Aruba Switches vs Meraki MS Switches comparison

Why PeerSpot?

Hewlett Packard Enterprise and Cisco are both solutions in the Ethernet Switches category. Hewlett Packard Enterprise is ranked #1 with an average rating of 8.3, while Cisco is ranked #6 with an average rating of 8.4. Hewlett Packard Enterprise holds a 8.9% mindshare in ES, compared to Cisco’s 2.4% mindshare. Additionally, 98% of Hewlett Packard Enterprise users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 96% of Cisco users who would recommend it.

Aruba Switches

Read 88 Aruba Switches reviews

12,941 Views
12,941 Comparison Views

98% willing to recommend

Meraki MS Switches

Read 104 Meraki MS Switches reviews

6,499 Views
6,434 Comparison Views

96% willing to recommend

Aruba Switches

Meraki MS Switches

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Feb 8, 2026

Meraki MS Switches and Aruba Switches both compete in the enterprise networking category. Meraki appears to have an upper hand due to its strong cloud management capabilities and ease of deployment.

Features: Meraki MS Switches stand out for their ease of configuration and management through cloud-based dashboards. They offer global configuration changes, zero-touch deployment, and robust security features. Aruba Switches provide stability, ease of integration with ClearPass, and a versatile API-driven architecture. Their unique features include PoE without additional licensing costs, suitable for varied deployment scenarios.

Room for Improvement: Meraki MS Switches are critiqued for high pricing and reliance on cloud services, potentially problematic with unreliable internet. The complex licensing model and performance enhancements are often pointed out. Aruba Switches can improve stability in specific implementations and documentation clarity. Enhanced SD-LAN visibility and simplified management are also needed.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Both Meraki and Aruba offer versatile deployment options from on-premises to hybrid solutions. Meraki is praised for rapid cloud-managed deployment crucial for businesses with remote locations, while their customer service is generally effective though senior support access can be delayed. Aruba delivers solid support, but improvements in visibility tools and management console intuitiveness are suggested.

Pricing and ROI: Meraki MS Switches are viewed as expensive, driven by their subscription model but offer value in management capabilities. Aruba, though also premium, usually offers a lower price point and requires no licenses for basic features, making them more cost-effective long-term. Both solutions offer potential ROI via reduced management overhead, yet cost remains a significant factor for users.

To learn more, read our detailed Aruba Switches vs. Meraki MS Switches Report (Updated: September 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Aruba Switches vs. Meraki MS 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:

ROI

Sentiment score

2.6

Users appreciate Aruba Switches for cost savings, stability, long-term ROI, warranty benefits, and efficiency compared to Cisco.

Sentiment score

2.8

Meraki MS Switches enhance ROI with reduced troubleshooting, efficient management, lower headcounts, but cloud transition benefits are gradual.

No quotes available

For more quotes and insights, download the Aruba Switches report

No quotes available

For more quotes and insights, download the Meraki MS Switches report

Customer Service

Sentiment score

6.3

Aruba Switches' customer service has mixed reviews; response times and support quality vary, especially with complex issues.

Sentiment score

7.2

Meraki MS Switches' support is effective yet inconsistent, with users noting delays and requesting clearer communication for complex issues.

When issues are escalated to TAC for switching cases specifically, the support tends to be a little poor, whereas support for other products remains acceptable.

Aneesh K

IT Solution Analyst II at a manufacturing company with 10,001+ employees

Their tech support is good.

Charl Cronje

CTO at a tech services company with 1,001-5,000 employees

I find that technical support is available, especially during the warranty period.

Theesula Majuwanagamage

Head Of ELV and ICT at Intec Systems Solution Pvt Ltd

For more quotes and insights, download the Aruba Switches report

This is because their engineers have experience with and strong knowledge of Cisco products.

OngarchIntusatitayakul

CBO at ITNS

If the devices are licensed, the support team will assist you depending on the severity level of the case.

