Cisco Catalyst Switches vs Ubiquiti UniFi Switches comparison

Cisco Catalyst Switches are a reliable and scalable network switching and routing solution, focusing on VLANs and VLAN switching. They are used as access switches, distribution switches, and core switches in various environments, deployed on-premises, and used for long connections. The switches are easy to configure, install, and upgrade and offer good pricing. 

The most valuable features include warranty and firmware support, stability, security, good performance, flexibility, etc. The Cisco Catalyst Switches have provided a stable solution for the organizations and are widely used, trusted, and well-known in the networking industry.

Ubiquiti UniFi Switches are managed Gigabit switches (Available with 24 or 48 RJ45 Gigabit ports) designed to meet all your network needs while delivering excellent performance. The switches’ excellent network performance is combined with fiber connectivity that includes two SFP ports and the ability to process traffic without putting packet loss at risk.

Ubiquiti UniFi Switches Are:

• Easy to deploy
• Simple to use
• Affordable
• Reliable and stable

Ubiquiti UniFi Switches Support These Three Output Modes:

• PoE: Uses IEEE 802.3af standard to deliver up to 15.4W.
• PoE+: Uses IEEE 802.3at standard to deliver up to 30W.
• PoE++: Uses IEEE 802.3bt standard to deliver up to 60W.

Ubiquiti UniFi Switches Support These Three Input Modes:

• US-8 (PoE, PoE+)
• USW-Flex (PoE, PoE+, PoE++)
• USW-Flex Mini (PoE, PoE+)

Ubiquiti UniFi Switches Features:

• Scalability
• Stability
• Reliable hardware
• Alarm alerting system
• Dual-band
• PoE+ flexibility
• Fiber connectivity
• User-friendly GUI
• Mesh networking
• Secure management
• High speed
• Excellent dashboards
• Reporting and detailed analytics
• Multi-site management
• Deep packet inspection

Benefits of Ubiquiti UniFi Switches:

• Ubiquiti UniFi Switches are silent because they are designed without a fan.
• They help simplify your network infrastructure and cabling.
• Ubiquiti UniFi Switches offer 24 to 48 port switch versions to work with.
• Ubiquiti UniFi Switches provide redundant power if the internal power supply fails.
• Ubiquiti UniFi Switches include the forwarding capacity to simultaneously process traffic on all ports at line rate without any packet loss.
• Ubiquiti UniFi Switches are rated as affordable when compared with competitors.
• Available with 24 or 48 RJ45 Gigabit ports
• Configuration with Ubiquiti UniFi is easy; It's simple to configure or reconfigure an AP or gateway quickly.
• By having a mobile app, Unifi makes it easy to check on sites and to configure APs individually if necessary.
• With Ubiquiti UniFi Switches, you can operate your IP cameras and phones through a single network cable.

Reviews from Real Users

A PeerSpot user who is a Director of Technical Operations/CTO at a consultancy says "The ability to deploy quickly and then having one central location for all the settings are its most valuable aspects."

"The integration with the controller is one of the most valuable features of these switches. They are also very stable. For example, we have some equipment that we haven't touched for four years that is still reliable," says Doru I., Senior solutions architect at Aplix Technologies

Murali S., Management Consultant at a consultancy, explains that “For the world where you have to balance traffic and traffic loads and bandwidth, their GUI makes it really easy because the switches, though they are enterprise grade level two or level three switches, the GUI is designed so that it's easy to set up VLANs where you need to control your traffic so that your phones don't break up and get choppy because of other people loading the network down too heavily."