Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Reviews

Name: Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN
Brand: Cisco
Rating: 4.0 (95 reviews)

Vendor: Cisco

4.0 out of 5

95 reviews
92% willing to recommend

869 followers

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What is Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN?

Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN serves to connect remote offices, reduce MPLS costs, and facilitate cloud and internet access while providing secure connectivity and centralized management for hybrid networks.

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Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN is the #2 ranked solution in SD-WAN tools, #2 ranked solution in top WAN Edge solutions, and #6 ranked solution in top Network Management Applications. PeerSpot users give Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN an average rating of 8.0 out of 10. Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN is most commonly compared to Fortinet FortiGate: Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN vs Fortinet FortiGate. Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN is popular among the midsize enterprise segment, accounting for 48% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a educational organization, accounting for 40% of all views.

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN

May 2025

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Featured Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN reviews

Igor Van Den Ouden

Engineer at Routz

The valuable features of Cisco SD-WAN include its security policies and zone-based firewall that are applied to every site, as well as application-aware routing. Security is standard compliant, eliminating config drift that was prevalent before manual configurations. Application-aware routing offers flexibility in using different lines for traffic, depending on the policy implemented.

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SreejeshSoman

Security Consultant at Vertex Techno Solutions (B) Pvt Ltd

Cisco SD-WAN is valued for its operational efficiency and ease of operation. It allows prioritization of packages based on production requirements, and integration capabilities provide comprehensive security. Integration with Cisco ISE, Cisco Firewalls, and other Cisco solutions is beneficial. Furthermore, it is appreciated for its insights, visibility, and ease of use.

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GaneshKhutwad

Network security architect at ATOS

If one of your ISPs goes down or has latency in your environment, Cisco SD-WAN will detect the issue and explain why the ISP is down. This is the solution's best feature, as it allows you to monitor your ISP links very well from their side. The solution's configuration is easy and not that hard. The solution's central management allows you to raise cases and get support.

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PeerResearch reports based on Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN reviews

Type	Title	Date
Category	Network Management Applications	Jun 2, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Jun 2, 2025	Download
Comparison	Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN vs Cisco DNA Center	Jun 2, 2025	Download
Comparison	Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN vs Aruba Airwave	Jun 2, 2025	Download
Comparison	Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN vs Cisco Catalyst Center	Jun 2, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Fortinet FortiGate	4.2	N/A	90%	346 interviews Add to research
Cato SASE Cloud Platform	4.4	N/A	100%	29 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN's strengths include centralized management, policy configuration management, application-level routing, scalability, security, and ease of deployment. It offers reliable hybrid networking, seamless application traffic visibility, advanced segmentation, and cloud integration capabilities. Automation, integration with other Cisco products, and enhanced security protocols provide operational efficiency and reliability. Users appreciate its ability for failover resilience, load balancing, application-aware routing, and compatibility, with strong documentation and technical support. The brand's legacy enhances trust and adoption in large enterprises.

"I would consider Cisco support a 10 out of 10."
"The technical team is very competent."
"I would recommend Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN as it is a good product."

Room for Improvement

Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN needs improvement in cost-effectiveness and simplifying the licensing model. Documentation and knowledge base access require enhancement. Users express a need for advanced security features, better vendor integration, and automation capabilities. They find the setup complex and call for improved user interface and management features. Enhanced cloud integration and centralized policy convergence are desirable. Users prefer an all-in-one approach that merges previous features with new capabilities, aiming for ease of use and competitive pricing.

"The negative, or the downside of Cisco is the knowledge base; you need to be a little bit more tech-savvy and network-savvy to work with Cisco, while Juniper is a lot more user-friendly from what I can see, especially in terms of configuration and any kind of roll back."
"The durability of the switches could be improved. In the past, Cisco devices had a longer lifespan."
"The main area for improvement in Cisco SD-WAN is the lack of documentation, which often lags behind the software releases."

ROI

Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN shows significant cost reduction, notably an 80% cut in WAN expenses and positive financial benefits over time. Some organizations report reductions in overall costs, while initial expenses may be high. Removal of MPLS sites reduces monthly fees, and operational efficiency improves through simultaneous link usage. The time to realize financial gains varies, but improvements are evident within 12 months, and long-term benefits are seen in growing businesses.

Pricing

Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN is generally considered expensive, with high licensing and support costs compared to competitors like Fortinet and Juniper. Costs are driven by subscription models, bandwidth-based licenses, and hardware purchases. Enterprise buyers often negotiate prices, but discounts vary by region and deal size. Despite the high cost, some customers see value in its robust features and performance, although smaller businesses may find the pricing prohibitive. The product offers a comprehensive solution, justifying its premium status for many organizations.

