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Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center 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:
 

Categories and Ranking

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data...
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
15th
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
7.4
Number of Reviews
25
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secu...
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
5th
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 August 2025, in the Ethernet Switches category, the mindshare of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center is 1.9%, up from 1.2% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is 4.6%, down from 6.0% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Ethernet Switches
 

Featured Reviews

Vishwajeet Pandey - PeerSpot reviewer
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…
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.

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"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 single pane of glass that helps us manage everything through FortiManager is the most important feature."
"Based on my use cases, Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center was a great product that was easy to manage and work with while being a powerful tool."
"The solution has made configuration and setup very, very easy."
"The interface is very straightforward."
"We are able to monitor everything that is happening on our network."
"It is very stable."
"Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center offers flexibility and control over the entire network from a single pane of management."
"The policies are very good."
"The most valuable feature of the solution is the MAC feature."
"The most valuable feature is the breakability after integration with the FortiGate firewall."
"The product is a total solution with the FortiGate, switch, and access point. It is integrated with FortiGate, allowing us to manage all the equipment through it. You can handle everything from a single point."
"The tool's VLAN feature is easy to understand. It was very good."
"Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access has good scalability."
"I can say that the product is easy to use...The initial setup of the product was easy."
"The most valuable feature is the security switch."
 

Cons

"Before using FortiSwitch, you need several certifications."
"Compatibility with infrastructure from other vendors like Cisco and Sophos can be further improved."
"The solution can improve by upgrading QSFP+, it is very limited and must be supported more than it is now. If we need FortiSwitches to support all the QSFP ports our budgets would have to be very large."
"Fortinet could have the ability to authenticate users like Aruba offers because managing ten or twelve SSIDs for different clients is complicated."
"There is room for improvement in customer support and device speed. Sometimes, customer support does not provide prompt assistance, leaving projects hanging."
"They could improve availability and security by detecting and preventing switch attacks."
"With IT products, there is always room for improvement."
"Does not have as many features as other solutions, such as segmentation and analytics engines."
"I'd like to see more integration with different platforms."
"An area for improvement would be the segmentation and network in logic networks."
"It would be easier if Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access could be managed via cloud, and this is something that could be improved in this product. Bandwidth display could also be better."
"It could be simpler but compared to the competition, it's not so bad."
"I feel that the product's stability is an area where improvements are required."
"I don't like the way it's managed."
"The pricing could be improved, and it could be easier to configure."
"We had experienced downtime. I would like to see it to be improved."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Cost-wise, Fortinet solutions are cheaper than those offered by Cisco."
"The solution's pricing is a little high. The solution deserves the current price it receives from its users."
"We pay a yearly licensing fee for the solution, which is expensive."
"The tool's pricing is lower than Cisco's."
"Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center is expensive."
"The product is less expensive than one of its competitors."
"The product has a mid-range price."
"The solution is not expensive."
"We have to renew and pay for the licenses."
"The pricing for Fortinet FortiSwitch is not expensive."
"The price is good."
"Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access requires a license and the price is expensive."
"The solution is expensive but overall the cost makes sense."
"The tool's pricing is fine."
"The product is costly for SMB customers compared to other brands available in the market."
"The pricing is cheap and only a yearly licensing cost needs to be paid."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
17%
Government
10%
Manufacturing Company
7%
Financial Services Firm
7%
Computer Software Company
12%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Government
8%
Financial Services Firm
7%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

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.
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...
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

Black Gold Regional Schools, Amadeus Hospitality, Jefferson County, Chunghwa Telecom, City of Boroondara, Dimension Data
Black Gold Regional Schools, Amadeus Hospitality, Jefferson County, Chunghwa Telecom, City of Boroondara, Dimension Data
Find out what your peers are saying about Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center vs. Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access and other solutions. Updated: July 2025.
865,295 professionals have used our research since 2012.