Best Network Simulation Software in 2026
30 network simulation software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
30ranked
18free plans on this page
3 Oct 2026last checked
#1 EVE-NG Top pick · 9.0 Free plan · Free
#2 OMNeT++ Runner-up · 9.0 Free plan · Free
#3 GNS3 Also great · 8.8 Free plan · Free- Free plan LinuxmacOSself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Simulation model
- emulation
- Real-time emulation
- Yes
- Hardware-in-the-loop
- Yes
- Deployment options
- server
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - Free planFree trial LinuxmacOSself-hostedWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Simulation model
- discrete-event
- Real-time emulation
- Yes
- Hardware-in-the-loop
- Yes
- Deployment options
- desktop
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - Free plan LinuxmacOSself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Simulation model
- hybrid
- Real-time emulation
- Yes
- Hardware-in-the-loop
- Yes
- Deployment options
- desktop
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trialFree About GNS3Visit site - Free plan LinuxmacOSself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Simulation model
- emulation
- Real-time emulation
- Yes
- Hardware-in-the-loop
- Yes
- Deployment options
- desktop
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - Free plan Windows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Simulation model
- discrete-event
- Real-time emulation
- Yes
- Hardware-in-the-loop
- Yes
- Deployment options
- desktop
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - Free plan LinuxmacOSself-hostedWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Simulation model
- discrete-event
- Real-time emulation
- Yes
- Deployment options
- desktop
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trialFree About ns-3Visit site - Free plan apiLinuxmacOSself-hostedWebWindowsRecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial
- Free plan Linuxself-hosted
- Free plan
- Yes
- Simulation model
- emulation
- Real-time emulation
- Yes
- Deployment options
- server
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - Free plan WindowsmacOSLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Deployment options
- desktop
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - Free plan WebWindowsmacOSLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Simulation model
- emulation
- Deployment options
- server
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - Free plan WindowsmacOSLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Simulation model
- emulation
- Deployment options
- server
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - Free plan WindowsmacOSLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Simulation model
- emulation
- Deployment options
- desktop
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - WindowsmacOSLinux
- Free plan
- No
- Simulation model
- discrete-event
- Real-time emulation
- Yes
- Hardware-in-the-loop
- Yes
- Deployment options
- desktop
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - Linux
- Simulation model
- emulation
- Real-time emulation
- Yes
- Hardware-in-the-loop
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - WindowsLinux
- Free plan
- No
- Simulation model
- emulation
- Real-time emulation
- Yes
- Deployment options
- server
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - Web
- Free plan
- No
- Simulation model
- emulation
- Real-time emulation
- Yes
- Deployment options
- server
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - Free plan Linux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Simulation model
- emulation
- Deployment options
- server
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - Free plan LinuxWindowsmacOS
- Free plan
- Yes
- Simulation model
- emulation
- Deployment options
- desktop
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - Free planOpen source WebWindowsmacOSLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - Free plan Linux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Simulation model
- hybrid
- Real-time emulation
- No
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - WebWindowsmacOSLinux
- Simulation model
- emulation
- Real-time emulation
- Yes
- Hardware-in-the-loop
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - WindowsLinux
- Free plan
- No
- Simulation model
- hybrid
- Real-time emulation
- Yes
- Hardware-in-the-loop
- Yes
- Deployment options
- desktop
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - Free plan Web
- Free plan
- Yes
- Paid from
- 15 /mo
- Deployment options
- cloud
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - Free plan Linux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Simulation model
- emulation
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial - WebWindowsmacOSLinux
- Free plan
- No
- Paid from
- 59 /mo
- Deployment options
- cloud
RecognisedDocumentedPlatformsFree planFree trial
Is your tool on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which network simulation software is ranked first on Specifiction?
EVE-NG is ranked #1 of 30 with a score of 9.0. OMNeT++ is second and GNS3 third.
How many of these have a free plan?
18 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked on what each maker publishes, the fullest spec sheet first: how deeply the product is documented, the platforms it runs on, a free tier or trial to test it, and its standing. Paid placements never change a rank.
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