Freedom251 › Network Testing Software
Ostinato
What Ostinato is
Ostinato generates and replays network traffic for validating throughput, QoS, multicast, routing, switching, protocol behavior, and network performance. Users can edit supported protocol header fields, set frame size, and create custom headers with hexdumps or scripts. It can also edit and replay PCAP files, preserving or changing packet timing and looping or reordering packets. Reports cover port and stream traffic statistics, per-stream packet loss, latency, and jitter measured with software timestamps. Native protocol support includes Ethernet, VLAN, QinQ, IPv4/IPv6, UDP, stateless TCP, ICMP, ARP/NDP, IGMP/MLD, and GRE; other methods support headers such as MPLS and VXLAN. A Python API supports building test scenarios, controlling runs, collecting counters, and CI/CD integration. Ostinato lists GNS3, EVE-NG, Cisco CML, and Containerlab as lab environments, and says it works on AWS and Azure cloud VMs. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows, as well as API and self-hosted setups. Paid plans start at $12 a month billed annually; an active subscription is required.
Who it suits
Ostinato suits network teams and engineers validating traffic behavior and performance, including those automating tests through Python or CI/CD. Its license options distinguish personal use from commercial use.
What it does well
- Edits and replays PCAP files with timing controls.
- Reports packet loss, latency, and jitter.
- Python API supports test automation and CI/CD integration.
- Works with listed lab environments and cloud VMs.
- Business includes an automation API and protocol emulation.
What to know first
- Does not support stateful TCP connections.
- Active subscription and internet license checks are required.
- Solo is limited to personal use.
- Some protocol emulation features are marked Technical Preview.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Solo | Annually · Personal use only · 1 device, 4 ports · 1,000 flows per port · 1 Gbps per port · Standard protocols · Port statistics · Device emulation | $12 a month |
| Business | Annually · Commercial use · 4 devices, 16 ports · 1 million flows per port · No bandwidth limit · Protocol emulation · Automation API · RFC 2544 Perf-Bench | $208 a month |
| Pro | Annually · Commercial use · 2 devices, 8 ports · 10,000 flows per port · 10 Gbps per port · User-defined protocols · Stream statistics · Turbo 10G add-on ready | $49 a month |
| Enterprise | Contact for PO, invoice, reseller procurement, or other enterprise purchasing support | On request |
As ostinato.org lists them, read 30 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Ostinato provides packet crafting, replay, traffic analytics, and test automation across several platforms. Plans start at $12 a month billed annually, and the included limits vary by plan.
Facts from Ostinato's own pages
- Automation
- Ostinato provides a Python API for building streams and test scenarios, controlling runs, collecting counters, and integrating tests with CI/CD pipelines. · ostinato.org, 30 Sept 2026
- Data handling
- The privacy policy says Ostinato does not sell personal data, uses Paddle for payment processing without storing full card numbers on its servers, and applies reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect personal data. · ostinato.org, 30 Sept 2026
- Founded
- 2010 · ostinato.org, 28 Sept 2026
- Integrations
- The maker lists GNS3, EVE-NG, Cisco CML, and Containerlab as supported lab environments, and says Ostinato works on AWS and Azure cloud VMs. · ostinato.org, 30 Sept 2026
- License requirements
- An active subscription is required to use the software, and license checks use the internet; Business supports offline license checks for Linux Drone agents in air-gapped environments. · ostinato.org, 30 Sept 2026
- Notable limits
- Ostinato does not support stateful TCP connections, and the pricing comparison limits included PCAP import to 5,000 packets for Solo and 250,000 for Pro, with Business listed as unlimited. · ostinato.org, 30 Sept 2026
- Packet crafting
- Users can edit supported protocol header fields, control frame size, and create custom headers with hexdumps or scripts. · ostinato.org, 30 Sept 2026
- PCAP replay
- Ostinato can edit and replay PCAP files, preserve or modify packet timing, and loop or reorder packets. · ostinato.org, 30 Sept 2026
- Performance
- The site states that the Turbo add-on supports line-rate traffic up to 400G. · ostinato.org, 30 Sept 2026
- Protocol emulation
- DHCP client/server, IGMP/MLD host, OSPFv2, and BGP emulation are marked Technical Preview. · ostinato.org, 30 Sept 2026
- Protocol support
- Native protocols include Ethernet, VLAN, QinQ, IPv4/IPv6, UDP, stateless TCP, ICMP, ARP/NDP, IGMP/MLD, and GRE; scripts or other methods support additional headers such as MPLS and VXLAN. · ostinato.org, 30 Sept 2026
- Purpose
- Ostinato generates, customizes, or replays L2/L3 traffic to validate throughput, QoS, multicast, routing, switching, protocol behavior, and network performance. · ostinato.org, 30 Sept 2026
- Security and privacy
- The privacy policy says product telemetry is pseudonymous and excludes packet payloads, packet captures, license keys, hostnames, user-configured MAC/IP addresses, and other customer-specific network configuration data. · ostinato.org, 30 Sept 2026
- Support
- Customers with Pro or Business licenses may submit support tickets; Pro email support is available for 30 days from purchase, and community forums are available to all listed license tiers. · ostinato.org, 30 Sept 2026
- Traffic analytics
- It reports port and stream transmit/receive statistics, detects per-stream packet loss, and measures latency and jitter using software timestamps. · ostinato.org, 30 Sept 2026
Where Ostinato stands on Freedom251
- Network Testing Software#28 of 33