NAPALM vs Nautobot
NAPALM
github.comNautobot
networktocode.comSide by side
| Figure | NAPALM | Nautobot |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 4 |
| Spec score · Network Automation Software | 7.8 (#12) | 7.7 (#15) |
| Integrations | The project README identifies integrations with Ansible, SaltStack, and StackStorm. | The product page lists Ansible, Terraform, Batfish, Bootstrap, Itential, and IP Fabric as integrations. |
| Intended users | NAPALM is aimed at people automating and validating network devices across multiple vendors through Python and automation frameworks. | The editions are presented for network teams exploring automation, building an enterprise automation foundation, requiring advanced automation and compliance, or prioritizing managed SaaS. |
| Purpose | NAPALM is a Python library for interacting with network devices from different vendors through a unified API. | Nautobot is an open source Network Source of Truth and Network Automation Platform. |
| Support | The README points users to the napalm channel on the network.toCode() Slack team for help. | 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
NAPALM
NAPALM is a free Python library for automating network devices from multiple vendors through a shared API. It connects to devices, changes configurations, and retrieves operational data. Its core drivers cover Arista EOS, Cisco IOS, Cisco IOS-XR, Cisco NX-OS, and Juniper JunOS, with additional community drivers. Configuration methods include replace, merge, compare, commit-confirm, and rollback, although availability depends on the platform. Getters can return device facts, configurations, interface information, BGP neighbors, and environment data, with coverage varying by driver. For validation, NAPALM can compare live device state against YAML expectations and create a compliance report. The project identifies integrations with Ansible, SaltStack, and StackStorm. Installation uses `pip install napalm`, which includes the currently available core drivers. Version 5.1.0 and later supports Python 3.9 and later. It is self-hosted, licensed under Apache-2.0, and free at free. Documentation advises checking platform-specific caveats before use.
Nautobot
Nautobot has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.