MikroTik Routers and Switches are recognized for their cost-effectiveness, flexibility, and ease of use. Catering to both small and medium enterprises, they offer extensive routing, firewall, and VPN capabilities, along with scalability and multi-tenant bandwidth management.
| Product | Mindshare (%) |
|---|---|
| MikroTik Routers and Switches | 18.4% |
| Cisco Enterprise Routers | 16.7% |
| Juniper MX Series Routers | 9.9% |
| Other | 55.00000000000001% |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 38 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 9 |
| Large Enterprise | 7 |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 404 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 144 |
| Large Enterprise | 303 |
MikroTik Routers and Switches provide comprehensive networking protocols without additional licensing fees. Their Winbox GUI simplifies management, bolstered by reliable performance and efficient load balancing. While competitive pricing is attractive, improvements in wireless management, UI design, and enhanced firewall security are necessary. Enhanced training, documentation, and better integration for ecosystem scalability are recommended, especially to meet enterprise-level requirements.
What are the key features of MikroTik Routers and Switches?MikroTik Routers and Switches facilitate diverse industry applications such as B2B sessions, CCTV, Wi-Fi, and IoT. They enable VLANs, network segmentation, and efficiently manage internet circuits in the public sector and small to medium enterprises. Ideal for both on-premises and remote offices, they ensure connectivity and support dynamic routing protocols.
ABB, Boingo Wireless, JPL, HP, Allied Telesis, iPass, Mips Technologies, MicroAge, Matsushita, Telia, undp, WFP, NASA
| Author info | Rating | Review Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Community Director at PeerSpot | 4.5 | I use MikroTik Routers and Switches for IT and networking, valuing their strong security and accommodating ports. Although they could improve with evolving technology, they surpass HP and Cisco in usefulness and security. Maintaining security enhancements remains crucial. |
| IT Manager at ERL | 4.0 | I use MikroTik Routers and Switches in my company for network control due to their ease of installation and maintenance. They simplify access list creation and offer good load balancing, though I wish they had automatic backup and better filter rules. |
| Senior Executive at Lakdhanavi Limited | 3.5 | I manage client bandwidth using MikroTik Routers and Switches due to their cost-effectiveness, comprehensive protocol support, and feature set. Despite a cumbersome login process, I prefer them over Cisco for quicker delivery and reduced costs. |
| System and Network Administrator at El Sadat City Language School | 3.5 | I chose MikroTik routers and switches for their reliable performance and competitive pricing, especially in our CCTV system with PoE switches. While they perform well, improvements are needed in handling heavy traffic and enhancing the user interface and electrical stability. |
| IT Consultant at M-COM s.r.o | 4.5 | I use MikroTik Routers and Switches for small branches due to their good price-performance ratio, flexible setup, and solid VPN capabilities, though the complex interface could be improved and AI features would be a valuable addition. |
| Business Development Manager at Comunicaciones Reunidas, S.L. | 3.0 | MikroTik routers and switches are affordable with high-quality, powerful software. However, issues with profit margins, local support, and cybersecurity features may lead us to consider other options like Cisco, Fortinet, or Barracuda for better profitability and support. |
| Senior Core Network Engineer at Freelancer | 3.0 | I use MikroTik Routers and Switches primarily for VPN. They offer cost savings on deployment since no license is needed; however, stability needs improvement. I haven't considered other solutions or cloud providers and appreciate the overall cost efficiency. |
| Managing Director Technology at Quantum Design and Engineering | 4.5 | I primarily use MikroTik Routers and Switches for Internet access and VPN connectivity due to their robust firewall, developed with Cisco. However, their documentation and reliability for internal network use are lacking, so we prefer Aruba for that purpose. |
| Information Technology Manager at Eldoret Hospital | 3.5 | I use MikroTik routers and switches to block external attempts effectively. However, the ports could use improvement, requiring more Ethernet ports in some areas. Initially, we faced challenges with unsupported third-party applications, which took some time to address. |
| IT Manager at a educational organization with 51-200 employees | 3.5 | We use MikroTik Routers and Switches to provide internet to 3,000 users, valuing features like hotspot and firewall. However, they lack a user-friendly interface and require manual configurations, unlike UniFi solutions, making management more burdensome. |
Positive
Neutral
In the network operations center, I manage our client's bandwidth. We connect with our clients through BGP and OSPF based on client demands. We also manage routing protocols, policies, internal firewalls, and other details like QE bandwidth, client manage bandwidth management, PoE, PPPoE, and DNS server. These protocols are important especially for ISPs handling local networks.
