Aruba Switches vs Meraki MS Switches comparison

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HPE Aruba Networking Logo
23,021 views|19,482 comparisons
98% willing to recommend
Cisco Logo
9,389 views|6,028 comparisons
96% willing to recommend
Comparison Buyer's Guide
Executive Summary
Updated on Aug 30, 2022

We performed a comparison between Aruba Switches and Meraki MS Switches based on our users’ reviews in four categories. After reading all of the collected data, you can find our conclusion below.

  • Ease of Deployment: Aruba Switches users find the solution easy and straightforward to deploy. Meraki MS Switches users indicate that for the Cisco Meraki experienced user, setup is simple. However, for the novice, it can be a complex procedure.
  • Features: Aruba users feel the switches offer very high availability and support stacking. The switches are easy to configure and provide reliable, trusted performance. Users would like to see improved security, stability, and user friendliness.

    Meraki MS users like the Layer 7 application visibility and the comprehensive, fully transparent dashboard. The flexible firewall makes it easy to lock down everything quickly and keep the network secure. Users would like to see the throughput paths on the core switches improved, and recommend enhanced security protocols, such as a zero-trust element.
  • Pricing: Aruba users feel the pricing is reasonable. Meraki MS Switches users feel it can be a bit expensive.
  • Service and Support: Aruba users are pleased with the support they receive. Meraki MS users say that the support is part of a pay structure. If a user has paid for top-tier support, they will get it.

Comparison Results: Many PeerSpot users feel Aruba Switches is the better choice. Aruba switches are stable, easy to manage, and support stacking. The Aruba Switches audit feature gives full transparency of the network and the layer three switches are reliable and easily scalable.

To learn more, read our detailed Aruba Switches vs. Meraki MS Switches Report (Updated: March 2024).
768,415 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Featured Review
Quotes From Members
We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use.
Here are some excerpts of what they said:
Pros
"The most valuable feature is the lifetime warranty.""The most valuable features are stability, ease of management, and the monitoring tool.""The most valuable feature is that it's very easy to configure.""The solution has great open architecture.""It's a reliable product that you can depend on.""It is pretty easy to implement the product.""Licensing costs are competitive with other solutions on the market.""The cloud configuration is the most valuable feature of this solution. Watching in the cloud, propagating the actual devices themselves and the management of devices that are remote."

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"The solution's most valuable aspect is the ease of stacking. The configuration on the MS Switches is very good, as well as its ability to assign the LANs.""Meraki MS Switches are amazing. Whoever built it is a genius. I like that it's a plug-and-play solution.""The product is very straightforward.""We find value in its ability to enable cloud management and visibility. They are also easy to deploy. It's very convenient because you can see who is accessing, what type of UI system they're using, what applications they're using, the bandwidth, and more.""I like the portal, it's really interesting.""Overall, the switches are really good.""Provides good statistics and it doesn't require teaching command lines.""I like the flexibility of the Meraki firewall. It gives you the ability to lock things down. Having multiple VLANs is helpful for the switching infrastructure and firewall. It's crucial when you have a public-facing VLAN, a private-facing VLAN, and a secure VLAN."

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Cons
"We had an integration team do the setup of the solution.""The software materials could be improved.""The migration from older to newer products could be improved.""The element of security always can be improved. If the solution continues to improve its security functionality, it will continue to be a great product.""Aruba's switches are older so I'd like to see more upgrades. The newer ones may have that built-in. The product could be more user-friendly.""There is an issue with Border Gateway Protocol (BGP), but it is escaping me. We aren't using this feature yet, but it is something we are considering.""I would say that the customization of the switches could be easier to configure.""We have needed to upgrade software to fix some challenges we experienced. After downloading the latest version of Aruba, these were fixed."

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"The switch capacity needs to be improved.""Doesn't enable a local configuration without internet access.""If they added the option to manage it locally, not in the cloud, it would be better.""It is a compact switch, so there are a limited number of ports, and it needs improvement in terms of scalability.""In terms of troubleshooting, if we get more tools there is an issue.""It could be more advanced and secure. Meraki MS Switches are ideal for a mid-sized enterprise. But you can't work with this appliance if you need more security or want to do complex or advanced things. Technical support could be better.""Clients are very confused by technical support. They seem to have trouble reaching Meraki to get the assistance they need.""The pricing of the solution can be improved."

