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3Com H3C Switches vs Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access 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

3Com H3C Switches
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
26th
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
10th
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
6.8
Number of Reviews
48
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of June 2026, in the Ethernet Switches category, the mindshare of 3Com H3C Switches is 1.3%, up from 1.0% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is 3.9%, down from 4.9% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Ethernet Switches Mindshare Distribution
ProductMindshare (%)
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access3.9%
3Com H3C Switches1.3%
Other94.8%
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.
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.

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"They're straightforward and stable."
"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."
"The reliability of the solution has been the best feature."
"3Com H3C Switches products are available at a low price, and the second most important factor is their services, availability of parts, and warranty claims, with main service centers in all major cities of Pakistan."
"The installation is quite straightforward."
"Their customer service is instant with a tracking system and follow-ups for human access."
"The most valuable feature of this solution is the durability."
"We switched to Fortinet FortiSwitch Secure Access because it can integrate to the firewall in FortiGate, which allows us to centralize the management console on the firewall to manage the security and network on one brand and lowers the cost of management."
"Having a single dashboard to manage everything simplifies the process."
"The most valuable feature is the security switch."
"The product is very secure."
"I think this is a great product and everyone who chooses it will enjoy using it."
"FortiSwitch Secure Access has a nice interface."
"It offers better insight into what's going on in our customer's network and faster resolution for issues that are happening."
"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."
 

Cons

"To some extent their software side needs improvement because most people are familiar with iDRAC for the Dell product."
"We found some security holes in some of their switches, but overall it's fairly stable."
"When we try to do configuration changes sometimes it malfunctions."
"The cost and the integration with other solutions could be better."
"I think there's nothing that needs to be improved because the company is no longer in existence."
"The technical support services need improvement in terms of communication."
"The configuration of 3Com H3C Switches could be better."
"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."
"Technical support needs to take a different approach and pricing should appear more competitive."
"It could be simpler but compared to the competition, it's not so bad."
"I feel that the product's stability is an area where improvements are required."
"The security of the solution could be a bit better."
"The solution has SD-WAN but it doesn't have SDN. This should be added."
"The reporting capabilities should be included."
"FortiSwitch offers eight and 24-port models. They don't have a 16-port model, which can be an issue for some clients."
"The technical support team is slow to respond and the responses are not always complete."
 

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 product pricing seems to be mid-range."
"We have to renew and pay for the licenses."
"We have to pay for the solution's subscription."
"Fortinet FortiSwitch is a pricey solution."
"We have an annual licensing cost. There are no additional costs."
"It's affordable compared to other switching products, like Cisco switches."
"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 has reasonable pricing. The firewall costs around 500$ annually."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Financial Services Firm
10%
Construction Company
9%
Comms Service Provider
8%
Manufacturing Company
7%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Comms Service Provider
8%
Financial Services Firm
8%
Computer Software 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 Business38
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 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...
 

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: June 2026.
900,747 professionals have used our research since 2012.