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Cisco Catalyst Switches vs D-Link Ethernet Switches 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:
 

ROI

Sentiment score
6.7
Cisco Catalyst Switches offer excellent ROI and efficiency over time, though some users express concerns about pricing.
Sentiment score
1.0
D-Link Ethernet Switches offer cost-effective, Cisco-comparable features, achieving ROI in four years with up to 90% resource savings.
From an investment standpoint, deploying Cisco Catalyst Switches offers tangible benefits, including cost reductions.
 

Customer Service

Sentiment score
6.9
Cisco Catalyst Switches support is generally praised for responsiveness, though some users report slower responses and declining expertise.
Sentiment score
4.7
Most users manage D-Link issues independently, using online resources, with mixed support satisfaction and preference for quicker assistance.
Cisco support is very good and responsive.
Cisco's support is good, one of the best supports that you will get.
I am paying for Cisco support and would rate it nine out of ten.
We have implemented these switches in 25 to 30 sites without significant problems.
Whenever there is an issue, the local technical team supports us, whether through physical presence or remotely.
 

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score
7.6
Cisco Catalyst Switches offer scalability, adaptability, and ease of integration, making them ideal for enterprises of all sizes.
Sentiment score
5.9
D-Link Ethernet Switches offer scalable solutions for various enterprises, balancing user growth, diverse deployment, and competitive pricing efficiently.
The scalability of Cisco Catalyst Switches is very much scalable, as it supports the stacking feature and growth; for instance, with 94K modular switches, based on the requirement, we can even increase modules for more bandwidth.
Cisco Catalyst Switches are scalable, and I would rate them eight to nine out of ten for scalability.
The pricing is competitive in the market, making D-Link Ethernet switches a good option for both middle-end and high-end brands.
There is not much scalability.
 

Stability Issues

Sentiment score
8.2
Cisco Catalyst Switches are highly reliable, with rare hardware issues, operating stably for years without significant downtime.
Sentiment score
7.8
D-Link Ethernet Switches are reliable and stable, with minimal issues, though older models may occasionally have performance concerns.
Cisco Catalyst Switches are stable.
There are no stability issues with D-Link Ethernet switches.
The integration has been successful with no security breaches or network disturbances.
The stability of D-Link Ethernet Switches is good.
 

Room For Improvement

Cisco Catalyst Switches face issues with pricing, integration, usability, stability, support, and require enhanced security, manageability, and cloud features.
D-Link Ethernet Switches need better stability, cost-efficiency, software management, security, cloud integration, support, scalability, and advanced technology support.
Currently, I don't see much AI integration with Cisco Catalyst Switches; though they've started, it still needs improvement.
Cisco Catalyst Switches could be a little bit cheaper as they are very costly.
The configuration options on the Cisco Commerce website could be more efficient.
Currently, D-Link Ethernet Switches are often not used in large data centers due to issues with performance and scalability.
Improvements in the voltage facility, like increasing from 360 watts to 400 or 450 watts, would make them more competitive with other vendors.
 

Setup Cost

Cisco Catalyst Switches are expensive but praised for quality, with licensing complexities; bulk buying can reduce costs.
D-Link Ethernet Switches offer cost-effective, one-time purchase options without recurring fees, appealing to budget-conscious enterprise users.
Cisco provides unique features that justify their pricing.
Cisco usually is costly compared to other vendors.
Cisco Catalyst Switches are quite pricey.
The pricing of D-Link Ethernet Switches is cost-effective.
D-Link Ethernet Switches are 30% cheaper than Cisco switches.
High-end switches should be slightly cheaper.
 

Valuable Features

Cisco Catalyst Switches provide reliable performance, advanced features, and intuitive management for efficient, high-speed networking in various environments.
D-Link Ethernet Switches are user-friendly, cost-effective, support VLAN, and offer robust security with efficient management and green technology.
Cisco Catalyst Switches are valuable for their reliability and performance.
Catalyst Switches are efficient and swift, which is valuable for my organization.
The most beneficial features for our network management are their stability and good customer support.
The features of D-Link Ethernet Switches that have proven most beneficial in managing network traffic include their cost-effectiveness, which is suitable for small data centers.
It's especially valuable because Cisco and other products function similarly, but for smaller networks where high transfer rates aren't necessary.
With D-Link Ethernet Switches, I do not face any network load issues.
 

