Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center vs MikroTik Cloud Router Switch comparison

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center vs. MikroTik Cloud Router Switch

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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

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data...

Ranking in Ethernet Switches

15th

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

6.4

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

MikroTik Cloud Router Switch

Ranking in Ethernet Switches

16th

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

6.3

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Routers (3rd)

Mindshare comparison

As of May 2026, in the Ethernet Switches category, the mindshare of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center is 3.1%, up from 1.8% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of MikroTik Cloud Router Switch is 2.1%, up from 1.3% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Ethernet Switches Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center	3.1%
MikroTik Cloud Router Switch	2.1%
Other	94.8%

Ethernet Switches

Featured Reviews

Rutul SHah

CXO at Aariha Enterprise Private Limited

Provides seamless traffic control and secure connectivity while minimizing downtime and optimizing resource allocation

There is always room for improvement in Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center because with this switch, they can reduce downtime due to broadcasting issues by denying specific traffic on particular ports. Currently, I am not identifying any weak points of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center because it meets the customer's use case. However, the commercial aspect presents challenges, particularly with pricing, as customers often ask for Juniper or Cisco, brands they are more aware of, which makes awareness about Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center another weak point.

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Andriejus Artamonovas

IT Specialist at a outsourcing company with 501-1,000 employees

Has supported deeper configuration through traffic mirroring and advanced VLAN setup

The main reason why MikroTik Cloud Router Switch is usually chosen is its raw performance to price ratio. In comparison to UniFi switches, MikroTik Cloud Router Switch can mirror all ports for traffic inspection for further traffic analysis, which UniFi cannot do. VLANs in MikroTik Cloud Router Switch are always useful. The way MikroTik implements VLAN-aware switching at the bridge level is hidden in the configuration. Making CRS work as a simple VLAN-aware switch requires deeper configuration, which is not intuitive. VLANs support individual interfaces not part of the bridge, allowing for double VLANing. You can create a VLAN interface in the interfaces context and also create a bridge interface, add physical ports, create VLANs for that bridge interface, and assign tagged and untagged ports and VLANs. Load balancing is one of the key components. The feature itself is quite efficient and works reliably on MikroTik Cloud Router Switch. The very basic setup is one of my favorites because they have their protocol where I can connect through the MAC address right on Layer 2, and I don't lose connectivity to the switch if I mess up with bridging or IP addressing.

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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

"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 the entire Fortinet FortiSwitch system - Secure Access, firewalls, and everything, and it integrates well into the entire Fortinet fabric."

"The product is stable."

"The product's most valuable feature is its ability to manage switches from one central point."

"If you use FortiGate you should use FortiSwitch; it's very helpful and has a good configuration."

"The single pane of glass that helps us manage everything through FortiManager is the most important feature."

"The most valuable feature is the port analytics."

"The security fabric of Fortinet is really a game-changer for us."

More Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center pros

"The main reason why MikroTik Cloud Router Switch is usually chosen is its raw performance to price ratio."

"The most valuable feature is that it has better throughput than its competitors."

"It is easy to set up."

"The best aspect is that it remains affordable."

"We value the solution's price, and it can do almost anything you need regarding routing, so it's a well-rounded solution for routing, especially for network routing."

"The best aspect is that it remains affordable."

"They are very well suited for small and medium businesses, and here in Tanzania, in some cases, even some large enterprises are using MikroTik due to the fact that they provide many features at zero cost."

"There are a lot of features to control permitting or stopping packets in the network."

More MikroTik Cloud Router Switch pros

Cons

"Routing is an area in Fortinet FortiSwitch with certain shortcomings where improvements are needed."

"Compatibility with infrastructure from other vendors like Cisco and Sophos can be further improved."

"When there are many switches being used, the speed declines noticeably."

"The performance is basic only, and we cannot compare Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center with Aruba or Cisco switches."

"FortiSwitch should improve the FortiGate map. The diagram cannot move automatically to show the switch. The map does not map the physical location. It cannot move or touch the diagram."

"The solution’s pricing could be improved."

"With IT products, there is always room for improvement."

"Fortinet could have the ability to authenticate users like Aruba offers because managing ten or twelve SSIDs for different clients is complicated."

More Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center cons

"Technical support could be better."

"The RAM capacity offered by the product needs to be increased, as it is one area where the tool currently has some shortcomings."

"If MikroTik had a marketing team and support team in India then it would be much easier for us to get the product, as well as support."

"Improvements are needed with respect to some of the security, especially for VPN links between vendors other than Cisco."

"The packet filtering, user log data, and user access log could all be improved."

"The bulk efficiencies and the control of traffic could be a bit better."

"It can be difficult to identify key functions for MikroTik Cloud Router Switch. I experience functionality limitations, particularly when trying to find specific features."

"Aspects such as zero trust, security, and management interface could be improved, which would be useful."

More MikroTik Cloud Router Switch cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The product is less expensive than one of its competitors."

"We pay a yearly licensing fee for the solution, which is expensive."

"The tool's pricing is lower than Cisco's."

"This solution is expensive but it does not require a license."

"The solution is not expensive."

"The product has a mid-range price."

"Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center is expensive."

"The solution's pricing is a little high. The solution deserves the current price it receives from its users."

More Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center pricing and cost advice

"I believe the price of the tool is high, but it is okay for the services we get from it."

"MikroTik is really cheap compared to the competitors."

"I consider it to be a cost-effective solution."

"The price of the solution is fair and there is a one-time license purchase only."

"They came with the licensing when we purchased them."

"In Pakistan, if you buy this cloud router, it's approximately $700 for the device."

"The price is competitive."

"The licensing for MikroTik is great. It's easy to enter, especially for small businesses. Their model is great."

