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Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Logo

Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN pros and cons

Vendor: Cisco
4.0 out of 5
Badge Leader

Pros & Cons summary

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Prominent pros & cons

PROS

Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN is highly scalable, suitable for SMBs to enterprise-level deployments, and supports cloud, on-premises, and hybrid environments.
The application-level routing and integrated threat protection with end-to-end encryption are valued features.
The ability to aggregate and steer application traffic intelligently through centralized management enhances operational efficiency.
Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN's ease of deployment and quick rollout capabilities offer rapid scalability and improved cost management.
Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN is noted for its stability, reliability, and strong technical support, leading to high customer trust in the brand.

CONS

Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN is costly, and its price could be more competitive, especially when compared to other SD-WAN solutions.
The licensing model for Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN is complex and could be improved for better flexibility and simplicity.
Security features in Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN need enhancement, particularly when compared to competitors like Fortinet.
Integration with other OEMs and API aspects in Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN require improvements to ensure better user-friendliness.
The initial setup process of Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN is complex, requiring a more straightforward installation and configuration approach.
 

Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Pros review quotes

reviewer731289 - PeerSpot reviewer
Head IT Operations at a tech services company with 1-10 employees
Jan 7, 2020
This solution can scale from SMB to the enterprise level. It is very impressive.
AJ
Data Center Engineer at Emerging Communications Limited
Jan 11, 2020
So far, the feature that I like best is the policy configuration manager.
it_user1273860 - PeerSpot reviewer
Pre-sales consultant at a tech services company with 10,001+ employees
Feb 2, 2020
The segmented traffic it provides is the best in the industry right now.
Learn what your peers think about Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: December 2025.
879,259 professionals have used our research since 2012.
UB
Solution Architect at a tech services company with 51-200 employees
Apr 15, 2020
The most valuable feature is the application-level routing.
reviewer1289013 - PeerSpot reviewer
System Engineer at a tech services company with 1-10 employees
Feb 23, 2020
The solution's application control and application traffic steering tool are its most valuable aspects in terms of how we utilize the product.
MZ
Sr. Network Engineer Consulting Services at a consumer goods company with 1,001-5,000 employees
Mar 5, 2020
There is minimum blind space in this solution.
reviewer1281732 - PeerSpot reviewer
Solution Director at a comms service provider with 10,001+ employees
Mar 5, 2020
Cisco is an industry leader, so customers have a high level of trust with the brand more-so than with some newcomers that might have some more revolutionary solutions, but no name recognition.
MY
Sales Engineer at Logicom
Mar 16, 2020
It's very easy to manage and monitor the network's health and security using the solution.
PK
Owner at SCO`Scope Consulting Private Limited
Mar 16, 2020
The product's brand recognition is one of the most valuable aspects of the solution.
reviewer848847 - PeerSpot reviewer
Network Analyst at a real estate/law firm with 1-10 employees
Mar 16, 2020
The regular net routing is a good feature.
 

Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Cons review quotes

reviewer731289 - PeerSpot reviewer
Head IT Operations at a tech services company with 1-10 employees
Jan 7, 2020
This solution is expensive so pricing is a concern.
AJ
Data Center Engineer at Emerging Communications Limited
Jan 11, 2020
It would be very helpful if we had better access to a knowledge base, or online documentation, to help both us and our customers learn to use this solution.
it_user1273860 - PeerSpot reviewer
Pre-sales consultant at a tech services company with 10,001+ employees
Feb 2, 2020
Cisco's router and voice gateway has not been available since the launch of SD-WAN.
Learn what your peers think about Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: December 2025.
879,259 professionals have used our research since 2012.
UB
Solution Architect at a tech services company with 51-200 employees
Apr 15, 2020
This solution should include a fully functional firewall at no extra charge.
reviewer1289013 - PeerSpot reviewer
System Engineer at a tech services company with 1-10 employees
Feb 23, 2020
The whole solution needs to be re-imagined. It's quite complex right now and really needs to be simplified to make it easier for those of us using it. It should offer more simplified management as well.
MZ
Sr. Network Engineer Consulting Services at a consumer goods company with 1,001-5,000 employees
Mar 5, 2020
The main issue is that not in the technology, but it comes back comparison. When we do a comparison with other SD WAN solutions, they are priced better.
reviewer1281732 - PeerSpot reviewer
Solution Director at a comms service provider with 10,001+ employees
Mar 5, 2020
The client portal needs to be improved in order to make the solution much better.
MY
Sales Engineer at Logicom
Mar 16, 2020
Since most user-data is going through the solution, we are concerned about security, as all the information is in the cloud and not on-premises. The user data authentification should be higher to better prevent malicious attacks.
PK
Owner at SCO`Scope Consulting Private Limited
Mar 16, 2020
The initial setup could be a bit less complex.
reviewer848847 - PeerSpot reviewer
Network Analyst at a real estate/law firm with 1-10 employees
Mar 16, 2020
The solution could have a better web interface to simplify changing configurations.