Instead of ONOS
ONOS alternatives
ONOS is a free, open-source control plane for software-defined networks. It manages network components and runs communication-service modules, with a symmetric cluster designed to distribute work and handle instance failures. Its µONOS architecture covers device configuration, monitoring, maintenance, forwarding-plane programming, topology validation, and performance metrics. Interfaces include P4/P4Runtime, gNMI/OpenConfig, and gNOI; ONOS also documents OpenFlow, OVSDB, NETCONF, and SNMP. It targets service-provider networks, with data-center and campus uses also possible.
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ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+4Device configuration backups, change tracking, and compliance — ManageEngine focuses on device configuration workflows, backups, rollback, compliance, and firmware vulnerabilities rather than SDN control.
Free plan · 30-day trial Visit site - 2
Containerlab
Free plan Open source APIExtensionLinux+4Declarative container-based networking labs — Containerlab deploys and manages network labs from topology files, rather than controlling live network devices as an SDN platform.
Open source Visit site - 3
Cisco pyATS
Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hostedPython-based network testing and validation — Cisco pyATS centers on reusable Python test and verification automation, while ONOS provides network control and management.
Free plan Visit site - 4
Nautobot
Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+1Network inventory and source-of-truth workflows — Nautobot tracks devices, IPs, circuits, and VLANs and supports automation, while ONOS focuses on SDN control.
Free plan Visit site - 5
ONAP
Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+1Physical and virtual network service orchestration — ONAP orchestrates network-function service lifecycles with analytics and closed-loop automation, beyond ONOS's network control-plane focus.
Open source Visit site - 6
OpenDaylight
Free plan APILinuxMac+2Programmable centralized network control and monitoring — OpenDaylight is another SDN controller, with a modular YANG and MD-SAL architecture and a protocol set including BGP-LS and PCEP.
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Arista NG Firewall
by Arista NG FirewallFree plan WebBasic firewall security and connectivity — Arista NG Firewall provides basic security and connectivity features, unlike ONOS's SDN network control plane.
Free plan · paid from $25/mo · 30-day trial Visit site - 8
Open Virtual Network
Free plan LinuxSelf-hosted - 9
Cisco Catalyst Center
Paid APILinuxMac+3 - 10
Netris
Paid APILinuxSelf-hosted+1 - 11
Broadcom SANnav Management Portal
Paid LinuxWeb - 12
Arista CloudVision
Paid Web - 13
Aviz ONE
Paid - 14
Dell SmartFabric Manager
Paid LinuxWeb - 15
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Dell Active Fabric Manager
Paid Web - 17
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Nokia Fabric Services System
Paid Web - 19
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NVIDIA NetQ
Paid LinuxWeb - 21
NVIDIA Unified Fabric Manager (UFM)
Paid Web - 22
Pica8 AmpCon Network Controller
Paid Web - 23
Alternatives may fit better when the job is narrower or different: tracking configuration changes, automating tests, managing a network inventory, or orchestrating network services. ONOS is free, but its deployment is centered on self-hosted Kubernetes infrastructure, and the latest listed LTS is dated July 2021. Before switching, consider whether you need a control plane for live networks, service lifecycle management, lab topologies, compliance workflows, or a source of truth. Also compare the device interfaces, deployment environment, and platform support that matter to your network.