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Pricing and Cost Advice
  • "The license is annual. If you purchase a switch, you get a one-year free subscription."
  • "The price of these switches is high."
  • "Comparing with Cisco, and some other solutions, it's a cheap product."
  • "The price for Aruba is quite a bit cheaper than it is for similar products by Cisco."
  • "It is expensive compared to the competition."
  • "There are no licensing costs for the Aruba Switches."
  • "The price point was a big consideration for us and it is reasonable enough that we're able to standardize on Aruba for the networking pieces in our organization."
  • "This is an expensive product, costing about double what most competitors do."
  • More Aruba Switches Pricing and Cost Advice →

  • "This product is more than the competition, but you get what you pay for."
  • "With the solution that we currently have, I think it costs about 1,200 pounds a year. They bill on a yearly basis."
  • "This is not a cheap solution."
  • "The DNA subscription is a three-year minimum term."
  • "The pricing is high and it is where we get the most pushback from customers."
  • "We paid for our switches outright, at a cost of between $15,000 USD and $18,000 USD."
  • "Its price is definitely competitive."
  • "Meraki is a little bit expensive, but when you compare the pricing with others, Meraki is a good option."
  • More Meraki MS Switches Pricing and Cost Advice →

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    Questions from the Community
    Top Answer:Aruba lives up to the expectations of the tech giant hewlett packard enterprise providing excellent networking capabilities at a very affordable price compared to the equivalent from another tech… more »
    Top Answer:Aruba Switches are very expensive. The product has many features printed on it, but the problem my company faces with the product is related to the fact that there is a need to reconfigure the… more »
    Top Answer:There were some issues in Aruba Switches, specifically Aruba PoE Switches since working with it in our company damaged our network. The timer and the internal battery in Aruba Switches don't work… more »
    Top Answer:The most valuable features of Meraki MS Switches are their reliability and simplicity.
    Top Answer:I would rate the costliness of Meraki MS Switches at around seven out of ten. They are not cheap, but I find them to be a good value for the money. However, I would prefer if the prices were a bit… more »
    Top Answer:One area where Meraki MS switches could improve is offering smaller switch sizes for distribution switches, as not all networks require the standard 24 or 48 ports. Having more compact options with… more »
    Ranking
    2nd
    out of 34 in Ethernet Switches
    Views
    23,021
    Comparisons
    19,482
    Reviews
    35
    Average Words per Review
    397
    Rating
    8.5
    5th
    out of 34 in Ethernet Switches
    Views
    9,389
    Comparisons
    6,028
    Reviews
    35
    Average Words per Review
    469
    Rating
    8.4
    Comparisons
    Also Known As
    8400 Series, 8320 Series, 5400R Series, 3810 Series, 2930M Series, 2930F Series, 2920 Series, 2540 Series, 2530 Series
    MS220, MS320, MS420
    Learn More
    Cisco
    Video Not Available
    Overview

    Aruba Switches is a network creation solution that enables users to easily manage every aspect of their networks.

    Benefits of Aruba Switches

    Some of the benefits of using Aruba switches include:

    • Easily access and manage every aspect of your networks. Aruba Switches give users a way to control their networks from a centralized location. The simplified control center can be accessed through both the cloud and on-premises devices. Intuitively view and manage every portion of your networks. You will be able to both analyze and control every device and client in the network while at the same time conserving resources for the areas of greatest concern.
    • Troubleshoot and upgrade your networks quickly and efficiently. Aruba Switches give users network visibility in real-time. It combines this with powerful analytics software that allow for the prediction, prevention, and resolution of issues. This allows administrators to act before their systems suffer serious harm. Additionally, Aruba Switches allow systems to maintain a high level of performance even during upgrading.
    • Automatically enact uniform system-wide changes. Aruba Switches gives users the ability to set their systems to automatically reconfigure when changes are necessary. Users are empowered to ensure that their systems run smoothly without worrying that there are parts of their network that are out of sync, reserving manpower and time for more pressing needs.

    Reviews from Real Users

    Aruba Switches are cutting-edge network creation tools that stand out among their competitors for a number of reasons. Two major ones are the warranty that guarantees them and the intuitive way in which they are designed. Aruba Switches are protected by lifetime warranties. If a switch malfunctions or is rendered inoperable, it can be quickly replaced. If the line of switches are still available, HPE will send the user the necessary replacement. Aruba Switches are built to be intuitive for users to customize and manipulate. This allows users to make full use of the solution without requiring them to devote a significant level of resources to training.

    The head of technical support at a real estate law firm writes, “One valuable feature about HP is the warranty. All switches are very similar when it comes to most functionalities. Most switches provide a one-year warranty, but with HPE switches, if there's a unit that malfunctions, we call them and they replace it the next business day if that line is still available. We had a switch we reported the other day, it was a 25-10, which we procured way back, around 2014, and they replaced it. In general, HP provides a lot of support for its products. We will be doing some tinkering on the VLAN soon, first the layer two, and then connecting the layer three functionalities for some other departments. The advantage of Aruba compared to other switches is their reliability. If the product is trustworthy, I'll continue to use it.”

    A network systems engineer at a financial services firm writes, “Their technical support is great. I have used Cisco products, and as compared to Cisco, Aruba's command-line syntax is not as complex. The command-line interface of Aruba switches is quite intuitive. It also has a graphical user interface. With Cisco, using the graphical user interface for configuration can be complex, whereas Aruba simplifies it, and you can easily use the graphical user interface. The configuration is secured. Their graphical user interface is quite robust.”

