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D-Link Ethernet Switches vs Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 3, 2024

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
1.0
D-Link Ethernet Switches offer cost-effective, Cisco-comparable features, achieving ROI in four years with up to 90% resource savings.
Sentiment score
7.9
Fortinet FortiSwitch is cost-effective, efficient in network security, and ideal for growing businesses, but not large enterprises.
 

Customer Service

Sentiment score
4.7
Most users manage D-Link issues independently, using online resources, with mixed support satisfaction and preference for quicker assistance.
Sentiment score
7.9
Fortinet FortiSwitch support is praised for knowledge and problem-solving, but response speed and direct solutions need improvement.
We have implemented these switches in 25 to 30 sites without significant problems.
Whenever there is an issue, the local technical team supports us, whether through physical presence or remotely.
They are knowledgeable, professional, and assist with any issues.
My local support is working fine, and I have my connection with my account manager in the public company of Fortinet.
It's a potential area for improvement, possibly in terms of response time or quality.
 

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score
5.9
D-Link Ethernet Switches offer scalable solutions for various enterprises, balancing user growth, diverse deployment, and competitive pricing efficiently.
Sentiment score
8.0
Fortinet FortiSwitch offers scalable, reliable networking for various organizations, with seamless FortiGate integration, despite occasional pricing challenges.
The pricing is competitive in the market, making D-Link Ethernet switches a good option for both middle-end and high-end brands.
There is not much scalability.
For enterprise solutions, it's extendable easily with options for edge connectivity or stackable devices.
With uniform Fortinet FortiGate switches, adding or removing switches without reconfiguring individually is straightforward.
You just need to connect another switch or replace the current one, and it integrates well with the existing setup.
 

Stability Issues

Sentiment score
7.8
D-Link Ethernet Switches are reliable and stable, with minimal issues, though older models may occasionally have performance concerns.
Sentiment score
8.7
Fortinet FortiSwitch offers reliable performance and security, receiving high ratings despite occasional setup and power issues in enterprises.
The integration has been successful with no security breaches or network disturbances.
There are no stability issues with D-Link Ethernet switches.
The stability of D-Link Ethernet Switches is good.
The tool is robust and lasts for three to four years without needing replacement.
I would give it a nine out of ten for stability.
The stability has been good overall.
 

Room For Improvement

D-Link Ethernet Switches need better stability, cost-efficiency, software management, security, cloud integration, support, scalability, and advanced technology support.
Fortinet FortiSwitch needs better pricing, support, management, security, interoperability, interface, port variety, and warranty options.
Improvements in the voltage facility, like increasing from 360 watts to 400 or 450 watts, would make them more competitive with other vendors.
Currently, D-Link Ethernet Switches are often not used in large data centers due to issues with performance and scalability.
The machine is robust and lasts for years with rare technical issues.
The introduction of AI integration could be valuable for detecting abnormal traffic directly on the switch.
 

Setup Cost

D-Link Ethernet Switches offer cost-effective, one-time purchase options without recurring fees, appealing to budget-conscious enterprise users.
Fortinet FortiSwitch offers secure access with higher costs but is valued for its reliability compared to competitors.
The pricing of D-Link Ethernet Switches is cost-effective.
D-Link Ethernet Switches are 30% cheaper than Cisco switches.
High-end switches should be slightly cheaper.
It has increased by about two hundred percent over the past three years.
The initial cost of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is high compared to other options.
 

Valuable Features

D-Link Ethernet Switches are user-friendly, cost-effective, support VLAN, and offer robust security with efficient management and green technology.
Fortinet FortiSwitch offers centralized management, strong security, user-friendly administration, and seamless integration with Fortinet's security fabric for scalability.
The features of D-Link Ethernet Switches that have proven most beneficial in managing network traffic include their cost-effectiveness, which is suitable for small data centers.
It's especially valuable because Cisco and other products function similarly, but for smaller networks where high transfer rates aren't necessary.
With D-Link Ethernet Switches, I do not face any network load issues.
This centralized management saves time and ensures seamless scalability.
One of the main features is the integration with FortiGate.
The powerful integration capabilities allow us to manage all devices from a single interface through the firewall.
 

Categories and Ranking

D-Link Ethernet Switches
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
14th
Average Rating
7.8
Reviews Sentiment
6.4
Number of Reviews
30
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secu...
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
6th
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
7.7
Number of Reviews
48
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of July 2025, in the Ethernet Switches category, the mindshare of D-Link Ethernet Switches is 5.4%, down from 5.7% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is 4.8%, down from 6.0% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Ethernet Switches
 

Featured Reviews

Daniel Kivuthi - PeerSpot reviewer
Fits well in networks, integrate well but initial setup needs trained people
I did not face any major challenges, but the only thing is that D-Link has to invest in training technicians or engineers who install their products. They have to keep training them. D-Link can offer free training, or maybe even if they are charged, it's some fair charge. That way, D-Link encourages many technicians to take that training. And when the team has trained technicians or trained engineers, then it becomes very easy to install the devices and put them in the network. The solution integrates very well with our existing network infrastructure. The initial setup is straightforward. But, again, I will insist: If it is handled by trained personnel, then you find that the integration and installation are easy. But when people try to install the switches or the solutions and they do not have the technical know-how, then it becomes a challenge. People start saying that it's not a good solution, that they are not working. Yet, it is the technician who does not know how to handle them.
Uri Harf - PeerSpot reviewer
Integration with cloud management simplifies network expansion
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is expensive, and this initial cost can be a barrier, especially for new businesses setting up from scratch. Although the machine is robust and lasts for years with rare technical issues, the initial price can be high. Sometimes, I have to offer alternatives like Aruba or HP, which might be cheaper.
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
13%
Comms Service Provider
9%
Healthcare Company
9%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Computer Software Company
13%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Financial Services Firm
8%
Government
8%
 

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 ...
What do you like most about D-Link Ethernet Switches?
D-Link has a good VPN feature and quality of service.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for D-Link Ethernet Switches?
D-Link Ethernet Switches are 30% cheaper than Cisco switches. Pricing has not been a concern since it is already included in the capex.
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...
What do you like most about Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access?
With FortiSwitch, you can easily identify who is connected to each port, disable ports as needed, and retrieve configurations from FortiGate when required.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access?
The initial cost of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is high compared to other options. Although robust and rarely needs replacement, it can be overqualified for some jobs, which affects the re...
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

George Mason University, Somerville House, Hiperwall, New Brunswick School District 16, The Fulcrum Group, Bremond Independent School District, University of Texas Health Science Center, Grand Canyon Skywalk, SUN Area Career & Technology Center, Abington Senior High School
Black Gold Regional Schools, Amadeus Hospitality, Jefferson County, Chunghwa Telecom, City of Boroondara, Dimension Data
Find out what your peers are saying about D-Link Ethernet Switches vs. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access and other solutions. Updated: June 2025.
860,168 professionals have used our research since 2012.