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Cisco Linksys Ethernet Switches vs NETGEAR Switches comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Feb 8, 2026

Review summaries and opinions

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

ROI

Sentiment score
3.4
Cisco Linksys Ethernet Switches provide long-term value with stability, functionality, and cost efficiency, reducing equipment replacement needs.
Sentiment score
6.9
NETGEAR Switches enhance efficiency and profitability through reliability, remote management, and long-term cost savings despite initial investment.
 

Customer Service

Sentiment score
6.3
Cisco Linksys Ethernet Switches support is largely positive, with responsiveness varying by contract and location, but generally reliable.
Sentiment score
6.8
NETGEAR Switches support is generally effective, though some face challenges with documentation, quick assistance, and complex configurations.
If you are talking about Cisco TAC, it is always good.
Senior Network Architect at Previder
They've integrated it over the last few years, and they don't differentiate with the support as far as the Linksys versus the full-blown Cisco switches.
Systems Engineer at Casa Loma College
Previously, it was a bit lacking, but now they are providing excellent support.
Enginner at Millennium Information Technologies
There are issues distinguishing which switches support cloud features.
Managing Director at a tech services company with 10,001+ employees
 

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score
6.1
Cisco Linksys Switches suit small to medium businesses, scalable yet limited, with Catalyst series recommended for larger networks.
Sentiment score
7.0
NETGEAR Switches provide scalable solutions with virtual stacking, supporting high performance and adaptability for diverse network environments.
The scalability of NETGEAR Switches is easy and very beneficial for us.
Assistant Manager ICT at IHS
NETGEAR's scalability through its Insight Cloud system is on par with Ubiquiti's, although it must offer features beyond its competitors.
Managing Director at a tech services company with 10,001+ employees
We used to use a lot of the 4300 switches and they're not completely compatible with the new AV line.
Teamleader Av Installers at solufak
 

Stability Issues

Sentiment score
8.4
Cisco Linksys Ethernet Switches are reliable with minimal crashes, though some prefer Juniper for even greater stability and support.
Sentiment score
7.8
NETGEAR Switches are reliable and efficient, offering high stability with minor glitches easily fixed through firmware updates.
I haven't experienced any problems with latency or other issues.
Head of Infrastructure Sector at Mezzo
The Linksys depends on the environment; if it's an easy-going environment, they're pretty stable, but in more complex network environments, Cisco is definitely a lot more stable.
Systems Engineer at Casa Loma College
We've experienced failures such as a 16-port dying after three to four years.
Managing Director at a tech services company with 10,001+ employees
I rarely see glitches, but we had some minor glitches over the past years, and they were easily resolved.
Teamleader Av Installers at solufak
 

Room For Improvement

Cisco Linksys Switches face pricing, scalability, stability issues, needing user-friendly interfaces, improved support, automation, and modernized features.
NETGEAR Switches need enhanced security, improved management, better performance, and more intuitive interfaces, addressing cost and support concerns.
Additionally, upgrades are not free with Cisco.
Senior Network Architect at Previder
The reason for improvement is that we have some projects related to the segregation of the LAN and the establishment of a matrix of traffic.
Head of Infrastructure Sector at Mezzo
I would like Cisco to improve their technical support.
Chief Technology Officer at Mehbub General Trading PLC
Real-time analytics would be helpful regarding the analytics aspect, and this feature is not yet present and would be an improvement regarding analytics.
Teamleader Av Installers at solufak
They should introduce features like dual firmware or dual boot that allow systems to be updated without downtime.
Managing Director at a tech services company with 10,001+ employees
They can improve on the commercial part, specifically the cost, as it is higher than other brands.
Assistant Manager ICT at IHS
 

Setup Cost

Cisco Linksys Switches are reliable with competitive licensing but may deter buyers due to high prices compared to competitors.
NETGEAR Switches offer excellent value and advanced features, making them ideal for budget-conscious buyers like schools and municipalities.
Pricing can be high when compared to other solutions in the market.
General Manager at Bilgipark Görüntü ve İletişim San. Tic. A.S.
Some high-end switches required for specific advanced features, like precision time protocols, can be more expensive.
Managing Director at a tech services company with 10,001+ employees
It is an expensive product.
Teamleader Av Installers at solufak
 

