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Cisco Ethernet Switches vs H3C Ethernet Switches comparison

Cisco and H3C are both solutions in the Ethernet Switches category. Cisco is ranked #1 with an average rating of 9.0, while H3C is ranked #16 with an average rating of 8.0. Cisco holds a 14.0% mindshare in ES, compared to H3C’s 2.6% mindshare. Additionally, 96% of Cisco users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of H3C 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
H3C Ethernet Switches
Read 9 H3C Ethernet Switches reviews
  • 2,137 Views
  • 1,629 Comparison Views
100% willing to recommend
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 3, 2024

Cisco and H3C compete in the Ethernet switch market, with Cisco generally having an advantage in performance and flexibility, while H3C is preferred for its affordability and warranty offerings.

Features: Cisco Ethernet Switches feature a power-saving design, MACSec encryption for enhanced security, and StackPower technology. They offer flexible remote management protocols and support for a range of standards and routing protocols. H3C Ethernet Switches are known for their reliability and cost-effectiveness, offering advanced routing and redundancy, ideal for budget-conscious users.

Room for Improvement: Cisco faces challenges with complex licensing, high pricing, and compatibility issues with third-party systems, often requiring skilled professionals for setup. H3C could enhance its user interface and provide more accessible configuration tools to address perceptions of a technological gap with Western standards.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Cisco offers flexible deployment for hybrid cloud and on-premises environments, with overall good technical support despite occasional inconsistencies. H3C primarily supports on-premises deployments but is recognized for reliable support, with limited need due to product reliability. Both brands achieve similar customer satisfaction levels.

Pricing and ROI: Cisco is known for higher prices with significant licensing costs, though they often provide a strong ROI due to durability and reliability. H3C, with prices around $500 per unit, offers competitive and affordable options targeting SMBs, with no additional subscription costs, appealing to cost-conscious buyers seeking solid long-term ROI.

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To learn more, read our detailed Cisco Ethernet Switches vs. H3C Ethernet Switches Report (Updated: June 2025).
Buyer's Guide
Cisco Ethernet Switches vs. H3C Ethernet Switches
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
H3C Ethernet Switches
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
16th
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
6.8
Number of Reviews
9
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 H3C Ethernet Switches is 2.6%, up from 1.5% 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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SHARIQ ALI SHAH - PeerSpot reviewer
Enhanced network management and good performance with vital IMC features
The primary use case is about managing network infrastructure. The H3C Ethernet Switches are used internally as switches in the system H3C Ethernet Switches have improved network performance significantly when compared to middle-class networks. The solution has been cost-effective, being much…
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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

"Being able to deal with multiple VLANs to segment the network logically is the biggest feature for us. The management of these switches is okay for us. These switches work very well, and they meet our needs."
"Cisco Ethernet Switches have great enterprise features like Cisco DNA Assurance. Cisco DNA Assurance features advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning. Cisco AI Network Analytics, a capability within Cisco DNA Assurance, allows easy management of all devices and services, prioritizes and resolves network issues, and ensures a better user experience across the network."
"Technical support has always been helpful."
"Cisco Ethernet Switches are more stable than other products."
"One valuable feature is that you can string a number of switches together, and the fact that there are various methods to connect them, such as by stacking."
"Technical support is excellent. They are very helpful."
"The layer-2 switching is very fast."
"These switches are both stable and scalable."
More Cisco Ethernet Switches pros
"A good high-performance solution."
"Network performance is very good, suggesting that stability has not been an issue."
"Offering a five-year warranty, compared to competitors' one-year warranties, is a unique advantage of H3C switches."
"To date, it has proven to be highly reliable. We have encountered no issues or challenges with it thus far."
"H3C Ethernet Switches is a cheap solution."
"The IMC feature is valuable."
"We can configure the switch stack on the internet. Other vendors do not offer this facility. It is fast and easy to manage."
"H3C Ethernet Switches have a fast delivery time."
More H3C Ethernet Switches pros
 

