Meraki MS Switches vs MikroTik Cloud Router Switch comparison

Meraki MS Switches 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

Meraki MS Switches

Ranking in Ethernet Switches

10th

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

6.7

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

MikroTik Cloud Router Switch

Ranking in Ethernet Switches

17th

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

6.3

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Routers (5th)

Mindshare comparison

As of August 2026, in the Ethernet Switches category, the mindshare of Meraki MS Switches is 2.5%, down from 3.2% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of MikroTik Cloud Router Switch is 2.0%, up from 1.6% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Ethernet Switches Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Meraki MS Switches	2.5%
MikroTik Cloud Router Switch	2.0%
Other	95.5%

Ethernet Switches

Featured Reviews

Thanadesh Namuengrak

Lead IT Specialist at a computer software company with 51-200 employees

Cloud-managed switches have improved secure segmentation and simplified automated patching

Meraki MS Switches are easy to manage, but I believe they are more suitable for use on the IT side because Meraki faces the internet, requiring an open connection through the internet for control. It is not the same as Cisco switches, which operate via command line. I normally use command line for configuration, while Meraki utilizes a cloud-based dashboard that necessitates a constant internet connection for configuration. Therefore, I find Meraki MS Switches more suitable for the IT side. The improvement needed for Meraki MS Switches is the ability to connect in the worst case when I encounter internet issues. When I cannot connect to the internet and need to configure or connect directly to Cisco switches or access Meraki for changes, I face difficulties. When Meraki MS Switches can be configured without an internet connection, I think I can use Meraki MS Switches on the OT side. The only improvement I seek is configuration without an internet connection.

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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

"The initial setup is easy."

"One of the most valuable features of Meraki MS Switches is its precise traffic analytics capabilities, allowing us to query the system for any place at any time."

"I like the portal, it's really interesting."

"The performance is pretty good."

"We found the initial setup to be easy."

"Being able to look at every port and see what it is connected to is very useful. Everything seems to be running really well. They've got everything covered. They have a really cool mounting system at the bottom and an access point that you can use to level up your device. It is kind of cool."

"The most valuable feature about Meraki is the console. The second most valuable feature, to me, is the technical support and the infrastructure behind the console."

"The product offered a lower CapEx cost for the appliance."

More Meraki MS Switches pros

"MikroTik is the most stable device; it’s easy to configure, there are no bugs or glitches, it’s reliable, and the performance is good."

"The best aspect is that it remains affordable."

"I like that it's quite flexible and addresses different issues. It's quite easy to use, and the pricing is great. We find them to be very capable switches."

"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."

"Familiar RouterOS support, port isolation, flexible VLAN handling (tagging, untagging, rewriting, etc.)."

"The wiki page that describes the scripting and other features is very good."

"MikroTik Cloud Router Switch stands out for its features, especially those available at that price point."

"The initial setup is easy."

More MikroTik Cloud Router Switch pros

Cons

"The pricing can be made cheaper."

"The solution does not fit all use cases."

"The cameras should be better integrated."

"The product is not scalable. It's a physical device and therefore limited."

"Meraki should include an application to assist users with the design of access points."

"This product is pricey. We are a relatively low-budget school, and for a low-budget school to have a system like this, which is a great help, it means that instead of being able to move faster towards implementing everything, we need to take very small steps."

"Tracking native ports with IP addresses is not currently possible in Meraki. This is a potential area of improvement."

"The solution is not scalable. If you need to scale, you need to change the equipment."

More Meraki MS Switches cons

"The initial setup is complex."

"Simplifying the documentation would be a good idea."

"There has to be more development in the OS. It's complex for this switch as compared to others like Cisco. For NetGear and Cisco, it's easy to adapt the VLAN concept but it should be simplified for MikroTik."

"It would be even better with a centralized management platform."

"Technical support is not very good. It isn't comprehensive."

"Most of the time, the MikroTik Cloud Router Switch is stable. If I were to rate the stability on a scale of 1 to 10 where 10 is the best, I would give it a 5."

