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3Com H3C Switches vs Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access comparison

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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

3Com H3C Switches
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
27th
Average Rating
8.0
Reviews Sentiment
5.4
Number of Reviews
8
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secu...
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
11th
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
7.1
Number of Reviews
49
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of September 2026, in the Ethernet Switches category, the mindshare of 3Com H3C Switches is 1.4%, up from 0.9% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is 3.5%, down from 4.5% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Ethernet Switches Mindshare Distribution
ProductMindshare (%)
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access3.5%
3Com H3C Switches1.4%
Other95.1%
Ethernet Switches
 

Featured Reviews

AA
Manager at Necsol
Has improved operational response times and reduced downtime across departments
There is no negative impact, but to some extent their software side needs improvement because most people are familiar with iDRAC for the Dell product. Their software product is quite different and is new software. You have to take some time to learn their programming and other things such as installation of the media, Windows or office applications, or anything else. It is not complex. It is because it is a new thing and we had to face a little more problem for the installation at first. But now after some time, it has become easy for us because we have been working with Dell and listening about Dell for a long time, about decades. 3Com H3C Switches has occupied our market and has been working now for the last two to three years. 3Com H3C Switches has gained this much reputation and the brand is at its peak. It will be a matter of time and with the passage of time the learning stage will improve.
HM
Cyber Security Manager at Greater Cairo Water Company (GCWC)
Zero Trust access has improved branch security and provides granular visibility for all devices
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access has substantial automation because the configuration is managed from FortiGate dashboard. Automation increases performance and decreases installation time. I mentioned the unique specifications of the switch and the solution at the start. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access granular visibility features have helped me manage IoT devices. I can see every device in the network and the details about each device because FortiGate has an inventory of every device, making the integration between Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access and FortiGate unique. The deep integration with Fortinet's Security Fabric is very important for threat intelligence in my organization. Reliability is key, and automation contributes significantly to network performance optimization in my organization. I have to use FortiLink for automatic UTM extension, as it is a unique proprietary protocol to manage Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access through FortiGate. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is a switch that is related to its Secure Access feature. I gave this review a rating of 9.

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"The installation is quite straightforward."
"The most valuable feature of this solution is the durability."
"The reliability of the solution has been the best feature."
"The hardware side is a very big advantage. We use it 24/7 and we haven't had any problems so far with the switches."
"They are easy to use, they are cheaper, and it's a trusted brand."
"Their customer service is instant with a tracking system and follow-ups for human access."
"Total cost of ownership and consolidation of the switches is very good."
"The user interface is upgraded to the latest GUI technology, allowing configurations like VLAN to be done through the interface rather than the command line, making it more efficient."
"Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access has a positive impact and return on investment that revolves around security, as it allows me to apply Zero Trust technology, which is currently the trend in the world and is needed for security layers."
"The most valuable feature of the solution is the MAC feature."
"The most valuable feature is that I can completely isolate devices that are compromising the network."
"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."
"FortiSwitch provides a lot of companies with big enterprise functionality, and it is less expensive than products like Cisco Switch."
"One of the most feature-packed switching solutions you can implement."
"It works really well, I think the equipment is solid, and the help is great."
"What I actually use in this deployment are Forti APs (Fortinet Access Points). So, I can see all my office infrastructure from a single console, which is handy. One FortiGate, one FortiSwitch, and five access points, everything under good control. It's really nice to see it all together like this."
 

Cons

"The configuration of 3Com H3C Switches could be better."
"If I had to go back in time, I might go with HP."
"I think there's nothing that needs to be improved because the company is no longer in existence."
"The cost and the integration with other solutions could be better."
"We found some security holes in some of their switches, but overall it's fairly stable."
"The company should come up with new security features and new management and log recording systems, helping customers to analyze issues and prevent future incidents."
"To some extent their software side needs improvement because most people are familiar with iDRAC for the Dell product."
"The technical support services need improvement in terms of communication."
"The product must improve its prices."
"They could provide integration with Fortinet Authenticator."
"I don't like the way it's managed."
"Personally, I don't really like this product. Fortinet FortiSwitch is oriented to secure, not for switching."
"The tool should improve its CLI."
"If you contact Fortinet, it's a bit difficult. Most of the time, they send you just links and documents to read for troubleshooting. When you contact support, you don't need documents. You want someone that can understand your problem, give a hand, and help you. I'm not impressed by the support really."
"The security of the solution could be a bit better."
"FortiSwitch offers eight and 24-port models. They don't have a 16-port model, which can be an issue for some clients."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"3Com H3C Switches have a competitive cost. I rate the pricing a nine out of ten."
"The cost could be improved, but it is cheaper than the others."
"The pricing for Fortinet FortiSwitch is not expensive."
"We have to pay for the solution's subscription."
"The price of the solution could improve, it is expensive."
"Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access requires a license and the price is expensive."
"We have an annual licensing cost. There are no additional costs."
"The solution is cheaper than Cisco but more expensive than Huawei."
"The solution is expensive but overall the cost makes sense."
"We have to renew and pay for the licenses."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Outsourcing Company
11%
Financial Services Firm
10%
Construction Company
9%
Comms Service Provider
9%
Comms Service Provider
9%
Outsourcing Company
9%
Financial Services Firm
8%
Manufacturing Company
7%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business7
Midsize Enterprise1
Large Enterprise4
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business39
Midsize Enterprise6
Large Enterprise7
 

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for 3Com H3C Switches?
Price is the major factor. You cannot say it is much better because all servers and all products have a few things in common, which are the processor, storage, and RAM and other things. Mostly the ...
What needs improvement with 3Com H3C Switches?
There is no negative impact, but to some extent their software side needs improvement because most people are familiar with iDRAC for the Dell product. Their software product is quite different and...
What advice do you have for others considering 3Com H3C Switches?
I personally did not work over the management, but I supplied to some of my other clients. I would rate this review a 9 overall.
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 needs improvement with Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access?
I believe enhancement in security is essential for Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access. Fortinet needs to perform extensive testing to improve its reliability. If they achieve that, I think it wil...
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

British Columbia Assessment Authority, DreamWorks, DRV
Black Gold Regional Schools, Amadeus Hospitality, Jefferson County, Chunghwa Telecom, City of Boroondara, Dimension Data
Find out what your peers are saying about 3Com H3C Switches vs. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access and other solutions. Updated: September 2026.
913,924 professionals have used our research since 2012.