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Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center vs Meraki MS Switches 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

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
Meraki MS Switches
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
9th
Average Rating
8.4
Reviews Sentiment
7.3
Number of Reviews
96
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of July 2025, in the Ethernet Switches category, the mindshare of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center is 1.9%, up from 1.1% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Meraki MS Switches is 3.4%, down from 4.2% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Ethernet Switches
 

Featured Reviews

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.
MajidKhan - PeerSpot reviewer
Remote access enhances troubleshooting with potential for more intuitive interface
We are working with Citrix and router, but in Cisco for Cisco vendor only. We are taking from them since 2015.  The main use case involves some small business customers needing one router, one switch, and two to three access points. It is easy to handle the devices with just a small knowledge of…

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"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."
"The initial setup was simple."
"We are able to monitor everything that is happening on our network."
"All the features are necessary, like tracking evidence and IPS. However, I appreciate the ability to connect the logs and the dashboard functionality."
"Using Fortinet's whole range, including FortiSwitches, is cost-effective compared to Cisco and beneficial for network security."
"It is very stable."
"Configurations between FortiGate and FortiSwitch have to link to each other. We need configuration. The configuration is not like a Cisco switch. It has a unique configuration."
"We have no problem with technical support from Cisco."
"We found the initial setup to be easy."
"It is easy to work with."
"The management is cloud-based so you do not have to be on-premises to work with it."
"The most valuable features are ease of use and configuration. It has a cloud-based configuration that makes it easy."
"The technical support is very good. They offer some of the best support on the market."
"Its cloud feature and cloud management are great. They are the most valuable aspects."
"This product has QoS, decent visibility of what's going on, and it's a managed switch."
 

Cons

"They could improve availability and security by detecting and preventing switch attacks."
"The product must improve the latency in the management center."
"Does not have as many features as other solutions, such as segmentation and analytics engines."
"When there are many switches being used, the speed declines noticeably."
"Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center needs to improve its UI and stability."
"Compatibility with infrastructure from other vendors like Cisco and Sophos can be further improved."
"With IT products, there is always room for improvement."
"The tool is not easy to use."
"The GUI can be improved for a better comfort level."
"There is not much training available for this solution."
"The documentation could be more extensive. For example, it could describe more scenarios. It would be great if they could incorporate AI engines into the switching infrastructure and firewall so you can configure it to prevent intrusion. They have intrusion prevention and detection, but they could enhance it by incorporating AI into their firewall."
"It would be helpful to have more features like an iOS interface."
"The licensing model needs to be improved."
"They need to work on prioritizing different types of data on the network, whether it's voice, data, video, et cetera. Video needs to be prioritized in a much better way, for example."
"Meraki MS Switches could improve if it was an SDN. It will be more flexible and WWE can use one link for specific traffic and another one for other traffic."
"Meraki MS Switches, including their licensing, are somewhat expensive, particularly when compared with competitor solutions like HP."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"It is reasonably priced."
"Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center is expensive."
"Cost-wise, Fortinet solutions are cheaper than those offered by Cisco."
"We pay a yearly licensing fee for the solution, which is expensive."
"The product is less expensive than one of its competitors."
"This solution is expensive but it does not require a license."
"The product has a mid-range price."
"The tool's pricing is lower than Cisco's."
"The only drawback is the cost — that's what kills them."
"This is not a cheap solution."
"I don't have an issue with the price of this solution."
"We paid for our switches outright, at a cost of between $15,000 USD and $18,000 USD."
"If you buy a license for one switch, it will include the licensing for the device RMA, device failure warranty, technical support, and everything else. Also covered is support for software updates for future releases. It's a single license for everything and there's nothing that customers need to pay in addition to the license."
"With the solution that we currently have, I think it costs about 1,200 pounds a year. They bill on a yearly basis."
"This product is more than the competition, but you get what you pay for."
"We don't use standard licensing. Most of the time, we use the advanced security model. If there is a drawback to Meraki, it is the cost, but you also have to evaluate it based upon the other factors that you do get. Their support is really good; their hardware is really good. The ease of configuration and deployment is really good, but it is more expensive than most."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
18%
Government
10%
Financial Services Firm
9%
Manufacturing Company
6%
Computer Software Company
17%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Financial Services Firm
6%
Educational Organization
6%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

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.
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...
What do you like most about Meraki MS Switches?
The most valuable features of Meraki MS Switches are their reliability and simplicity.
What needs improvement with Meraki MS Switches?
What could be improved is that when a switch disconnects from the internet, you can't make any changes to that switch. Sometimes the switches lose internet connectivity, and we can't do anything to...
 

Also Known As

No data available
MS220, MS320, MS420
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Black Gold Regional Schools, Amadeus Hospitality, Jefferson County, Chunghwa Telecom, City of Boroondara, Dimension Data
Cisco Live Milan, Hyatt
Find out what your peers are saying about Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center vs. Meraki MS Switches and other solutions. Updated: July 2025.
861,390 professionals have used our research since 2012.