Unmanaged Switch vs Hub – What is the difference?

The core difference between the two is that an unmanaged switch sends data only to the device that needs it, while a hub sends data to every device connected to it. This is the core difference between them and the reason hubs have effectively disappeared from modern networks.

When a hub receives data on one port, it broadcasts that data out of every other port regardless of the intended recipient. Every device on the network sees every frame, which wastes bandwidth and creates collisions because hubs operate in half-duplex (only one device can transmit at a time). As more devices are added, network performance sharply declines.

An unmanaged switch learns the MAC address of each connected device and builds an internal forwarding table. When data arrives, the switch reads the destination MAC address and forwards the frame only to the correct port. Other devices do not receive traffic not meant for them. By providing dedicated bandwidth per port and supporting full-duplex communication, switches eliminate the collision issues of hubs and allow networks to scale efficiently.

Hubs are legacy hardware and no longer sold by mainstream networking brands. If an old network still relies on one, replacing it with even an entry-level gigabit switch will instantly improve performance, efficiency, and reliability.