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Batfish vs Containerlab

Both stand on network automation software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.

Batfish

Free plan APILinuxMac+2

Choose Batfish if you need configuration-based checks for policy, security, change impact, or network resilience. Teams working with Aruba, Dell Force10, or Foundry should account for the project's limited support for those platforms.

Visit Batfish

Containerlab

Free plan Open source APIExtensionLinux+4

Containerlab offers a topology-as-code workflow for creating network labs across supported container and VM platforms. It requires a Linux host environment and Docker, and users should note the elevated privileges involved in its optional sudo-less setup.

Visit Containerlab

The facts

BatfishContainerlab
Free planYesYes
Open sourceNot publishedYes
Runs onAPI, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, WindowsAPI, Extension, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Web, Windows
Lowest paid planNot publishedFree or on request
Plans publishedNone2
MakerNot publishedNot published
Websitebatfish.orgcontainerlab.dev
On network automation software#2 of 29#1 of 29

Batfish: what it does well

  • Analyzes configurations without direct access to network devices.
  • Validates planned changes before deployment.
  • Checks security policy and expected traffic paths.
  • Assesses reachability after a single-link or device failure.
  • Includes a Python SDK and example Jupyter notebooks.

What to know first

  • Core analysis requires network device configurations.
  • Support is limited for Aruba, Dell Force10, and Foundry.

Containerlab: what it does well

  • Free and open source under BSD-3-Clause.
  • Topology files define nodes, links, and settings.
  • Supports a wide range of network platforms.
  • Offers CLI lifecycle commands and optional graphical interfaces.
  • Can launch labs in GitLab CI and GitHub Actions.

What to know first

  • Requires a Linux server or VM and Docker.
  • Some operations require sudo privileges.
  • Sudo-less setup can grant group members root-level privileges.

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