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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 8.5, while H3C is ranked #20 with an average rating of 7.3. Cisco holds a 9.5% mindshare in ES, compared to H3C’s 2.7% 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 137 Cisco Ethernet Switches reviews
  • 10,555 Views
  • 10,555 Comparison Views
96% willing to recommend
H3C Ethernet Switches
Read 9 H3C Ethernet Switches reviews
  • 2,470 Views
  • 2,470 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: March 2026).
Buyer's Guide
Cisco Ethernet Switches vs. H3C Ethernet Switches
March 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:
 

Categories and Ranking

Cisco Ethernet Switches
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
1st
Average Rating
8.6
Reviews Sentiment
6.7
Number of Reviews
137
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
H3C Ethernet Switches
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
20th
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 March 2026, in the Ethernet Switches category, the mindshare of Cisco Ethernet Switches is 9.5%, down from 16.3% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of H3C Ethernet Switches is 2.7%, up from 2.4% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Ethernet Switches Mindshare Distribution
ProductMindshare (%)
Cisco Ethernet Switches9.5%
H3C Ethernet Switches2.7%
Other87.8%
Ethernet Switches
 

Featured Reviews

Myint Aung - PeerSpot reviewer
Myint Aung
Head of the Solutions Department at BIM Group of Companies
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.
Read full review
KanwarArsalan - PeerSpot reviewer
KanwarArsalan
Technical Pre Sales at Business It Solutions
Offers all routing protocols, functionality, and capabilities
H3C switches have strong port aggregation features including dynamic, static, and device aggregation. They also offer broadcast, multicast, or unique system suppression for PPS and BPS. These features are versatile and adaptable to various organizational scenarios, complemented by VLAN support. H3C switches offer VPN support along with various VLAN options like port-based, MAC-based, and protocol-based VLANs, including VLAN mapping and voice VLAN features. They support VLAN interfaces for both IPv4 and IPv6, ensuring compatibility and configuration flexibility. H3C switches are up to date with current market trends, offering features, routing protocols, capabilities, and functionalities that correspond to new trends in networking solutions. I strongly recommend that future users consider H3C switches for their designs, given their performance, specific features, and strong capabilities compared to competitors like Cisco. Overall, I would rate H3C Ethernet Switches as a nine out of ten.
Read full review

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"Cisco Ethernet Switches have a lot of valuable features. One that stands out to me is its ease of implementation."
"I have found the solution to have good scalability. Cisco is the pioneers on switching technology, they are very good."
"It is a scalable solution, and we have more than 35 customers who use it."
"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."
"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 solution is easy to use."
"The initial setup is really easy."
"The most valuable features of Cisco Ethernet Switches for our network are speed, latency, and reliability."
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."
"We can configure the switch stack on the internet. Other vendors do not offer this facility. It is fast and easy to manage."
"Network performance is very good, suggesting that stability has not been an issue."
"A good high-performance solution."
"The best feature of H3C Ethernet Switches is their reliability."
"H3C Ethernet Switches have a fast delivery time."
"Offering a five-year warranty, compared to competitors' one-year warranties, is a unique advantage of H3C switches."
"H3C Ethernet Switches is a cheap solution."
More H3C Ethernet Switches pros
 

Cons

"It would be good for Cisco to provide certification to our engineers for our IT infrastructure. Basically to train and certify our engineers."
"I don't like the fact that the product is very expensive."
"Very highly priced in comparison to other similar products."
"Cisco has a lot of propriety protocols compared to other products, such as Arista Networks."
"Cisco's pricing can be a concern, particularly with support fees."
"Previously, advanced features were included in the basic package, but now they are provided as add-ons that need to be purchased separately."
"I don't like that you have to have a license of 10 years to use the switch. I don't understand that policy."
"The pricing should be reduced so that they are more competitive."
More Cisco Ethernet Switches cons
"Lacks decent cloud management."
"The solution’s stability could be improved."
"There is room for improvement in Wi-Fi solutions, which are not optimized."
"There should be more public tools for configuration and comparing products."
"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."
"GUI needs to merge with CLI."
"H3C Ethernet Switches could improve by widening their product range."
"There is room for improvement in Wi-Fi solutions, which are not optimized."
More H3C Ethernet Switches cons
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Cisco products are not cheap, which is something that can be improved."
"Customers have to pay for some of the L3 switches licenses, which are expensive."
"The price of this solution is good."
"The price is a bit on the high side."
"Price-wise, Cisco Ethernet Switches is a product that falls a little bit on the expensive side."
"It's a little expensive."
"In addition to the fees being high, you pay for support which is also on the higher side."
"The solution does not require a license. However, it is expensive and the price could improve."
More Cisco Ethernet Switches pricing and cost advice
"H3C Ethernet Switches are priced at around $500 per unit, which is very cheap and one of the most competitive prices out there."
"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."
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Comparison Review

it_user82779 - PeerSpot reviewer
it_user82779
Engineer at a comms service provider with 10,001+ employees
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
Manufacturing Company
11%
Computer Software Company
9%
Financial Services Firm
7%
Comms Service Provider
7%
Comms Service Provider
10%
Computer Software Company
9%
Financial Services Firm
9%
Manufacturing Company
7%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business59
Midsize Enterprise35
Large Enterprise55
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business7
Midsize Enterprise1
Large Enterprise2
 

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 ...
See all answers
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 23% of the time
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access vs Cisco Ethernet Switches Logo
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access vs Cisco Ethernet Switches
Compared 16% of the time
NETGEAR Switches vs Cisco Ethernet Switches Logo
NETGEAR Switches vs Cisco Ethernet Switches
Compared 6% of the time
D-Link Ethernet Switches vs Cisco Ethernet Switches Logo
D-Link Ethernet Switches vs Cisco Ethernet Switches
Compared 6% of the time
Juniper EX Series Ethernet Switches vs Cisco Ethernet Switches Logo
Juniper EX Series Ethernet 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 32% of the time
Aruba Switches vs H3C Ethernet Switches Logo
Aruba Switches vs H3C Ethernet Switches
Compared 11% of the time
HPE Ethernet Switches vs H3C Ethernet Switches Logo
HPE Ethernet Switches vs H3C Ethernet Switches
Compared 8% of the time
Cisco Catalyst Switches vs H3C Ethernet Switches Logo
Cisco Catalyst Switches vs H3C Ethernet Switches
Compared 6% of the time
TP-Link Omada Switches vs H3C Ethernet Switches Logo
TP-Link Omada Switches vs H3C Ethernet Switches
Compared 5% of the time
More H3C Ethernet Switches Competitors
 

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
Cisco Ethernet Switches
March 2026
Cisco Ethernet Switches reportDownload Cisco Ethernet Switches product report
Buyer's Guide
Ethernet Switches
March 2026
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
March 2026
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: March 2026.
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