Best Software-Defined Networking Software in 2026
Updated
In short: OpenDaylight is ranked #1 of 23 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of TP-Link Omada Cloud-Based Controller and VMware Workstation Pro. The best-ranked option with a free plan is TP-Link Omada Cloud-Based Controller.
Software-defined networking software addresses network control and management through software, with options differing in architecture and supported capabilities. Compared on control-plane and deployment models, supported protocols, and policy segmentation, the entries offer several dimensions to consider for your infrastructure. OpenDaylight, TP-Link Omada Cloud-Based Controller, and VMware Workstation Pro are among the named choices. Check the managed device limit for an indication of supported scale, and consider northbound API support if that matters to your environment. Free-plan availability and paid-from pricing add cost details to weigh against the listed capabilities.
23 software-defined networking software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
6 of the 23 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 | OpenDaylightWindows · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted · API | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 2 | TP-Link Omada Cloud-Based ControllerWeb · Android · iPhone | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 3 | VMware Workstation ProWindows · Linux · Self-hosted | Two bars | — | 2 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 4 | AntreaWindows · Linux · Self-hosted · API | Two bars | — | 2 of 6 | Free | 6.4 | |
| 5 | CiliumLinux · Self-hosted | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | Free | 6.4 | |
| 6 | Kube-OVNLinux · Self-hosted · API | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | Free | 6.4 | |
| 7 | NetrisWeb · Linux · Self-hosted · API | One bar | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.5 |
| 8 | TeraFlowSDNWeb · Linux · Self-hosted · API | One bar | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.5 |
| 9 | Huawei HiSecEngine USG6800GWeb | One bar | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.4 |
| 10 | FaucetLinux | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 11 | Open Virtual NetworkLinux | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 12 | OpenStack NeutronLinux | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 13 | Ryu SDN FrameworkLinux | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 14 | VMware NSXWeb | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 15 | Calico EnterpriseWeb · Windows · Linux · Self-hosted | Two bars | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 16 | HPE Aruba Networking Fabric ComposerWeb · Self-hosted · API | One bar | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 17 | Isovalent Enterprise for CiliumNo platforms listed | No signal | — | — | 0 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 18 | Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric ControllerWeb · Self-hosted · API | One bar | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.0 |
| 19 | Ericsson BillingNo platforms listed | No signal | — | — | 0 of 6 | — | 5.0 |
| 20 | Juniper Security DirectorWeb · Self-hosted | One bar | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.0 |
| 21 | ONOSWeb | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 4.9 |
| 22 | Juniper ApstraNo platforms listed | One bar | — | — | 0 of 6 | — | 4.8 |
| 23 | Nokia Network Services PlatformWeb | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 4.7 |
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 software-defined networking software is ranked first on Freedom251?
OpenDaylight is ranked #1 of 23 with a score of 6.5. TP-Link Omada Cloud-Based Controller is second and VMware Workstation Pro third.
How many of these have a free plan?
6 of the 23 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.