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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 13.3% 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
  • 14,957 Views
  • 12,256 Comparison Views
96% willing to recommend
H3C Ethernet Switches
Read 9 H3C Ethernet Switches reviews
  • 2,245 Views
  • 1,569 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 July 2025, in the Ethernet Switches category, the mindshare of Cisco Ethernet Switches is 13.3%, down from 18.9% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of H3C Ethernet Switches is 2.6%, up from 1.6% 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

"The most valuable feature of Cisco Ethernet Switches is their stability. They are rock solid, and that's the advantage of Cisco."
"The quality, like all Cisco solutions, is very high. The fact that it's Cisco is one of the reasons we chose to use it."
"The most valuable features of Cisco Ethernet switches include plug-and-play capabilities, ease of deployment, and high reliability."
"We can easily integrate the product with any OEM solutions."
"They are easy to use and have low maintenance requirements."
"The performance of Cisco Ethernet Switches is better."
"Cisco Ethernet Switches are stable."
"One main feature of this solution is the POE switches."
More Cisco Ethernet Switches pros
"To date, it has proven to be highly reliable. We have encountered no issues or challenges with it thus far."
"The best feature of H3C Ethernet Switches is their reliability."
"H3C Ethernet Switches have a fast delivery time."
"We can configure the switch stack on the internet. Other vendors do not offer this facility. It is fast and easy to manage."
"A good high-performance solution."
"Offering a five-year warranty, compared to competitors' one-year warranties, is a unique advantage of H3C switches."
"Network performance is very good, suggesting that stability has not been an issue."
"The IMC feature is valuable."
More H3C Ethernet Switches pros
 

Cons

"They need to offer free replacements until the end of life for devices."
"Currently, we have to wait up to eight months for a switch."
"The GUI is not that easy."
"There could be an improvement in the licensing by reducing the price of the different types, such as essential, advantage, and premium."
"Firewall features should be pre-enabled in Cisco Ethernet switches. FortiGate switches are considered more valuable because they have firewall capabilities."
"The cost is very prohibitive both for us as well as other organizations. It's very expensive to buy Cisco switches. Among our colleagues, we find that we're not alone in thinking it's too high. Everyone's complaining about this."
"The quality of Cisco Ethernet Switches could be better."
"When you contact support, they don't give you the expert at first, they give you the beginner. Only after going around in a circle do they give you experts. Why don't they just give the expert from the beginning?"
More Cisco Ethernet Switches cons
"GUI needs to merge with CLI."
"Lacks decent cloud management."
"There should be more public tools for configuration and comparing products."
"There is room for improvement in Wi-Fi solutions, which are not optimized."
"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."
"To enhance H3C switches for the next release, improving the user interface is crucial."
"The solution’s stability could be improved."
"There is room for improvement in Wi-Fi solutions, which are not optimized."
More H3C Ethernet Switches cons
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"It could be cheaper."
"There is a license required for this solution and the price could be better."
"The price is very high though it is priced right for the level of quality."
"Cisco products are not cheap, which is something that can be improved."
"The solution has different prices depending on the features that you want to have."
"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."
"When you compare with other products, they are more or less the same price."
"There are different licensing based on the model of the solution."
More Cisco Ethernet Switches pricing and cost advice
"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 is targeted for SMBs because it's cheaper compared to Huawei switches."
"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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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
14%
Financial Services Firm
9%
Manufacturing Company
9%
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...
See all answers
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

Aruba Switches vs Cisco Ethernet Switches Logo
Aruba Switches vs Cisco Ethernet Switches
Compared 19% of the time
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access vs Cisco Ethernet Switches Logo
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 5% of the time
More Cisco Ethernet Switches Competitors
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 17% of the time
HPE Ethernet Switches vs H3C Ethernet Switches Logo
HPE Ethernet Switches vs H3C Ethernet Switches
Compared 9% 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.