Cisco DNA Virtualization [EOL] vs VMware NSX comparison

Why PeerSpot?

Cisco and Broadcom are both solutions in the Network Virtualization category. Additionally, 100% of Cisco users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 88% of Broadcom users who would recommend it.

Cisco DNA Virtualization [EOL]

Read 2 Cisco DNA Virtualization [EOL] reviews

100% willing to recommend

VMware NSX

Read 107 VMware NSX reviews

14,984 Views
899 Comparison Views

88% willing to recommend

Cisco DNA Virtualization [EOL]

VMware NSX

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between Cisco DNA Virtualization [EOL] and VMware NSX based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out what your peers are saying about Cisco, Broadcom, ZeroTier, Inc. and others in Network Virtualization.

To learn more, read our detailed Network Virtualization Report (Updated: October 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Network Virtualization

October 2026

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Helped 920,336 peers since 2012

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 DNA Virtualization [EOL]

Average Rating

8.0

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

VMware NSX

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

6.8

Number of Reviews

107

Ranking in other categories

Network Virtualization (2nd), Cloud and Data Center Security (5th), Network Traffic Analysis (NTA) (7th), Network Detection and Response (NDR) (8th), Network Automation (5th), Microsegmentation Software (3rd)

Featured Reviews

reviewer902526

Vice Chairman at a construction company with 11-50 employees

Good support, feature-rich, and works well from a technical perspective

We are a system integrator and we are currently working on a project with a client who is using this solution. It is used for private cloud or data center virtualization We make use of all of the features that are available. It would be helpful to have better information on how to implement this…

Read full review

Mahesh Bhadoriya

Technical Manager at Allianz Cloud Private Limited

Micro segmentation has strengthened zero trust security and isolates production from test environments

The advantages of VMware NSX include its micro-segmentation for internal security at the firewall and VM levels, which is very powerful and helps us comply with complete Zero Trust security models. We are able to achieve this and configure network level virtualization with no dependency on VLANs. Micro-segmentation helps improve our security significantly. We are not totally dependent upon our physical upfront firewall, and it makes sense to configure everything using VMware NSX, leading to multiple improvements in our organization. We moved from traditional networking such as VLANs from the firewall and switches to VMware NSX segmentation. We achieve one firewall per VLAN and can stop lateral movement such as ransomware control. The Zero Trust model is the main functionality and architecture it offers, allowing application isolation, such as having a separate production and test environment. Consistent networking and security policies across different environments have a major and very positive impact on our business operations, allowing us to achieve the security posture we want with compliance and regulations.

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 management aspect of the solution is its most valuable feature; software-defined issues have been good for us, and it makes the management process easy."

"Overall, from a technical perspective, this product is good, but it could be improved with respect to pricing."

"Cisco has a good technical support team."

"We enjoy the micro-segmentation and the ability to extend the network on Layer Two."

"I rate the scalability as ten out of ten."

"NSX has improved our organisation in many ways, by securing it with micro-segmentation, and by allowing us to implement logical equipment in a matter of seconds instead of waiting for the physical material to implement and configure."

"Every time my coworker talks to customer support, they're easy to get a hold of, very knowledgeable, and they solve his issues right away."

"It's changed the way we do things."

"The most valuable features are the micro-segmentation and integrated security options."

"I have found VMware NSX to be easy to use."

"Their technical support is very good. They help us figure out solutions when we have problems."

More VMware NSX pros

Cons

"It would be helpful to have better information on how to implement this product."

"The initial setup is not easy."

"The stability of the solution isn't ideal. It could be vastly improved."

"Some configuration maximums are limiting to the user, especially when it comes to the deployment of very, very large environments."

"The NSX setup is complex. That's one area where they could improve."

"They have some limitations in the firewall features as compared to the on-prem or dedicated hardware appliance. They can add more features, such as IPS and IDS, to the cloud firewall."

"The integration with other brands is not the best and could be better."

"One drawback is this solution requires a lot of other products in the VMware ecosystem to have a full end-to-end operation orchestration monitoring. You have to buy a lot of add-ons to fully utilize the functionality."

"The first time setting it up was difficult."

"To those who say this solution is complex, I would say it is but not for the key user."

"We would to have a reverse proxy. This would add great value to the solution."

More VMware NSX cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Cisco products are not cheap."

"It is an expensive product, but cheaper than some competing solutions."

"The product pricing ranges from medium to expensive. I rate the pricing a seven out of ten."

