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Cisco Ethernet Switches vs Juniper EX Series Ethernet Switches comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Mar 23, 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 Ethernet Switches
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
1st
Average Rating
8.6
Reviews Sentiment
7.1
Number of Reviews
134
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Juniper EX Series Ethernet ...
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
14th
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
6.8
Number of Reviews
69
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of May 2025, in the Ethernet Switches category, the mindshare of Cisco Ethernet Switches is 14.7%, down from 18.9% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Juniper EX Series Ethernet Switches is 2.8%, down from 4.0% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Ethernet Switches
 

Featured Reviews

Pradeep Adhav - PeerSpot reviewer
Network security enhancement with sturdy switches despite high costs
The Cisco Ethernet switches are primarily used as regular core switches for networking, distribution, and access levels. We also utilize Cisco Wi-Fi, VPN, and Wi-Fi controllers The Cisco Ethernet switches have improved our network's security, ensuring it is 100% secure by not allowing any…
PRADIPJOSHI - PeerSpot reviewer
Virtual chassis technology enhances connectivity and simplifies management
Juniper EX series switches offer great technology, particularly their Virtual Chassis technology, which is an excellent feature for stacking switches and functions like a single virtual switch. The EX series provides a separation of control, management, and data planes, reducing the attack surface area, ensuring a lesser extent of vulnerability. The PoE budget is commendable, and they manage connectivity effectively.

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"We only use the basic features and we find that it works well."
"The stability is 100%."
"The performance of Cisco Ethernet Switches is better."
"We like the stability and scalability of Cisco Ethernet Switches."
"I like their after-sales support more than anything because it's very good."
"We can easily integrate the product with any OEM solutions."
"Cisco Ethernet Switches is a very stable product."
"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."
"In terms of performance, Juniper switches have a more user-friendly interface and more features than Cisco products."
"The virtual Chassis feature for stacking is good in general, with high bandwidth for the link, which is good."
"It has features that allow us to go back to previous configurations."
"The solution is easy to use and has good integration."
"Juniper switches are very good with MPLS."
"It is a highly stable solution. Stability-wise, I rate the solution a nine to ten out of ten."
"The product is very helpful in troubleshooting."
"Juniper Ethernet Switches' best features are the high packer sorting and throughput, good uplink port capacity, and virtual setup."
 

Cons

"The cost is very prohibitive both for us as well as other organizations. It's very expensive to buy Cisco switches. Among our colleagues, we find that we're not alone in thinking it's too high. Everyone's complaining about this."
"The ease of use of Cisco Ethernet Switches could improve. It is different to use them if you do not have prior knowledge."
"The initial setup can be simplified."
"In the case of an already existing network, we encounter technical issues related to following protocols."
"Currently, we have to wait up to eight months for a switch."
"I would like for the solution to have more more security features and be more user-friendly."
"The user interface, the UI, could be better."
"The solution should offer a method for user-based load balancing."
"We would like it if there was more security added in future releases."
"Juniper EX Series could improve the process and ease of updating the software. It is a difficult process."
"Juniper's support could be much better and faster."
"Juniper Ethernet Switches' operating systems get corrupted when the power fails. They have to improve this issue. I may have to use a newer version."
"Support could be improved."
"I would like the ability to operate with other operating systems."
"The stability of this solution should be improved."
"The stability could be better. We find, for example, Cisco, to be more stable."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"It is an expensive product since it is used in a large network where you cannot rely on some cheaply priced solution."
"Cisco Ethernet Switches are more expensive than Huawei Ethernet Switches."
"The price of this solution is high."
"Cisco now has more products that are priced for small businesses, so they do have some cheaper models."
"The solution does not require a license. However, it is expensive and the price could improve."
"These switches are expensive, but they are an excellent buy and definitely have value for the investment."
"The solution has different prices depending on the features that you want to have."
"While Cisco's pricing can be a concern, particularly with support fees, its overall features and support community make it a solid choice."
"The pricing for the support is very high."
"We don't need to pay for the solution's features."
"Their prices are competitive and not bad. It is cheaper than Cisco. We have a yearly license."
"Juniper Ethernet Switches are a less expensive solution than Cisco Ethernet Switches. There is only a one-time purchase for Juniper Ethernet Switches."
"The initial cost of the solution can be expensive."
"I think the tool's prices are competitive with the vendors."
"We only pay for support."
"Support prices and licensing scheme need to be improved to allow some features to be purchased at lower costs, for example, RPM​."
report
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Comparison Review

it_user82779 - PeerSpot reviewer
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…
 

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
14%
Financial Services Firm
9%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Government
7%
Computer Software Company
14%
University
8%
Financial Services Firm
8%
Manufacturing Company
7%
 

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 ...
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...
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...
What advice do you have for others considering Juniper Ethernet Switches?
Juniper EX model is ok for the campus network as the ex4300 is EOL in a few years and the new ex4400 is the standard. Now for the QFX model, 5k/10k in CRB mode IP fabric Ethernet switching is horri...
What is your primary use case for Juniper EX Series Ethernet Switches?
Throughout my experience, I've deployed Juniper EX switches in various environments, from small enterprise networks to large-scale data centers. In every instance, they have consistently delivered ...
 

Also Known As

Cisco Industrial Ethernet Switches
Juniper Ethernet Switches
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Linz AG
BlackLotus, Staminus, Community Bank, BAS Group, Cloud Dynamics, Privalia, Fluidata, and Tesla Motors.
Find out what your peers are saying about Cisco Ethernet Switches vs. Juniper EX Series Ethernet Switches and other solutions. Updated: April 2025.
851,491 professionals have used our research since 2012.