I use the tool to block external attempts.
Information Technology Manager at Eldoret Hospital
Helps to block external attempts but improvement is needed in ports
Pros and Cons
- "I use the tool to block external attempts."
- "The ports could be improved, as certain areas may need to be terminated with a greater number of Ethernet ports. We initially faced challenges that hindered our network usage, especially with third-party applications that were not certified or supported. It took some time to streamline and resolve these issues."
What is our primary use case?
What needs improvement?
The ports could be improved, as certain areas may need to be terminated with a greater number of Ethernet ports. We initially faced challenges that hindered our network usage, especially with third-party applications that were not certified or supported. It took some time to streamline and resolve these issues.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using the product for five years.
How are customer service and support?
We rely on local support and haven't contacted the OEM for support. My company is satisfied with the local support, but they are not flexible enough to provide round-the-clock support.
Buyer's Guide
MikroTik Routers and Switches
November 2024
Learn what your peers think about MikroTik Routers and Switches. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: November 2024.
816,406 professionals have used our research since 2012.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The tool offers a one-time buying option.
What other advice do I have?
MikroTik Routers and Switches meet our requirements and help us achieve our goals. We can customize them as needed. I would recommend them to small—or medium-sized customers. However, larger enterprises might need more security features and firewalls.
I rate it a seven out of ten. It's great for small enterprises in industries like healthcare facilities or manufacturing verticals. However, banks may require more specialized solutions due to their specific security needs.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Last updated: May 3, 2024
Flag as inappropriateHighly-Recommended Cost-Effective Solution with Commendable Features
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable feature is the price because it's highly cost-effective concerning the functionalities provided within the box. The solution is stable. The solution is scalable. The initial setup is straightforward. I would recommend the solution because it provides value for money."
- "Improvements could be made in terms of SD-WAN capabilities and zero-touch provisioning."
What is our primary use case?
We are a public sector medium-sized company. We use MikroTik's router part for managing internet circuits, particularly in cases where cost is paramount, ensuring cost-effective access for internet circuits.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable feature is the price because it's highly cost-effective concerning the functionalities provided within the box.
What needs improvement?
Improvements could be made in terms of SD-WAN capabilities and zero-touch provisioning.
For how long have I used the solution?
We’ve been using the solution for the past nine months.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution is scalable. We have two customers using the solution.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We opt for Fortinet in complex scenarios due to its SD-WAN and additional features, but for simpler cases, MikroTik Routers and Switches are preferred due to their significantly lower cost.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is straightforward. It can be executed within a couple of hours. Only one technical person was required to carry out the task.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The pricing of the solution is significantly lower than other solutions. There are no additional costs involved.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend the solution because it provides value for money.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Integrator
Buyer's Guide
MikroTik Routers and Switches
November 2024
Learn what your peers think about MikroTik Routers and Switches. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: November 2024.
816,406 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Network Administrator at AI Processings
Though the solution does not suffer from outage issues, its reporting functionality requires improvement
Pros and Cons
- "It is a stable solution. I have been using the solution for a while, and I don't face any outages or trouble while using the solution."
- "If the reporting functionality of the solution is considered, I think it is not good."
What is our primary use case?
We had been using MikroTik as a firewall to implement firewall policies and to implement queues along with DNS and DStv services. Additionally, we were using MikroTik to control our end users by limiting their website browsing and the limiting their upload and download speed. The aim was also to prevent them from indulging in any unauthorized access to the internet.
What is most valuable?
MikroTik is a good product.
What needs improvement?
If the reporting functionality of the solution is considered, I think it is not good.
I think MikroTik should include features like antivirus into their prevention and detection system to prevent any kind of attacks.
I want them to improve their reporting functionality and include antivirus in the solution.
For how long have I used the solution?
In our company, we have been using MikroTik Routers and Switches for the last three to three and a half years. Personally, I have experience working on the solution for the last three years. Though I am not aware whether we are using the latest version, I can say that we were using MikroTik Router RB2011.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It is a stable solution. I have been using the solution for a while, and I don't face any outages or trouble while using the solution.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Scalability-wise, I rate the solution a six out of ten. Considering the client for whom we had deployed the solution, the number of uses using the solution was less than a hundred.
How are customer service and support?
I don't remember if we took any technical support from MikroTik since it runs smoothly and we don't face any difficulties in our organization.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Before MikroTik, in our company, we were using Microsoft TMG Gateway.
I switched to MikroTik after I came to know that TMG Gateway had become obsolete and that Microsoft was planning to end the support offered to TMG Gateway. Hence, we decided to move to MikroTik.