"The solution is free and the price for the support can be expensive."

"VMware has a subscription and perpetual license. In the New Year, they're changing many things about the licensing model. Previously, NSX was licensed according to the number of sockets inside the appliance, so we bought VMware licenses based on that. However, that may have changed this year. We are still contacting the vendors to understand the new licensing strategy."

"The licensing is renewed every three years. The cost for implementation and renovation are a huge portion of that price."

"The price is pretty high."

"The pricing is higher than other options from Palo Alto, Fortinet, and Cisco because it is sold in a bundle."

"If five is a good price and one is a high price, I would rate the price a one out of five."

More VMware NSX pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

No data available

Outsourcing Company

11%

Financial Services Firm

10%

Manufacturing Company

10%

Construction Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	34
Midsize Enterprise	23
Large Enterprise	70

Questions from the Community

Ask a question

Earn 20 points

What are the biggest differences between Cisco ACI and VMware NSX?

There are some very major differences between both the Products and to name a few. -Cisco ACI have physical network gear (9K Switches) where the Code runs in ACI Policy Mode & the UCS server wh...

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What are the biggest differences between Cisco ACI and VMware NSX?

Once you know your way around the Cisco ecosystem, using Cisco ACI is not so difficult. It is a global product, so when you change one interface, changes are automatically reflected on every switch...

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for VMware NSX?

When measuring complexity and costs for our organization, we consider some parameters for effectiveness. In terms of effectiveness in reducing operational complexity, I measure it to be high on the...

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Comparisons

Cisco Enterprise Network Functions Virtualization vs Cisco DNA Virtualization [EOL]

Compared 68% of the time

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Illumio Segmentation vs VMware NSX

Compared 6% of the time

Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform vs VMware NSX

Compared 6% of the time

Nutanix Flow Network Security vs VMware NSX

Compared 6% of the time

Akamai Guardicore Segmentation vs VMware NSX

Compared 5% of the time

Cisco Secure Workload vs VMware NSX

Compared 4% of the time

More VMware NSX Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Network Virtualization

October 2026

Download Cisco DNA Virtualization [EOL] product report

Buyer's Guide

VMware NSX

October 2026

Download VMware NSX product report

Also Known As

Cisco Digital Network Architecture (DNA) Virtualization

VMware Nicira, Lastline Defender

Overview

Connect users to applications with one seamless network using Cisco Digital Network Architecture (DNA) Virtualization

Cisco

VMware NSX is a comprehensive tool for network virtualization and security, offering advanced features like micro-segmentation and multi-cloud networking to enhance scalability and management efficiency within enterprises.

VMware NSX revolutionizes enterprise networking by integrating security and scalability into one streamlined platform. With capabilities like dynamic policy updates and automation, it simplifies complex configurations and provides robust API integration. Its support for Layer 4 and 7 load balancing, along with its seamless integration in multi-cloud environments, makes it a preferred choice among companies. Although deployment speed and management console features require refinement, NSX is an effective solution for private cloud and hybrid environments, enabling centralized orchestration and management of complex networks.

What are the key features of VMware NSX?

Micro-segmentation: Provides secure, granular network segmentation for enhanced security.
Distributed Firewall: Offers policy-driven firewall capabilities across all network endpoints.
Automation: Enables dynamic policy updates and simplifies network configurations.
API Integration: Facilitates seamless third-party integrations and improves configuration processes.
Multi-Cloud Networking: Supports seamless integration across various cloud environments.

What benefits and ROI should users consider?

Scalability: Offers significant improvements in network scalability and management efficiency.
Security: Ensures enhanced security through advanced features like micro-segmentation.
Cost-Effectiveness: Potential to reduce costs through network automation and efficiency improvements.
Flexibility: Supports various enterprise requirements with its comprehensive feature set.

In the tech industry, VMware NSX is instrumental in managing private and hybrid cloud environments, allowing companies to replace traditional networking with software-defined networks. In finance, it helps secure transactional data through micro-segmentation. Healthcare organizations leverage its flexibility for managing sensitive patient information securely and integrating cloud services.

Broadcom

Sample Customers

Information Not Available

City of Avondale, Lumeta, Kroll Ontrack, Heartland Payment Systems, Baystate Heallth, Exostar, Tribune Media, iGATE, NTT Communications, Synergent, California Natural Resources Agency, Bloomington Public Schools, Columbia Sportswear, Join Experience S.A, Schuberg Philis

Buyer's Guide

Network Virtualization

October 2026

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