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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 8.4, while MikroTik is ranked #16 with an average rating of 7.9. Fortinet holds a 2.9% mindshare in ES, compared to MikroTik’s 1.9% 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
  • 2,184 Views
  • 2,184 Comparison Views
95% willing to recommend
MikroTik Cloud Router Switch
Read 25 MikroTik Cloud Router Switch reviews
  • 2,228 Views
  • 1,649 Comparison Views
96% willing to recommend
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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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.

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To learn more, read our detailed Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center vs. MikroTik Cloud Router Switch Report (Updated: March 2026).
Buyer's Guide
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center vs. MikroTik Cloud Router Switch
March 2026
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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
26
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
MikroTik Cloud Router Switch
Ranking in Ethernet Switches
16th
Average Rating
8.0
Reviews Sentiment
6.3
Number of Reviews
25
Ranking in other categories
Routers (4th)
 

Mindshare comparison

As of March 2026, in the Ethernet Switches category, the mindshare of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center is 2.9%, up from 1.7% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of MikroTik Cloud Router Switch is 1.9%, up from 1.2% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Ethernet Switches Mindshare Distribution
ProductMindshare (%)
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center2.9%
MikroTik Cloud Router Switch1.9%
Other95.2%
Ethernet Switches
 

Featured Reviews

Rutul SHah - PeerSpot reviewer
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 - PeerSpot reviewer
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

"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."
"Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center is very easy to configure."
"It is very stable."
"FortiSwitch Data Center allows for centralized management of both Fortinet switches and firewalls from a single interface."
"We are able to monitor everything that is happening on our network."
"The product is stable."
"The solution has made configuration and setup very, very easy."
"When configuring FortiSwitch with a FortiGate firewall, I can consider all FortiSwitch's ports as a part of the FortiGate firewall."
More Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center pros
"The beauty of MikroTik is that you have flexibility with the routing parts."
"It's a well-rounded solution for routing."
"It is user-friendly, reliable, and cheap."
"The main reason why MikroTik Cloud Router Switch is usually chosen is its raw performance to price ratio."
"The wiki page that describes the scripting and other features is very good."
"Regarding security and visibility in monitoring, it is very good, the GUI is very intuitive, and it has many more features than those from major vendors."
"Some of the most valuable features are the simplicity, cost, usability, and power. As a package, it's extremely effective."
"It is easy to set up the solution."
More MikroTik Cloud Router Switch pros
 

Cons

"Before using FortiSwitch, you need several certifications."
"Compatibility with infrastructure from other vendors like Cisco and Sophos can be further improved."
"Cisco is better in terms of price, scalability, and ease of management. Regarding resources, they are available in Pakistan to manage these systems."
"FortiSwitch should improve the FortiGate map. The diagram cannot move automatically to show the switch. The map does not map the physical location. It cannot move or touch the diagram."
"Compatibility with infrastructure from other vendors like Cisco and Sophos can be further improved."
"The tool is not easy to use."
"The product must improve the latency in the management center."
"We need to understand a bit more about certifications and knowledge for understanding capabilities. The solution should make that more clear to its users."
More Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center cons
"Stuff that I'd like to be improved is really just training and documentation because I think the feature set is full. Another improvement I'd suggest is that their new, bigger releases should be a bit more stable."
"It happens that you may find your network is down, if you reboot the switch, they come up. However, sometimes, they reset themselves. That's a big issue."
"The area for improvement is security. MikroTik is mostly used by medium and small businesses, so the security is not as robust as Cisco."
"The port isolation and VLAN need to be improved."
"In medium to large sectors, there's a necessity for managing aspects like proxy firewalls."
"MikroTik Cloud Router Switch needs improvement in the area of security, although the recent models are addressing this."
"The RAM capacity offered by the product needs to be increased, as it is one area where the tool currently has some shortcomings."
"The user interface could improve and they should allow a license for IBS."
More MikroTik Cloud Router Switch cons
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The solution is not expensive."
"Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center is expensive."
"Cost-wise, Fortinet solutions are cheaper than those offered by Cisco."
"This solution is expensive but it does not require a license."
"The product is less expensive than one of its competitors."
"It is reasonably priced."
"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."
More Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center pricing and cost advice
"I believe the price of the tool is high, but it is okay for the services we get from it."
"The licensing for MikroTik is great. It's easy to enter, especially for small businesses. Their model is great."
"I consider it to be a cost-effective solution."
"The price is competitive."
"MikroTik is really cheap compared to the competitors."
"The price of the solution is fair and there is a one-time license purchase only."
"They came with the licensing when we purchased them."
"In Pakistan, if you buy this cloud router, it's approximately $700 for the device."
More MikroTik Cloud Router Switch pricing and cost advice
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Government
14%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Retailer
7%
Computer Software Company
7%
Comms Service Provider
13%
Educational Organization
12%
Marketing Services Firm
8%
Computer Software Company
7%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business17
Midsize Enterprise5
Large Enterprise4
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business19
Midsize Enterprise5
Large Enterprise2
 

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?
The performance is basic only, and we cannot compare Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center with Aruba or Cisco switches. Regarding security policies, I did not configure that many policies in Fortinet...
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.
See all answers
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 Logo
Aruba Switches vs Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center
Compared 32% of the time
HPE Ethernet Switches vs Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center Logo
HPE Ethernet Switches vs Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center
Compared 17% of the time
Cisco Ethernet Switches vs Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center Logo
Cisco Ethernet Switches vs Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center
Compared 7% of the time
Cisco Catalyst Switches vs Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center Logo
Cisco Catalyst Switches vs Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center
Compared 6% of the time
NETGEAR Switches vs Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center Logo
NETGEAR Switches 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 Logo
TP-Link Omada Switches vs MikroTik Cloud Router Switch
Compared 13% of the time
MikroTik Routers and Switches vs MikroTik Cloud Router Switch Logo
MikroTik Routers and Switches vs MikroTik Cloud Router Switch
Compared 9% of the time
Huawei Enterprise Routers vs MikroTik Cloud Router Switch Logo
Huawei Enterprise Routers vs MikroTik Cloud Router Switch
Compared 6% of the time
Cisco Catalyst Switches vs MikroTik Cloud Router Switch Logo
Cisco Catalyst Switches vs MikroTik Cloud Router Switch
Compared 5% of the time
Juniper EX Series Ethernet Switches vs MikroTik Cloud Router Switch Logo
Juniper EX Series 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
March 2026
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center reportDownload Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center product report
Buyer's Guide
MikroTik Cloud Router Switch
March 2026
MikroTik Cloud Router Switch reportDownload 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
March 2026
Free Report: Fortinet FortiSwitch - Data Center vs. MikroTik Cloud Router Switch
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