How was the initial setup?
The setup is quite user-friendly, easy to configure, and easy to troubleshoot.
The deployment process is very easy since you just need to buy the box from the market and deploy the solution in your network. Also, the user interface is very friendly. The solution's configuration, troubleshooting, and establishment of services are all easy. Though I can do the deployment of the solution myself, it is better to consult a senior team member.
For the deployment and maintenance of the solution at the company where I am working, there are four people on the technical team. Our senior manager is a person handling four teams.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
In our company, we are using MikroTik without a license. Also, we haven't paid or subscribed for their services. However, we are planning to buy their services and subscriptions.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend the solution to other people who plan to use it. Overall, I rate the solution a seven out of ten.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Support Engineer, VPN & Security | Network Operation at a tech consulting company with 501-1,000 employees
Flexible, easy to manage, and great for enterprise-level companies
Pros and Cons
- "The setup is easy."
- "We'd like for them to improve the UI and improve on speed."
What is our primary use case?
We are using this as a pop router, and also as an enterprise solution. We are using this for load balancing.
What is most valuable?
The load balancing is very good.
It works very well for enterprise-level organizations.
The setup is easy.
It's stable.
We can scale the product.
The solution is very easy to manage.
We find it to be quite a flexible solution.
What needs improvement?
I have not really faced any difficulties.
We'd like for them to improve the UI and improve on speed. The interface capacity must be bigger.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been using the solution for nearly six years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
For enterprise-level companies, it's a stable, reliable product. There are no bugs or glitches. It doesn't crash or freeze.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
It's mainly used in enterprises. We find it to be quite scalable.
We have about 1,300 employees and 200 employees use MicroTik.
How are customer service and support?
I haven't contacted technical support yet.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We also use Cisco and Juniper. Cisco costs more comparatively. MicroTik is more flexible, and anyone can manage it.
How was the initial setup?
The solution is very easy to implement. It's not overly complex.
I'd rate the setup five out of five in terms of ease of setup.
The maintenance isn't too difficult. If we get new customers, we may need to do some reconfiguration. Maintenance depends on incoming projects or requests from clients.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
I don't directly deal with pricing. I can't speak to the exact costs. The procurement team is dealing with the price.
What other advice do I have?
We're a partner and reseller.
I'm using the latest version of the product.
I'd recommend the solution to enterprise-level companies.
Overall, I would rate the solution a ten out of ten.
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner / Reseller
Chief Solutions Architect at Tech2go Strategic IT Solutions
A cheaper solution that delivers the same performance and capabilities as the top brands
Pros and Cons
- "They are very good at providing the bandwidth for multi-tenants and multi-dwelling units. We're managing WiFi hotspots for hundreds of locations, and the speed and performance are quite there. They also have very cheap 10G products that come with really good and flexible software. They are way cheaper than the top brands, and they're able to deliver the same performance and capabilities."
- "They lack the extended warranty for the equipment. They only provide a warranty for one year as compared to the other vendors who offer a warranty for three years, five years, and lifetime, etc."
What is our primary use case?
We manage wide area networks for our clients nationwide. We run a data center and provide internet services. We use MikroTik for our network operation centers. We also manage WiFi for hospitalities and a lot of multi-dwelling units.
We have experience in deploying MikroTik, NETGEAR, and HP products.
What is most valuable?
They are very good at providing the bandwidth for multi-tenants and multi-dwelling units. We're managing WiFi hotspots for hundreds of locations, and the speed and performance are quite there. They also have very cheap 10G products that come with really good and flexible software.
They are way cheaper than the top brands, and they're able to deliver the same performance and capabilities.
What needs improvement?
They lack the extended warranty for the equipment. They only provide a warranty for one year as compared to the other vendors who offer a warranty for three years, five years, and lifetime, etc.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using this solution for about eight years.
How was the initial setup?
You need to learn how to use the software and run MikroTik Router OS or Switch OS. You have to be familiar with all these. If you're a network person, it's very easy for you to set it up. It is pretty much similar to setting up HPE, Juniper, Cisco, or NETGEAR. It's not for novice users. There's a learning curve.
Our team has to get trained and certified in MikroTik.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
MikroTik is very cost-effective and quite good for the price. It performs very well.
For one of our customers, the existing setup comprises Cisco Catalyst switches, and it is about 10 to 15 years old. We're looking into upgrading in a cost-effective way to get the performance and yet still be at par with the quality and expectations that customers have from Cisco.