"MikroTik has a three to five year maximum lifespan."

"Technical support needs to be faster and more knowledgeable."

More MikroTik Cloud Router Switch cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The pricing is high and it is where we get the most pushback from customers."

"It depends on what type of equipment you have and other things. We're about $17,000 a year."

"The yearly maintenance fee is $100 and you can purchase the switches used for about $200 each."

"My company pays for Meraki MS Switches yearly. Pricing-wise, the product is relatively inexpensive."

"One key challenge often encountered is the perception that strategic products like Cisco and Meraki tend to be more expensive than alternatives like Aruba."

"The solution is a bit on the pricey side."

"The product's licensing cost is about 30% to 40% of the hardware cost."

"Securing licenses and devices for more than a year can make the product expensive. In general, the product is expensive."

More Meraki MS Switches pricing and cost advice

"The price is competitive."

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

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

"This product has a one-time cost and there is no licensing fee."

"MikroTik is really cheap compared to the competitors."

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

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

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

More MikroTik Cloud Router Switch pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

15%

Construction Company

10%

Manufacturing Company

Outsourcing Company

Comms Service Provider

14%

Educational Organization

10%

Manufacturing Company

Marketing Services Firm

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	54
Midsize Enterprise	20
Large Enterprise	22

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

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Meraki MS Switches?

The price of Meraki MS Switches is reasonable.

What needs improvement with Meraki MS Switches?

What is your primary use case for Meraki MS Switches?

I have experience with Cisco products as I implement a lot of them. For example, I implemented switches and access points when I worked for infrastructure in a motorcycle company, and I implemented...

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...

What is your primary use case for MikroTik Cloud Router Switch?

I mostly work with network equipment now, focusing mainly on routers. I work with FortiGates and MikroTik routers. When referring to FortiGate routers, I mean the firewalls, but not the enterprise-...

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Product Reports

Meraki MS Switches

Download Meraki MS Switches product report

MikroTik Cloud Router Switch

Download MikroTik Cloud Router Switch product report

Also Known As

MS220, MS320, MS420

MikroTik CRS Series

Overview

Meraki MS Switches offer scalable cloud-managed networking with intuitive dashboards, security, and easy deployment. They provide reliable remote management and comprehensive analysis, ideal for enterprises seeking centralized control.

Meraki MS Switches deliver cloud-managed networking solutions, simplifying configuration and management with a user-friendly GUI. They are known for their scalability, security features, and zero-touch deployment capabilities. With remote switch management and deployment, the creative cloud interface simplifies setup and maintenance while offering comprehensive network traffic analysis and device tracking. However, there are areas for improvement, such as quoting processes and price reductions. Users often note the need for more configuration options, better third-party system integration, and concerns around cloud dependency. Stack features and security enhancements are also desirable, as well as improved performance and support.

What are the key features of Meraki MS Switches?

Cloud Management: Enables centralized control and simplifies setup.
User-Friendly Dashboards: Offers easy configuration and network visibility.
Scalability: Supports expanding network environments.
Security Features: Provides enhanced protection against threats.
Zero-Touch Deployment: Allows immediate management and deployment.

What benefits should users look for in Meraki MS reviews?

Remote Management: Streamlines administration and deployment processes.
Comprehensive Traffic Analysis: Offers detailed insights into network usage.
Device Tracking: Simplifies monitoring and management of network devices.
Reliability: Delivers consistent performance across networks.

Meraki MS Switches are widely implemented across educational institutions, government agencies, and small to mid-sized businesses. They provide a unified platform for access points and switches, facilitating remote configuration and monitoring. Users appreciate their ability to handle VLANs and LAN access points while connecting end-users with features like PoE and integration with Meraki's cloud infrastructure.

Cisco

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

Cisco Live Milan, Hyatt

Information Not Available

Meraki MS Switches vs. MikroTik Cloud Router Switch