"We can only buy three-year licenses, not monthly. The cost seems high for us, especially since we're in Vietnam, which isn't a rich country. But we still like the product because it is good."
"The product is not too expensive."
"The initial cost is quite significant, but the investment is worthwhile."

Popular Use Cases

Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN is primarily used for reducing MPLS costs, enhancing cloud connectivity, and connecting branch offices efficiently. Users achieve secure, centralized management, integrated security, and cost-effective operations by replacing expensive MPLS lines with internet-based connections. Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN supports remote connectivity, data center deployments, and enhances application performance with features like zero-touch deployment, policy integration, and traffic segmentation, providing flexibility for hybrid on-premises and cloud infrastructures.

Service and Support

Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN's support is praised for being responsive, knowledgeable, and efficient. Users find the support team helpful and quick to resolve issues. Some users note room for improvement in response times and expertise levels. While support is generally satisfactory, a few mention delays and challenges due to outsourcing and evolving technology. Despite some criticisms, many users commend the expertise and professionalism of the support team, rating it highly.

Deployment

Most users describe Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN's initial setup as straightforward, though those new to the technology find it challenging. Experience and network knowledge are vital for a smooth process, with deployment time varying based on network size and branch numbers. Training and support ease the process, but the interface and configuration pose difficulties. For smaller deployments, users report fewer issues, while larger networks require more expertise and resources. Many appreciate its professional setup despite the learning curve.

Scalability

Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN is highly scalable, capable of accommodating large enterprise requirements with thousands of users and extensive networks. It adapts from small enterprises to expansive global operations, providing ease of configuration and enhancing network management. Although there might be cost implications, it effectively supports both medium and large-scale deployments. Its scalability includes robust licensing options, allowing for flexibility as organizational needs grow. Many entities rate its scalability highly, appreciating its efficient expansion capabilities.

Stability

Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN is widely regarded as stable by users, although some highlight transition challenges and occasional bugs. Most reports mention reliability, with no significant crashes or glitches, though certain users found issues specific to iOS and complex setups. After enhancements to FlexVPN, stability improved significantly. Users recommend monitoring releases for initial bugs. The transition from Viptela and integration with Cisco Umbrella posed some challenges. Many users rate its stability between eight and nine out of ten.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

Download our Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers

By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Educational Organization

40%

Computer Software Company

11%

Financial Services Firm

Manufacturing Company

Comms Service Provider

Energy/Utilities Company

Government

Healthcare Company

Legal Firm

Wholesaler/Distributor

Retailer

University

Construction Company

Insurance Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Non Profit

Media Company

Hospitality Company

Performing Arts

Outsourcing Company

Pharma/Biotech Company

Consumer Goods Company

Engineering Company

Transportation Company

Aerospace/Defense Firm

Compare Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN with alternative products

Learn more about Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN

Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN is leveraged for secure connectivity, load balancing, VPN, centralized network management, and migrating from traditional networks to SD-WAN. It supports hybrid networks, enabling centralized management across branches and data centers, improving security, and optimizing bandwidth usage. Industries such as banking and retail benefit from its capabilities for secure and efficient network management.

What are the main features of Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN?

Centralized Management: Simplifies network operations and administration.
Application-Level Routing: Enhances performance for critical applications.
Segmentation: Provides robust network segmentation for security.
Policy Configuration: Customizable policies for traffic management.
Real-Time Traffic Visibility: Enables monitoring for better insights.
Load Balancing: Distributes network traffic efficiently.
Hybrid Cloud Connectivity: Seamless integration with cloud services.
Deep Packet Inspection: Detailed traffic analysis for security.
High Security: Offers strong security protocols to protect the network.
Ease of Deployment: Features like zero-touch provisioning simplify setup.

What benefits should be considered in reviews?

Cost Savings: Reduces operational expenses through efficient network management.
Reliability: Proven performance and uptime for critical operations.
Scalability: Grows with the organization's needs.
Integrated Health Monitoring: Proactively identifies and resolves issues.
Industry Trust: Cisco's reputation for quality and support.

Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN's implementation in banking enhances secure transaction communication between branches and data centers. Retailers utilize it to ensure steady connectivity for point-of-sale systems and inventory management. Organizations benefit from centralized management, making it easier to handle networks across multiple locations.

Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN was previously known as Cisco SD-WAN.