MajidKhan

Network Engineer at Gaihab

The support is excellent and rated ten out of ten.

Ankur Desai

Sales Engineer at Phoenyx Commtech Pvt. Ltd.

For more quotes and insights, download the Meraki MS Switches report

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score

7.6

Aruba Switches offer high scalability, praised for modularity, integration, and flexibility, with excellent user ratings for adaptability.

Sentiment score

7.0

Meraki MS Switches offer scalable, flexible solutions for small to medium businesses despite supply chain challenges and some enterprise-level gaps.

The scalability offered by Aruba Switches is similar to Cisco, demonstrating options for enterprise networking.

Marco Flores

Technology supervisor at a non-profit with 1-10 employees

I would rate the scalability of the product an eight out of ten.

Eunice Thirikwa

Chief Executive Officer at Talinda East Africa

I would rate the ability to scale at seven because the modular backbone devices are very good.

Petri Alhainen

Administrator at Sulbana Oy

For more quotes and insights, download the Aruba Switches report

If a customer scales from one region to another, they can easily add locations into the same dashboard while classifying multiple regions, sites, and countries.

Jayaraman C

Senior Consultant at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees

They're quite scalable for my environment.

John Ntambi

Ag. Systems & Networks Head at UNBS

We can extend MS switches and have multiple plants using the same solution.

HemChander

Wireless Network Engineer at MSSL

For more quotes and insights, download the Meraki MS Switches report

Stability Issues

Sentiment score

7.9

Aruba Switches are lauded for stability and reliability, offering consistent performance with minimal issues, particularly with proper maintenance.

Sentiment score

8.1

Meraki MS Switches are praised for stability, reliability, and performance, with quick resolutions for minor issues and high ratings.

I have sites that have been running for many years with no issues.

Eunice Thirikwa

Chief Executive Officer at Talinda East Africa

The stability of Aruba Switches is very good, and I would rate it between eight and nine out of ten.

Theesula Majuwanagamage

Head Of ELV and ICT at Intec Systems Solution Pvt Ltd

Once we install Aruba Switches, we can forget about them for years and years.

Alessandro Salvadori

Sales Engineer at SGE

For more quotes and insights, download the Aruba Switches report

If something happens to the device or hardware, Cisco will automatically change the device by the next business day.

MajidKhan

Network Engineer at Gaihab

There is zero downtime; Meraki MS Switches are reliable and stable.

HemChander

Wireless Network Engineer at MSSL

For infrastructure such as factories, small factories, or warehouses that have temperatures higher than normal in-house office temperatures, I have some doubt about how well the switches would sustain those conditions.

Jayaraman C

Senior Consultant at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees

For more quotes and insights, download the Meraki MS Switches report

Room For Improvement

Aruba Switches require better integration, user-friendliness, support, pricing, stability, delivery, cooling solutions, documentation, and global training.

Meraki MS Switches struggle with high costs, limited features, complex processes, and reliance on cloud management for functionality.

Improving the distribution network across regions would be beneficial.

Eunice Thirikwa

Chief Executive Officer at Talinda East Africa

Aruba Central also has certain security features including segmentation capabilities and endpoint information that can be used to define policies.

Aneesh K

IT Solution Analyst II at a manufacturing company with 10,001+ employees

There are more centers of knowledge for Cisco than for Aruba here.

Marco Flores

Technology supervisor at a non-profit with 1-10 employees

For more quotes and insights, download the Aruba Switches report

Meraki should also consider improvements in stacking features, particularly in the lower-end models like NS130, where stacking isn't supported, unlike with Cisco traditional switching.

Ravi Ramachandran

Senior Manager at a comms service provider with 51-200 employees

There are compatibility issues with certain Power over Ethernet (PoE) devices, which we would like to see resolved.

JulienMillet

Chief Technologies Officer at ASTORG PARTNERS

Most people are familiar with the Cisco commands, and it would be beneficial if the switch could be accessed by GUI configuration and by normally accessing the console.

