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Cisco Ethernet Switches vs Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center comparison

Cisco and Fortinet are both solutions in the Ethernet Switches category. Cisco is ranked #1 with an average rating of 9.0, while Fortinet is ranked #15 with an average rating of 8.2. Cisco holds a 14.0% mindshare in ES, compared to Fortinet’s 1.8% mindshare. Additionally, 96% of Cisco users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Fortinet users who would recommend it.
Cisco Ethernet Switches
Read 135 Cisco Ethernet Switches reviews
  • 16,227 Views
  • 13,362 Comparison Views
96% willing to recommend
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data...
Read 24 Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center reviews
  • 1,606 Views
  • 1,060 Comparison Views
100% willing to recommend
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Jun 15, 2025

Cisco Ethernet Switches and Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center compete in the high-performance network switch market. Cisco seems to have the upper hand in support and manageability, while Fortinet edges ahead with competitive pricing and advanced security integration.

Features: Cisco Ethernet Switches offer a power-saving architecture, CDP for easy network management, and MACSec layer-2 encryption ensuring robust network security and performance. Fortinet FortiSwitch integrates seamlessly with FortiGate for enhanced network visibility and security, featuring an intuitive interface and centralized management capabilities.

Room for Improvement: Cisco could improve by reducing high costs, simplifying configuration processes, and minimizing vendor lock-in. Fortinet needs to enhance third-party integration, polish management capabilities, and develop a more streamlined interface for managing their switches.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Cisco provides extensive documentation and reliable support, but complex configurations can slow down deployment. Fortinet simplifies management with FortiGate integration, though support quality is inconsistent. Both offer deployment flexibility in hybrid and on-premises settings.

Pricing and ROI: Cisco's premium price is offset by long-term stability and high-quality support, making it less suitable for smaller markets. Fortinet offers a cost-effective choice with an attractive balance of features and affordability, appealing to budget-conscious buyers seeking solid ROI.

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To learn more, read our detailed Cisco Ethernet Switches vs. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center Report (Updated: June 2025).
Buyer's Guide
Cisco Ethernet Switches vs. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center
June 2025
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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

Cisco Ethernet Switches
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
1st
Average Rating
8.6
Reviews Sentiment
7.2
Number of Reviews
135
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data...
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
15th
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
7.4
Number of Reviews
24
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of June 2025, in the Ethernet Switches category, the mindshare of Cisco Ethernet Switches is 14.0%, down from 19.0% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center is 1.8%, up from 1.1% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Ethernet Switches
 

Featured Reviews

Myint Aung - PeerSpot reviewer
Exceptional network support and AI integration drive performance while suggesting enhancements for future use cases
I work with both HyperFlex and other Cisco products. I prefer to make online support available because I can utilize my CCIE architect, solution consultant, and engineer team along with our account manager and product sales team. We can clarify requirements and decide how to support you. We should arrange a conference call about Cisco Ethernet Switches where I can invite my architect and consultant to clarify more about the features that are most beneficial for improving network efficiency. Today is AI day, and all the new firmware includes AI to optimize the performance, traffic, and security of Cisco Ethernet Switches. It's performing very well. With many solutions and vendors available, you have to decide on one. I am extremely satisfied with the licensing cost for Cisco Ethernet Switches. For the price of Cisco Ethernet Switches, I would rate it a 7. My overall rating for Cisco Ethernet Switches is 10 out of 10.
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Vishwajeet Pandey - PeerSpot reviewer
Management and monitoring efficiencies from a single platform increase network control and flexibility
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center ( /products/fortinet-fortiswitch-data-center-reviews ) offers flexibility and control over the entire network from a single pane of management. It allows me to create VLANs, implement security measures, and push configurations using a single tool. These features make the solution accurate, flexible, and valuable for network management.
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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

"Cisco's support is number one in the world."
"The most valuable features of Cisco Ethernet Switches for our network are speed, latency, and reliability."
"Cisco switches have several valuable features like VLAN mapping. We seldom use that, but we find the security configurations helpful, like high availability with trading port channels and MAC filtering."
"The most valuable feature is the performance."
"The solution offers great bandwidth and speed."
"The quality of service is one of the main reasons we use Cisco in our organization. It's quite high and very reliable. The switches also end up working for a long time, so there's less need to replace them as often as others. We have some switches in our company that has been running since 2006, for example. They are quite old, but they still work."
"The installation is very straightforward."
"Very stable solution with a very low failure rate."
More Cisco Ethernet Switches pros
"I have found the solution to be scalable."
"The product's most valuable feature is its ability to manage switches from one central point."
"A valuable feature of FortiGate is its management integrity."
"What I like about the solution is that it can be accessed anywhere."
"It allows us to manage all necessary services, such as data centers, networking, and cybersecurity."
"It integrates well."
"The product is stable."
"The most valuable feature is the port analytics."
More Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center pros
 

