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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
5th
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
7.7
Number of Reviews
48
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
H3C Ethernet Switches
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
16th
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 October 2025, in the Ethernet Switches category, the mindshare of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is 4.5%, down from 5.9% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of H3C Ethernet Switches is 2.8%, up from 1.9% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Ethernet Switches Market Share Distribution
ProductMarket Share (%)
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access4.5%
H3C Ethernet Switches2.8%
Other92.7%
Ethernet Switches
 

Featured Reviews

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.
SHARIQ ALI SHAH - PeerSpot reviewer
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

"The most valuable feature of this product is its simplicity."
"The technical support has been very good."
"Deploying the solution is a breeze, even a novice can do it."
"You can hook all the other components to be monitored. You can create policies and block certain people from accessing the Internet."
"I rate Fortinet support 10 out of 10. Their support is excellent and inexpensive. They respond immediately."
"Integration is good, as well as price and technical support."
"The most valuable feature would be network management, separating the network management component from security. It can do both but we promote it on its own. It's a good solution to do network management."
"The centralization of control is highly beneficial."
"The IMC feature is valuable."
"H3C Ethernet Switches is a cheap solution."
"To date, it has proven to be highly reliable. We have encountered no issues or challenges with it thus far."
"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."
"We can configure the switch stack on the internet. Other vendors do not offer this facility. It is fast and easy to manage."
 

Cons

"The pricing could be improved, and it could be easier to configure."
"Currently issues with some of the switches and problems with the firmware."
"Technical support needs to take a different approach and pricing should appear more competitive."
"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."
"The initial setup is pretty easy; we have built a knowledge base. But there's a learning curve for beginners."
"The product's end-user protection feature needs improvement."
"FortiSwitch offers eight and 24-port models. They don't have a 16-port model, which can be an issue for some clients."
"In the next release, I would like to see more outdoor 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."
"There is room for improvement in Wi-Fi solutions, which are not optimized."
"There should be more public tools for configuration and comparing products."
"There is room for improvement in Wi-Fi solutions, which are not optimized."
"The solution’s stability could be improved."
"H3C Ethernet Switches could improve by widening their product range."
"To enhance H3C switches for the next release, improving the user interface is crucial."
"GUI needs to merge with CLI."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The price is good."
"The tool's pricing is fine."
"We signed up for a three-year license for support and replacement."
"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."
"The product pricing seems to be mid-range."
"The product's pricing is less compared to other enterprise solutions."
"The pricing is quite high."
"Price-wise, I find Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access to be an okay product. It is not an expensive product."
"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 are reasonably priced."
"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 is targeted for SMBs because it's cheaper compared to Huawei switches."
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Top Industries

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

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business37
Midsize Enterprise6
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 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...
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.
 

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: September 2025.
869,566 professionals have used our research since 2012.