MajidKhan

Network Engineer at Gaihab

For more quotes and insights, download the Meraki MS Switches report

Setup Cost

Aruba Switches are generally affordable and cost-effective, with no license requirements, offering competitive pricing compared to Cisco and Huawei.

Meraki MS Switches offer valuable features and cloud management but are costly, with discounts favoring longer license terms.

The pricing of some products, such as the 6300M switch, is considered a significant cost.

Eunice Thirikwa

Chief Executive Officer at Talinda East Africa

From my experience, the pricing of Aruba Switches is competitive.

Theesula Majuwanagamage

Head Of ELV and ICT at Intec Systems Solution Pvt Ltd

A high-end model with Aruba is about five thousand.

Alessandro Salvadori

Sales Engineer at SGE

For more quotes and insights, download the Aruba Switches report

Meraki MS Switches, including their licensing, are somewhat expensive, particularly when compared with competitor solutions like HP.

Ibrahim Sherif

IT System Administrator at Bouri

The cost of the support and maintenance bundle is quite costly for Cisco.

Boaz Katabazi

Network &Security Engineer at Natioanal Drug Authority Uganda

Meraki MS Switches are somewhat expensive.

HemChander

Wireless Network Engineer at MSSL

For more quotes and insights, download the Meraki MS Switches report

Valuable Features

Aruba Switches excel in security, scalability, and ease of management, offering superior support and features compared to Cisco.

Meraki MS Switches offer cloud management, scalability, enhanced security, intuitive control, stability, and advanced features, ideal for enterprise use.

One of the most valuable features of Aruba Switches is the security and cybersecurity features they have.

Marco Flores

Technology supervisor at a non-profit with 1-10 employees

Scalability is significant since you can start from an economical product to a very high-end option, accommodating growth.

Alessandro Salvadori

Sales Engineer at SGE

In the hotel sector, IGMP 3 is particularly valuable for IPTV.

Eunice Thirikwa

Chief Executive Officer at Talinda East Africa

For more quotes and insights, download the Aruba Switches report

The control plane is in the cloud, and the data plane is local, allowing manageability from anywhere.

Ravi Ramachandran

Senior Manager at a comms service provider with 51-200 employees

One of the most valuable features of Meraki MS Switches is its precise traffic analytics capabilities, allowing us to query the system for any place at any time.

JulienMillet

Chief Technologies Officer at ASTORG PARTNERS

The most valuable feature is the ability to access devices from anywhere in the world through the cloud.

MajidKhan

Network Engineer at Gaihab

For more quotes and insights, download the Meraki MS Switches report

Categories and Ranking

Aruba Switches

Ranking in Ethernet Switches

1st

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

6.2

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Meraki MS Switches

Ranking in Ethernet Switches

6th

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

6.5

Number of Reviews

104

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of October 2026, in the Ethernet Switches category, the mindshare of Aruba Switches is 8.9%, down from 9.3% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Meraki MS Switches is 2.4%, down from 3.0% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Ethernet Switches Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Aruba Switches	8.9%
Meraki MS Switches	2.4%
Other	88.7%

Ethernet Switches

Featured Reviews

Aneesh K

IT Solution Analyst II at a manufacturing company with 10,001+ employees

Has supported dynamic user segmentation and centralized management across campus networks

The best features of Aruba Switches are their stability and reliability. Hardware failures are rare because the switches have been running for years, and it is uncommon to encounter hardware issues or impacting bugs. From an operational perspective, Aruba Switches are stable and easy to configure through centralized management solutions. Initially managed through AirWave and now through Central, the configuration can be managed easily with audit records and visibility to switch health and other parameters. Another advantage is that Aruba Switches work seamlessly with ClearPass as a NAC server. This integration allows for dynamic policies, dynamic downloadable user roles, and enables seamless segmentation of users for network security. The real-time analytics provided by Aruba Switches for network efficiency are valuable when needed. All information visible in the analytics dashboard is truly helpful. With Aruba Central's migration to AI capability, additional value is being provided, offering more information and making troubleshooting easier with user-friendly features where you can search for anything and receive relevant results.