Price-wise, Cisco is really expensive, and customers are expecting something different than Cisco so that they can save on IT costs. They don't have the same budget that they had before when they installed Cisco products. That's why they're looking for a solution that can provide performance and features without too much money or investment. We're looking at some alternative brands, such as NETGEAR and MikroTik, to support our proposal.
What other advice do I have?
I would rate this solution a nine out of ten for the reliability and the performance that you get out of it. I wouldn't rate it a ten because of the warranty limitation.
There is also a learning curve to be able to successfully manage it, but once you do that, it's going to work wonders. It's also not that expensive.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Consultant and technical support at joudeh center for computer and modern software
Although we received the product with no licensing costs, it needs to improve its stability
Pros and Cons
- "I have seen a return on investment since we didn't have to pay a licensing fee."
- "I don't like the product's performance."
What is our primary use case?
We use MikroTik's fiber router for Internet access.
What needs improvement?
I don't like the product's performance. Sometimes, it disconnects my network. Sometimes, when browsing or downloading something, the download rate comes down to zero. I have to use a VPN to check my right to use the Internet. The telecommunication company using MikroTik to control this does not give me satisfaction. I would like to see the product improve its buffering time.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've used their products for three to four years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
MikroTik should improve the stability of their products.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
With scalability, from time to time, I need to replace routers. Thirty to 50 users are using the product.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We used Cisco previously. We switched to MikroTik because it was made compulsory by our telecommunication company. I, however, do not recommend it to be used by internet service providers.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is not easy. It took one hour to set up. You cannot set up the product remotely. You have to go to the location. Some ports might be closed. You have to set up the product at the location first and then make some rules to get the connection. After that, you must set up the security, which takes time.
We need two or three technical staff members to deploy and maintain the product. Sometimes more. One administrator, one engineer, and one or two developers.
What was our ROI?
I have seen a return on investment since we didn't have to pay a licensing fee.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
MikroTik makes some policies so we can get it for free. And if you disconnect the service from the telecommunication company, MikroTik asks you to pay a higher price. It's free at the start, but you will pay more and more if you don't like it.
What other advice do I have?
I rate MikroTik routers and switches a seven out of ten. We can't use all the product features due to telecommunications laws in my country.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
CAD Engineer at Pro av
Reliable product with good scalability
Pros and Cons
- "The product is very reliable."
- "The product's setup process could be easier."
What is our primary use case?
We use MikroTik Routers and Switches for Wi-Fi distribution and connecting the network to all our IoT devices.
What is most valuable?
The product is very reliable.
What needs improvement?
The product's setup process could be easier. Additionally, its interface needs to be modern, similar to Grandstream.
For how long have I used the solution?
We have been using MikroTik Routers and Switches for more than five years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The product has good 100% stability.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
We have 20 customers for MikroTik Routers and Switches. It has good scalability. It provides more than enough internet access.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Recently, we started using Grandstream.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is complicated. It takes half an hour to complete.
What about the implementation team?
I take help from an IT executive whenever I encounter any implementation issues.
What other advice do I have?
MikroTik Routers and Switches is a very stable equipment. I rate it a ten out of ten.
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Reseller
Project Manager at Corrs Chambers Westgarth
Reliable and issue-free but is complex to set up
Pros and Cons
- "I've never had any issues with the solution."
- "The initial setup is a bit complex."
What is our primary use case?
It's used for my home internet router and wireless.
What is most valuable?
It's a reliable router.
I've never had any issues with the solution. It's been stable.
What needs improvement?
I cannot speak of any missing features.
The initial setup is a bit complex.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've used the solution for the last five years or so. It's been a while.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It is quite stable. It's reliable and its performance is good. There are no bugs or glitches.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
It may scale, however, I've only used it in a limited fashion, in my home.
I do not have plans to increase usage.
How are customer service and support?
I've never contacted technical support. I can't speak to how helpful or responsive they are.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I've also used Cisco in the past.
Most of the switches I have used are consumer-grade switches, not business-grade.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is complex. It's not easy. It took me a fair bit of tinkering and possibly well over a week to deploy.
What about the implementation team?
When I deployed it, I was a technical person at the time. I could do it by myself without assistance.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The product comes with the hardware. The license is perpetual with the hardware.
What other advice do I have?
I'm not sure which version we're on right now.
If you understand networking, you should try it out - as long as you have time to work with it.
MikroTik, in terms of its features and functionality, is a seven out of ten.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Buyer's Guide
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Updated: November 2024
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