    Meraki MS Switches are first-line cloud-managed access and aggregation switches that combine the benefits of cloud-based centralized management with a reliable access platform. With cloud management, thousands of switch ports can be configured and monitored instantly over the web.

    Meraki MS Switches Features

    Meraki MS Switches have many valuable key features. Some of the most useful ones include:

    • True zero-touch configuration
    • Integrated troubleshooting tools, logging, and alerting
    • Energy-efficient design
    • Low acoustics and fanless options
    • Flexible stacking
    • Cloud management
    • Simple integration into existing and mixed infrastructures
    • Role-based administration
    • Automatic, secure firmware updates
    • Stack power
    • Multigigabit ports
    • Voice VLAN support
    • Link aggregation control protocol (LACP)

    Meraki MS Switches Benefits

    There are many benefits to implementing Meraki MS Switches. Some of the biggest advantages the solution offers include:

    • Automatic email alerts: If email alerts are enabled, you will receive automatic alerts via email when device or port changes occur. This makes Meraki MS Switches a convenient solution.
    • Identify issues ahead of time: With the solution’s proactive and on-demand cable testing tools, you are notified about any cable problems before anyone else.
    • Detailed client device views: The solution includes a helpful detailed view per client device, including port, VLAN, device fingerprinting, and connectivity data.
    • Lifetime warranty: Meraki MS Switches include a limited lifetime hardware warranty that provides next-day advance hardware replacement.

    Reviews from Real Users

    Meraki MS Switches is a solution that stands out when compared to many of its competitors. Some of its major advantages are its accessibility, application visibility, and flexibility features.

    Jóhann T., IT Manager at Sund Upper Secondary School, says, “Accessibility is what I find most valuable in Meraki MS Switches, because I'm able to check things and see if they're working, without being on-site at all times.”

    A Senior Network Engineer at a tech services company mentions, "The top feature of Meraki MS switches for me is Layer 7 application visibility. Another positive in general is that you don't need to set up a console to the switch itself; it dials into a single dashboard where you can completely manage all your network devices."

    John M., user at Baseline Consulting, LLC, comments, "I like the flexibility of the Meraki firewall. It gives you the ability to lock things down. Having multiple VLANs is helpful for the switching infrastructure and firewall. It's crucial when you have a public-facing VLAN, a private-facing VLAN, and a secure VLAN."

    PeerSpot user William M., Consulting Engineer at IV4, expresses, "It is easy to deploy, maintain, and update. It has been trouble-free so far. I am still a Cisco command-line bigot, but the web interface makes it a lot easier for our help desk to interact with a client. When the clients call in and say that they aren't able to connect, it takes the help desk 10 minutes or less to look at everything in the enterprise or location. They can look at the firewall, switches, or access points in the dashboard. That's why I like the dashboard."

    Sample Customers
    Purdue University
    Cisco Live Milan, Hyatt
    Top Industries
    REVIEWERS
    Educational Organization18%
    Comms Service Provider18%
    Manufacturing Company11%
    Computer Software Company7%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company14%
    Government8%
    Manufacturing Company7%
    Comms Service Provider7%
    REVIEWERS
    Computer Software Company16%
    Comms Service Provider16%
    Construction Company9%
    Financial Services Firm7%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company19%
    Retailer8%
    Manufacturing Company7%
    Government7%
    Company Size
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business50%
    Midsize Enterprise23%
    Large Enterprise27%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business30%
    Midsize Enterprise20%
    Large Enterprise50%
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business55%
    Midsize Enterprise20%
    Large Enterprise24%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business34%
    Midsize Enterprise20%
    Large Enterprise47%
    Buyer's Guide
    Aruba Switches vs. Meraki MS Switches
    March 2024
    Find out what your peers are saying about Aruba Switches vs. Meraki MS Switches and other solutions. Updated: March 2024.
    768,415 professionals have used our research since 2012.

    Aruba Switches is ranked 2nd in Ethernet Switches with 70 reviews while Meraki MS Switches is ranked 5th in Ethernet Switches with 87 reviews. Aruba Switches is rated 8.4, while Meraki MS Switches is rated 8.4. The top reviewer of Aruba Switches writes "As a managed service provider, it's important to have a solution that can manage everything from one console". On the other hand, the top reviewer of Meraki MS Switches writes "They're not expensive and configuration is very easy". Aruba Switches is most compared with Cisco Ethernet Switches, Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access, Ubiquiti UniFi Switches, Juniper EX Series Ethernet Switches and MikroTik Routers and Switches, whereas Meraki MS Switches is most compared with Cisco Ethernet Switches, Ubiquiti UniFi Switches, Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access, NETGEAR Switches and Arista Networks Platform. See our Aruba Switches vs. Meraki MS Switches report.

    See our list of best Ethernet Switches vendors.

    We monitor all Ethernet Switches reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.