Categories and Ranking

Cisco Catalyst Switches
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
7th
Average Rating
8.6
Reviews Sentiment
6.9
Number of Reviews
176
Ranking in other categories
LAN Switching (1st), Data Center Networking (1st), AV Over IP Switching (1st)
D-Link Ethernet Switches
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
14th
Average Rating
7.8
Reviews Sentiment
6.4
Number of Reviews
30
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of July 2025, in the Ethernet Switches category, the mindshare of Cisco Catalyst Switches is 2.3%, down from 2.4% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of D-Link Ethernet Switches is 5.4%, down from 5.7% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Ethernet Switches
 

Q&A Highlights

it_user1562274 - PeerSpot reviewer
May 02, 2021
 

Featured Reviews

Joshua Odunsi - PeerSpot reviewer
Ensures efficient performance and supports network growth with optimal speed
Catalyst Switches are efficient and swift, which is valuable for my organization. I experience optimal speed and effective configuration, making them stand out compared to other switches. The PoE switches offer more ports on SFP, and it is efficient in use. Overall, the switches provide me with the value I expect in terms of speed and efficiency.
Daniel Kivuthi - PeerSpot reviewer
Fits well in networks, integrate well but initial setup needs trained people
I did not face any major challenges, but the only thing is that D-Link has to invest in training technicians or engineers who install their products. They have to keep training them. D-Link can offer free training, or maybe even if they are charged, it's some fair charge. That way, D-Link encourages many technicians to take that training. And when the team has trained technicians or trained engineers, then it becomes very easy to install the devices and put them in the network. The solution integrates very well with our existing network infrastructure. The initial setup is straightforward. But, again, I will insist: If it is handled by trained personnel, then you find that the integration and installation are easy. But when people try to install the switches or the solutions and they do not have the technical know-how, then it becomes a challenge. People start saying that it's not a good solution, that they are not working. Yet, it is the technician who does not know how to handle them.
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Answers from the Community

it_user1562274 - PeerSpot reviewer
May 2, 2021
May 2, 2021
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 other hand, which model of the Dlink brand do you want to use?1) is equivalent in functions?2) are all the functions of the Cisco equipment used?3) Do you already have the IT expert to install and con...
2 out of 5 answers
EB
Apr 28, 2021
Hi @Manish Nalawade , @Phillip Peerman ​and @Devanand PR. Could you assist @Mesfin Workneh?
Luis Apodaca - PeerSpot reviewer
Apr 28, 2021
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 other hand, which model of the Dlink brand do you want to use?1) is equivalent in functions?2) are all the functions of the Cisco equipment used?3) Do you already have the IT expert to install and configure it?4) Will the new equipment suggested in Dlink use all the functions you need?Most of the time, the consideration of changing the equipment is because its useful life has come to an end, the technology is no longer the best available, or it broke down due to some overload, in these cases the first criterion to decide is always the cost economic, but the ideal is to see the big picture and look at the overall cost-benefitIt does not matter that the Dlink equipment is more economical, in these times many brands have economic equipment and that rival in capabilities with the leading brands you can have confidence in itAs a result of this, the same Cisco brand already has a line (Catalyst 1000) that presents the same cost benefit as the equipment of the others with lower price rangesfinally my personal recommendation is any brand of the followinga) Ubiquiti Edge or ubiquiti Unifib) Cisco Catalyst 1000c) TPLink Omadad) Aruba instant onGood luck.
 

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Educational Organization
41%
Computer Software Company
10%
Manufacturing Company
6%
Financial Services Firm
5%
Computer Software Company
13%
Comms Service Provider
9%
Healthcare Company
9%
Manufacturing Company
8%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

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 do you like most about Cisco Catalyst Switches?
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 swit...
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Cisco Catalyst Switches?
For pricing satisfaction, I'd say it will be six to seven because Cisco usually is costly compared to other vendors. Regarding pricing, there is indeed room for improvement.
What do you like most about D-Link Ethernet Switches?
D-Link has a good VPN feature and quality of service.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for D-Link Ethernet Switches?
D-Link Ethernet Switches are 30% cheaper than Cisco switches. Pricing has not been a concern since it is already included in the capex.
What needs improvement with D-Link Ethernet Switches?
Currently, I have no issues with D-Link Ethernet Switches nor any new features needed at the moment.
 

Also Known As

Cisco Catalyst, Catalyst
No data available
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

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
George Mason University, Somerville House, Hiperwall, New Brunswick School District 16, The Fulcrum Group, Bremond Independent School District, University of Texas Health Science Center, Grand Canyon Skywalk, SUN Area Career & Technology Center, Abington Senior High School
Find out what your peers are saying about Cisco Catalyst Switches vs. D-Link Ethernet Switches and other solutions. Updated: June 2025.
860,592 professionals have used our research since 2012.