Cisco License Cost and Renewal Considerations in 2026

Cisco license price structures vary widely across its product portfolio. Costs depend on the device model, license tier, duration, and whether support services are included. Understanding Cisco license pricing and renewals helps IT teams budget accurately, avoid service disruptions, and stay compliant.

Whether you are evaluating Cisco DNA license price, Cisco ISE license price, or Cisco Meraki license price, planning ahead prevents unexpected costs during renewals.

How Cisco Licensing Costs Work in 2026

Cisco licensing costs are no longer based on one time software purchases. Most modern Cisco products now use subscription based licensing, which means costs repeat annually or over multiple years depending on the license term.

Understanding these models helps businesses avoid surprise renewals and choose the right license tier from the start.

Cisco Subscription Based Licensing Model

Most Cisco platforms such as Catalyst switches, Meraki devices, firewalls, and security software require active subscriptions.

Key points:

• License terms are typically 1, 3, or 5 years
• Software features stop working if the license expires
• Pricing increases with higher feature tiers like Advantage
• Support services are often bundled into the subscription

This model gives access to software updates, analytics, security features, and ongoing technical support.

Cisco Enterprise Agreements (EA)

Enterprise Agreements are designed for large organizations managing multiple Cisco products.

What to know:

• Licenses are bundled under one contract
• Contracts often start around $100,000 per year
• Easier renewal and license tracking
• Lower per license cost at scale

Enterprise Agreements are commonly used to control long term Cisco licensing cost across switching, security, wireless, and collaboration platforms.

Perpetual Licenses (Legacy Systems)

Some older Cisco products still use perpetual licenses, which are purchased once and do not expire.

Important limitations:

• No access to new features
• Security updates require active support
• Limited availability on modern platforms

Most new Cisco hardware no longer supports this model.

What Impacts Cisco Licensing Cost the Most

Several factors directly affect Cisco license pricing.

Major cost drivers:

• License tier such as Essentials or Advantage
• Support level such as SmartNet Total Care
• License duration of 1, 3, or 5 years
• Region, taxes, and currency
• Reseller pricing and discounts

The same Cisco license price can vary depending on these factors, even for identical products.

Cisco DNA Licensing Price Explained

Cisco DNA licensing is subscription based and available in DNA Essentials and DNA Advantage tiers. Pricing varies by hardware model and license duration, typically offered as 1, 3, or 5 year terms.

Cisco DNA Essentials License Price

The Cisco DNA Essentials license price typically ranges from $700 to $900 for a 3 year subscription, depending on the switch model and region. This tier focuses on automation, monitoring, and baseline analytics for access layer networks.

It is commonly used with Catalyst 9200 and entry level Catalyst 9300 switches where advanced SD Access features are not required.

Cisco DNA Advantage License Price

The Cisco DNA Advantage license price usually falls between $1,200 and $1,500 for a 3 year term on enterprise class switches like the Catalyst 9300. This tier includes AI driven insights, SD Access, and full network automation.

It is best suited for large campus and enterprise environments that require advanced segmentation and policy based control.

Cisco Network Advantage License Price

The Cisco Network Advantage license price varies by platform but is generally higher than Essentials due to advanced Layer 3 routing and segmentation features. Pricing increases with hardware performance and routing scale.

This license is commonly deployed on Catalyst 9300, Catalyst 9500, and enterprise routing platforms.

Cisco ISE Base License Price

The Cisco ISE base license price typically ranges from $300 to $400 per endpoint for a 3 year subscription, depending on volume and agreement type. It covers core authentication, authorization, and basic policy enforcement.

This tier is often used for secure network access control without advanced profiling or posture checks.

Cisco ISE License Price (Advanced Tiers)

The Cisco ISE license price for Advantage or Apex tiers is higher than Base and increases based on endpoint count and feature set. These tiers add profiling, TrustSec, and device posture assessment.

Pricing scales with deployment size and subscription duration.

Cisco Meraki License Price

The Cisco Meraki license price typically ranges from $225 to $275 for a 3 year Enterprise license, depending on the device model. Meraki licenses are mandatory and include cloud dashboard access.

Without an active license, Meraki devices will not operate.

