Containerlab vs Nautobot
Containerlab
containerlab.devNautobot
networktocode.comSide by side
| Figure | Containerlab | Nautobot |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 4 |
| Spec score · Network Automation Software | 8.8 (#2) | 7.7 (#15) |
| Integrations | Containerlab can launch VM based routers through vrnetlab or boxen integration and can run containerlab style topologies on Kubernetes through Clabernetes. | The product page lists Ansible, Terraform, Batfish, Bootstrap, Itential, and IP Fabric as integrations. |
| Security | The installer can configure sudo-less operation using a SUID binary and clab_admins group, whose members are effectively granted root-level privileges. | Network to Code states that it maintains SOC 2 Type 2 certification for cloud services. |
| Support | The project directs users with questions, ideas, and bug reports to its Discord community. | Commercial offerings include 24×7 support ticketing, direct access to Nautobot experts, monthly technical touchpoints, and quarterly business reviews. |
Plans
Nautobot
- CommunityFree
- CloudPriced on request
- EnterprisePriced on request
- ProfessionalPriced on request
In their own words
Containerlab
Containerlab is a command-line tool for orchestrating container-based networking labs. Users describe nodes, links and lab settings in topology files, then use lifecycle commands to deploy, destroy, save, inspect or graph a lab. Supported nodes include containerized and virtual-machine network operating systems from Nokia, Cisco, Juniper, Arista and other vendors and projects. The project lists platforms such as Nokia SR Linux and SR OS, Cisco XRd and Nexus 9000v, Juniper cRPD and vMX, Arista, SONiC, Cumulus VX, VyOS, FRR, VPP, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, OpenWRT, Linux containers and generic VMs. It can launch VM routers through vrnetlab or boxen, and Clabernetes can run Containerlab-style topologies on Kubernetes. Optional interfaces include a VS Code extension, desktop app and web app; desktop and web connect to a reachable clab-api-server on a Linux host. Its single binary and topology definitions can start labs in CI systems such as GitLab CI and GitHub Actions. Containerlab is free and open source. Documented prerequisites include a Linux server or VM, Docker and sudo privileges for some operations.
Nautobot
Nautobot has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.