No. 7 of 29 ·Network Simulation Software

ns-3

Windows · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted

Freedom report

Three barsScore 6.5

Free tierA free tier is on its own pricing page
Open codeNo open-source code on record
Runs widely3 of 6 device platforms
DocumentedPlans, terms and facts published

ns-3 is ranked #7 of 29 in network simulation software on Freedom251. It runs on Linux, macOS, Self-hosted, Windows. There is a free plan.

ns-3 plans and pricing

All plans

ns-3 Free Free software · GNU GPLv2 · publicly available for research, development, and use nsnam.org · 2 Oct 2026

Compared on network simulation software

Free plan: Yes
Simulation model: discrete-event
Real-time emulation: Yes
Deployment options: desktop
Automation API: Yes

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The record

Purpose: ns-3 is a discrete-event network simulator targeted primarily for research and educational use.
Simulation workflow: Its simulation core supports workflows from simulation configuration through trace collection and analysis.
Network models: The simulator supports research on IP and non-IP networks, including wireless/IP simulations involving Wi-Fi and LTE.
Real-time use: A real-time scheduler supports simulation-in-the-loop use cases, including sending and receiving ns-3 packets on real network devices.
Code execution: The Direct Code Execution framework allows users to run C or C++ applications or the Linux kernel networking stack within ns-3.
Release cadence: The project ships new releases roughly two or three times per year, with new models, extensions, or bug fixes.
Distribution: Releases are primarily delivered as compressed source archives.
Documentation: Project documentation includes tutorials, an installation guide, model library documentation, a reference manual, and Doxygen API documentation.
Related tools: The project documentation lists NetAnim as a network animator for ns-3 and Bake as a package management tool for advanced ns-3 builds.
Support: Support is provided through mailing lists, Zulip chat, and the issue tracker, and the project says it is maintained by volunteers without backing from a specific company.
Security and license: The project describes ns-3 as free software licensed under GNU GPLv2.
Intended users: The project targets networking research and education, and says most users write simulation scripts and may modify or extend its libraries.
Founded: 2006
Price from: Free

Where it ranks on Freedom251

Best Network Simulation Software in 2026#7 of 29

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Sources

nsnam.org/about/what-is-ns-3/· checked 2 Oct 2026
nsnam.org/releases/· checked 2 Oct 2026
nsnam.org/documentation/· checked 2 Oct 2026
nsnam.org/support/· checked 2 Oct 2026
nsnam.org· checked 28 Sept 2026