Cisco Ethernet Switches vs Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center comparison

Cisco and Fortinet are both solutions in the Ethernet Switches category. Cisco is ranked #1 with an average rating of 8.8, while Fortinet is ranked #15 with an average rating of 8.2. Cisco holds a 12.8% mindshare in ES, compared to Fortinet’s 1.9% mindshare. Additionally, 96% of Cisco users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Fortinet users who would recommend it.

Cisco Ethernet Switches

Read 135 Cisco Ethernet Switches reviews

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13,797 Comparison Views

96% willing to recommend

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data...

Read 25 Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center reviews

1,562 Views
1,562 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Cisco Ethernet Switches

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data...

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Jun 15, 2025

Cisco Ethernet Switches and Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center compete in the high-performance network switch market. Cisco seems to have the upper hand in support and manageability, while Fortinet edges ahead with competitive pricing and advanced security integration.

Features: Cisco Ethernet Switches offer a power-saving architecture, CDP for easy network management, and MACSec layer-2 encryption ensuring robust network security and performance. Fortinet FortiSwitch integrates seamlessly with FortiGate for enhanced network visibility and security, featuring an intuitive interface and centralized management capabilities.

Room for Improvement: Cisco could improve by reducing high costs, simplifying configuration processes, and minimizing vendor lock-in. Fortinet needs to enhance third-party integration, polish management capabilities, and develop a more streamlined interface for managing their switches.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Cisco provides extensive documentation and reliable support, but complex configurations can slow down deployment. Fortinet simplifies management with FortiGate integration, though support quality is inconsistent. Both offer deployment flexibility in hybrid and on-premises settings.

Pricing and ROI: Cisco's premium price is offset by long-term stability and high-quality support, making it less suitable for smaller markets. Fortinet offers a cost-effective choice with an attractive balance of features and affordability, appealing to budget-conscious buyers seeking solid ROI.

To learn more, read our detailed Cisco Ethernet Switches vs. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center Report (Updated: July 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Ethernet Switches vs. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center

July 2025

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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 Ethernet Switches

Ranking in Ethernet Switches

1st

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

7.2

Number of Reviews

135

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data...

Ranking in Ethernet Switches

15th

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

7.4

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of August 2025, in the Ethernet Switches category, the mindshare of Cisco Ethernet Switches is 12.8%, down from 18.6% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center is 1.9%, up from 1.2% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Ethernet Switches

Featured Reviews

Myint Aung

Head of the Solutions Department at BIM Group of Companies

Exceptional network support and AI integration drive performance while suggesting enhancements for future use cases

I work with both HyperFlex and other Cisco products. I prefer to make online support available because I can utilize my CCIE architect, solution consultant, and engineer team along with our account manager and product sales team. We can clarify requirements and decide how to support you. We should arrange a conference call about Cisco Ethernet Switches where I can invite my architect and consultant to clarify more about the features that are most beneficial for improving network efficiency. Today is AI day, and all the new firmware includes AI to optimize the performance, traffic, and security of Cisco Ethernet Switches. It's performing very well. With many solutions and vendors available, you have to decide on one. I am extremely satisfied with the licensing cost for Cisco Ethernet Switches. For the price of Cisco Ethernet Switches, I would rate it a 7. My overall rating for Cisco Ethernet Switches is 10 out of 10.

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Vishwajeet Pandey

senior technical administrator at Ogma Consulting

Management and monitoring efficiencies from a single platform increase network control and flexibility

I use Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center as it is a more flexible switch compared to normal switches. It allows me to manage and monitor all switches through a single pane of management Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center offers flexibility and control over the entire network from a single pane of…

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Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"The most valuable feature is the performance."

"The IP routing is the most important feature."

"The most valuable aspect of the solution is the ability to manage the switches and the ability to have a certain level of familiarity with setting up and configuring the switches."

"We don't need any support from Cisco since there are a lot of materials and training about Cisco available online. I feel Cisco's support is good."

"Cisco Ethernet Switches are more stable than other products."

"We can easily integrate the product with any OEM solutions."

"This product is widely available and the warranty is very good."

"It is a scalable solution, and we have more than 35 customers who use it."

More Cisco Ethernet Switches pros

"The main actual benefit that Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center brought to my customer's environment is secure connectivity while minimizing downtime from unexpected traffic or broadcasting."

"I have found the solution to be scalable."

"Configurations between FortiGate and FortiSwitch have to link to each other. We need configuration. The configuration is not like a Cisco switch. It has a unique configuration."

"The interface is very straightforward."

"The single pane of glass that helps us manage everything through FortiManager is the most important feature."

"It is very stable."

"A valuable feature of FortiGate is its management integrity."

"The initial setup was simple."

More Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center pros

Cons

"The GUI is not that easy."

"This may be something that they are already working on, but it would be an improvement if they could add a layer of security to layer two and layer three to protect the server and to protect the data."

"Cisco is not user-friendly. It would be best if you had a technical expert. The graphical user interface is more like a command line, and most functionalities are on the command line."

