aware switching at the bridge level is hidden in the configuration. Making CRS work as a simple VLAN-aware switch requires deeper configuration, which is not intuitive. VLANs support individual interfaces not part of the bridge, allowing for double VLANing. You can create a VLAN interface in the interfaces context and also create a bridge interface, add physical ports, create VLANs for that bridge interface, and assign tagged and untagged ports and VLANs. Load balancing is one of the key components. The feature itself is quite efficient and works reliably on MikroTik Cloud Router Switch. The very basic setup is one of my favorites because they have their protocol where I can connect through the MAC address right on Layer 2, and I don't lose connectivity to the switch if I mess up with bridging or IP addressing.

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Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"When the clients call in and say that they aren't able to connect, it takes the help desk 10 minutes or less to look at everything in the enterprise or location."

"The reliability and ease of configuration are good."

"The solution is easy to configure and to deploy, and the interface is great and easy to understand for the customer."

"I like the portal, it's really interesting."

"It is easy to deploy, maintain, and update. It has been trouble-free so far. I am still a Cisco command-line bigot, but the web interface makes it a lot easier for our help desk to interact with a client. When the clients call in and say that they aren't able to connect, it takes the help desk 10 minutes or less to look at everything in the enterprise or location. They can look at the firewall, switches, or access points in the dashboard. That's why I like the dashboard."

"For me, the best functionality is provided by Meraki for any device, and the ability to manage the devices from the online dashboard is great."

"Meraki MS Switches have a very user-friendly dashboard and the policies are straightforward for sending them to the devices and blocking sites."

"The interface is great. It's easy to understand for the customer."

More Meraki MS Switches pros

"The router power is the most valuable aspect."

"It is easy to set up."

"The beauty of MikroTik is that you have flexibility with the routing parts."

"The best aspect is that it remains affordable."

"The initial setup is easy."

"This solution has improved a great deal over time and in many domains."

"The main reason why MikroTik Cloud Router Switch is usually chosen is its raw performance to price ratio."

"The traffic monitoring capabilities are excellent."

More MikroTik Cloud Router Switch pros

Cons

"They're definitely missing some of the higher end data center Cisco features."

"In this solution, you are lacking a feature that Cisco Classic has that allows you to save your configuration with a serial cable."

"We had some dashboard licensing issues, maybe because their method of collecting data from the user needs to be more streamlined."

"It would be good to include the command-line access someday."

"The solution needs to improve its ability to back up the auto-configuration."

"The price for this product could be cheaper. For a low-budget school or institution, scaling up and implementing more switches could take longer because of budget constraints."

"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."

"Sometimes there's a problem with the pricing model they use. They should work to fix this."

More Meraki MS Switches cons

"Antispam and antivirus features should be included in the future."

"Improvements are needed with respect to some of the security, especially for VPN links between vendors other than Cisco."

"The packet filtering, user log data, and user access log could all be improved."

"The solution does not yet offer a SaaS version."

"Proper LACP support, more software support for hardware capabilities, true wirespeed Layer 3 routing."

"Technical support could be better."

"MikroTik needs to add some features like IPS, mail security, or antivirus, et cetera."

More MikroTik Cloud Router Switch cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The only drawback is the cost — that's what kills them."

"The DNA subscription is a three-year minimum term."

"We have an annual subscription for licensing and it is expensive."

"The yearly maintenance fee is $100 and you can purchase the switches used for about $200 each."

"The product's licensing cost is about 30% to 40% of the hardware cost."

"I rate the price of Meraki MS Switches a two out of ten."

"It is very expensive so I want it to be cheaper."

"The licensing is purchased on a one, three, five, and seven year basis."

More Meraki MS Switches pricing and cost advice

"This product has a one-time cost and there is no licensing fee."

"They came with the licensing when we purchased them."

"The price is competitive."

"In Pakistan, if you buy this cloud router, it's approximately $700 for the device."

"I consider it to be a cost-effective solution."

"I believe the price of the tool is high, but it is okay for the services we get from it."

"MikroTik is really cheap compared to the competitors."

"The price of the solution is fair and there is a one-time license purchase only."

More MikroTik Cloud Router Switch pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

14%

Manufacturing Company

10%

Computer Software Company

Construction Company

Comms Service Provider

12%

Educational Organization

11%

Manufacturing Company

Marketing Services Firm

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	54
Midsize Enterprise	20
Large Enterprise	22

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	19
Midsize Enterprise	5
Large Enterprise	2

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Meraki MS Switches?

The price of Meraki MS Switches is reasonable.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Meraki MS Switches?

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Meraki MS Switches?