Valuable Features

Cisco Linksys Ethernet Switches are affordable, easy to manage, and offer robust performance with reliable connectivity and security.
NETGEAR Switches provide affordable, easy-to-manage, energy-efficient networking with diverse models and strong security, ideal for small businesses.
Cisco is trusted by most broadcast customers for data centers due to their experience and knowledge.
General Manager at Bilgipark Görüntü ve İletişim San. Tic. A.S.
Cost savings and ease of use are benefits I've seen from using this, as it's less complex to set up and configure compared to Cisco switching.
Systems Engineer at Casa Loma College
Some of the most valuable features of Cisco Linksys Ethernet Switches include their security features.
Chief Technology Officer at Mehbub General Trading PLC
The most valuable features are routing and access control.
Assistant Manager ICT at IHS
The precision time protocol feature caught our interest for future use in specific settings like churches, where low latency is required.
Managing Director at a tech services company with 10,001+ employees
The best things about NETGEAR Switches are the support they provide and the ease of implementation.
Teamleader Av Installers at solufak
 

Categories and Ranking

Cisco Linksys Ethernet Swit...
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
13th
Average Rating
8.0
Reviews Sentiment
6.1
Number of Reviews
79
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
NETGEAR Switches
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
4th
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
6.9
Number of Reviews
57
Ranking in other categories
LAN Switching (5th), AV Over IP Switching (2nd)
 

Mindshare comparison

As of February 2026, in the Ethernet Switches category, the mindshare of Cisco Linksys Ethernet Switches is 2.5%, down from 3.0% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of NETGEAR Switches is 7.5%, down from 9.1% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Ethernet Switches Market Share Distribution
ProductMarket Share (%)
NETGEAR Switches7.5%
Cisco Linksys Ethernet Switches2.5%
Other90.0%
Ethernet Switches
 

Featured Reviews

DolfKrikke - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior Network Architect at Previder
Long experience has delivered fast, reliable networking and intuitive management for clients
Regarding Cisco Linksys Ethernet Switches, there is nothing technically that needs improvement, but the support and cost are significant concerns. The main issue is that many customers are hesitant to purchase Cisco products because the support costs are very high. When I compare it to HP Aruba switches, for example, the support from HP is almost free. Cisco always charges for support, which is understandable because Cisco has a very large support organization like Cisco TAC behind it. Additionally, upgrades are not free with Cisco. Other vendors offer switch upgrades and firmware upgrades mostly free of charge. These are my main concerns.
Tomas Devriese - PeerSpot reviewer
Teamleader Av Installers at solufak
VLAN support has improved audiovisual installations and secures network traffic for our projects
Our major use cases include audiovisual installations and we mainly use the AV line for that. We work with the VLAN support feature The best things about NETGEAR Switches are the support they provide and the ease of implementation. The ease of installation helps with network performance. It helps…
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Marketing Services Firm
11%
Manufacturing Company
10%
Computer Software Company
7%
Comms Service Provider
6%
Manufacturing Company
9%
University
9%
Computer Software Company
8%
Comms Service Provider
8%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business42
Midsize Enterprise15
Large Enterprise24
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business43
Midsize Enterprise4
Large Enterprise11
 

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Cisco Linksys Ethernet Switches?
Regarding pricing, I take the cost of Cisco Linksys Ethernet switches into consideration.
What needs improvement with Cisco Linksys Ethernet Switches?
I see some areas for improvement, particularly for security. The reason for improvement is that we have some projects related to the segregation of the LAN and the establishment of a matrix of traf...
How do NETGEAR switches compare with Cisco ethernet switches?
NetGear switches have a lot to offer. They have high availability, zero-downtime stacking, L2 and L3 functionality, and are AV-over-IP ready. NetGear switches also have a command line interface and...
Which switches are better - Ubiquiti Unifi or Netgear?
Ubiquiti Unifi offers a great set of features. For starters, it is easy to configure and implement, and also doesn’t require a learning curve because it is easy to use. It is also simple to reconfi...
What do you like most about NETGEAR Switches?
Stability-wise, I rate the solution a ten out of ten. I have not faced any issues with the product whatsoever.
 

Also Known As

Linksys Ethernet Switches
NETGEAR Insight Managed Switches, NETGEAR GC Series, NETGEAR M Series
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Linz AG
Blaze Networks
Find out what your peers are saying about Cisco Linksys Ethernet Switches vs. NETGEAR Switches and other solutions. Updated: February 2026.
881,757 professionals have used our research since 2012.