Quick Answer
Last verified:
High confidence

Cisco DNA Center uses custom pricing as of July 2026 with 2 plans available. Contact Cisco DNA Center directly for a personalized quote. Pricing depends on your chosen tier, contract length, and negotiated discounts.

Use the interactive pricing calculator to estimate your exact cost based on team size and requirements.

  • Free tier: No free tier available

Cisco DNA Center offers 2 pricing tiers: Essentials, Advantage.

Last verified: | Sources: 1 pricing pages and reviews
Know Before You Buy — Request Cisco DNA Center Pricing

Cisco DNA Center uses custom pricing, and hidden costs like implementation and support add to the quoted price as of July 2026. Contact the vendor for a quote. Hidden costs like implementation and support add significantly to the total. Key hidden costs: mandatory software licensing, high overall cost, mandatory licensing for new switches. Verified from 1 sources by CostBench.

Hidden Costs Breakdown

1

Mandatory Software Licensing

high implementation

The transition to DNA-level software licensing on Catalyst switches introduces substantial subscription costs not present with older perpetual IOS licenses, which is a mandatory add-on for new Catalyst 9000 series switches.

industry

While Cisco has reportedly reduced hardware costs for new Catalyst devices, the mandatory 3-year DNA subscription often brings the total price to a similar level as earlier generations

2

High Overall Cost

high addon

Cisco DNA Center is often cited as having a high cost, which can make it prohibitive for smaller organizations, with licensing costs being a significant concern.

industry

Licensing costs, in particular, are a significant concern for users.

3

Mandatory Licensing for New Switches

medium addon

For new Catalyst switches, Cisco DNA licensing is mandatory, requiring a minimum 3-year DNA subscription which can bring the total price to a similar level as earlier generations.

industry

While Cisco may reduce the hardware cost for these new devices, the requirement of a minimum 3-year DNA subscription can bring the total price to a similar level as earlier generations, effectively bundling the software cost.

4

Legacy Device Licensing Cost

high addon

For older devices like the Catalyst 3850 switch, an essential management license is reported at $1,200 for three years, while advanced features can push this to over $4,000, which is significantly higher than $179 for three years of Prime Infrastructure.

industry

This is significantly higher than the $179 for three years of Prime Infrastructure.

5

Implementation Effort

medium implementation

The effort involved in implementing Cisco DNA Center, including setting up, is a reported hidden cost.

industry

While Cisco may reduce the hardware cost for these new devices, the requirement of a minimum 3-year DNA subscription can bring the total price to a similar level as earlier generations, effectively bundling the software cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What hidden costs should I budget for with Cisco DNA Center?

Beyond the license fee, budget for: Legacy Device Licensing Cost ($1,200 for three years (essential), over $4,000 (advanced)). Exact totals depend on your deployment size and negotiated terms.

02 Does Cisco DNA Center charge for implementation?

Cisco DNA Center implementation is not included in the license cost. The transition to DNA-level software licensing on Catalyst switches introduces substantial subscription costs not present with older perpetual IOS licenses, which is a mandatory add-on for new Catalyst 9000 series switches..

03 How much does Cisco DNA Center support cost?

Premium support pricing for Cisco DNA Center depends on your tier and contract terms. See the sourced cost breakdown above for any verified figures we have.

04 Are there overage or storage costs with Cisco DNA Center?

Overage and storage policies for Cisco DNA Center depend on tier limits. Check the sourced cost breakdown above for verified data.

05 What add-ons cost extra with Cisco DNA Center?

Add-on pricing for Cisco DNA Center varies by feature. The sourced cost breakdown above lists any verified add-on costs we have.

Now You Know the Real Cost — Request Cisco DNA Center Pricing

Check current Cisco DNA Center pricing

Prices and terms change; verify against the live pricing page.

See Cisco DNA Center Pricing