More MikroTik Cloud Router Switch pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Government

15%

Manufacturing Company

10%

Construction Company

Retailer

Comms Service Provider

12%

Educational Organization

12%

Marketing Services Firm

Financial Services Firm

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	17
Midsize Enterprise	5
Large Enterprise	4

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	19
Midsize Enterprise	5
Large Enterprise	2

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center?

The initial setup was simple.

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?

The performance is basic only, and we cannot compare Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center with Aruba or Cisco switches. Regarding security policies, I did not configure that many policies in Fortinet...

What do you like most about MikroTik Cloud Router Switch?

The tool has impacted our company's network costs and productivity in a perfect manner and percentage-wise, I can say it is 120 percent.

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for MikroTik Cloud Router Switch?

The Python solution pricing is on the lower side.

What needs improvement with MikroTik Cloud Router Switch?

It can be difficult to identify key functions for MikroTik Cloud Router Switch. I experience functionality limitations, particularly when trying to find specific features. It would be beneficial to...

Aruba Switches vs Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center

Comparisons

Compared 31% of the time

HPE Ethernet Switches vs Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center

Compared 14% of the time

Cisco Ethernet Switches vs Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center

Compared 8% of the time

Cisco Catalyst Switches vs Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center

Compared 6% of the time

MikroTik Routers and Switches vs Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center

Compared 4% of the time

More Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center Competitors

MikroTik Routers and Switches vs MikroTik Cloud Router Switch

Compared 9% of the time

TP-Link Omada Switches vs MikroTik Cloud Router Switch

Compared 8% of the time

Huawei Enterprise Routers vs MikroTik Cloud Router Switch

Compared 6% of the time

Cisco Enterprise Routers vs MikroTik Cloud Router Switch

Compared 5% of the time

Cisco Catalyst Switches vs MikroTik Cloud Router Switch

Compared 4% of the time

More MikroTik Cloud Router Switch Competitors

Product Reports

Ethernet Switches

Download Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center product report

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center report

MikroTik Cloud Router Switch

Download MikroTik Cloud Router Switch product report

Also Known As

No data available

MikroTik CRS Series

Overview

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center offers cost-effective, centralized network management through seamless integration with FortiGate. It supports enhanced security, flexibility in VLAN management, and intuitive control through an efficient interface.

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center is valued for its cost-effectiveness and ease of use. It provides seamless integration with FortiGate, enabling centralized network management. Users appreciate its port analytics, graphical interface, and enhanced security features, allowing VLAN creation and configuration across infrastructure. The system offers efficient alerting, automatic adjustments, and functions like QoS and traffic management to maintain consistent security. Its intuitive design and high visibility make it an efficient all-in-one tool for network management. Despite needing improvements in AI integration, security, and pricing, users find it a reliable choice for managing traffic between VMs and physical hosts. It supports network connectivity, VLAN management, and internal traffic control while integrating with security fabric and SD-WAN features.

What are the key features of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center?

Centralized Management: Seamlessly integrates with FortiGate for centralized control.
Port Analytics: Offers comprehensive analytics for better network management.
Enhanced Security: Provides robust security features for consistent protection.
VLAN Flexibility: Allows for easy VLAN creation and management.
Efficient Alerting: Delivers timely alerts for proactive network management.

What benefits should users look for in reviews?

Cost-Effectiveness: Provides a high return on investment through affordable management.
Ease of Use: Intuitive interface for simplified network control.
High Visibility: Offers clear insights into network performance.
Integration Capabilities: Supports seamless integration with existing infrastructure.

Organizations across industries implement Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center to effectively manage both virtual and physical network environments within data centers. It helps in controlling internal traffic and ensures robust security measures are in place. Its integration with extensive security fabric and SD-WAN features allows for comprehensive network management through a single dashboard, streamlining operations and providing enhanced control over infrastructure.

Fortinet

MikroTik Cloud Router Switch offers a balance of price and performance ideal for businesses needing efficient routing and traffic management. It enables load balancing, VLAN support, and comprehensive monitoring, making it suitable for diverse network environments.

MikroTik Cloud Router Switch is recognized for its flexible routing capabilities and cost-efficient solutions, benefiting sectors like public services and education. With user-friendly setup and advanced configuration options, it efficiently manages ISP business routes, integrates into corporate networks, and scales for government projects and data centers. However, it could benefit from improvements in security aspects like VPNs, and better technical support. While admired for intuitive interfaces, there’s a desire for enhancements in hardware quality, MPLS support, and OS utilization.

What are the key features of MikroTik Cloud Router Switch?

Flexible Routing: Allows for sophisticated traffic management suited for ISPs and corporate networks.
Intuitive Interfaces: User-friendly GUI and command-line setup for ease of use across tech levels.
Advanced Security: Offers firewall features and VPN support for secure network environments.
Load Balancing: Efficiently manages network traffic to optimize performance.
VLAN Support: Enables segmenting networks to enhance security and management.

What benefits should users expect in MikroTik Cloud Router Switch?

Cost Efficiency: Competitive pricing aligned with high-performance delivery.
Scalability: Adaptable to network size, from small organizations to data centers.
User-Friendly: Simple setup and flexible configuration reduce deployment time.
Comprehensive Monitoring: Effective tools for real-time traffic and network status insights.
Support for Diverse Applications: Integrates well into educational, governmental, and commercial settings.

MikroTik Cloud Router Switch sees extensive use in industries requiring robust networking, like ISPs for core routing and client management, as well as government and educational sectors for large-scale network integration. Key users include distributors and service providers, leveraging its traffic control and secure routing in complex environments.

MikroTik

Sample Customers

Black Gold Regional Schools, Amadeus Hospitality, Jefferson County, Chunghwa Telecom, City of Boroondara, Dimension Data

Information Not Available

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center vs. MikroTik Cloud Router Switch