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D-Link Ethernet Switches vs Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 3, 2024

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

D-Link Ethernet Switches
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
11th
Average Rating
7.8
Reviews Sentiment
7.4
Number of Reviews
29
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secu...
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
6th
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
7.7
Number of Reviews
48
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of May 2025, in the Ethernet Switches category, the mindshare of D-Link Ethernet Switches is 5.7%, up from 5.4% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is 5.0%, down from 5.9% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Ethernet Switches
 

Featured Reviews

MichaelNdwiga - PeerSpot reviewer
Enhanced network efficiency through features and demonstrate minimal downtime
One of the issues is the range of their products. They need to increase it. For example, if I want a 12-port switch that is fully managed, it's not easy to find. So, I have to opt for a 24-port switch that is fully managed, which might not be necessary as I only need 12 ports. So if they could increase the range of the switches in regards to the features, and the number of ports, that would be beneficial. So, that's the only potential improvement. The switches are perfect otherwise. Ideally, I'd like to see a central management system included as part of their license, not as a separate purchase. Currently, we have to manage switches independently. A central portal for managing all switches and providing visibility would be great.
Uri Harf - PeerSpot reviewer
Integration with cloud management simplifies network expansion
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is expensive, and this initial cost can be a barrier, especially for new businesses setting up from scratch. Although the machine is robust and lasts for years with rare technical issues, the initial price can be high. Sometimes, I have to offer alternatives like Aruba or HP, which might be cheaper.

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"The solution is easy to use."
"It is very stable and reliable."
"There are many good points about this product. Number one, they are very stable, and easy to configure and manage."
"It is a stable solution."
"The solution is scalable."
"The initial setup is straightforward."
"The switches have a graphical user interface that makes configuration good, easy, and straightforward."
"It's plug-and-play. There is no configuration necessary."
"The most valuable feature is the breakability after integration with the FortiGate firewall."
"It's easy to be configured and powerful in terms of performance."
"The visual scope of the solution is very good. It allows me to see and download all of the network information."
"The integration with the whole platform, so there's one dashboard for everything. It is one of the most valuable features."
"I can say that the product is easy to use...The initial setup of the product was easy."
"The software is very stable."
"Integration is good, as well as price and technical support."
"The most valuable feature of this product is its simplicity."
 

Cons

"For high-end switches, the price could be 5% to 10% cheaper. Improvements in the voltage facility, like increasing from 360 watts to 400 or 450 watts, would make them more competitive with other vendors."
"D-Link Ethernet Switches' switching capacity is low. The solution should improve stability and not support Cisco or Juniper networks."
"The solution needs better local support."
"I'd like to see a central management system included as part of their license, not as a separate purchase. Currently, we have to manage switches independently. A central portal for managing all switches and providing visibility would be great."
"They need to enhance stability."
"This solution is not good for distribution at the core."
"They need to have some more high-end switches."
"There is room for improvement in terms of stability."
"The product must improve its prices."
"When we started using the solution, it was quite complex but then it became easier to use. It takes a while to get used to the interface."
"It is always nice when something is cheaper."
"The installation is not difficult. However, some features have to be activated from the CLI."
"While Fortinet is good for school boards and mid-sized businesses, enterprise-class networks require a zero-trust solution. If you're building a zero-trust network with end-to-end security, that's where Fortinet falls behind Cisco, HPE, and Aruba."
"One of the main challenges was integrating FortiSwitch with FortiGate, as the switches are managed through FortiGate rather than independently."
"Its cloud features could be better."
"The solution doesn't support other switches."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"D-Link Ethernet Switches' price is good."
"They were cheap. We were not paying for any license."
"These units vary in price from $200 to one thousand dollars. They're available for a one-time purchase."
"The price of D-Link Ethernet Switches is in the 4,000 to 5,000 rupees or 65 to 100 USD range. The price of the solution is not expensive."
"It has a good return on investment. It has indeed saved us resources significantly."
"It is an affordable solution."
"There is not a license required for this solution and it is priced well."
"The D-Link Switches are cheaper than Cisco."
"We have to pay for the solution's subscription."
"It's affordable and there are no additional costs, just regular support, and license fees."
"The product's pricing is less compared to other enterprise solutions."
"The product's pricing is good."
"The pricing for Fortinet FortiSwitch is not expensive."
"The pricing is quite high."
"The solution is expensive but overall the cost makes sense."
"You can buy this equipment in a multitude of ways. You can buy just the hardware, or you can buy the hardware and the licenses."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
14%
Comms Service Provider
10%
Healthcare Company
9%
Manufacturing Company
7%
Computer Software Company
14%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Government
8%
Financial Services Firm
8%
 

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 ...
What do you like most about D-Link Ethernet Switches?
D-Link has a good VPN feature and quality of service.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for D-Link Ethernet Switches?
D-Link Ethernet Switches are 30% cheaper than Cisco switches. Pricing has not been a concern since it is already included in the capex.
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...
What do you like most about Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access?
With FortiSwitch, you can easily identify who is connected to each port, disable ports as needed, and retrieve configurations from FortiGate when required.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access?
The initial cost of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is high compared to other options. Although robust and rarely needs replacement, it can be overqualified for some jobs, which affects the re...
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

George Mason University, Somerville House, Hiperwall, New Brunswick School District 16, The Fulcrum Group, Bremond Independent School District, University of Texas Health Science Center, Grand Canyon Skywalk, SUN Area Career & Technology Center, Abington Senior High School
Black Gold Regional Schools, Amadeus Hospitality, Jefferson County, Chunghwa Telecom, City of Boroondara, Dimension Data
Find out what your peers are saying about D-Link Ethernet Switches vs. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access and other solutions. Updated: April 2025.
851,471 professionals have used our research since 2012.