Read full review

Jayaraman C

Senior Consultant at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees

Cloud management has simplified branch deployments but pricing and support still need improvement

In terms of improvements for Meraki MS Switches, pricing is one area that could be enhanced. On the support front, the limited lifetime warranty is a concern. Aruba offers limited lifetime warranty, whereas Cisco requires a minimum license to function for hardware support or technical support. I think Cisco could improve by bundling technical support and hardware support together with the license. This approach is currently only applicable for EA customers. Standard license customers have to take additional hardware support as a separate SKU. I believe that bundling technical and hardware support with the cloud subscription itself would help customers choose a Meraki option. To make Meraki MS Switches closer to a rating of ten, Cisco could take additional features on the AI front. I am uncertain whether they will offer AI features at no cost. Self-healing networks is a new term that enterprises are looking forward to. All OEM management platforms now feature auto-remediation and auto-fixing capabilities. The issue is that even if AI is offered without cost, customers cannot get the benefits if they cannot afford the pricing. Enterprise customers are looking to optimize operational effort and operational capabilities. They use multiple tools apart from the OEM native dashboard, including the Cisco Meraki dashboard and Catalyst dashboard. However, they still want to have end-to-end visibility. For end-to-end visibility, they can go for Digital Twin capabilities through platforms such as IP Fabric, ManageEngine, SolarWinds, and Forward Networks. There are many NMS platforms that can be integrated, allowing them to manage complete operations. Cisco could add some additional capabilities into the same OEM dashboard so that customers can benefit from improved operational management.

Read full review

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Manufacturing Company

11%

Outsourcing Company

Financial Services Firm

Construction Company

Financial Services Firm

15%

Manufacturing Company

10%

Outsourcing Company

Construction Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	50
Midsize Enterprise	19
Large Enterprise	22

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	58
Midsize Enterprise	20
Large Enterprise	25

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Aruba Switches?

In terms of pricing for Aruba Switches, I would rate it a five. They are quite expensive devices.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Aruba Switches?

Technology is constantly advancing, and although more security is always needed, our networks are still old, so we mostly need to modernize our installations. Regarding integration capabilities, th...

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What is your primary use case for Aruba Switches?

Aruba Switches are used in our organization for a straightforward purpose. We started with the HP line, and when Aruba came into the picture, we began using them for our network infrastructure. The...

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Meraki MS Switches?

Cost is not the issue for us. Meraki MS Switches might be more expensive than other products, but we believe that from all analysis, Meraki MS Switches is able to deliver the kind of quality in ter...

See all answers

What needs improvement with Meraki MS Switches?

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Meraki MS Switches?

The primary use cases of Meraki MS Switches focus on the SMB market, starting from boutique size to mid-level enterprise, not very large enterprises. However, with Meraki, which is now part of Cisc...

See all answers

Comparisons

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Compared 41% of the time

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center vs Aruba Switches

Compared 7% of the time

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access vs Aruba Switches

Compared 7% of the time

HPE Ethernet Switches vs Aruba Switches

Compared 5% of the time

MikroTik Routers and Switches vs Aruba Switches

Compared 2% of the time

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Cisco Catalyst Switches vs Meraki MS Switches

Compared 8% of the time

Cisco Ethernet Switches vs Meraki MS Switches

Compared 7% of the time

Ubiquiti UniFi Switches vs Meraki MS Switches

Compared 6% of the time

Arista Networks Platform vs Meraki MS Switches

Compared 6% of the time

NETGEAR Switches vs Meraki MS Switches

Compared 5% of the time

More Meraki MS Switches Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Aruba Switches

October 2026

Download Aruba Switches product report

Buyer's Guide

Meraki MS Switches

October 2026

Download Meraki MS Switches product report

Also Known As

8400 Series, 8320 Series, 5400R Series, 3810 Series, 2930M Series, 2930F Series, 2920 Series, 2540 Series, 2530 Series

MS220, MS320, MS420

Overview

Aruba Switches provide centralized management through Aruba Central, offering robust security, reliability, and seamless integration with ClearPass. They are known for scalability, affordability, and easy configuration, catering to diverse network infrastructures across industries.