The solution helps in significant cost savings as it is much cheaper compared to competitors and also supports every protocol needed.
MikroTik Routers and Switches support every protocol, making them suitable for a wide range of routing policies. They are cost-effective and support features such as routing protocol management, firewall settings, and QE management.
The login process needs improvement. There should be a way to log in without a username and password possibly through console access, especially when login credentials are not available.
MikroTik is stable with devices running 240+ days continuously. However, it sometimes requires a reboot when CPU usage is high.
The solution is scalable, which I would rate nine out of ten.
The support system is regular and comparable to other vendors. We do not need support often, but when needed, it is satisfactory.
Positive
Previously, I worked with Cisco AP, routers, and switches. However, due to cost and longer delivery times, we moved to MikroTik.
The initial setup is straightforward and not too complicated. The configuration process is easier compared to other solutions.
MikroTik is very cost-effective. It provides significant cost savings compared to other devices like Fortinet and Cisco. I bought a three-year license for Fortinet devices, which were much more expensive.
I evaluated Cisco solutions, but due to high costs and delays, I opted for MikroTik.
I recommend everyone to take regular backups and ensure login credentials are properly managed, as MikroTik is cost-effective and supports all needed protocols.
I'd rate the solution seven out of ten.
In our CCTV system, we have two types of cameras: analog and IP. For the IP cameras, we utilize switches with PoE. This feature eliminates the need for a separate power cable, as the camera receives both power and data through a single Ethernet cable. We have found that MicroTik switches work seamlessly with these cameras, providing reliable operation without any issues.
One of the primary advantages is its competitive pricing in the market. Despite the more affordable price, its devices perform efficiently in network operations. It stands out as a top choice, providing exceptional performance.
There is room for improvement, particularly when dealing with the substantial volume of traffic that routers in highly complex networking companies typically handle. The firewall has the potential for enhancements, and it's essential to explore and implement those improvements. It is sensitive to electrical fluctuations. Even slight changes in the electrical current can disrupt the functioning of the switch or the overall network infrastructure. Addressing this sensitivity might involve hardware modifications to make the devices less susceptible to disruptions caused by variations in electrical conditions. I would appreciate enhancements to impose more restrictions on VPN connections. Currently, VPN connections have no restrictions whatsoever. The user interface needs improvement to be more user-friendly and intuitive.
I have been working with it for several years now.
I would rate the stability capabilities nine out of ten.
The scalability is quite substantial, I would rate it nine out of ten. It is extensively utilized, currently operating at its maximum capacity.
I've contacted their technical support a couple of times, and I find them quite effective. I would rate them at eight out of ten.
Positive
I've used various brands like Cisco, HPE, and Sinesky, but when it comes to routers and switches, I opted for MicroTik due to its favorable pricing. In terms of networking performance, particularly the connections between servers and PCs, it has proven to be reliable over the past several years.
The initial setup was somewhat complex. The interface is not user-friendly; navigating through it is challenging due to the complexity of various settings and options. I would rate it four out of ten.
The deployment process, taking one to two hours, involves careful setup of the router and switches. Key considerations include choosing the appropriate port on the router for internet cable connection, connecting network cables to a patch panel for switches, and linking them to each core. Utilizing crucial ports, like the FortiGate Apollo with higher bandwidth, is emphasized. Following physical connections, the PC is powered on, and the network management console is accessed. The router requires extensive configurations, and each switch port must be assigned specific tasks.
It's unquestionably a worthwhile investment, providing an 80% return on investment.
The price is affordable. When comparing MicroTik products to similar ones from other networking companies, the price difference is substantial, often significantly lower. For instance, a MicroTik device that costs $600 may have a counterpart from Cisco priced at two to three times higher, reaching thousands of dollars. This cost discrepancy is also evident with other brands like HP and Intel. I would rate it three out of ten.
I evaluated Cisco, HP, and Dell, renowned companies in the networking industry, but their prominent brand names often result in significantly higher prices. Even though the cost was the main reason to opt for MicroTik, as a technical professional, I prioritize the connection quality and scalability of a product. Even if a product is inexpensive, if it lacks stability, I would never consider it.
I would recommend becoming acquainted with the interface by setting up a personal lab to explore its functionalities thoroughly. It's advisable to undergo training before attempting to implement the system, ensuring a better understanding of its features and capabilities. Overall, I would rate it seven out of ten.