Cisco Meraki MX67 Price License

The Cisco Meraki MX67 price license usually ranges from $450 to $550 for a 3 year Advanced Security subscription. This tier includes IPS, malware protection, and content filtering.

Enterprise tier licenses are cheaper but do not include advanced threat protection.

Cisco AnyConnect License Price

The Cisco AnyConnect license price generally ranges from $90 to $120 per user for a 3 year subscription, depending on licensing tier and volume. It enables secure VPN access for remote users.

Pricing increases when bundled with advanced security modules.

Cisco SSL VPN License Price

The Cisco SSL VPN license price varies by firewall model and user count and is often bundled with AnyConnect subscriptions. Costs increase with concurrent user limits and advanced encryption requirements.

SSL VPN licensing is commonly associated with Cisco firewall platforms.

Cisco Firewall License Price

The Cisco firewall license price depends heavily on hardware model and enabled security services. Entry level firewall licenses cost less, while high throughput enterprise firewalls carry significantly higher licensing costs.

Threat inspection features increase overall pricing.

Cisco Firepower License Price

The Cisco Firepower license price typically increases with services such as IPS, malware defense, and URL filtering. Pricing is subscription based and varies by throughput tier and inspection depth.

Firepower licenses are often renewed annually or as multi year bundles.

Cisco Call Manager License Price

The Cisco Call Manager license price varies by user count and feature level, with costs increasing as collaboration features expand. Pricing depends on whether Essential, Enhanced, or Unified Workspace licensing is used.

It is commonly licensed on a per user basis.

Cisco Prime Infrastructure License Price

The Cisco Prime Infrastructure license price scales based on the number of managed devices and enabled monitoring features. Larger networks incur higher licensing costs due to increased device and data volume.

Prime is typically licensed in device count tiers.

Factors That Influence Cisco License Price

Factor	Description	Impact
Device Model	High end hardware costs more	Higher price
License Tier	Advantage vs Essentials	Higher price
Duration	1 vs 3 or 5 years	Longer terms reduce yearly cost
Region	Tax and currency differences	Variable
Support Level	SmartNet or TAC	Higher price
Enterprise Agreements	Bundled contracts	Lower overall cost

Enterprises using Cisco Enterprise Agreements often reduce recurring Cisco license price by 15 to 25 percent.

Cisco License Price Overview 2026 (Market Averages for US, UK, & UAE)

License Name	Category	Duration	Approximate Price
Cisco DNA Advantage License Price (C9300)	Switching	3 Years	$1,200 to $1,500
Cisco DNA Essentials License Price (C9200)	Switching	3 Years	$700 to $900
Cisco ISE Base License Price	Identity	3 Years	$300 to $400
Cisco Meraki License Price (MR Series)	Wi Fi	3 Years	$225 to $275
Cisco Meraki MX67 Price License	Security	3 Years	$450 to $550
Cisco AnyConnect License Price	VPN	3 Years	$90 to $120 per user
Cisco Firepower License Price	Firewall	1 Year	Varies by model

Cisco License Renewal Best Practices

Renewing Cisco licenses on time ensures continued access to features, updates, and support.

Best Practices

• Centralize all licenses in Smart Accounts
• Renew 30 to 60 days before expiry
• Bundle renewals under one contract
• Use multi year terms to reduce cost
• Verify license sync after renewal

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Cisco license cost per year?

The Cisco license cost per year depends on the product type, license tier, and term length. On average, annual costs range from $300 to $1,500 per device, with multi-year licenses reducing the yearly price.

How much does a Cisco switch license cost?

A Cisco switch license cost varies by model and feature set. Access switches typically cost $700 to $900 for a 3 year license, while enterprise switches with advanced features can cost $1,200 or more.

What is the Cisco Meraki license cost?

The Cisco Meraki license cost is mandatory and usually ranges from $225 to $550 for a 3 year license, depending on the device and security tier. The license includes cloud dashboard access, updates, and support.

Is there a Meraki license cost calculator?

Cisco does not provide a public Meraki license cost calculator, but authorized resellers can estimate pricing based on device model, license tier, and duration. Costs are predictable once hardware and subscription length are known.

Can Cisco products be used without licenses?

Most modern Cisco products cannot be used without active licenses. DNA, Meraki, security, and collaboration features may stop working, and support access is disabled if licenses expire.