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Arista Networks Platform vs Cisco N9300 Series Smart Switches comparison

Why PeerSpot?
Arista and Cisco are both solutions in the Ethernet Switches category. Arista is ranked #4 with an average rating of 8.3, while Cisco is ranked #26 with an average rating of 9.0. Additionally, 100% of Arista users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Cisco users who would recommend it.
Arista Networks Platform
Read 36 Arista Networks Platform reviews
  • 6,847 Views
  • 5,615 Comparison Views
100% willing to recommend
Cisco N9300 Series Smart Sw...
Read 4 Cisco N9300 Series Smart Switches reviews
  • 245 Views
  • 245 Comparison Views
100% willing to recommend
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive Summary
We performed a comparison between Arista Networks Platform and Cisco N9300 Series Smart Switches based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out in this report how the two Ethernet Switches solutions compare in terms of features, pricing, service and support, easy of deployment, and ROI.

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To learn more, read our detailed Arista Networks Platform vs. Cisco N9300 Series Smart Switches Report (Updated: September 2026).
Buyer's Guide
Arista Networks Platform vs. Cisco N9300 Series Smart Switches
September 2026
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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

Arista Networks Platform
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
4th
Average Rating
8.4
Reviews Sentiment
7.0
Number of Reviews
36
Ranking in other categories
Data Center Networking (2nd)
Cisco N9300 Series Smart Sw...
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
26th
Average Rating
8.8
Reviews Sentiment
8.1
Number of Reviews
4
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Featured Reviews

Dibyendu Das - PeerSpot reviewer
Dibyendu Das
Director at a tech company with 11-50 employees
Ultra-low latency networking has delivered reliable video workflows and critical operations
The support of Arista Networks Platform is quite complex; it is not very easy to configure. It needs a lot of network expertise for token sheddings and different kinds of configurations. It is very difficult to configure because Arista Networks Platform does not have a flexible GUI like Huawei or Netgear; everything is a very CLI kind of mainframe architecture. Scalability at every single step has a huge upgrade cost which is required for port mapping, connectivity, and transceivers certified by Arista Networks Platform, then the fabric upgrades from a software firmware level. Arista Networks Platform should improve commercial aspects to be affordable. There is no path for growth with a perfect score because the focus is more on reducing costs globally.
Read full review
Thu Al-Faqar Salah - PeerSpot reviewer
Thu Al-Faqar Salah
Network Engineer at V2X
Modern data center fabric has delivered zero packet drops and simplified traffic control
Regarding improvements for Cisco N9300 Series Smart Switches, I think the only issue that could prevent users from using these devices is the smart licensing, as the license model could be much simpler and more cost-effective. Managing Cisco licensing and tiered subscriptions involves unnecessary operational overhead for deployment and renewal. Also, if you are planning to use ACI mode, most of the concepts such as VRF, EPG, and tenant will change. When deploying in ACI mode, the architecture has a steep learning curve, as the policy-driven model requires expensive and specialized training, and many concepts will change for traditional network engineers, requiring them to adapt and learn. Additionally, most of the issues I faced are related to hardware cost specifically, so if we could get a model that is less costly and more cost-effective with simpler licensing, it would be much better. Regarding further improvements, I remember something about the upgrade process. When we did the upgrade for the N9300, changing the image took us around 12 to 15 minutes, which was really a long time. This happened for more than one switch, so I do not know if it is a bug or if this is something normal, but I think they need to address it.
Read full review

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"What we like most is its performance to price ratio."
"Stability-wise, I rate the solution a ten out of ten."
"Arista Networks Platform is comfortable, easy to deploy, and easy to manage, with non-blocking technology. Additionally, it has a useful CloudVision platform and automation capabilities."
"It's an extremely reliable platform for the network switches we use."
"If someone uses Arista Networks Platform, I believe they are secured."
"The most valuable aspect of Arista Networks products is their ease of configuration, especially when compared to Cisco products. When we implement advanced features for data centers such as BGP EVPN and VXLAN, Arista's configuration process is similar to that of Cisco's process, but at the same time it is simply much easier, clearer, and more understandable."
"Great latency (bundled with great L1/L2/L3 features) depending on platforms."
"They support open standard features."
More Arista Networks Platform pros
"Performance-wise, Cisco N9300 Series Smart Switches is a great machine to work with."
"When you buy a Cisco device, you are going to forget about it after plugging it in because the device is powerful."
"The integration is very good, and there is very low CPU utilization, so multiple users can work without any problem."
"Cisco products are very strong and stable."
 

