Cisco Catalyst Switches vs PTX Series Routers comparison

Cisco and Juniper are both solutions in the Data Center Networking category. Cisco is ranked #1 with an average rating of 8.4, while Juniper is ranked #8. Cisco holds a 21.8% mindshare in DCN, compared to Juniper’s 6.0% mindshare. Additionally, 95% of Cisco users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Juniper users who would recommend it.

Cisco Catalyst Switches

Read 176 Cisco Catalyst Switches reviews

5,414 Views
40 Comparison Views

95% willing to recommend

PTX Series Routers

Read 1 PTX Series Routers review

502 Views
126 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Cisco Catalyst Switches

PTX Series Routers

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between Cisco Catalyst Switches and PTX Series Routers based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out what your peers are saying about Cisco, Juniper, Dell Technologies and others in Data Center Networking.

To learn more, read our detailed Data Center Networking Report (Updated: May 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Data Center Networking

May 2025

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Helped 855,080 peers since 2012

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

Cisco Catalyst Switches

Ranking in Data Center Networking

1st

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

6.9

Number of Reviews

176

Ranking in other categories

LAN Switching (1st), Ethernet Switches (7th), AV Over IP Switching (1st)

PTX Series Routers

Ranking in Data Center Networking

8th

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

8.0

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of June 2025, in the Data Center Networking category, the mindshare of Cisco Catalyst Switches is 21.8%, down from 32.2% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of PTX Series Routers is 6.0%, up from 3.5% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Data Center Networking

Featured Reviews

Joshua Odunsi

I.T INFRASTRUCTURE/SECURITY ADMINISTRATOR at Haggai Mortgage Bank Ltd

Ensures efficient performance and supports network growth with optimal speed

Catalyst Switches are efficient and swift, which is valuable for my organization. I experience optimal speed and effective configuration, making them stand out compared to other switches. The PoE switches offer more ports on SFP, and it is efficient in use. Overall, the switches provide me with the value I expect in terms of speed and efficiency.

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Atul Torne

Sr. Backbone Architect at NTT Global Networks Incorporated

Allows for frequent manipulation and configuration with good technical support

It is a highly scalable solution. We mainly use it for 100 gig connectivity. It also allows for frequent manipulation or configuration, but we never use those features We have been using this solution for over five years. It is comparatively stable. It is a scalable solution. The technical…

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Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"We find the product very easy to configure."

"I like the management of streaming both audio and video."

"Cisco Catalyst Switches are valuable for their reliability and performance."

"We are a vendor for the healthcare sector, especially hospitals, and normally, we use a full Cisco solution for stability, especially for the stability of the Access Points and the security of switches."

"Their technical support is good, one of the best in the industry."

"We have to use the QoS (CBWFQ) function... and it is easy to use."

"The solution is already at the cutting edge in terms of innovation."

"The solution is easy to implement and quick to deploy."

More Cisco Catalyst Switches pros

"It also allows for frequent manipulation or configuration."

Cons

"The only drawback I saw with Cisco Catalyst Switches is that it's not cloud-managed."

"Cisco should provide customers with a more advantageous licensing model included with the purchase of the equipment."

"It would be helpful to have the ability to load new IOS software without performing a reboot or to be able to perform the reboot without disrupting end-users."

"The biggest barrier to buying Cisco or using Cisco is the price and also the competition with competitors and with Cisco partners."

"Cisco applies restrictions in relation to renewals on a yearly basis. Many other brands don't have restrictions. If Cisco lifted them, they wouldn't lose so many clients to competitors."

"I would like for Cisco to come up with an affordable dynamic VLAN solution."

"With most of the Cisco devices and models, we faced a slight decrease in speed during the initial setup and while restarting the system"

"We have configurations for port channels between two facilities, and we cannot communicate between these two buildings. An SFP configuration uses one wire to send and receive the signal. It's opt-in. We cannot use it after the upgrade. What can we do in this situation? We already bought it."

