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Head-to-head · Network Provisioning Software

HPE Aruba Networking Central vs Cisco Catalyst Center

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score HPE Aruba Networking Central #2 in Network Provisioning Software 9.2/10 90-day trial Free trial✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Aruba Central
Cisco Catalyst Center #4 in Network Provisioning Software 9.0/10 Pricing on request ✓ 1 of 4 features Visit Cisco

HPE Aruba Networking Central leads on 0 checks, Cisco Catalyst Center on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreHPE Aruba Networking Central · 9.2/10
  • Free trialonly HPE Aruba Networking Central
  • Most featuresHPE Aruba Networking Central · 4 of 4

HPE Aruba Networking Central scores higher on our rubric for network provisioning software: 9.2 against 9.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #4.

HPE Aruba Networking Central is the better fit for aruba environments needing centralized provisioning. Cisco Catalyst Center is the better fit for large Cisco networks needing full lifecycle provisioning.

  • HPE Aruba Networking Central fits best

    Aruba environments needing centralized provisioning

  • Cisco Catalyst Center fits best

    Large Cisco networks needing full lifecycle provisioning

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 HPE Aruba Networking Central 9.2/10 Visit ↗ Cisco Catalyst Center 9.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 9.0
Ranking #2 in Network Provisioning Software #4 in Network Provisioning Software
Best for Aruba environments needing centralized provisioning Large Cisco networks needing full lifecycle provisioning
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price — Pricing on request
Free plan — Not checked yet
Free trial 90 days —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Web Web
Integrations 3 integrations 11 integrations
Features HPE Aruba Networking Central 4/4 · Cisco Catalyst Center 1/4
Zero-touch deployment ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Device inventory ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Access policy provisioning ✓ (best) Not checked yet
API access ✓ ✓
Specs
Managed device limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Deployment model Hybrid Hybrid
Our review
Pros
  • Zero-touch onboarding with centralized configuration profiles
  • Inventory, topology, monitoring, reporting, and troubleshooting in one platform
  • REST API, streaming API, webhooks, and Central NAC workflows
  • Covers discovery, provisioning, configuration, compliance, backups, and upgrades
  • Extends operations through REST APIs, Terraform, Ansible, and webhooks
  • Connects with Cisco, IT service, security, and observability platforms
Cons
  • Paid product with no free plan
  • Advanced analytics and AI features require the Advanced plan
  • Support for third-party devices is limited to selected devices
  • Pricing requires contact with Cisco
  • Requires a Catalyst software subscription for managed Cisco devices
  • Its scope is centered on Cisco wired and wireless infrastructure
Our verdict

HPE Aruba Networking Central is a network management and orchestration platform for wired, wireless, WAN, VPN, branch, campus, remote, and data-center environments. It is designed for organizations managing distributed or enterprise…

Read the review →

Cisco Catalyst Center is a centralized network management system for enterprise campus and branch environments. It is designed for teams managing Cisco wired and wireless infrastructure across the device lifecycle, from discovery and…

Read the review →
  1. HPE Aruba Networking CentralNetwork Provisioning Software 9.290-day trial
  2. Cisco Catalyst CenterNetwork Provisioning Software 9.0Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • HPE Aruba Networking Central — where it wins

    • Zero-touch onboarding with centralized configuration profiles
    • Inventory, topology, monitoring, reporting, and troubleshooting in one platform
    • REST API, streaming API, webhooks, and Central NAC workflows

    Where it doesn't

    • Paid product with no free plan
    • Advanced analytics and AI features require the Advanced plan
    • Support for third-party devices is limited to selected devices

  • Cisco Catalyst Center — where it wins

    • Covers discovery, provisioning, configuration, compliance, backups, and upgrades
    • Extends operations through REST APIs, Terraform, Ansible, and webhooks
    • Connects with Cisco, IT service, security, and observability platforms

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires contact with Cisco
    • Requires a Catalyst software subscription for managed Cisco devices
    • Its scope is centered on Cisco wired and wireless infrastructure
  • HPE Aruba Networking Central9.2/10 · 90-day trial

    Centralizes onboarding, configuration, policies, monitoring, and APIs across distributed networks.

    Visit Aruba CentralFull verdict →
  • Cisco Catalyst Center9.0/10 · Pricing on request

    Broad lifecycle provisioning and assurance for large Cisco networks, with sales-led pricing.

    Visit CiscoFull verdict →

More comparisons

All network provisioning software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update