Cons

"For my particular use, the only potential improvement I see is in power consumption."
"The product fails to offer functions related to cloud orchestration, making it in areas where improvements are required."
"The CVP management platform needs to be improved."
"I think there is a need for improvement in the area of their VXLAN/EVPN capability but their current solution is great regardless but may be not very scalable for a global deployment."
"They should expand further into campus networks."
"The product is fairly expensive. It's not a cheap option."
"The intent-based networking management, together with the provider of these solutions that are already free, would be beneficial."
"I know that Arista is more expensive than the Catalyst or Nexus."
More Arista Networks Platform cons
"Regarding improvements for Cisco N9300 Series Smart Switches, I think the only issue that could prevent users from using these devices is the smart licensing, as the license model could be much simpler and more cost-effective."
"The price is something negative for Cisco that I see."
"It is expensive. Compared to Aruba and Dell, it is a little bit costly."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Network devices are generally expensive. However, during the evaluation, Arista was the most inexpensive vendor."
"Arista is very expensive. Not everybody is in a position to spend $70,000 to $80,000 for one switch."
"Cost wise, Arista Networks Platform is more expensive than other networking solutions."
"The price of the Arista Networks Platform could be less expensive for the hardware and license."
"Specific tools definitely require a license for the subscription. But we are not using these tools in our environment. In terms of licensing, you need to spend approximately $10,000 per month."
"There is an annual license required to use the Arista Networks Platform."
"I remember that when our customers were offered the Arista Networks Platform, they used a checklist to compare the prices between Arista and Cisco for their requirements, and found that the prices were almost the same."
"The customer price for an Arista router is approximately $7,000 USD, while Cisco's is around $18,000."
More Arista Networks Platform pricing and cost advice
Information not available
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Manufacturing Company
11%
Financial Services Firm
10%
Outsourcing Company
8%
Comms Service Provider
8%
No data available
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business18
Midsize Enterprise7
Large Enterprise12
No data available
 

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Arista Networks Platform?
The initial setup cost is high compared to others, and I find the initial setup cost to be very high.
See all answers
What needs improvement with Arista Networks Platform?
Arista Networks Platform could improve its command line management. Coming from a Cisco background, the adjustment period was challenging. While similar in some areas, the AOS concept, especially a...
See all answers
What is your primary use case for Arista Networks Platform?
I have worked with deploying Arista Networks Platform in data center environments, particularly for spine and leaf architectures. The configurations involved Zero Touch Provisioning, which went ver...
See all answers
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Cisco N9300 Series Smart Switches?
Cisco N9300 Series Smart Switches is expensive. Compared with Aruba and Dell, it is a little bit costly.
See all answers
What needs improvement with Cisco N9300 Series Smart Switches?
As for any negative points, I think there is nothing significant. The only thing that Cisco may focus on commercially is the SmartNet. From my experience, I have worked with many MNCs where SmartNe...
See all answers
What is your primary use case for Cisco N9300 Series Smart Switches?
The major use case that we have with Cisco N9300 Series Smart Switches is that our current switches are old and getting into end of life from Cisco. This is the reason we started looking for the ri...
See all answers
 

Comparisons

Cisco Catalyst Switches vs Arista Networks Platform Logo
Cisco Catalyst Switches vs Arista Networks Platform
Compared 24% of the time
Juniper EX Series Ethernet Switches vs Arista Networks Platform Logo
Juniper EX Series Ethernet Switches vs Arista Networks Platform
Compared 7% of the time
Cisco Ethernet Switches vs Arista Networks Platform Logo
Cisco Ethernet Switches vs Arista Networks Platform
Compared 6% of the time
Cisco Nexus vs Arista Networks Platform Logo
Cisco Nexus vs Arista Networks Platform
Compared 4% of the time
Aruba Switches vs Arista Networks Platform Logo
Aruba Switches vs Arista Networks Platform
Compared 4% of the time
More Arista Networks Platform Competitors
No data available
 

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
Arista Networks Platform
October 2026
Arista Networks Platform reportDownload Arista Networks Platform product report
Buyer's Guide
Cisco N9300 Series Smart Switches
October 2026
Cisco N9300 Series Smart Switches reportDownload Cisco N9300 Series Smart Switches product report
 

Also Known As

7000 Series
No data available
 

Overview

Arista Networks Platform offers ultra-low latency and scalability with high bandwidth while simplifying network management through its intuitive dashboard. It enables robust support for EVPN and VXLAN, making it a top choice for modern data centers requiring efficient and effective networking solutions.