More Cisco Catalyst Switches cons

"It would be good if they add a redundant routing engine."

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Pricing is an issue I have been facing, in comparison with HPE or Juniper. The Nexus series is out of the question right now. Scalability is more an issue on the pricing side and less on the technology side."

"The price of this solution could be reduced, it is expensive and I am using an annual license."

"Cisco Catalyst Switches are very expensive."

"Cisco switches are expensive. Their price range is based not only on what the product does but also the name in the industry. They are good at what they do. If you need a better product, there are other lineups available."

"The price of these switches is on the upper end. It is around $3,500 plus for a 24-Port switch. These switches are more expensive than Linksys and TP-Links, but you get what you pay for. If you look at the pros and cons per switch, you can justify the cost compared to a lesser and cheaper brand."

"Cisco Catalyst Switches are a bit expensive."

"I cannot say that the pricing is reasonable because it's a little above our expectations. If we consider the recent price increases, it is not acceptable anymore."

"The price is in an affordable range and everything is included."

More Cisco Catalyst Switches pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Educational Organization

56%

Computer Software Company

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

Computer Software Company

26%

Media Company

11%

Educational Organization

University

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

Questions from the Community

Would you recommend replacing a Cisco Catalyst Switch by a D-link one?

Hello Mesfin It depends on the real scenario, the cisco 2960 is a very good device and they usually have routing functions but there are many different models within the same 2960 line, and on the ...

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What do you like most about Cisco Catalyst Switches?

We are a vendor for the healthcare sector, especially hospitals, and normally, we use a full Cisco solution for stability, especially for the stability of the Access Points and the security of swit...

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Cisco Catalyst Switches?

For pricing satisfaction, I'd say it will be six to seven because Cisco usually is costly compared to other vendors. Regarding pricing, there is indeed room for improvement.

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Comparisons

Arista Networks Platform vs Cisco Catalyst Switches

Compared 17% of the time

HPE ProCurve vs Cisco Catalyst Switches

Compared 12% of the time

ExtremeSwitching vs Cisco Catalyst Switches

Compared 8% of the time

Aruba Instant On Switches vs Cisco Catalyst Switches

Compared 7% of the time

Alcatel-Lucent OmniSwitch LAN Switches vs Cisco Catalyst Switches

Compared 6% of the time

More Cisco Catalyst Switches Competitors

Juniper QFX Series Switches vs PTX Series Routers

Compared 59% of the time

Juniper MX Series Universal Routing Platforms vs PTX Series Routers

Compared 34% of the time

Arista Networks Platform vs PTX Series Routers

Compared 8% of the time

More PTX Series Routers Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Catalyst Switches

May 2025

Download Cisco Catalyst Switches product report

Buyer's Guide

Data Center Networking

May 2025

Download PTX Series Routers product report

Also Known As

Cisco Catalyst, Catalyst

No data available

Overview

Cisco Catalyst Switches are a reliable and scalable network switching and routing solution, focusing on VLANs and VLAN switching. They are used as access switches, distribution switches, and core switches in various environments, deployed on-premises, and used for long connections. The switches are easy to configure, install, and upgrade and offer good pricing.

The most valuable features include warranty and firmware support, stability, security, good performance, flexibility, etc. The Cisco Catalyst Switches have provided a stable solution for the organizations and are widely used, trusted, and well-known in the networking industry.

Cisco

The PTX Series Routers offer native 400G inline MACsec, flexible filtering, and a reliable network operating system that has been powering generations worth of high-performance solutions. Discover what 100G and 400G mass scale in the cloud can offer with PTX.

Juniper

Sample Customers

Afni, Anilana Hotels and Resorts, Baylor Scott & White Health, Beachbody, Bellevue, Del Papa Distributing, Explorer Pipeline, Mindtree, Omaha World Herald, Radio 538, Sony Corporation, Telecom Italia, Telenor Arena

LINX, Zayo Group

Buyer's Guide

Data Center Networking

May 2025

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