Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN vs Huawei eSight comparison

Why PeerSpot?

Cisco and Huawei are both solutions in the Network Management Applications category. Cisco is ranked #6 with an average rating of 8.6, while Huawei is ranked #15. Cisco holds a 2.3% mindshare in NMA, compared to Huawei’s 4.4% mindshare. Additionally, 92% of Cisco users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 72% of Huawei users who would recommend it.

Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN

Read 108 Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN reviews

16,428 Views
1,479 Comparison Views

92% willing to recommend

Huawei eSight

Read 10 Huawei eSight reviews

5,527 Views
2,045 Comparison Views

72% willing to recommend

Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN

Huawei eSight

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Jan 2, 2025

Huawei eSight and Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN compete in the network management category. Huawei eSight has the advantage in pricing and customer support, while Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN offers superior features, justifying its higher cost.

Features: Huawei eSight includes alarm management, visualization of network device health, and RTLS similar to Cisco Prime. Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN offers deep packet inspection, centralized management, and application-aware routing for VOIP and video calls using MPLS.

Room for Improvement: Huawei eSight could enhance its cloud integration, expand compatibility with non-Huawei devices, and improve its real-time network analytics. Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN may benefit from simplifying complex configurations, reducing deployment times for large-scale networks, and enhancing its WAN optimization features.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN provides a cloud-based model, facilitating easier installation and scalability, supported by robust customer service. Huawei eSight relies on an on-premises deployment, requiring more resource commitment, though its customer support is highly responsive.

Pricing and ROI: Huawei eSight offers cost-effective solutions with good ROI through its efficient network management. It is generally lower-priced, appealing to budget-conscious enterprises. Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN, although more expensive, provides high ROI due to improved network performance and reduced operational costs, making it an attractive long-term investment.

To learn more, read our detailed Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN vs. Huawei eSight Report (Updated: November 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN vs. Huawei eSight

November 2026

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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

Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN

Ranking in Network Management Applications

6th

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

6.5

Number of Reviews

108

Ranking in other categories

Software Defined WAN (SD-WAN) Solutions (1st), WAN Edge (2nd)

Huawei eSight

Ranking in Network Management Applications

15th

Average Rating

7.4

Reviews Sentiment

6.9

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

IT Infrastructure Monitoring (57th)

Mindshare comparison

As of November 2026, in the Network Management Applications category, the mindshare of Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN is 2.3%, down from 2.7% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Huawei eSight is 4.4%, up from 4.3% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Network Management Applications Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN	2.3%
Huawei eSight	4.4%
Other	93.3%

Network Management Applications

Featured Reviews

Ashwani-Tyagi

Regional Manager at Orange

Centralized control has simplified cloud access and has improved operational visibility

If they can have better firewall features as their competitors have, such as Fortinet and Versa, that would help to place this solution better so that we can address security related things. If they can have all the IPS, IDS, everything built on all the edge devices, whether physical or virtual, that could be one improvement. Actually, if customers are existing Cisco customers, if Cisco can be more flexible to leverage the existing investment, that could be another important aspect to save on cost and be more competitive from a pricing perspective. Overall, the pricing or the segment that Cisco deals with is a bit premium, which they charge a bit premium against the competition on the licensing, hardware, and services. The implementation is not straightforward. You need a specialized partner or specialized people who can implement this. It can be simplified a bit from that perspective as well. Mostly the way we implement the policies for a big environment requires a lot of things that we need to take care of. If that can somehow be improved, because they have different components, like they have vManage, they have vSmart, and vBond and all these components have to work with a certain flow that they need to follow.

Read full review

Gary Strydom

Desktop Analyst at Transnet

Used to monitor devices and provides the hardware alarms feature

Huawei eSight has helped me overcome many monitoring aspects of the hardware. From a single view, I can monitor all the hardware. Instead of logging on to each piece of hardware and monitoring it individually, I can monitor them from one single point. I would recommend the solution to other users because it provides a single point of view of the hardware. Overall, I rate the solution a nine out of ten.

Read full review

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"The first part that we like is that we can reuse certain hardware, which is a valuable asset."

"Cisco is an industry leader, so customers have a high level of trust with the brand more-so than with some newcomers that might have some more revolutionary solutions, but no name recognition."

"If a company really wants to go with SD-WAN, Cisco is one of the greatest in this area, definitely."

"Application-aware routing offers flexibility in using different lines for traffic, depending on the policy implemented."

"The most valuable feature is the ease of central management."

"Cisco SD-WAN is valued for its operational efficiency and ease of operation."

"The product is stable."

"The solution allows organizations to have visibility into the application traffic."

More Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN pros

"eSight allows me to monitor and solve any problem in the backbone and any switch in real-time."

"The product is stable."

"I like the real-time location monitor or RTLS feature. It is similar to the monitoring feature in Cisco Prime."

"We use this solution to monitor our sales."

"Huawei eSight provides businesses with monitoring capabilities of network devices across your network."

"We have found the product to be stable and reliable."

"We can scale the solution."

"We use Huawei eSight to monitor devices like Wi-Fi controllers, LAN switches, and routers."

More Huawei eSight pros

Cons

"The tool is very expensive."

"When you buy the equipment, they should already put it into your cloud account. It should already be set up so that we can manage with vBond."

"When you buy the equipment, they should already put it into your cloud account. It should already be set up so that we can manage with vBond. We came across an issue where it wasn't resolved in the DNS. We are using Umbrella, so we need to create a VPN IPSec tunnel to Umbrella to enable the users to browse. I would really like to see an internal built-in firewall so that we don't have to go to Umbrella. This functionality might already be there. We are quite new to this solution, and we are still learning about it."

"The solution is difficult to set up. It's tedious."

"Since most user-data is going through the solution, we are concerned about security, as all the information is in the cloud and not on-premises. The user data authentification should be higher to better prevent malicious attacks."

"This solution should include a fully functional firewall at no extra charge."

"We have had issues where the configuration or IP spoofing on the network was not so good."

"It should also be much more affordable for a larger number of customers."

More Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN cons

"It is not a very flexible product. We cannot change much from our side."

"The price could be less costly."

"Huawei eSight should work on the option to have the email notification working on Office 365 Exchange."

"This solution could be improved by offering monitoring for all devices and not only Huawei devices."

"When I implemented this Huawei solution, I faced some limitations in particular areas like wireless scanning."

"The variety of license types should be made simpler as, at present, it is complex."

"Something that could be improved is the lack of integration with Cisco switches. In the next release, I would like to see better reporting."

"eSight has many features and options, but sometimes, we feel that it should be more advanced, like Cisco. It would be good if they can enable some automation part in eSight. Most of our customers want automation in their network. They don't want a dependency on everything. That's why the automation part must be improved in Huawei. It will be beneficial for customers. Cisco has different products, and there are multiple products for monitoring, automation, etc. In the software-defined network, Cisco has ACI, and VMware has NSX. Such options must be there in Huawei to move to a software-defined network. Unlike Cisco, in the case of eSight, there is only one product. I am not aware of any other product. It would be good to enhance it with at least some automation options so that we can use it effectively in the campus network or big data center environment. When I implemented this Huawei solution, I faced some limitations in particular areas like wireless scanning. This is another part that they can improve. Wireless reporting option is not as effective as other monitoring solutions. For a particular use case, if a customer is asking for some reports, sometimes they are not 100% satisfactory. The reporting structure must be improved."

More Huawei eSight cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The pricing of this solution is very expensive."

"The price of the solution is the only negative factor, it is much more expensive compared with the Cisco Meraki SD-WAN solution."

"You can get subscriptions for three or five years."

"The Cisco SD-WAN licensing model needs to be simplified. There are currently three types of licenses: enterprise agreements, individual licenses, and DNA subscriptions. This can confuse customers, requiring a dedicated person to determine which type of license is right for their organization."

"This is not a cheap option but if you move from Capex to Opex, I expect you should have lower costs."

"In the Russian market where we operate, this solution is expensive."

"Cloud subscription management must be paid for, although this does not incur a perpetual fee."

"The pricing is fair, and it's on par with the market vendors. But based on the competition, Cisco could work on the pricing, go deep on discounts and provide more commercially viable solutions to customers."

More Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN pricing and cost advice

"Its pricing is better than any other Huawei product. Some products are cheaper in Huawei, and some products are cheaper in Cisco. Cisco has more benefits and options than Huawei if you consider different network environments."

"Pricing depends on the competition. If your competitor is like Cisco, then Huawei is much more competitive when it comes to pricing."

"The price is very expensive."

"The solution’s pricing is reasonable."

"The pricing for Huawei eSight is reasonable, especially with the base license and incremental licenses for additional devices. However, the variety of license types can be a bit complex. We used to sell eSight but switched to another solution, so we're not actively trading it anymore."

"I would rate this solution a nine out of ten for pricing. The pricing depends on which features you use and can become expensive."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Outsourcing Company

11%

Financial Services Firm

10%

Manufacturing Company

Construction Company

Financial Services Firm

17%

Comms Service Provider

10%

Manufacturing Company

Construction Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	52
Midsize Enterprise	15
Large Enterprise	52

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	5
Midsize Enterprise	5
Large Enterprise	1

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Cisco SD-WAN?

