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Broadcom StrataXGS vs Cisco Catalyst Switches comparison

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Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive Summary

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

Broadcom StrataXGS
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
30th
Average Rating
10.0
Reviews Sentiment
3.9
Number of Reviews
1
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Cisco Catalyst Switches
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
2nd
Average Rating
8.6
Reviews Sentiment
6.4
Number of Reviews
196
Ranking in other categories
LAN Switching (1st), Data Center Networking (1st), AV Over IP Switching (1st)
 

Mindshare comparison

As of November 2026, in the Ethernet Switches category, the mindshare of Broadcom StrataXGS is 0.9%, up from 0.8% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Cisco Catalyst Switches is 4.5%, up from 3.2% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Ethernet Switches Mindshare Distribution
ProductMindshare (%)
Cisco Catalyst Switches4.5%
Broadcom StrataXGS0.9%
Other94.6%
Ethernet Switches
 

Featured Reviews

WILLIAM SANITATE - PeerSpot reviewer
Vice President Of Engineering at O & S Services LLC
Useful multi-processes, software compatibility, and flexible
The initial setup of Broadcom StrataXGS is complex. However, if you use reference design by Broadcom it can be easy. If you use something else that is not in the reference design you can start to have timing or other problems. If you are not using their hardware, such as Intel, the support might not be there.
Md Rafique - PeerSpot reviewer
Desktop support Engineer at a outsourcing company with 51-200 employees
Reliable switching has improved segmentation and reduces downtime with faster troubleshooting
One area I would like to see improvement is making configuration and troubleshooting more straightforward, especially for engineers managing a large number of switches. Some tasks can require multiple CLI commands and checking different outputs to identify an issue. Better centralized visibility, more intuitive automation tools, and clearer troubleshooting information would make day-to-day operations more efficient. That said, the CLI gives experienced network engineers a lot of control, so I would see these improvements as making the existing capabilities easier and faster to use rather than replacing them. For on-premises deployment, I would like to see easier centralized management and more automation for larger switch environments. Firmware upgrades, configuration changes, and troubleshooting can take significant time when they have to be handled across many physical devices. Better zero-touch provisioning, simplifying firmware management solutions, stronger integration with monitoring and IT management platforms, and more proactive hardware health alerts would make operations easier. I would also like better visibility into hardware capabilities and lifecycle status from a single dashboard so we can identify potential issues before they affect users.

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 Broadcom StrataXGS is the multi-processes and software compatibility providing flexibility. There are plenty of options to choose from."
"The solution was not complex to set up; it was very straightforward and simple, and the experience was very good."
"One good feature is UPOE. Another is having a built-in controller, the customer doesn't have to ask for another controller. For example, you get a built-in controller with the C650. And two-port is one of the premium factors from Cisco."
"A very expandable solution."
"We are a vendor for the healthcare sector, especially hospitals, and normally, we use a full Cisco solution for stability, especially for the stability of the Access Points and the security of switches."
"The product is stable, and it performs well."
"Catalyst Switches perform very well, and the network is stable."
"The configuration and command set are user-friendly."
"The most valuable feature is load balancing."
 

Cons

"The support could improve."
"Cisco is a bit complex."
"Currently, I see no value for money or return on investment."
"Cisco needs to improve compatibility with other solutions and other vendors like SolarWinds. We've had problems using Catalyst with SolarWinds. Some devices can't be put on SolarWinds due to some ID Values and so on."
"The pricing is on the high end. Recently, at the beginning of this year, we actually did a comparison of Cisco and HP products."
"The solution is expensive. Sometimes we will choose some cheaper options even though they are not as stable as Cisco's offering."
"I have had a little hiccup working with Catalyst switches. They used a few power integration features but I'm not sure they really resulted in much power saving. But, it caused cross-vendor equipment trouble."
"The price is something we would definitely like improved. It would be nice if it was more economical."
"The pricing could be cheaper. There is a one-time license, but we pay for the smart net license every three years for support."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The price of Broadcom StrataXGS is high, but other solutions such as Cisco are more expensive."
"This is an expensive product."
"Cisco Catalyst Switches is an expensive solution."
"The price for Cisco Catalyst Switches is not cheaper than other solutions."
"The price of the solution is expensive compared to other products from America or Europe. They should have more competitive pricing."
"Cisco Catalyst Switches are very expensive."
"The price can definitely be lower."
"Cisco products are not that cheap."
"I don't see any price issue with Cisco. Whenever you buy a quality product, you always have a mindset of paying the premium amount. For any good product, you pay a premium amount, but that also means you are going to recover that premium over a period of time in terms of performance."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Manufacturing Company
14%
Comms Service Provider
11%
Computer Software Company
9%
Financial Services Firm
9%
Outsourcing Company
14%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Financial Services Firm
8%
Construction Company
7%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
No data available
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business85
Midsize Enterprise30
Large Enterprise91
 

Questions from the Community

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Would you recommend replacing a Cisco Catalyst Switch by a D-link one?
Hello Mesfin It depends on the real scenario, the cisco 2960 is a very good device and they usually have routing functions but there are many different models within the same 2960 line, and on the ...
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Cisco Catalyst Switches?
My experience is that Cisco Catalyst Switches can involve a relatively significant upfront investment, especially when you consider the hardware, support, and licensing requirements. The total cost...
What needs improvement with Cisco Catalyst Switches?
One area I would like to see improvement is making configuration and troubleshooting more straightforward, especially for engineers managing a large number of switches. Some tasks can require multi...
 

Also Known As

StrataXGS
Cisco Catalyst, Catalyst
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

State Bank of India, Hill International, Coty
Afni, Anilana Hotels and Resorts, Baylor Scott & White Health, Beachbody, Bellevue, Del Papa Distributing, Explorer Pipeline, Mindtree, Omaha World Herald, Radio 538, Sony Corporation, Telecom Italia, Telenor Arena
Find out what your peers are saying about Cisco, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Arista and others in Ethernet Switches. Updated: October 2026.
920,769 professionals have used our research since 2012.