Cons

"The high price of the tool is an area of concern where improvements are required."
"Cisco Ethernet Switches is a very expensive solution."
"In terms of what could be improved, there is the bulk issue that is sometimes experienced with Cisco products we've used."
"I would like to see this solution automatically store multiple versions of the configuration file."
"Technical support could be better. Firmware upgrades should be better. We have an issue with upgrading the firmware. It's not upgradable. I think it should be easy to improve and upgrade the firmware."
"Technical support in India needs to be improved."
"From a system integrator's perspective, Cisco must train system integrators, partners, and customers about their services."
"Cisco should strive to improve the software for its switches."
More Cisco Ethernet Switches cons
"Before using FortiSwitch, you need several certifications."
"When there are many switches being used, the speed declines noticeably."
"We need to understand a bit more about certifications and knowledge for understanding capabilities. The solution should make that more clear to its users."
"FortiSwitch should improve the FortiGate map. The diagram cannot move automatically to show the switch. The map does not map the physical location. It cannot move or touch the diagram."
"Does not have as many features as other solutions, such as segmentation and analytics engines."
"Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center needs to improve its UI and stability."
"There is room to improve the integration between FortiSwitch and other third-party solutions, as challenges arise when integrating with different vendors."
"The solution’s pricing could be improved."
More Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center cons
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The price of this solution is fair."
"Cisco offers annual and three-year license options."
"There is a license required for this solution and the price could be better."
"In addition to the fees being high, you pay for support which is also on the higher side."
"While Cisco's pricing can be a concern, particularly with support fees, its overall features and support community make it a solid choice."
"The product is expensive."
"It is very expensive."
"The equipment might be more expensive, but when you take total ownership of the configuration, maintenance, and analysis, then it's a large benefit. Sometimes customers see only the first cost of the switches and don't look any further. This is a weak point of Cisco."
More Cisco Ethernet Switches pricing and cost advice
"Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center is expensive."
"This solution is expensive but it does not require a license."
"The tool's pricing is lower than Cisco's."
"The solution's pricing is a little high. The solution deserves the current price it receives from its users."
"It is reasonably priced."
"The solution is not expensive."
"Cost-wise, Fortinet solutions are cheaper than those offered by Cisco."
"The product is less expensive than one of its competitors."
More Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center pricing and cost advice
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Comparison Review

it_user82779 - PeerSpot reviewer
Jan 29, 2014
Benefits of Juniper vs Cisco
Both are decent products. I prefer Juniper for the following reasons: 1) Cleaner separation of data plane from control plane. Higher end Cisco devices are better at this but most of the lower end products still seem to be more integrated than I like. 2) The Hierarchical config design means I can…
Read full review
 

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
14%
Financial Services Firm
9%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Government
7%
Computer Software Company
19%
Government
10%
Financial Services Firm
9%
Manufacturing Company
6%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

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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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...
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In terms of ethernet switches, would you go with Cisco or Juniper?
Our organization ran comparison tests to determine whether Cisco or Juniper Ethernet switches were the better fit for us. We decided to go with Juniper. Juniper ethernet switches are a lesser-known...
See all answers
What do you like most about Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center?
The initial setup was simple.
See all answers
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center?
The Fortinet switches come with no additional cost as they are open source, with only hardware warranties applicable.
See all answers
What needs improvement with Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center?
There is room for improvement in customer support and device speed. Sometimes, customer support does not provide prompt assistance, leaving projects hanging. Additionally, improving the speed of th...
See all answers
 

Comparisons

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
Cisco Ethernet Switches
June 2025
Cisco Ethernet Switches reportDownload Cisco Ethernet Switches product report
Buyer's Guide
Ethernet Switches
June 2025
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center reportDownload Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center product report
 

Also Known As

Cisco Industrial Ethernet Switches
No data available
 

Overview

Cisco Ethernet Switches scale to meet the needs of networks of all sizes. They are Secure, Reliable and Seamless.
Cisco

With 10 or 40 GE access ports and a high-throughput backbone, FortiSwitch Data Center Switches are ideal for the top-of-rack (ToR) server or firewall-aggregation applications. The high-speed switching fabric is also well suited for enterprise network core or backbone network installations.

Fortinet
 

Sample Customers

Linz AG
Black Gold Regional Schools, Amadeus Hospitality, Jefferson County, Chunghwa Telecom, City of Boroondara, Dimension Data
Buyer's Guide
Cisco Ethernet Switches vs. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center
June 2025
Free Report: Cisco Ethernet Switches vs. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center
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