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Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access vs H3C Ethernet 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 - Secu...
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
13th
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
6.8
Number of Reviews
48
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 July 2026, in the Ethernet Switches category, the mindshare of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is 3.8%, down from 4.8% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of H3C Ethernet Switches is 2.5%, down from 2.6% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Ethernet Switches Mindshare Distribution
ProductMindshare (%)
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access3.8%
H3C Ethernet Switches2.5%
Other93.7%
Ethernet Switches
 

Featured Reviews

Uri Harf - PeerSpot reviewer
Technical Presales at A.G.A.S. מחשוב ותקשורת לעסקים
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.
SHARIQ ALI SHAH - PeerSpot reviewer
Manager Sales at Megaplus
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…

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"Fortinet costs 30 to 40 percent less than Cisco, HPE, and Aruba while the company has made great strides in technical ability."
"I would rate the the ease of management and scalability within our network architecture an eight out of ten, with ten being best."
"Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access has essential features for managing switches."
"The centralization of control is highly beneficial."
"The most valuable feature of this product is its simplicity."
"The solution has enhanced network security by integrating access control more seamlessly, reducing overhead, and simplifying the network environment by removing the need for interfaces with other vendors."
"I like that everything flows back to FortiGate, which is the controller, management console, and firewall. There's one central point for the entire network, so the security, switching, wireless, etc., flows back to the FortiGate. The ease of management is what customers like. They don't need separate solutions like Cisco."
"I think this is a great product and everyone who chooses it will enjoy using it."
"H3C is a well-known brand product and a good high-performance solution."
"Offering a five-year warranty, compared to competitors' one-year warranties, is a unique advantage of H3C switches."
"H3C Ethernet Switches are priced at around $500 per unit, which is very cheap and one of the most competitive prices out there."
"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."
"To date, it has proven to be highly reliable. We have encountered no issues or challenges with it thus far."
"H3C Ethernet Switches is a cheap solution."
"Network performance is very good, suggesting that stability has not been an issue."
 

Cons

"FortiSwitch requires periodic firmware updates. It can be a little difficult because the switches aren't connected to the internet, so you cannot upgrade the firmware remotely. You need to go to the site and do it manually because it's a closed network."
"It would also help if they lowered the cost of their service."
"I would like Fortinet to make this product easier to configure."
"The product's pricing needs improvement for small and medium businesses."
"The introduction of AI integration could be valuable for detecting abnormal traffic directly on the switch."
"More integration would be helpful, especially since we sometimes have devices from other companies. Improved interoperability would be very beneficial."
"The pricing could be improved, and it could be easier to configure."
"I believe that stacking, a feature that is available in Huawei and Cisco, is not available in Fortinet products."
"There is room for improvement in Wi-Fi solutions, which are not optimized."
"I'd like to see better cloud management."
"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."
"Lacks decent cloud management."
"The solution’s stability could be improved."
"To enhance H3C switches for the next release, improving the user interface is crucial."
"There should be more public tools for configuration and comparing products."
"GUI needs to merge with CLI."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The pricing is cheap and only a yearly licensing cost needs to be paid."
"The product's pricing is less compared to other enterprise solutions."
"It's affordable compared to other switching products, like Cisco switches."
"The solution has reasonable pricing. The firewall costs around 500$ annually."
"We have to renew and pay for the licenses."
"The cost appears to be high in comparison to other competing products although with this product you are paying for what you get."
"The solution is cheaper than Cisco but more expensive than Huawei."
"The solution is expensive but overall the cost makes sense."
"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."
"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."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Comms Service Provider
8%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Financial Services Firm
8%
Computer Software Company
7%
Comms Service Provider
12%
Financial Services Firm
9%
Computer Software Company
8%
Manufacturing Company
7%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business37
Midsize Enterprise7
Large Enterprise7
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business7
Midsize Enterprise1
Large Enterprise2
 

Questions from the Community

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 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...
What needs improvement with Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access?
I would appreciate the ability to create an independent switch. I am aware of the pricing and licensing of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access, and I previously rated it a six because I wanted the...
What needs improvement with H3C Ethernet Switches?
There is room for improvement in Wi-Fi solutions, which are not optimized.
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.
What advice do you have for others considering H3C Ethernet Switches?
I would recommend H3C Ethernet Switches to others. I'd rate the solution eight out of ten.
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Black Gold Regional Schools, Amadeus Hospitality, Jefferson County, Chunghwa Telecom, City of Boroondara, Dimension Data
Ying Wa College, Centro Digital Pictures
Find out what your peers are saying about Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access vs. H3C Ethernet Switches and other solutions. Updated: June 2026.
902,988 professionals have used our research since 2012.