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Cisco Catalyst Switches vs HPE ProCurve comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Jan 12, 2025

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 Switches
Ranking in LAN Switching
1st
Average Rating
8.6
Reviews Sentiment
6.9
Number of Reviews
175
Ranking in other categories
Ethernet Switches (7th), Data Center Networking (1st), AV Over IP Switching (1st)
HPE ProCurve
Ranking in LAN Switching
5th
Average Rating
8.6
Number of Reviews
38
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of April 2025, in the LAN Switching category, the mindshare of Cisco Catalyst Switches is 29.4%, down from 32.2% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of HPE ProCurve is 12.1%, down from 13.7% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
LAN Switching
 

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.
Sandeep Rajguru - PeerSpot reviewer
Offers reliability and helps with vulnerability assessment
I use HPE ProCurve network in our organization. I can say that the product has improved the network flexibility in our company since I haven't seen any challenges from the last seven to eight years. The most valuable product for network management revolves around the area of VSB, also known as virtual switch bonding, which can quickly attach two or three switches or make them come together to quickly form a single switch. From a security perspective, my company does vulnerability assessment. From a security perspective, my company does vulnerability assessment. Following the hardening guidelines, the switches are configured according to the hardening parameters. The tool's reliability and uptime match our company's needs. My company enjoyed configuring the switches a lot, especially since we saw similarities between Cisco's and HPS's configuration processes. HPE ProCurve is user-friendly. We have a different product for network management, so my company doesn't use HPE ProCurve since we have already collaborated with some third-party products. I recommend the product to those who plan to use it. I recommend the product to those who plan to use it, especially since I have been using it without any issues for many years. I rate the tool a nine out of ten.

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"A good feature of Cisco Catalyst is that it records crash log files which can be used to literally identify the cause of a crash because there is a lot of information. And Cisco Catalyst supports the use of external flash disks for storing of images and file systems."
"The platform significantly improved our organization by addressing latency issues in our network."
"The Cisco software ties all the hardware together better than the competition."
"It's easy to configure."
"We have to use the QoS (CBWFQ) function... and it is easy to use."
"If we are providing a switching solution, it's not just switching, it's a whole solution with DNA. That is where the whole concept of Network Management and Network Assurance comes in. So Catalyst plays a big role in putting everything together and providing a whole solution to the customer."
"The most important features are that Cisco is one of the most robust switches, it is easy to configure, and the documentation is pretty good."
"The most valuable feature is the interface, it's easy to configure. The command line uses a switch that gives us security."
"HPE ProCurve is used to connect servers and storage in the data center."
"The web page interface is very convenient and easy to use for setting up your feedback loops."
"The user interface is simple to use."
"ProCurve is easy to configure and to know how to create each connection and configuration."
"HPE ProCurve has plenty of features."
"It's easy to manage and configure. The configurations can be exported and imported to another solution."
"HPE ProCurve offers a very good value proposition compared to that of other switches and is very energy-efficient."
"The user interface is the most valuable aspect of the solution for us."
 

Cons

"The solution is expensive."
"For the time being, Cisco Catalyst Switches are working well, but they are not PoE switches, which is why we would consider replacing them."
"The support team’s response and resolution time must be faster."
"The configuration options on the Cisco Commerce website could be more efficient."
"They should make so that they let users know five to ten minutes before productivity is restored in the case of power loss."
"Services should be improved."
"The stability must be improved."
"They should be cheaper."
"The product could improve scalability and support for advanced networking features."
"HPE ProCurve's web interface is old, and I have to log in on each device separately, making them the product's shortcomings that need improvement."
"An area for improvement in HPE ProCurve is the web interface not being as robust because you still have to go to the COI to make modifications or look at the exact configuration."
"The CLI is a bit confusing. It is not the easiest to manage, especially if you come from a Cisco environment."
"There is one proprietary function they lack, and I can't remember what it was called, but it monitors the ports, and then every 10 seconds if the port is down, it can divert the traffic somewhere else."
"The solution doesn't have web-based management, which is why we've moved to a different solution."
"If we're aiming for an improvement, focus on enhancing security features in HPE ProCurve, particularly in terms of filtering."
"Since we transfer from one gigabit to ten gigabits of information, in a future release, it would benefit to have more high-speed ports."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"​The price should go down instead of up. ​"
"Could always be cheaper."
"I would rate the features-to-pricing ratio at six out of 10. My advice about licensing is that you should have a perpetual license, not one that is subscription-based."
"The pricing is on the high end."
"Not one of the cheapest switches in the market. There are a lot of other cheaper switches, but in terms of availability and reliability, Cisco Catalyst Switches meet all requirements."
"It would be great for the user if Cisco lowered the prices for their routers and switches."
"The general price of the solution could be cheaper."
"The solution is probably the most expensive, but users who want the best need to pay the premium."
"The solution is more expensive than other vendors. There is hardware and software that needs to be purchased in some circumstance. The software can sometimes be expensive."
"I would rate the pricing a six out of ten, with one being very cheap and ten being very expensive."
"The price of HPE ProCurve can be reasonable. However, it depends on the use case. They could improve the pricing model."
"The purchasing cost a few years ago for two units was approx €5,000."
"The price of this product is cheap."
"It provides quite good value for money."
"We are a public company, so we are obliged to take the best offer from the vendors. They gave us the best price for the needs we had. It was considerably less than Cisco. It had maybe 40% lower cost."
"The product has a good price compared to other solutions."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Educational Organization
67%
Computer Software Company
6%
Government
3%
Manufacturing Company
3%
Educational Organization
14%
Computer Software Company
13%
Comms Service Provider
10%
Government
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?
Although Juniper is cheaper, Cisco provides unique features that justify their pricing.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for HPE ProCurve?
HPE ProCurve is competitively priced, with a difference of approximately 30 to 35% compared to other vendors like Cisco. This makes it a viable option for businesses with limited budgets, particula...
What needs improvement with HPE ProCurve?
The product could improve scalability and support for advanced networking features. Including advanced interfaces like QSFP and enhanced support for AI-driven network solutions would make it more c...
 

Also Known As

Cisco Catalyst, Catalyst
ProCurve, HP ProCurve
 

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
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, Cardinal Newman Catholic Secondary School, DY 4 Systems, EdgeWing, Edmonton Public Schools District, Halton Catholic District School Board, Hartwick College, Hatch Associates, Huntingdon College, Roseville Joint Union High School District, Saddleback Valley Unified School District, One Superior Place
Find out what your peers are saying about Cisco Catalyst Switches vs. HPE ProCurve and other solutions. Updated: March 2025.
845,040 professionals have used our research since 2012.