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Cisco Catalyst Switches vs HPE ProCurve comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Apr 20, 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
176
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
Reviews Sentiment
7.4
Number of Reviews
38
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of May 2025, in the LAN Switching category, the mindshare of Cisco Catalyst Switches is 28.6%, down from 31.8% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of HPE ProCurve is 12.5%, 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

"The product is also flexible."
"I like everything about Cisco Catalyst Switches. It's both stable and scalable."
"We haven't needed to contact technical support because we haven't had any issues so far."
"The most valuable features of the solution are BGP, VPN, and spine-leaf architecture."
"The PoE capability of Catalyst Switches is great for using WAPs and other PoE equipment, such as security cameras."
"They are pretty good. They are stable. Cisco has been around in the industry for a long time, so they are reliable, as well."
"Mostly the LAN switching is the most valuable aspect of the solution."
"The solution has high performance and we do not have to troubleshoot the network."
"One of the biggest things in HPE ProCurve that I like, though not necessarily a feature, is the HPE warranty because it's probably better than any of the other vendors that we deal with, as it has a lifetime replacement. Feature-wise, the web interface of HPE ProCurve is typically pretty good and I like that as well."
"It is stable, and it fulfills our needs. We have all the functions we need, so we're totally satisfied."
"The product is robust."
"The LAN features give us exactly what we need."
"The solution is fast and inexpensive."
"HPE ProCurve offers a very good value proposition compared to that of other switches and is very energy-efficient."
"In my experience, the scalability has been good."
"It's easy to manage and configure. The configurations can be exported and imported to another solution."
 

Cons

"The delivery of the product lead time should be improved."
"Cisco Catalyst Switches' pricing can be cheaper."
"They should make so that they let users know five to ten minutes before productivity is restored in the case of power loss."
"The solution is expensive."
"The initial setup can be easier in cases where the policy and ruleset are complex."
"Cisco can definitely improve the training part. They can provide more training related to configuration."
"Needs to improve cloud services and mobile software."
"Compared to other switches, the Cisco products are expensive."
"I would like to see some kind of packet tracer where people can study how the switch is operating."
"If you make a change and you disconnect yourself from the switch, you will create an issue."
"The CLI is a bit confusing. It is not the easiest to manage, especially if you come from a Cisco environment."
"HPE ProCurve is very complex for junior engineers and beginners. You need a lot of experience in managing switches in order to use this switch."
"The product could improve scalability and support for advanced networking features."
"I would like to see integration with HPE OneView."
"I don't have any recommendations for areas of improvement."
"The only things that might need improvement would be the administrative tools and the graphical interface. The GUI could be improved on the administrative interface, for example."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"I rate the product price a nine on a scale of one to ten, where one is low price and ten is high price."
"Cisco's prices are not cheap, but the stability is worth it."
"The product is quite expensive."
"We are a large company and the price is reasonable because we have received a discount. However, the full price is expensive."
"The product is quite expensive."
"These switches are expensive."
"Cisco Catalyst Switches is a very expensive solution."
"We had to pay for the product’s licenses."
"HPE ProCurve products are reasonably priced."
"HPE ProCurve is competitively priced, with a difference of approximately 30 to 35% compared to other vendors"
"You buy the switch and that's it."
"The product is reasonably priced."
"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."
"This is an expensive switch."
"The cost of HPE ProCurve is good."
"It provides quite good value for money."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Educational Organization
61%
Computer Software Company
7%
Manufacturing Company
3%
Financial Services Firm
3%
Educational Organization
13%
Computer Software Company
11%
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: April 2025.
851,604 professionals have used our research since 2012.