Aruba Switches are favored for their centralized management capabilities using a GUI that mirrors Cisco's CLI, ensuring a user-friendly experience. Seamlessly integrating with ClearPass, they support dynamic policies and offer excellent technical support with a lifetime warranty. Their high-performance capabilities, modular architecture, and diverse product range are supported by comprehensive documentation. Cloud and on-premises management options offer flexibility for enterprise networking needs. Users note areas for improvement, such as enhanced platform integration, dashboard functionality, and port flexibility. Enhanced training and technical support, along with improved hardware stability, are requested.

What are the key features of Aruba Switches?

Centralized Management: Manage switches via Aruba Central with a user-friendly interface.
Robust Security: Seamless integration with ClearPass for dynamic policy support.
Scalability: Ideal for both small and large enterprise networks.
Cloud and On-Premises Management: Flexible management options.
Lifetime Warranty: Ensures investment protection.

What benefits should you look for in reviews?

Affordability: Cost-effective solutions for network infrastructure.
Scalability: Suitable for expanding network requirements.
Ease of Configuration: Rapid deployment and setup capabilities.
Technical Support: Access to comprehensive and excellent support.
Reliability: Proven stability and performance in diverse applications.

Aruba Switches are implemented in industries like education, healthcare, and hospitality, serving as crucial components in network infrastructures. They support applications such as ERP systems, VLAN setups, and Wi-Fi access points, being deployed in office, data center, and campus networks. Known for affordability and reliability, they provide connectivity and power over Ethernet capabilities, meeting the needs of both small and large enterprises.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Meraki MS Switches offer scalable cloud-managed networking with intuitive dashboards, security, and easy deployment. They provide reliable remote management and comprehensive analysis, ideal for enterprises seeking centralized control.

Meraki MS Switches deliver cloud-managed networking solutions, simplifying configuration and management with a user-friendly GUI. They are known for their scalability, security features, and zero-touch deployment capabilities. With remote switch management and deployment, the creative cloud interface simplifies setup and maintenance while offering comprehensive network traffic analysis and device tracking. However, there are areas for improvement, such as quoting processes and price reductions. Users often note the need for more configuration options, better third-party system integration, and concerns around cloud dependency. Stack features and security enhancements are also desirable, as well as improved performance and support.

What are the key features of Meraki MS Switches?

Cloud Management: Enables centralized control and simplifies setup.
User-Friendly Dashboards: Offers easy configuration and network visibility.
Scalability: Supports expanding network environments.
Security Features: Provides enhanced protection against threats.
Zero-Touch Deployment: Allows immediate management and deployment.

What benefits should users look for in Meraki MS reviews?

Remote Management: Streamlines administration and deployment processes.
Comprehensive Traffic Analysis: Offers detailed insights into network usage.
Device Tracking: Simplifies monitoring and management of network devices.
Reliability: Delivers consistent performance across networks.

Meraki MS Switches are widely implemented across educational institutions, government agencies, and small to mid-sized businesses. They provide a unified platform for access points and switches, facilitating remote configuration and monitoring. Users appreciate their ability to handle VLANs and LAN access points while connecting end-users with features like PoE and integration with Meraki's cloud infrastructure.

Cisco

Sample Customers

Purdue University

Cisco Live Milan, Hyatt

Buyer's Guide

Aruba Switches vs. Meraki MS Switches

September 2026

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