Network Simulation Software
Alternatives to Cisco Packet Tracer
The tools Specifiction weighs against Cisco Packet Tracer, from its list of network simulation software, each with its plans, platforms and spec score.
- 01
Containerlab Containerlab suits network engineers and teams building repeatable labs with containerized or virtual network operating systems.
Free plan Open source Web · Windows · macOS · Linux8.9 Visit Specs - 02 Marionnet
Marionnet is mainly for teaching computer networks in university laboratories.
Free plan Open source Windows · macOS · Linux · Self-hosted8.6 Visit Specs - 03 Mininet
Mininet suits developers, researchers and learners working with Linux-based network prototypes or SDN experiments.
Free plan Windows · macOS · Linux · API8.5 Visit Specs - 04 Avidemux Free plan Open source Web · Windows · macOS · Linux8.3 Visit Specs
- 05 IMUNES
IMUNES suits network practitioners, product teams and teaching labs that need IP network emulation on FreeBSD or Linux.
Free plan Web · Windows · macOS · Linux8.3 Visit Specs - 06
EVE-NG EVE-NG suits network, security, and DevOps professionals building emulated labs or training environments.
Free plan Web · Windows · macOS · Linux8.1 Visit Specs - 07 GNS3
It suits network engineers, learners, and others working on education, certification practice, proofs of concept, demonstrations, or interoperability testing.
Free plan Web · Windows · macOS · Linux8.0 Visit Specs - 08 Kathará
Kathará suits educators and developers building network lessons or demos, as well as teams that need a sandbox for production-network tests or protocol development.
Free plan Windows · macOS · Linux · API8.0 Visit Specs - 09 Cloonix
Cloonix suits Linux users building or inspecting emulated network topologies with virtual machines and containers.
Free plan Web · Linux7.9 Visit Specs - 10 EMANE Free plan Linux · Self-hosted7.9 Visit Specs
- 11 NVIDIA DSX Air Free trial Web · API7.9 Visit Specs
- 12 Netropy Network Emulator Free trial Web · Linux · API · Self-hosted7.8 Visit Specs
- 13 NetSim
The Free tier is described as suited to students and hobbyists, while Pro is aimed at professionals and power users.
From $15/mo Free plan Web7.8 Visit Specs - 14 NetSim
NetSim is for people and organizations using guided labs to prepare for Cisco certifications, including individuals, businesses, academic institutions, and government entities.
From $2.42/mo Free trial Web · Windows · macOS · Linux7.8 Visit Specs - 15 OMNeT++
OMNeT++ suits researchers and educators building network simulations, as well as teams in scientific and industrial settings.
Free plan Windows · macOS · Linux · Self-hosted7.7 Visit Specs - 16 MIMIC Simulator Free trial Windows · Linux · Self-hosted7.6 Visit Specs
- 17 Common Open Research Emulator (CORE) Linux · API · Self-hosted7.5 Visit Specs
- 18 Days Windows · macOS · Linux7.5 Visit Specs
- 19 ns-3
ns-3 suits networking researchers and educators, particularly those prepared to write simulation scripts or modify and extend libraries.
Free plan Windows · macOS · Linux · Self-hosted7.5 Visit Specs - 20 OMNEST Free trial Windows · macOS · Linux · API7.5 Visit Specs
- 21 QuNetSim
QuNetSim suits students, instructors, and developers learning or prototyping quantum-network protocols.
Free plan Windows · macOS · Linux · Self-hosted7.5 Visit Specs - 22 Mahimahi Free plan Linux7.4 Visit Specs
- 23 Mininet-WiFi Free plan Linux · Self-hosted7.4 Visit Specs
- 24 NetSim by Tetcos
Tetcos lists universities, defence labs, telecom operators, and research groups as NetSim users.
Free plan Windows7.4 Visit Specs - 25 PNETLab Free plan Web · Windows · macOS · Linux7.4 Visit Specs
- 26
EXata Network Modeling Windows · Linux7.3 Visit Specs - 27 Cisco Modeling Labs Free plan Web · Windows · macOS · Linux7.2 Visit Specs
- 28 Telephone Free plan macOS7.1 Visit Specs
- 29 PacketStorm Network Emulators Web · Windows · macOS · Linux7.0 Visit Specs
- 30 Shadow Linux6.7 Visit Specs
Cisco Packet Tracer, head to head
- Cisco Packet Tracer vs Containerlab
- Cisco Packet Tracer vs Marionnet
- Cisco Packet Tracer vs Mininet
- Cisco Packet Tracer vs Avidemux
- Cisco Packet Tracer vs IMUNES
- Cisco Packet Tracer vs EVE-NG
- Cisco Packet Tracer vs GNS3
- Cisco Packet Tracer vs Kathará
- Cisco Packet Tracer vs Cloonix
- Cisco Packet Tracer vs EMANE
- Cisco Packet Tracer vs NVIDIA DSX Air
- Cisco Packet Tracer vs Netropy Network Emulator