I have experience with Cisco products as I implement a lot of them. For example, I implemented switches and access points when I worked for infrastructure in a motorcycle company, and I implemented...

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for MikroTik Cloud Router Switch?

The Python solution pricing is on the lower side.

See all answers

What needs improvement with MikroTik Cloud Router Switch?

It can be difficult to identify key functions for MikroTik Cloud Router Switch. I experience functionality limitations, particularly when trying to find specific features. It would be beneficial to...

See all answers

What is your primary use case for MikroTik Cloud Router Switch?

I mostly work with network equipment now, focusing mainly on routers. I work with FortiGates and MikroTik routers. When referring to FortiGate routers, I mean the firewalls, but not the enterprise-...

See all answers

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Meraki MS Switches

May 2026

Download Meraki MS Switches product report

Buyer's Guide

MikroTik Cloud Router Switch

May 2026

Download MikroTik Cloud Router Switch product report

Also Known As

MS220, MS320, MS420

MikroTik CRS Series

Overview

Meraki MS Switches offer scalable cloud-managed networking with intuitive dashboards, security, and easy deployment. They provide reliable remote management and comprehensive analysis, ideal for enterprises seeking centralized control.

Meraki MS Switches deliver cloud-managed networking solutions, simplifying configuration and management with a user-friendly GUI. They are known for their scalability, security features, and zero-touch deployment capabilities. With remote switch management and deployment, the creative cloud interface simplifies setup and maintenance while offering comprehensive network traffic analysis and device tracking. However, there are areas for improvement, such as quoting processes and price reductions. Users often note the need for more configuration options, better third-party system integration, and concerns around cloud dependency. Stack features and security enhancements are also desirable, as well as improved performance and support.

What are the key features of Meraki MS Switches?

Cloud Management: Enables centralized control and simplifies setup.
User-Friendly Dashboards: Offers easy configuration and network visibility.
Scalability: Supports expanding network environments.
Security Features: Provides enhanced protection against threats.
Zero-Touch Deployment: Allows immediate management and deployment.

What benefits should users look for in Meraki MS reviews?

Remote Management: Streamlines administration and deployment processes.
Comprehensive Traffic Analysis: Offers detailed insights into network usage.
Device Tracking: Simplifies monitoring and management of network devices.
Reliability: Delivers consistent performance across networks.

Meraki MS Switches are widely implemented across educational institutions, government agencies, and small to mid-sized businesses. They provide a unified platform for access points and switches, facilitating remote configuration and monitoring. Users appreciate their ability to handle VLANs and LAN access points while connecting end-users with features like PoE and integration with Meraki's cloud infrastructure.

Cisco

MikroTik Cloud Router Switch offers a balance of price and performance ideal for businesses needing efficient routing and traffic management. It enables load balancing, VLAN support, and comprehensive monitoring, making it suitable for diverse network environments.

MikroTik Cloud Router Switch is recognized for its flexible routing capabilities and cost-efficient solutions, benefiting sectors like public services and education. With user-friendly setup and advanced configuration options, it efficiently manages ISP business routes, integrates into corporate networks, and scales for government projects and data centers. However, it could benefit from improvements in security aspects like VPNs, and better technical support. While admired for intuitive interfaces, there’s a desire for enhancements in hardware quality, MPLS support, and OS utilization.

What are the key features of MikroTik Cloud Router Switch?

Flexible Routing: Allows for sophisticated traffic management suited for ISPs and corporate networks.
Intuitive Interfaces: User-friendly GUI and command-line setup for ease of use across tech levels.
Advanced Security: Offers firewall features and VPN support for secure network environments.
Load Balancing: Efficiently manages network traffic to optimize performance.
VLAN Support: Enables segmenting networks to enhance security and management.

What benefits should users expect in MikroTik Cloud Router Switch?

Cost Efficiency: Competitive pricing aligned with high-performance delivery.
Scalability: Adaptable to network size, from small organizations to data centers.
User-Friendly: Simple setup and flexible configuration reduce deployment time.
Comprehensive Monitoring: Effective tools for real-time traffic and network status insights.
Support for Diverse Applications: Integrates well into educational, governmental, and commercial settings.

MikroTik Cloud Router Switch sees extensive use in industries requiring robust networking, like ISPs for core routing and client management, as well as government and educational sectors for large-scale network integration. Key users include distributors and service providers, leveraging its traffic control and secure routing in complex environments.

MikroTik

Sample Customers

Cisco Live Milan, Hyatt

Information Not Available

Buyer's Guide

Meraki MS Switches vs. MikroTik Cloud Router Switch

April 2026

Free Report: Meraki MS Switches vs. MikroTik Cloud Router Switch

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