"Cisco switches are good as they are, but it would be a major feature if they have built-in routers. Some of the Microchip switches have routers built in the same device. They have a router switch. For some of the sites, we deploy such switches because the client does not want a separate router and a separate switch. So, we go for a router switch with maybe 24 ports. Some of them are fiber, and some of them are ethernet. It would be a major improvement to what Cisco is already doing. Behind the scenes, a lot of scripting and stuff like this is happening. A lot of workload can be lifted if Cisco had a good GUI. If you look at Microchip switches, they have a good GUI in addition to the CLI."

"Could use additional programmability for the switches."

"The solution's reliability should be improved."

"The technical support should be improved."

"It could be cheaper, especially the DNA license. One DNA license is around $3,000 for a three-year contract."

More Cisco Ethernet Switches cons

"Compatibility with infrastructure from other vendors like Cisco and Sophos can be further improved."

"The solution’s pricing could be improved."

"Cisco is better in terms of price, scalability, and ease of management. Regarding resources, they are available in Pakistan to manage these systems."

"The solution could always benefit from more security. It's of critical importance to organizations right now."

"With IT products, there is always room for improvement."

"The tool is not easy to use."

"Fortinet could have the ability to authenticate users like Aruba offers because managing ten or twelve SSIDs for different clients is complicated."

"Compatibility with infrastructure from other vendors like Cisco and Sophos can be further improved."

More Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The equipment might be more expensive, but when you take total ownership of the configuration, maintenance, and analysis, then it's a large benefit. Sometimes customers see only the first cost of the switches and don't look any further. This is a weak point of Cisco."

"The price is on the higher side."

"It could be cheaper."

"These switches are expensive, but they are an excellent buy and definitely have value for the investment."

"Cisco offers annual and three-year license options."

"In some of the latest switches, the warranty is not included in the pricing and we have to purchase it separately."

"Cisco Ethernet Switches are more expensive than Huawei Ethernet Switches."

"The solution can be comparatively cheaper."

More Cisco Ethernet Switches pricing and cost advice

"We pay a yearly licensing fee for the solution, which is expensive."

"This solution is expensive but it does not require a license."

"Cost-wise, Fortinet solutions are cheaper than those offered by Cisco."

"The product is less expensive than one of its competitors."

"It is reasonably priced."

"The solution is not expensive."

"The tool's pricing is lower than Cisco's."

"The solution's pricing is a little high. The solution deserves the current price it receives from its users."

More Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center pricing and cost advice

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Comparison Review

it_user82779

Engineer at a comms service provider with 10,001+ employees

Jan 29, 2014

Benefits of Juniper vs Cisco

Both are decent products. I prefer Juniper for the following reasons: 1) Cleaner separation of data plane from control plane. Higher end Cisco devices are better at this but most of the lower end products still seem to be more integrated than I like. 2) The Hierarchical config design means I can…

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

12%

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

Government

Computer Software Company

17%

Government

10%

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

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 ...

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Which would you choose - Fortinet Fortiswitch secure access or Cisco Ethernet Switches?

We researched Cisco but ultimately chose Fortinet FortiSwitch Secure Access, mostly because of the price. Fortinet FortiSwitch is an ethernet switch solution that provides security and performance...

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In terms of ethernet switches, would you go with Cisco or Juniper?

Our organization ran comparison tests to determine whether Cisco or Juniper Ethernet switches were the better fit for us. We decided to go with Juniper. Juniper ethernet switches are a lesser-known...

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What do you like most about Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center?

The initial setup was simple.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center?

The Fortinet switches come with no additional cost as they are open source, with only hardware warranties applicable.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center?

There is room for improvement in customer support and device speed. Sometimes, customer support does not provide prompt assistance, leaving projects hanging. Additionally, improving the speed of th...

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Comparisons

Aruba Switches vs Cisco Ethernet Switches

Compared 19% of the time

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access vs Cisco Ethernet Switches

Compared 16% of the time

D-Link Ethernet Switches vs Cisco Ethernet Switches

Compared 9% of the time

NETGEAR Switches vs Cisco Ethernet Switches

Compared 7% of the time

H3C Ethernet Switches vs Cisco Ethernet Switches

Compared 7% of the time

More Cisco Ethernet Switches Competitors

Aruba Switches vs Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center

Compared 18% of the time

HPE Ethernet Switches vs Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center

Compared 15% of the time

Ubiquiti UniFi Switches vs Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center

Compared 7% of the time

Meraki MS Switches vs Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center

Compared 6% of the time

Huawei Ethernet Switches vs Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center

Compared 6% of the time

More Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Ethernet Switches

August 2025

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Ethernet Switches

August 2025

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center report

Download Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center product report

Also Known As

Cisco Industrial Ethernet Switches

No data available

Overview

Cisco Ethernet Switches scale to meet the needs of networks of all sizes. They are Secure, Reliable and Seamless.

Cisco

With 10 or 40 GE access ports and a high-throughput backbone, FortiSwitch Data Center Switches are ideal for the top-of-rack (ToR) server or firewall-aggregation applications. The high-speed switching fabric is also well suited for enterprise network core or backbone network installations.

Fortinet

Sample Customers

Linz AG

Black Gold Regional Schools, Amadeus Hospitality, Jefferson County, Chunghwa Telecom, City of Boroondara, Dimension Data

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Ethernet Switches vs. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center

July 2025

Free Report: Cisco Ethernet Switches vs. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center

Find out what your peers are saying about Cisco Ethernet Switches vs. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center and other solutions. Updated: July 2025.

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