Cisco Ethernet Switches vs. UniFi WiFi Access Points

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Cisco Ethernet Switches
Score 9.1 out of 10
N/A
Cisco offers Ethernet switches.N/A
UniFi WiFi Access Points
Score 8.9 out of 10
N/A
Ubiquiti Networks in San Jose provides the UniFi wi-fi access points. The enterprise products support 1,000+ client capacity, long-range 6 GHz performance, and 10 GbE PoE connectivity with native high availability architecture for critical enterprise environments.N/A
Pricing
Cisco Ethernet SwitchesUniFi WiFi Access Points
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Cisco Ethernet SwitchesUniFi WiFi Access Points
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Cisco Ethernet SwitchesUniFi WiFi Access Points
Considered Both Products
Cisco Ethernet Switches
Chose Cisco Ethernet Switches
Cisco is more enterprise level, more reliable, and generally more feature rich but also very expensive. That being said old or refurbished Cisco switches are much more affordable and in comparison to even new switches from the competitor they are still a great value even …
Chose Cisco Ethernet Switches
We used to implement a lot of NETGEAR ProSafe Managed Switches before the Cisco SG Switches. They were also inexpensive and offered basic management, VLAN, and PoE features. However, management was beyond quirky, VLAN setup was a chore, and we had lots of reliability issues. …
UniFi WiFi Access Points
Chose UniFi WiFi Access Points
Cisco is a much more industry standard integrated solution. However with that comes a lot of bloat & a lot of settings that just aren't needed. UniFi is really a great competitor because it's so light that you could use this solution in your house if you really had the drive …
Chose UniFi WiFi Access Points
Unifi trails the competitors in the switch/gateway category but exceeds all competitors in WiFi and IP cameras.
Cisco Meraki equipment is too expensive along with monthly costs. Netgear equipment is fine for simple networks but a small increase in upfront spend will get you …
Best Alternatives
Cisco Ethernet SwitchesUniFi WiFi Access Points
Small Businesses

No answers on this topic

WatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi Cloud
WatchGuard Secure Wi-Fi Cloud
Score 9.2 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Extreme Networks Wired Access - Switches
Extreme Networks Wired Access - Switches
Score 9.0 out of 10
Cisco Aironet 1800 Series Access Points (discontinued)
Cisco Aironet 1800 Series Access Points (discontinued)
Score 8.5 out of 10
Enterprises
Cisco Meraki MS
Cisco Meraki MS
Score 9.1 out of 10
Cisco Catalyst 9100 Access Points
Cisco Catalyst 9100 Access Points
Score 9.2 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
Cisco Ethernet SwitchesUniFi WiFi Access Points
Likelihood to Recommend
9.2
(12 ratings)
9.0
(51 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
9.0
(1 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Usability
-
(0 ratings)
9.0
(5 ratings)
Support Rating
-
(0 ratings)
2.4
(7 ratings)
User Testimonials
Cisco Ethernet SwitchesUniFi WiFi Access Points
Likelihood to Recommend
Cisco
Cisco is a name well known in the IT field. The technology is tried and true and they have built a reputation on a solid platform. Though many people do not like the cost of the devices and the continued fees associated with long term ownership, you get what you pay for. I dont hesitate to recommend Cisco because I know people will get a solid product that will last a long time.
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Ubiquiti Networks
I love the equipment for small-scale commercial solutions and quality without the price tag. I might not recommend their products for a large organization with multiple locations and servers. However, the GUI interface will allow remote access and setup across the network. I think this is a great solution for small businesses and families or home office solutions, provided there is some IT knowledge for setup and maintenance.
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Pros
Cisco
  • Easy setup and configuration. While the web UI has its quirks, setting up VLANs and other tasks which can be exceedingly complicated on other switches, are much easier on Cisco SG switches. You also have the ability to upload an existing configuration to switches, which can speed up the task of deploying many identical switches.
  • Features for the price. Getting a 48 port L3 switch with PoE+ for less than $2,000 is a great value.
  • Reliability. We have hundreds of the SG switches in dozens of client sites, many in harsh conditions, and they just keep going.
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Ubiquiti Networks
  • Ubiquti WLAN is very easy on setup for fast deployment.
  • The monitoring software is offered at different level. Cloudkey, or just throwing up their free controller on a PC somewhere.
  • It also does a great job of publishing timely updates to firmware, and addressing bug issues.
  • The ease of the interface, without adding a bunch of fluff, makes this literally the best out there in my opinion.
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Cons
Cisco
  • The web UI has taken a turn for the worse with the latest firmware on the SGx50 models -- the bifurcation between basic and advanced modes and the changes to the way VLANs are modified is a step backward in my opinion.
  • The power bricks on smaller models are enormous. I'm sure, however, keeping this circuitry external to the switch is what keeps my switches running year after year in hot environments.
  • Fans can be a bit loud on larger switches -- this is true of pretty much any 1U device though.
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Ubiquiti Networks
  • Initial configuration of access points can be rather tricky. Each one I have installed was a complete pain to get setup and connected with the UniFi Controller software. I never worked out what causes me problems, but thankfully once I've stumbled through the correct procedure, it does work completely reliably after that, for years on end.
  • The UniFi Controller software will nag you to share usage data. When offered to opt-in, I choose not to do so, but you'll eventually be nagged again on a future login.
  • Some of the 'tooltips' within the Controller software could be more informative.
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Likelihood to Renew
Cisco
for their relialiabilty
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Ubiquiti Networks
No answers on this topic
Usability
Cisco
No answers on this topic
Ubiquiti Networks
Ubiquiti makes great Access points at various tiers provided far better coverage and throughput than consumer-grade wireless repeaters and routers. We have not had any performance complaints from guests or from the administration who use the wifi on a daily basis.
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Support Rating
Cisco
No answers on this topic
Ubiquiti Networks
Ubiquiti support is minimal, which is said to help decrease the cost of the equipment. However, with many reports of emails going directly to the Ubiquiti support line taking days to hear a response, you're better off either engaging with the community forums for help from fellow UniFi users or reaching out to a reseller that has training on the equipment that can assist.
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Alternatives Considered
Cisco
Cisco is more enterprise level, more reliable, and generally more feature rich but also very expensive. That being said old or refurbished Cisco switches are much more affordable and in comparison to even new switches from the competitor they are still a great value even though they are used. I like Ubiquiti switches as well but Cisco is usually better overall.
Read full review
Ubiquiti Networks
Ubiquiti is overall easier to work with. There is no special training needed to accomplish many of the things required with a Cisco product. Since my time is stretched thin, I need something that I can manage without being weighed down by command-line communications. Also, I am able to use my wireless devices to maintain every Ubiquiti device on my network.
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Return on Investment
Cisco
  • Failure on Cisco Switches, from my experience, is rare in the first 5 years the device is up.
  • I have see the Cisco 6500 switches go 5 years without a reboot, which is nothing short of amazing.
  • The service that you get is top notch and available 24/7, and you really cannot put a price on that.
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Ubiquiti Networks
  • Can't say it enough, prices are awesome, so ROI is very high IMHO.
  • Remote cloud management allows me to service more clients at greater distances.
  • Project estimates become much more attractive when you can show the savings vs more expensive solutions.
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ScreenShots