Top 9 Cisco Competitors & Alternatives In 2024

While Cisco Systems is currently the top innovator and producer of networking software, hardware, telecommunications and security, a number of companies big and small are forging ahead on the market with the hopes of outshining the technology giant. How do Cisco’s competitors stack up?

#1. Juniper Networks

Founded: February 6, 1996
Headquarters: Sunnyvale, California, United States

Need to Know

Juniper Networks is an American multinational technology company that produces and manufactures networking products, which include routers, switches, network management software, and security products. When the corporation was first founded, its main focus was on core routers, which allow internet service providers to search IP addresses. In 2002, Juniper was acquired by Unisphere, a networking equipment manufacturer. Juniper then switched gears to manufacture edge routers, which work to secure internet traffic from the network edge.

By 2000, Juniper earned around $673 million in annual revenue, and by this time, also held 37% of the core router market. To this day, Juniper Networks remains one of Cisco’s biggest competitors.

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#2. Huawei

Founded: September 15, 1987
Headquarters: Shenzhen, Guangdong, China

Need to Know

Huawei is a Chinese technology company that produces and sells a wide range of products to consumers all over the world, including telecommunication equipment, electronics and smartphones, and consulting services. Famously, Huawei is also a leader in 5G networks, which promises to deliver enhanced high-speed internet connectivity.

Huawei was founded by Ren Zhengfei, who had formerly served in the People’s Liberation Army of China. In these early days, Huawei was originally focused on designing phone switches. More recently, the technology company has been criticized for its 5G network, which some believe is being used by the Chinese government to surveil people’s internet activity. Nevertheless, Huawei continues to sell its services and products in over 170 countries and is currently the largest manufacturer of telecommunications in the world.

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#3. Arista Networks

Founded: October 2004
Headquarters: Santa Clara, California, United States

Need to Know

Arista Networks is an American technology company that specializes in “client to cloud networking.” In practice, this includes the design and production of multilayer network switches built for large data centers and for high-performance computing. In 2012, the company’s high-speed 7124SX ethernet switch was considered to be the fastest on the market. While Arista is smaller and offers fewer products than Cisco, its clientele includes Fortune 500 companies and another 7000 businesses around the world.

All three Arista founders, Andy Bechtolsheim, Ken Duda, and David Cheriton, were previously employed at Cisco. In fact, Cisco filed multiple lawsuits in 2014 against Arista for alleged intellectual property infringement. The case was eventually settled when Arista paid Cisco $400 million.

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#4. VMware

Founded: February 10, 1998
Headquarters: Palo Alto, California, United States

Need to Know

VMware is an American technology company that focuses on cloud computing and the virtualization of software. In fact, VMware is often known for being the first company to virtualize the architecture of x86, an Intel microprocessor chip that was initially released in 1978. In 1999, shortly following its founding, VMware launched Workstation, which provides desktop hypervisors for the operating systems Windows and Linux. This allows users to build and run a variety of apps.

In 2017, VMware and Cisco each bought separate SD-WAN companies that design and produce architecture that leverages transport services, such as LTE. These acquisitions have fueled competition between VMware and Cisco, and the two technology competitors are currently battling for the title of top SD-WAN vendor. Meanwhile, VMware scored a staggering $11.8 billion in revenue in 2021.

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#5. Dell Technologies

Founded: September 7, 2016
Headquarters: Round Rock, Texas, United States

Need to Know

Dell Technologies is an American technology company that was formed in 2016 as a result of a merger between Dell and EMC Corporation. Previously Dell specialized in the production and repair of computers and computer software. Now, Dell Technologies has a larger scope, and its products include computers, smartphones, servers, computer software, and information security services.

In 2018, the company was 35th in the Fortune 500 rankings of the largest American corporations by total revenue, with estimates at around $79 billion. In 2021, this number is currently at $94 billion, with about 50% of the revenue earned domestically. Dell Technologies has attributed its innovation and success to staying a private corporation, and therefore not at the whims of shareholders.

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#6. Extreme Networks

Founded: May 1996
Headquarters: San Jose, California, United States

Need to Know

Extreme Networks is an American technology company that creates both wired and wireless network infrastructure equipment, and develops software for management, analytics, and security. This also includes switching and touring products. Its WiFi system promises high-speed connections for streaming and uploading content, as well as multicast video delivery that allows companies to distribute videos to their thousands of users without over-using the network.

Extreme Networks has more than 12,000 customers across 80 countries worldwide. In 2014, the technology company made history by being named the first official Wi-Fi Solutions Provider for the National Football League.

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#7. Aruba Networks

Founded: 2002
Headquarters: Santa Clara, California, United States

Need to Know

Aruba Networks, known previously as Aruba Wireless Networks, is an American technology company that is currently a subsidiary of Hewlett Packard Enterprise company. HP acquired Aruba for $3 billion in 2015. Before being acquired, Aruba was only second behind Cisco in terms of revenue for wireless access providers. Today, Aruba Networks largely focuses on SD-WANs and wired and wireless networks.

Arguably, Aruba Networks has a leg up over Cisco when it comes to the utilization of artificial intelligence. For example, Aruba’s Edge Services Platform works to address network issues and uses its AI capabilities to constantly self-optimize and learn from its mistakes. In 2020, Aruba earned roughly $3 billion in total revenue.

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#8. Netgear

Founded: January 8, 1996
Headquarters: San Jose, California, United States

Need to Know

Netgear is an American technology and computer networking company that boasts offices in 25 countries. Netgear produces networking hardware for all different types of clients, such as consumers, businesses, and service providers. The company’s products include WiFi, LTE, and ethernet services, as well as both wired and wireless devices that can be used for broadband access and network connectivity.

Netgear’s corporate mission has always been to make networking technology reliable and easy to use for all customers. They also ensure that their products come in multiple configurations to best bit users in different geographic areas around the world. In the 2020 fiscal year, Netgear reported net revenue of more than $1 billion.

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#9. Check Point Software Technologies

Founded: 1993
Headquarters: San Carlos, California, United States and Tel Aviv, Israel

Need to Know

Check Point Soft Technologies is an Israeli-American technology company that designs and manufactures both software and hardware products for the purpose of IT security and security management. With 70 offices around the world, Check Point is a leader in cyber security, and its clientele includes governments and corporations. In 2019, the technology company’s revenue reached nearly $2 billion and currently has over 100,000 customers worldwide.

Check Point promises to protect you and your devices from cyber-attacks, malware and ransomware. It also defends enterprises’ cloud networks and mobile devices from hackers. It does this by preventing and blocking viruses before they even access your network.

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