We use MikroTik Routers and Switches for small branches that can provide VPN connectivity with our firewalls.
The best advantages of MikroTik Routers and Switches are that for the price, it's a good product, and there are many abilities to adjust, set up these products, and extend for other functions. New MikroTik Routers and Switches can have containers where you can program them with new functions.
From my point of view, the most important functionality of MikroTik Routers and Switches is routing, switching, and VPN functions.
MikroTik Routers and Switches have excellent performance for their price.
There are many options available in MikroTik Routers and Switches, which might be overwhelming; for a beginner, it takes time to learn the system.
Simplifying the UI could solve this problem for MikroTik Routers and Switches.
It would be definitely great to add some AI features to MikroTik Routers and Switches, but I haven't seen anybody implement that in the active points, in networks such as switches and routers.
I have been using MikroTik Routers and Switches for approximately three to five years.
I actually don't have experience with technical support from MikroTik because we didn't need them.
It's easy to scale MikroTik Routers and Switches; you can add more and have a cluster. You can set up interfaces too, but I can't give a complete answer because we use it for smaller customers, so there is no need to scale further.
I don't have experience with technical support from MikroTik because we didn't need them.
Negative
I am still using MikroTik Routers and Switches. I work with Forcepoint Next Generation Firewall, NGFW, which is on-premise. I am familiar with products such as DDA and DSPM, but I am just working with firewalls.
I work with network active points such as switches from MikroTik and switches and routers from Ubiquiti. I act as an integrator for MikroTik Routers and Switches, which are installed on-premises. I don't have AI features integrated with MikroTik Routers and Switches.
I rate MikroTik Routers and Switches 9 out of 10.
The price is a big factor. They are very affordable, and the quality is high. Another important feature is the software – it's very powerful and open. We find those features very interesting.
It is one of the best products and has good networking capabilities.
The profit margins and lack of local support are the major complaints we have with MikroTik. This makes us consider other options. Therefore, we're not sure if we'll keep MikroTik in our portfolio in the future.
The product is very good with a lot of features, and we're really happy with the devices, but it's a product that doesn't give us much profit. Profitability is one of the strategies we're looking for in our business.
Secondly, when we have a problem and reach out to MikroTik support, it's not very fast. Usually, you have to speak in English, so my technicians need to have strong English skills to communicate.
Sometimes, it's not easy for us to reach customer service and support and try to solve issues when they happen. So, these are my major complaints with the brand.
So, we are looking for better commercial options - better profit and better support.
Our clients would like to see a stronger firewall, something like Fortinet or Barracuda.
In future releases, MikroTik should also improve its Deep Packet Inspection (DPI).
My customers demand more cybersecurity. Routers like Fortinet or Barracuda provide the kind of cybersecurity that my clients need, and MikroTik doesn't have those same features.
I'm suggesting that it would be interesting for MikroTik to provide either these kinds of features within their current products or offer separate products that focus on advanced cybersecurity.
I have been using it for six to seven years. The models vary. We usually work with their switches, wireless routers, and core routers – like the Cloud Core models or the smaller ones like the hAP AC.
I would rate the stability a ten out of ten. It is a stable product.
I would rate its performance a ten out of ten. My clients are usually medium to small companies, so I recommend it for both cases.
When you actually get customer service and support, probably a ten. But reaching them is complicated.
Neutral
We also work with Cisco enterprise routers. We also use MikroTik routers alongside. So, we have experience with both. But right now, it's a bit in flux. We were recently bought by another company, so we're in the process of merging. What we're doing now might change in the near future. So, we still work with MikroTik, but I don't know if we will be in the near future.
MikroTik has very aggressive and competitive pricing.
We have some local operators here in Spain that use MikroTik wireless routers for their operations. They needed compact outdoor routers, and we provided MikroTik solutions.
I would recommend it. Overall, I would rate it a ten out of ten.
We use the product for VPN.
MikroTik Routers and Switches needs to improve stability.
I have been using the product for five years.
I rate the tool's stability a four out of ten. Code configurability is a significant feature in big data because it allows administrators to control various aspects of network protocols. However, it can be challenging for those who are not familiar with networking.
My company has 20 users.
I am not sure if a technical support team exists for the product.
The tool's deployment is complex. It was not intuitive, and I had to support myself with web documentation. Deployment involves downloading the software, connecting to the console, making initial configurations, and setting up the features. This is typically how network devices are set up.
