ns-3 vs Shadow
| ns-3 | Shadow | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Free trial | No | No |
| Paid from | Free | — |
| Open source | No | No |
| Platforms | Linux, macOS, self-hosted, Windows | Linux |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Simulation model | discrete-event | hybrid |
| Real-time emulation | Yes | No |
| Deployment options | desktop | — |
| Automation API | Yes | Yes |
Both are listed in Best Network Simulation Software. On Freedom251, ns-3 scores higher on our published basis.