Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center vs MikroTik Cloud Router Switch comparison

Fortinet and MikroTik are both solutions in the Ethernet Switches category. Fortinet is ranked #15 with an average rating of 8.8, while MikroTik is ranked #17 with an average rating of 7.9. Fortinet holds a 2.3% mindshare in ES, compared to MikroTik’s 1.8% mindshare. Additionally, 95% of Fortinet users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 96% of MikroTik users who would recommend it.

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data...

Read 26 Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center reviews

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1,668 Comparison Views

95% willing to recommend

MikroTik Cloud Router Switch

Read 25 MikroTik Cloud Router Switch reviews

1,871 Views
1,385 Comparison Views

96% willing to recommend

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data...

MikroTik Cloud Router Switch

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 3, 2024

MikroTik Cloud Router Switch and Fortinet FortiSwitch Data Center are competing in the networking space with distinct approaches to market needs. MikroTik offers advantages in pricing and customer support, while Fortinet's advanced features suggest it provides better value in security.

Features: MikroTik Cloud Router Switch is recognized for cost-effectiveness and comprehensive routing capabilities. It supports various protocols, enhances flexibility, and provides excellent throughput. Fortinet FortiSwitch Data Center delivers robust security features, integration with Fortinet products, and an intuitive graphical user interface that simplifies configuration.

Room for Improvement: MikroTik Cloud Router Switch can enhance its advanced security features, streamline customer service for complex issues, and improve scalability options. Fortinet FortiSwitch Data Center may benefit from reducing deployment complexity, improving cost-effectiveness, and expanding customer support to cater to less technically skilled users.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: MikroTik Cloud Router Switch provides straightforward deployment and reliable customer support, accessible to a wide audience. Fortinet FortiSwitch Data Center offers sophisticated deployment models for technical experts and excellent customer service for complex integrations.

Pricing and ROI: MikroTik Cloud Router Switch is affordable with a quick return on investment, targeting budget-conscious buyers. Fortinet FortiSwitch Data Center involves higher initial costs but offers enhanced security and long-term benefits, providing a higher lifetime ROI for those prioritizing performance and security.

To learn more, read our detailed Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center vs. MikroTik Cloud Router Switch Report (Updated: December 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center vs. MikroTik Cloud Router Switch

December 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

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data...

Ranking in Ethernet Switches

15th

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

6.4

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

MikroTik Cloud Router Switch

Ranking in Ethernet Switches

17th

Average Rating

8.0

Reviews Sentiment

6.3

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Routers (5th)

Mindshare comparison

As of January 2026, in the Ethernet Switches category, the mindshare of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center is 2.3%, up from 1.5% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of MikroTik Cloud Router Switch is 1.8%, up from 1.1% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Ethernet Switches Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center	2.3%
MikroTik Cloud Router Switch	1.8%
Other	95.9%

Ethernet Switches

Featured Reviews

Rutul SHah

CXO at Aariha Enterprise Private Limited

Provides seamless traffic control and secure connectivity while minimizing downtime and optimizing resource allocation

There is always room for improvement in Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center because with this switch, they can reduce downtime due to broadcasting issues by denying specific traffic on particular ports. Currently, I am not identifying any weak points of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center because it meets the customer's use case. However, the commercial aspect presents challenges, particularly with pricing, as customers often ask for Juniper or Cisco, brands they are more aware of, which makes awareness about Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center another weak point.

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Andriejus Artamonovas

IT Specialist at a outsourcing company with 501-1,000 employees

Has supported deeper configuration through traffic mirroring and advanced VLAN setup

The main reason why MikroTik Cloud Router Switch is usually chosen is its raw performance to price ratio. In comparison to UniFi switches, MikroTik Cloud Router Switch can mirror all ports for traffic inspection for further traffic analysis, which UniFi cannot do. VLANs in MikroTik Cloud Router Switch are always useful. The way MikroTik implements VLAN-aware switching at the bridge level is hidden in the configuration. Making CRS work as a simple VLAN-aware switch requires deeper configuration, which is not intuitive. VLANs support individual interfaces not part of the bridge, allowing for double VLANing. You can create a VLAN interface in the interfaces context and also create a bridge interface, add physical ports, create VLANs for that bridge interface, and assign tagged and untagged ports and VLANs. Load balancing is one of the key components. The feature itself is quite efficient and works reliably on MikroTik Cloud Router Switch. The very basic setup is one of my favorites because they have their protocol where I can connect through the MAC address right on Layer 2, and I don't lose connectivity to the switch if I mess up with bridging or IP addressing.

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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

"It is very stable."

"Using Fortinet's whole range, including FortiSwitches, is cost-effective compared to Cisco and beneficial for network security."

"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."

"What I like about the solution is that it can be accessed anywhere."

"Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center is very easy to configure."

"Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center offers flexibility and control over the entire network from a single pane of management."

"The product's most valuable feature is its ability to manage switches from one central point."

More Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center pros

"The router power is the most valuable aspect."

"The most valuable feature is that it has better throughput than its competitors."

"The best aspect is that it remains affordable."

"The beauty of MikroTik is that you have flexibility with the routing parts."

"I like that it's quite flexible and addresses different issues. It's quite easy to use, and the pricing is great. We find them to be very capable switches."

"It is user-friendly, reliable, and cheap."

"The best aspect is that it remains affordable."

"The router power is the most valuable aspect."

More MikroTik Cloud Router Switch pros

Cons

"Enhancing security on the firewall and the switches, as well as focusing on price segment issues, would make it a better solution for the future."

"The stability of the solution is impacted when integrating parts from different vendors such as Cisco, which can lead to performance problems and disconnections."

"We need to understand a bit more about certifications and knowledge for understanding capabilities. The solution should make that more clear to its users."

"The product must improve the latency in the management center."

"Routing is an area in Fortinet FortiSwitch with certain shortcomings where improvements are needed."

"There is room to improve the integration between FortiSwitch and other third-party solutions, as challenges arise when integrating with different vendors."

"Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center needs to improve its UI and stability."

"The performance is basic only, and we cannot compare Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center with Aruba or Cisco switches."

More Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center cons

"While some customers use MikroTik Cloud Router Switch as a firewall, it's not at an industry-level, though the basic features are adequate for many users who prefer it over purchasing other reputed firewall solutions."

"Technical support could be better."

"Simplifying the documentation would be a good idea."

"The solution does not yet offer a SaaS version."

"Most of the time, the MikroTik Cloud Router Switch is stable. If I were to rate the stability on a scale of 1 to 10 where 10 is the best, I would give it a 5."

"The area for improvement is security. MikroTik is mostly used by medium and small businesses, so the security is not as robust as Cisco."

"In medium to large sectors, there's a necessity for managing aspects like proxy firewalls."

"Antispam and antivirus features should be included in the future."

More MikroTik Cloud Router Switch cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center is expensive."

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

"The solution is not expensive."

"It is reasonably priced."

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

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

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

"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

"The price of the solution is fair and there is a one-time license purchase only."

"I consider it to be a cost-effective solution."

"I believe the price of the tool is high, but it is okay for the services we get from it."

"They came with the licensing when we purchased them."

"MikroTik is really cheap compared to the competitors."

"The licensing for MikroTik is great. It's easy to enter, especially for small businesses. Their model is great."

"This product has a one-time cost and there is no licensing fee."

"The price is competitive."

More MikroTik Cloud Router Switch pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Government

14%

Computer Software Company

Manufacturing Company

Retailer

Comms Service Provider

14%

Educational Organization

14%

Computer Software Company

Manufacturing Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	17
Midsize Enterprise	5
Large Enterprise	4

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	19
Midsize Enterprise	5
Large Enterprise	2

Questions from the Community

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?

See all answers

What do you like most about MikroTik Cloud Router Switch?

The tool has impacted our company's network costs and productivity in a perfect manner and percentage-wise, I can say it is 120 percent.

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for MikroTik Cloud Router Switch?

The Python solution pricing is on the lower side.

See all answers

What needs improvement with MikroTik Cloud Router Switch?

It can be difficult to identify key functions for MikroTik Cloud Router Switch. I experience functionality limitations, particularly when trying to find specific features. It would be beneficial to...

See all answers

Comparisons

Aruba Switches vs Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center

Compared 19% of the time

HPE Ethernet Switches vs Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center

Compared 14% of the time

Cisco Ethernet Switches vs Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center

Compared 10% of the time

Cisco Catalyst Switches vs Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center

Compared 7% of the time

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access vs Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center

Compared 2% of the time

More Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center Competitors

TP-Link Omada Switches vs MikroTik Cloud Router Switch

Compared 17% of the time

MikroTik Routers and Switches vs MikroTik Cloud Router Switch

Compared 11% of the time

Huawei Enterprise Routers vs MikroTik Cloud Router Switch

Compared 6% of the time

Aruba Switches vs MikroTik Cloud Router Switch

Compared 6% of the time

Cisco Linksys Ethernet Switches vs MikroTik Cloud Router Switch

Compared 3% of the time

More MikroTik Cloud Router Switch Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Ethernet Switches

January 2026

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center report

Download Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center product report

Buyer's Guide

MikroTik Cloud Router Switch

January 2026

Download MikroTik Cloud Router Switch product report

Also Known As

No data available

MikroTik CRS Series

Overview

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

MikroTik Cloud Router Switch is a new Smart Switch series. It combines the best features of a fully functional router and a Layer 3 switch, is powered by the familiar RouterOS. All the specific Switch configuration options are available in a special Switch menu, also ports can be removed from the switch configuration, and used for routing purposes.

MikroTik

Sample Customers

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

Information Not Available

Buyer's Guide

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center vs. MikroTik Cloud Router Switch

December 2025

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