Containerlab vs OMNEST
Containerlab
containerlab.devOMNEST
omnest.comSide by side
| Figure | Containerlab | OMNEST |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 2 |
| Spec score · Network Simulation Software | 8.9 (#1) | 7.5 (#21) |
| Integrations | Containerlab can launch VM based routers through vrnetlab or boxen integration and can run containerlab style topologies on Kubernetes through Clabernetes. | The maker states that OMNEST can work with external simulators, Matlab, SystemC and HLA. |
| Platforms | The documentation describes Linux installation, Windows use through WSL, and macOS support on ARM and Intel Macs. | The maker’s installation guide lists Linux, macOS 15 and Windows 11 as supported platforms for OMNEST including its IDE. |
| Support | The project directs users with questions, ideas, and bug reports to its Discord community. | The maker offers email technical support, access to current versions and updates through support plans, and priority bug fixes and feature requests. |
Plans
OMNEST
- Commercial annual licensePrice not published
- Commercial perpetual licensePrice not published
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.