Best Network Simulation Software in 2026
Updated
In short: EVE-NG is ranked #1 of 29 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of IMUNES and Containerlab. The best-ranked option with a free plan is IMUNES.
Model network behavior, build topologies, or emulate environments for development and testing with software such as GNS3, EVE-NG, and OMNeT++. The ranking opens with those tools, followed by NetSim by Tetcos and ns-3, among others. Compare simulation models and real-time emulation with hardware-in-the-loop support to understand the kinds of setups each entry covers. Automation API, deployment options, and documented node limits offer further ways to assess fit for your work. Free-plan availability and paid-from pricing add cost context. Consider which combination of capabilities matches the networks you need to represent and the environment where you plan to use them.
29 network simulation software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
10 of the 25 here have a free tier you can use, 0 have open-source code on record, and 0 have full bars: free, open, on most of your devices and documented.
| # | App | Signal | Free tier | Open code | Devices | From | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | EVE-NGWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted | Three bars | — | 4 of 6 | Free | 6.7 | |
| 2 | IMUNESWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted | Three bars | — | 4 of 6 | Free | 6.7 | |
| 3 | ContainerlabWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted · API | Three bars | — | 4 of 6 | Free | 6.6 | |
| 4 | GNS3Web · Windows · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted | Three bars | — | 4 of 6 | Free | 6.6 | |
| 5 | OMNeT++Windows · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.6 | |
| 6 | KatharáWindows · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted · API | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 7 | ns-3Windows · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 8 | EMANELinux · Self-hosted | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | Free | 6.4 | |
| 9 | NetSim by TetcosWindows | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | Free | 6.4 | |
| 10 | PacketStorm Network EmulatorsWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 4 of 6 | — | 5.4 |
| 11 | PNETLabWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 4 of 6 | — | 5.4 |
| 12 | Cisco Packet TracerWindows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 13 | MarionnetWindows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 14 | MininetWindows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 15 | QuNetSimWindows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 16 | CloonixWeb · Linux | One bar | — | 2 of 6 | Free | 5.2 | |
| 17 | Common Open Research Emulator (CORE)Linux | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 18 | Mininet-WiFiLinux | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 19 | ShadowLinux | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 20 | MahimahiLinux | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 21 | NetSimWeb | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 22 | TelephoneMac | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 23 | DaysNo platforms listed | No signal | — | — | 0 of 6 | — | 5.0 |
| 24 | NetSimWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 4 of 6 | — | 5.0 |
| 25 | OMNESTWindows · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted · API | Two bars | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.0 |
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which network simulation software is ranked first on Freedom251?
EVE-NG is ranked #1 of 29 with a score of 6.7. IMUNES is second and Containerlab third.
How many of these have a free plan?
10 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked free-and-open first: a usable free tier and open-source code, then the platforms it runs on and its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.