Cons

"The solution's reliability should be improved."
"One thing we did have to work around is, on the broadcast side, we're reliant on the PTP protocol, precision time protocol, and the Cisco switches in general, don't support that."
"There is a need for improvement on the ordering and delivery side for Cisco Ethernet switches."
"The price is an area with a shortcoming in the solution."
"There is a need for improvement on the ordering and delivery side for Cisco Ethernet switches."
"We have supply issues when ordering switches. It used to be a minimum of six to eight weeks. Now it has become around six months. That's the only issue we have."
"In terms of features, all features are there. I can't find anything new that needs to be added. Its price, however, is a bit higher than other brands and can be improved."
"To keep up with the market, the solution should have better evolution and innovation."
More Cisco Ethernet Switches cons
"The only improvement needed is the significantly better lead time for delivery compared to other American products. In terms of technology, there isn't much difference, especially since X3 is a subsidiary of XP, and they use the same technology. However, the delivery time is notably better."
"H3C Ethernet Switches could improve by widening their product range."
"To enhance H3C switches for the next release, improving the user interface is crucial."
"There is room for improvement in Wi-Fi solutions, which are not optimized."
"The solution’s stability could be improved."
"There should be more public tools for configuration and comparing products."
"Lacks decent cloud management."
"There is room for improvement in Wi-Fi solutions, which are not optimized."
More H3C Ethernet Switches cons
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Not inexpensive. Price will vary widely depending on the chosen product and size of the deployment."
"The price of this solution is high."
"Cisco now has more products that are priced for small businesses, so they do have some cheaper models."
"The pricing is reasonable so I rate it a six out of ten."
"When we want an extra feature then we need to purchase another license bundle."
"Users have to pay an annual licensing fee for Cisco Ethernet Switches, which is expensive."
"The price of Cisco Ethernet Switches here in India is too high. There are other cheaper solutions available."
"The product is expensive."
More Cisco Ethernet Switches pricing and cost advice
"H3C Ethernet Switches is targeted for SMBs because it's cheaper compared to Huawei switches."
"The pricing is very affordable, making it a not-so-expensive choice. On a scale from one to ten, where one is expensive and ten is cheap, I would rate it a seven."
"H3C Ethernet Switches are reasonably priced."
"H3C Ethernet Switches are priced at around $500 per unit, which is very cheap and one of the most competitive prices out there."
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858,327 professionals have used our research since 2012.
 

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
15%
Financial Services Firm
9%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Educational Organization
7%
 

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 H3C Ethernet Switches?
H3C Ethernet Switches is a cheap solution.
See all answers
What needs improvement with H3C Ethernet Switches?
There is room for improvement in Wi-Fi solutions, which are not optimized.
See all answers
What is your primary use case for H3C Ethernet Switches?
The primary use case is about managing network infrastructure. The H3C Ethernet Switches are used internally as switches in the system.
See all answers
 

Comparisons

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Compared 19% of the time
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Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access vs Cisco Ethernet Switches
Compared 15% of the time
D-Link Ethernet Switches vs Cisco Ethernet Switches Logo
D-Link Ethernet Switches vs Cisco Ethernet Switches
Compared 10% of the time
NETGEAR Switches vs Cisco Ethernet Switches Logo
NETGEAR Switches vs Cisco Ethernet Switches
Compared 7% of the time
Ubiquiti UniFi Switches vs Cisco Ethernet Switches Logo
Ubiquiti UniFi Switches vs Cisco Ethernet Switches
Compared 6% of the time
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Huawei Ethernet Switches vs H3C Ethernet Switches Logo
Huawei Ethernet Switches vs H3C Ethernet Switches
Compared 26% of the time
Aruba Switches vs H3C Ethernet Switches Logo
Aruba Switches vs H3C Ethernet Switches
Compared 18% of the time
HPE Ethernet Switches vs H3C Ethernet Switches Logo
HPE Ethernet Switches vs H3C Ethernet Switches
Compared 8% of the time
Ubiquiti UniFi Switches vs H3C Ethernet Switches Logo
Ubiquiti UniFi Switches vs H3C Ethernet Switches
Compared 4% of the time
Dell PowerSwitch Managed Campus vs H3C Ethernet Switches Logo
Dell PowerSwitch Managed Campus vs H3C Ethernet Switches
Compared 3% of the time
More H3C Ethernet Switches Competitors
 

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
H3C Ethernet Switches reportDownload H3C Ethernet Switches 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

H3C S5560 High Performance Ethernet Switch is the latest development of Gigabit speed Layer 3 Ethernet switch. This powerful and highly secure series switch is built based on industry-leading high performance hardware architecture and H3C Comware V7 platform. It supports diversified services, high capacity GE access port as well as high density 10GE uplink, which meet the requirements for high density campus access and high performance aggregation.

H3C
 

Sample Customers

Linz AG
Ying Wa College, Centro Digital Pictures
Buyer's Guide
Cisco Ethernet Switches vs. H3C Ethernet Switches
June 2025
Free Report: Cisco Ethernet Switches vs. H3C Ethernet Switches
Find out what your peers are saying about Cisco Ethernet Switches vs. H3C Ethernet Switches and other solutions. Updated: June 2025.
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We monitor all Ethernet Switches reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.