Designed to minimize complexity, Arista Networks Platform integrates seamlessly with a single operating system, providing streamlined operations. With automation capabilities via EOS and CloudVision, it enhances visibility and provisioning. Platinum and titanium power supplies contribute to reduced carbon footprints, aligning with sustainability goals. While configuration complexity and high pricing pose challenges, it remains a preferred choice for data center networking, offering premium performance and cost-effectiveness. It excels in environments like smart cities and finance, providing stability and scalability essential for demanding applications.

What are the key features of Arista Networks Platform?
  • Ultra-Low Latency: Ensures prompt data transmission and network responsiveness.
  • Scalability: Easily adapts to growing network demands and data loads.
  • High Bandwidth: Supports increased data transfer rates for efficient network operations.
  • Intuitive Dashboard: Enhances manageability and monitoring with streamlined interfaces.
  • EVPN and VXLAN Support: Provides flexible and robust networking options.
  • Platinum and Titanium Power Supplies: Reduce carbon footprint while ensuring reliable performance.
  • EOS and CloudVision Automation: Improves visibility, provisioning, and network operation efficiency.
What benefits should users look for in Arista Networks Platform?
  • Cost-Effectiveness: Balances premium performance with investment value.
  • Reduced Complexity: Streamlined integration simplifies network management.
  • Improved Visibility: Enhanced automation capabilities offer better monitoring and control.
  • High Throughput: Supports demanding applications with reliable data handling.
  • Sustainability: Eco-friendly power options align with environmental goals.

Arista Networks Platform is widely implemented across industries such as finance and smart cities, supporting critical applications in network security and scalable infrastructure. It is instrumental in data center networking, video production workflows, and robotic automation. Users benefit from its spine-leaf architectures and wireless connectivity, particularly in sectors requiring high throughput and reliability.

Arista

Cisco N9300 Series Smart Switches provide robust networking solutions designed to address demanding network requirements. Known for their high performance and scalability, these switches are ideal for data center environments and enterprise networks requiring reliable and efficient connectivity.

The Cisco N9300 Series Smart Switches stand out due to their advanced capabilities and integration features. They are equipped with state-of-the-art Cisco DNA and Cloud Scale technologies, offering enhanced programmability and simplified network operations. These switches support extensive automation and have been designed to facilitate easy expansion as network demands grow, making them a popular choice among IT professionals seeking dependable networking solutions.

What are the key features of Cisco N9300 Series Smart Switches?
  • Programmability: Supports modern network programming languages for streamlined management.
  • Scalability: Easily expands to meet increasing network demands.
  • Automation: Utilizes Cisco DNA for efficient network configuration and monitoring.
  • Cloud Scale Technology: Optimizes performance for cloud-based applications.
  • Security: Integrates advanced security measures to protect network integrity.
What benefits and ROI should users look for?
  • Cost Efficiency: Reduces the need for frequent hardware upgrades through scalability.
  • Operational Efficiency: Automation minimizes manual intervention, reducing potential errors.
  • Improved Network Performance: Enhances data flow, ensuring minimal downtime.
  • Enhanced Security: Protects sensitive data with robust security protocols.

In industries such as finance and healthcare, Cisco N9300 Series Smart Switches are implemented to manage high-volume data traffic efficiently while ensuring data protection through enhanced security features. These switches are instrumental in critical sectors that demand reliable and secure network accessibility.

Cisco
 

Sample Customers

American Internet Services
Information Not Available
Buyer's Guide
Arista Networks Platform vs. Cisco N9300 Series Smart Switches
September 2026
Free Report: Arista Networks Platform vs. Cisco N9300 Series Smart Switches
Find out what your peers are saying about Arista Networks Platform vs. Cisco N9300 Series Smart Switches and other solutions. Updated: September 2026.
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