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3Com H3C Switches vs Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access 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:
 

Categories and Ranking

3Com H3C Switches
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
26th
Average Rating
8.0
Reviews Sentiment
5.4
Number of Reviews
8
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secu...
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
12th
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
6.8
Number of Reviews
48
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of May 2026, in the Ethernet Switches category, the mindshare of 3Com H3C Switches is 1.3%, up from 1.0% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is 4.2%, down from 5.0% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Ethernet Switches Mindshare Distribution
ProductMindshare (%)
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access4.2%
3Com H3C Switches1.3%
Other94.5%
Ethernet Switches
 

Featured Reviews

AA
Manager at Necsol
Has improved operational response times and reduced downtime across departments
There is no negative impact, but to some extent their software side needs improvement because most people are familiar with iDRAC for the Dell product. Their software product is quite different and is new software. You have to take some time to learn their programming and other things such as installation of the media, Windows or office applications, or anything else. It is not complex. It is because it is a new thing and we had to face a little more problem for the installation at first. But now after some time, it has become easy for us because we have been working with Dell and listening about Dell for a long time, about decades. 3Com H3C Switches has occupied our market and has been working now for the last two to three years. 3Com H3C Switches has gained this much reputation and the brand is at its peak. It will be a matter of time and with the passage of time the learning stage will improve.
Uri Harf - PeerSpot reviewer
Technical Presales at A.G.A.S. מחשוב ותקשורת לעסקים
Integration with cloud management simplifies network expansion
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is expensive, and this initial cost can be a barrier, especially for new businesses setting up from scratch. Although the machine is robust and lasts for years with rare technical issues, the initial price can be high. Sometimes, I have to offer alternatives like Aruba or HP, which might be cheaper.

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"The hardware side is a very big advantage. We use it 24/7 and we haven't had any problems so far with the switches."
"They are easy to use, they are cheaper, and it's a trusted brand."
"They're straightforward and stable."
"They're straightforward and stable."
"The installation is quite straightforward."
"The reliability of the solution has been the best feature."
"Their customer service is instant with a tracking system and follow-ups for human access."
"The hardware side is a very big advantage; we use it 24/7 and we haven't had any problems so far with the switches."
"Deploying the solution is a breeze, even a novice can do it."
"The most valuable feature is the security switch."
"Stability and scalability for this product are very good. Setup is easy and deployment can be completed within minutes. The technical support for Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is good."
"The most valuable feature is that I can completely isolate devices that are compromising the network."
"The solution is easy to scale."
"FortiSwitch provides a lot of companies with big enterprise functionality, and it is less expensive than products like Cisco Switch."
"The integration between the FortiGate and FortiSwitch — the reporting and monitoring — is perfect."
"It is a cheap and secure solution. The job switching and security features are better than other solutions."
 

Cons

"If I had to go back in time, I might go with HP."
"When we try to do configuration changes sometimes it malfunctions."
"The cost and the integration with other solutions could be better."
"The company should come up with new security features and new management and log recording systems, helping customers to analyze issues and prevent future incidents."
"The configuration of 3Com H3C Switches could be better."
"The technical support services need improvement in terms of communication."
"To some extent their software side needs improvement because most people are familiar with iDRAC for the Dell product."
"The cost and the integration with other solutions could be better."
"The security of the solution could be a bit better."
"It would be easier if Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access could be managed via cloud, and this is something that could be improved in this product."
"More integration would be helpful, especially since we sometimes have devices from other companies. Improved interoperability would be very beneficial."
"The solution doesn't support other switches."
"We had experienced downtime. I would like to see it to be improved."
"The reporting capabilities should be included."
"Its cloud features could be better."
"The reporting capabilities should be included."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The cost could be improved, but it is cheaper than the others."
"3Com H3C Switches have a competitive cost. I rate the pricing a nine out of ten."
"We signed up for a three-year license for support and replacement."
"The product is costly for SMB customers compared to other brands available in the market."
"The product's pricing is less compared to other enterprise solutions."
"The pricing is quite high."
"The price of the solution could improve, it is expensive."
"Licensing is easy: FortiCare and that's it."
"The product pricing seems to be mid-range."
"We have to pay for the solution's subscription."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Financial Services Firm
9%
Comms Service Provider
9%
Computer Retailer
7%
Construction Company
7%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Comms Service Provider
8%
Financial Services Firm
8%
Computer Software Company
7%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business7
Midsize Enterprise1
Large Enterprise4
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business38
Midsize Enterprise6
Large Enterprise7
 

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for 3Com H3C Switches?
Price is the major factor. You cannot say it is much better because all servers and all products have a few things in common, which are the processor, storage, and RAM and other things. Mostly the ...
What needs improvement with 3Com H3C Switches?
There is no negative impact, but to some extent their software side needs improvement because most people are familiar with iDRAC for the Dell product. Their software product is quite different and...
What advice do you have for others considering 3Com H3C Switches?
I personally did not work over the management, but I supplied to some of my other clients. I would rate this review a 9 overall.
Which would you choose - Fortinet Fortiswitch secure access or Cisco Ethernet Switches?
We researched Cisco but ultimately chose Fortinet FortiSwitch Secure Access, mostly because of the price. Fortinet FortiSwitch is an ethernet switch solution that provides security and performance...
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access?
The initial cost of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is high compared to other options. Although robust and rarely needs replacement, it can be overqualified for some jobs, which affects the re...
What needs improvement with Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access?
I would appreciate the ability to create an independent switch. I am aware of the pricing and licensing of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access, and I previously rated it a six because I wanted the...
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

British Columbia Assessment Authority, DreamWorks, DRV
Black Gold Regional Schools, Amadeus Hospitality, Jefferson County, Chunghwa Telecom, City of Boroondara, Dimension Data
Find out what your peers are saying about 3Com H3C Switches vs. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access and other solutions. Updated: April 2026.
893,915 professionals have used our research since 2012.