In short
Choose the Cisco Catalyst 1200 for a single-switch office: static routing, up to 255 VLANs, PoE+ to 375 W. Choose the Catalyst 1300 for stacking up to eight switches, dynamic routing, 2.5G or 10G ports and PoE to 740 W. Neither needs a subscription. Forever Systems, a Cisco Partner, can quote and install either.
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Catalyst 1200 vs 1300 side by side
| Feature | Catalyst 1200 | Catalyst 1300 / 1300X |
|---|---|---|
| Cisco's description | "affordable switches designed and built for small and medium-sized businesses" | "fixed, managed, enterprise-class Layer 3 switches designed for small and medium-sized business and branch offices" |
| Operating system | Customised Linux OS | Customised Linux OS |
| Routing | Static: up to 32 static routes, 16 IP interfaces | Dynamic (RIPv2): up to 990 routes, 128 IP interfaces; 7,168 / 256 on 10G and 1300X models; 1300X adds OSPF |
| VLANs | Up to 255 active VLANs | Up to 4,094 VLANs, private VLANs |
| Stacking | Not listed in the data sheet | Front Panel Stacking for up to eight switches; more stacking bandwidth on 1300X |
| Port speeds | Gigabit copper; 1G or 10G SFP+ uplinks | Gigabit, 2.5G (MGP), 5G (1300X), 10G copper and SFP+ models |
| PoE | PoE+ (30 W per port), budgets 67 W to 375 W | PoE+ budgets 67 W to 740 W; 60 W PoE++ (802.3bt) on 1300X UPoE models |
| Model count (our catalogue) | 16 | 28 Catalyst 1300 + 8 Catalyst 1300X |
| Management | Web UI, Cisco Business app, Cisco Business Dashboard, CLI | Same, plus a full CLI ("text view") |
| Software subscription | None | None |
| Cisco warranty wording | Limited lifetime warranty with return-to-factory replacement, one year of Small Business Support Center | Same |
| Replaces | Cisco Business 250 | Cisco Business 350 and most Catalyst 1000 |
Sources: Catalyst 1200 data sheet (opens in a new tab) (updated 7 Aug 2026) and Catalyst 1300 data sheet (opens in a new tab) (updated 5 Nov 2026).
Compare, then add to your basket
Every product in our shop lists its order codes and licences, ready to add.
Which one for your site
| Your site | Our usual pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| One office, one switch, under 48 devices | Catalyst 1200 (C1200-24P-4G or C1200-48P-4G) | Covers VLANs for staff, guests and phones and powers a few access points |
| Meeting room or desk extension | C1200-8P-E-2G or C1300-8FP-2G | Small, quiet, PoE for a screen or phone |
| Two or more switches in one cabinet | Catalyst 1300 stack | Managed as one switch with cross-stack link aggregation |
| Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 access points | C1300-24MGP-4X or Catalyst 1300X UPoE models | 2.5G or 5G ports and 60 W PoE++ on the 1300X |
| Small server room or core for several switches | C1300-12XT-2X, C1300-24XS or C1300-16XTS | 10G copper and SFP+ ports |
| Several VLANs routed on the switch with other routers | Catalyst 1300X | OSPF and larger routing tables |
When to look beyond both
If you need 90 W PoE, 25G or 100G uplinks, or a managed campus with Cisco Catalyst Center, look at the Catalyst 9200 and Catalyst 9300. Those are sold with a mandatory DNA or Catalyst subscription.
Not sure what you need?
Tell us about your sites and we will recommend the right kit and licences.
Order either range
Both model tables, with Add to basket buttons, are on the Catalyst 1200 and Catalyst 1300 pages. How ordering works. Press Add next to a part number and it goes into your basket; where the hardware needs a subscription, you pick the tier and term in the same step. Add accessories, then View basket and Request a quote. We check every line, quantity and term against your plans and come back with a personalised quote by email. Nothing is charged online. We can also design, supply, stage, install and configure the switches as a project, with the scope confirmed at quote (see network installation).
How we can help with your network
Forever Systems can design, supply, stage, install and configure the network around the hardware you buy here, as a project or one step at a time.
- Design: we look at your sites, users and existing kit and size the switches, wireless and firewalls to fit
- Supply: every order gets a personalised quote by part number, with the subscriptions and support each product needs
- Stage: we can pre-configure and label equipment before it reaches site
- Install: we can rack and mount switches, access points and firewalls on site
- Configure: VLANs, wireless, firewall policy, VPNs and management platforms set up and documented at handover
Scope is confirmed at quote, so you only pay for the parts of the project you need.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Catalyst 1300 better than the 1200?
It does more: stacking, dynamic routing, faster ports and higher PoE budgets. For a single-switch office the 1200 covers the essentials and is the simpler choice.
Can you stack a Catalyst 1200 with a Catalyst 1300?
The Catalyst 1200 data sheet lists no stacking; Catalyst 1300 front-panel stacking is between 1300 series switches. If you need a stack, plan it with Catalyst 1300 models.
Do the Catalyst 1200 and 1300 need licences?
No. Neither range needs a software subscription; Cisco's ordering rules list none for them.
Is the warranty the same?
Yes. Both data sheets give a limited lifetime warranty with return-to-factory replacement and one year of Small Business Support Center access. These are Cisco's terms.
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