The pricing for Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN is something I don't know as the tender is not in my department or at my level, but I know it is very expensive.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Cisco SD-WAN?

I cannot speak to programming-side improvements since that is not my area of expertise. On a base level, improvements could include a better interface, more AI capabilities, better pricing, and bet...

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Cisco SD-WAN?

The primary use case is for network management and routers we have for WAN connectivity.

See all answers

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Comparisons

Prisma SD-WAN vs Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN

Compared 23% of the time

VMware VeloCloud SD-WAN vs Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN

Compared 4% of the time

Huawei Enterprise Routers vs Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN

Compared 4% of the time

Aruba EdgeConnect SD-WAN Platform vs Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN

Compared 4% of the time

Fortinet FortiGate vs Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN

Compared 4% of the time

More Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Competitors

Cisco DNA Center vs Huawei eSight

Compared 5% of the time

H3C intelligent Management Center vs Huawei eSight

Compared 5% of the time

Zabbix vs Huawei eSight

Compared 4% of the time

PRTG Network Monitor vs Huawei eSight

Compared 4% of the time

Aruba Airwave vs Huawei eSight

Compared 3% of the time

More Huawei eSight Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN

October 2026

Download Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN product report

Buyer's Guide

Network Management Applications

October 2026

Download Huawei eSight product report

Also Known As

Cisco SD-WAN

No data available

Overview

Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN offers centralized management and integrates seamlessly with existing Cisco ecosystems. It simplifies deployment with zero-touch provisioning, delivering robust security and optimized application routing.

Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN provides essential capabilities for organizations seeking secure remote connectivity and cost reduction, notably through its support of hybrid environments. While pricing and complexity present challenges, its advanced application control and cloud compatibility make it a valuable asset for connecting branches and data centers. Users benefit from enhanced security, network assurance, and simplified management, driving operational efficiency.

What are the key features of Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN?

Centralized Management: Streamlines network operations through a single interface.
Zero-Touch Provisioning: Simplifies deployment, reducing manual setup efforts.
Application-Aware Routing: Enhances performance by prioritizing critical applications.
Robust Security: Integrates strong security measures for data protection.
Hybrid Environment Support: Facilitates connectivity across various environments.
Integration with Cisco Products: Ensures seamless operation within existing networks.

What benefits can users expect from Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN?

Cost Efficiency: Reduces networking expenses by optimizing resource usage.
Operational Simplicity: Streamlines processes, reducing resource strain.
Enhanced Security: Strengthens defenses with integrated security features.
Improved Connectivity: Ensures reliable communication for remote sites.
Scalability: Supports varying enterprise sizes with tailored solutions.

In banking, retail, and enterprise sectors, Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN facilitates effective network management by enhancing connectivity between branches and data centers. Its security features and zero-touch deployment are particularly valued, providing scalable solutions for locations that demand reliable, application-prioritized networking.

Cisco

Huawei eSight provides efficient network and infrastructure management, known for supporting all Huawei devices. With features like alarm management and device health visualization, it remains a stable, scalable tool for Huawei partners seeking effective monitoring and control.

Huawei eSight offers detailed monitoring, supporting Huawei devices seamlessly, praised for its simplicity and integration with Windows servers. Users appreciate its Network Traffic Analyzer and dashboard, which includes storage and resource monitoring. It is cost-effective and scales well for Huawei users. However, interface and menu design updates are needed, alongside better automation and third-party device integration like Cisco switches. Improvements in wireless reporting and licensing options would enhance usability. Excessive alerts and flexibility issues should be addressed, as should support and deployment processes.

What key features does Huawei eSight provide?

Alarm Management: Provides timely notifications for potential issues.
Device Health Visualization: Offers clear insights into device status and performance.
Real-Time Location Monitor: Tracks device locations efficiently.
Network Traffic Analyzer: Analyzes traffic for better decision making.
Resource Monitoring: Monitors resources ensuring optimal usage.

What benefits should users consider in reviews?

Cost-Effectiveness: Provides value suitable for Huawei devices.
Stability: Ensures reliable performance.
Scalability: Adapts to growing network demands.
Efficiency: Simplifies management tasks.

Huawei eSight is widely adopted in industries for managing network infrastructure. Organizations use it to monitor switches, routers, and access points, often in data centers or enterprise networks. It aids in device configuration, management, and support, tailored to networks built on Huawei's product ecosystem.

Huawei

Sample Customers

Doyle Research, Ashton Metzler & Associates

Marina Bay, CITIC Pacific Mining

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN vs. Huawei eSight

November 2026

Free Report: Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN vs. Huawei eSight

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