We don't need a consultant for the deployment. A lot of information can be found on the web.
You don't have to pay for a license and can expect cost savings on deployment.
The tool is cheap.
We use MikroTik Routers and Switches in small office deployments. I rate it a six out of ten. I would recommend it for low-budget projects. The product can be difficult if you are not skilled.
We use the solution mostly for wireless communications and as our core connection to the Internet. For our local networks, we use Aruba. When we need to connect to the Internet, we use MikroTik Routers and Switches because of their firewalls. Although we have a few implementations of FortiGate, we've decided to stay with MikroTik Routers and Switches for our startup solutions. It also handles our VPN access to remote switches. It has a really good firewall and supports many leading protocols.
I think the tool's most valuable is its firewall. Cisco assisted them in developing it, making it easy to use. They expose a lot of background features, so you can go deep into integration, similar to Cisco switches. You can choose to use the command line interface or user interface.
MikroTik Routers and Switches are very customizable. We can add our scripts to perform specific tasks. For example, we log data to a database whenever clients connect to specific areas. This allows us to keep track of connections by integrating our scripts into the routing sessions.
I think the documentation of specific features could probably be improved. Especially if you want to try a new feature, sometimes you must test it thoroughly before implementing it with the client because the documentation doesn't give you the full background.
Also, we only use MikroTik Routers and Switches for Internet breakout. I wouldn't use them as switches inside the network or as part of the backbone of our networks. For those purposes, I would use something more reliable, like Aruba. So, they are not reliable enough for those features.
I have been using the product for ten years.
The product is stable. I had it installed about ten years ago and have never replaced it. We've had some problems like access points being exposed to the sun for too long or enclosures not being installed correctly. Some were broken due to vandalism. When exposed to the elements, they stop routing and have issues.
The solution is highly scalable. It includes a router, DNS server, and VPN server and can create IPC connections. You can set up VLANs on it, and it has a built-in firewall system. Additionally, you can create Wi-Fi access points for general Internet setup. So, it caters to a wide range of usage, making it highly scalable.
I have issues with support's language and time barriers. Also, we do not have access to local support.
Neutral
The timeframe for deployment depends on the size of the solution we provide for our clients. If it's something simple, then it's less than a day. If it's larger and includes other industrial automation equipment requiring network connectivity, our projects can go from one to six months. Deployment on just the solution side usually takes a few days to get everything set up and commissioned.
The tool's pricing is competitive.
The solution is recommended mostly for medium businesses. I rate it a nine out of ten.
I use the tool to block external attempts.
The ports could be improved, as certain areas may need to be terminated with a greater number of Ethernet ports. We initially faced challenges that hindered our network usage, especially with third-party applications that were not certified or supported. It took some time to streamline and resolve these issues.
I have been using the product for five years.
We rely on local support and haven't contacted the OEM for support. My company is satisfied with the local support, but they are not flexible enough to provide round-the-clock support.
Positive
The tool offers a one-time buying option.
MikroTik Routers and Switches meet our requirements and help us achieve our goals. We can customize them as needed. I would recommend them to small—or medium-sized customers. However, larger enterprises might need more security features and firewalls.
I rate it a seven out of ten. It's great for small enterprises in industries like healthcare facilities or manufacturing verticals. However, banks may require more specialized solutions due to their specific security needs.
We use the solution to provide the same speed internet to 3,000 users, including students and teachers who are using this in school and college.
The valuable features are the hotspot, network address, registration, and firewall.
MikroTik Routers and Switches lack a user-friendly interface for applications or specific settings. For example, compared to a router from VGG Network, MikroTik's DNS and UI apps might require more technical knowledge to configure easily. While MikroTik offers certified support and clear website guides, some features, like Webex configuration, lack an intuitive interface for automatic setup.
Additionally, MikroTik often requires manual tasks like uploading hotspot tickets and setting up certificates. This can be burdensome, unlike easier solutions like UniFi, especially for monthly updates.
I have been using MikroTik Routers and Switches since 2010.
The product is stable.
I rate the solution’s stability an eight out of ten.
MikroTik doesn't have a simple solution. We have to bring a new one to upgrade the CPU's capacity. It's hard to scale.
Around 2,000 users are using the solution.
I rate the solution's scalability a three out of ten.
We use Unifi Switches to deploy and manage access points on-site.
The initial setup is complex.
I rate the product’s pricing a six out of ten, where one is cheap and ten is expensive.
Overall, I rate the solution a seven out of ten.
