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Meraki MS Switches vs MikroTik Routers and 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:
 

ROI

Sentiment score
7.6
Meraki MS Switches offer ROI in 2-3 years, improving manageability, scalability, reducing costs, and increasing efficiency for small businesses.
Sentiment score
8.8
MikroTik devices offer 80% ROI due to their longevity, no licensing fees, and reliable performance, despite initial costs.
 

Customer Service

Sentiment score
8.6
Meraki MS Switches are praised for customer service and support, with 24/7 availability and varied response times noted.
Sentiment score
5.3
MikroTik's customer service is mixed, with limited direct support causing users to rely on forums and third-party help.
The support is excellent and rated ten out of ten.
If the devices are licensed, the support team will assist you depending on the severity level of the case.
Cisco's tech support is pretty good, and I would rate it an eight out of ten.
I sometimes need technical support from my ISP company, or else I gather information from YouTube.
 

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score
7.7
Meraki MS Switches are ideal for small to medium businesses with easy configuration, but may lack enterprise-level scalability.
Sentiment score
8.1
MikroTik devices are scalable, adaptable, handle complexities well, but require careful design and security for larger networks.
 

Stability Issues

Sentiment score
8.6
Meraki MS Switches are stable, reliable, with minor bugs, high ratings, effective performance, and appreciated automatic updates.
Sentiment score
7.9
MikroTik devices are generally stable, but newer versions face software issues and need improvements for enterprise reliability.
If something happens to the device or hardware, Cisco will automatically change the device by the next business day.
We faced issues following firmware updates, which we now handle by performing updates outside of working hours.
MikroTik Routers and Switches are very stable.
 

Room For Improvement

Meraki MS Switches are criticized for high costs, limited features, and reliance on cloud connectivity for management.
MikroTik needs better UI, wireless performance, documentation, support, scalability, security, and compatibility, along with advanced features and training.
Meraki should also consider improvements in stacking features, particularly in the lower-end models like NS130, where stacking isn't supported, unlike with Cisco traditional switching.
There are compatibility issues with certain Power over Ethernet (PoE) devices, which we would like to see resolved.
Most people are familiar with the Cisco commands, and it would be beneficial if the switch could be accessed by GUI configuration and by normally accessing the console.
It would be better for me if I could establish filter rules within MikroTik.
 

Setup Cost

Meraki MS Switches are costly but highly valued for features and support, with savings available through long-term contracts.
MikroTik Routers and Switches offer cost-effective solutions with lifetime licensing, praised for affordability compared to Cisco and Huawei.
Meraki MS Switches, including their licensing, are somewhat expensive, particularly when compared with competitor solutions like HP.
Pricing is affordable, and licenses for the cloud need to be purchased every three to five years.
Meraki pricing is a little premium compared to other vendor products.
 

Valuable Features

Meraki MS Switches offer cloud management, user-friendly setup, security, and integration, praised for stability, scalability, and support.
MikroTik routers combine affordability, flexibility, and comprehensive features, offering reliable performance without licensing fees, appealing to diverse users.
The control plane is in the cloud, and the data plane is local, allowing manageability from anywhere.
The most valuable feature is the ability to access devices from anywhere in the world through the cloud.
One of the most valuable features of Meraki MS Switches is its precise traffic analytics capabilities, allowing us to query the system for any place at any time.
They simplify the process of creating access lists, allowing me to understand my network's activities effectively.
 

Categories and Ranking

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
MikroTik Routers and Switches
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
5th
Average Rating
7.8
Reviews Sentiment
7.3
Number of Reviews
66
Ranking in other categories
Routers (1st)
 

Mindshare comparison

As of April 2025, in the Ethernet Switches category, the mindshare of Meraki MS Switches is 3.9%, down from 4.0% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of MikroTik Routers and Switches is 6.3%, up from 4.6% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Ethernet Switches
 

Featured Reviews

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…
AnikIslam - PeerSpot reviewer
Cost-effective protocol support and a straightforward setup with room for login enhancements
In the network operations center, I manage our client's bandwidth. We connect with our clients through BGP and OSPF based on client demands. We also manage routing protocols, policies, internal firewalls, and other details like QE bandwidth, client manage bandwidth management, PoE, PPPoE, and DNS…
report
Use our free recommendation engine to learn which Ethernet Switches solutions are best for your needs.
848,716 professionals have used our research since 2012.
 

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
17%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Educational Organization
6%
Government
6%
Computer Software Company
16%
Comms Service Provider
14%
Hospitality Company
6%
Financial Services Firm
6%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

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...
How do Cisco Enterprise routers compare with Mikrotik routers and switches?
Cisco Enterprise Routers are very stable and easy to use. They offer a very solid performance and are very secure. They also have a very good, long lifespan. We feel the command configuration is ve...
Which are better - Ubiquiti UniFi switches or MikroTik routers and switches?
Ubiquiti Unifi is a great solution. For starters, it is easy to configure and implement, and doesn’t require a learning curve because it is easy to use. It is also simple to reconfigure an AP or ga...
What do you like most about MikroTik Routers and Switches?
The price is a big factor. They are very affordable, and the quality is high.
 

Also Known As

MS220, MS320, MS420
No data available
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Cisco Live Milan, Hyatt
ABB, Boingo Wireless, JPL, HP, Allied Telesis, iPass, Mips Technologies, MicroAge, Matsushita, Telia, undp, WFP, NASA
Find out what your peers are saying about Meraki MS Switches vs. MikroTik Routers and Switches and other solutions. Updated: April 2025.
848,716 professionals have used our research since 2012.