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Head-to-head · Network as a Service (NaaS) Platforms

Equinix Fabric vs Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Equinix Fabric #1 in Network as a Service (NaaS) Platforms 9.3/10 Pricing on request · 7-day trial Free trial✓ 1 of 5 features Visit Equinix
Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN #6 in Network as a Service (NaaS) Platforms 8.2/10 Pricing on request ✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Cisco

Equinix Fabric leads on 0 checks, Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN on 0, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreEquinix Fabric · 9.3/10
  • Free trialonly Equinix Fabric
  • Most featuresEquinix Fabric · 1 of 5

Equinix Fabric scores higher on our rubric for network as a service (naas) platforms: 9.3 against 8.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #6.

Equinix Fabric is the better fit for enterprise multicloud private connectivity. Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN is the better fit for large enterprises standardizing SD-WAN.

  • Equinix Fabric fits best

    Enterprise multicloud private connectivity

  • Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN fits best

    Large enterprises standardizing SD-WAN

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Equinix Fabric 9.3/10 Visit ↗ Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 8.2
Ranking #1 in Network as a Service (NaaS) Platforms #6 in Network as a Service (NaaS) Platforms
Best for Enterprise multicloud private connectivity Large enterprises standardizing SD-WAN
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price Pricing on request · 7-day trial Pricing on request
Free plan — —
Free trial 7 days —
Deployment Cloud Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Web Web
Integrations 15 integrations 12 integrations
Features Equinix Fabric 1/5 · Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN 0/5
SD-WAN included Not checked yet Not checked yet
Secure access/SASE Not checked yet Not checked yet
Cloud firewall Not checked yet Not checked yet
Network monitoring ✓ (best) Not checked yet
API access Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Connectivity type Not checked yet Not checked yet
Managed sites Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Connects clouds, service providers, and Equinix data-center assets privately
  • Supports point-to-point and multipoint connections across local to global locations
  • Offers port and connection monitoring plus REST API and Terraform automation
  • Centralized provisioning, monitoring, upgrades, and troubleshooting
  • Routes applications using measured loss, latency, and jitter
  • Connects across public clouds, SaaS, and multiple WAN transports
Cons
  • Pricing is contact-sales, with monthly charges for ports, connections, and routers
  • The seven-day trial is limited to Fabric Cloud Router and up to two virtual connections
  • VPN management and firewall policy management are not included
  • Pricing requires contacting sales
  • Its enterprise networking scope may exceed simpler WAN needs
  • Zero-touch provisioning is limited to supported WAN edge routers
Our verdict

Distributed infrastructure teams can use Equinix Fabric to connect cloud services, network providers, business partners, Network Edge devices, and assets in Equinix data centers. It is aimed at mid-market and enterprise organizations…

Read the review →

Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN connects branch offices, campuses, data centers, and cloud environments through centrally managed software-defined networking. Large enterprises standardizing SD-WAN are its clearest fit: teams can configure, monitor,…

Read the review →
  1. Equinix FabricNetwork as a Service (NaaS) Platforms 9.3Pricing on request · 7-day trial
  2. Cisco Catalyst SD-WANNetwork as a Service (NaaS) Platforms 8.2Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Equinix Fabric — where it wins

    • Connects clouds, service providers, and Equinix data-center assets privately
    • Supports point-to-point and multipoint connections across local to global locations
    • Offers port and connection monitoring plus REST API and Terraform automation

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing is contact-sales, with monthly charges for ports, connections, and routers
    • The seven-day trial is limited to Fabric Cloud Router and up to two virtual connections
    • VPN management and firewall policy management are not included

  • Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN — where it wins

    • Centralized provisioning, monitoring, upgrades, and troubleshooting
    • Routes applications using measured loss, latency, and jitter
    • Connects across public clouds, SaaS, and multiple WAN transports

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires contacting sales
    • Its enterprise networking scope may exceed simpler WAN needs
    • Zero-touch provisioning is limited to supported WAN edge routers
  • Equinix Fabric9.3/10 · Pricing on request · 7-day trial

    Private multicloud connections with portal, API, and Terraform provisioning.

    Visit EquinixFull verdict →
  • Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN8.2/10 · Pricing on request

    Centralized SD-WAN with application-aware routing, cloud on-ramps, and integrated security.

    Visit CiscoFull verdict →

More comparisons

All network as a service (NaaS) platforms comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update