Best Network Simulation Software in 2026
Updated
In short: Containerlab is ranked #1 of 29 as of 3 October 2026, ahead of EVE-NG and IMUNES. The best-ranked option with a free plan is EVE-NG.
Network simulation tools let you model, emulate, or explore network behavior for development, testing, or learning. The ranked entries start with Containerlab, GNS3, and EVE-NG, with NetSim by Tetcos, OMNeT++, and ns-3 also among the first options. Compared on simulation model, real-time emulation, and hardware-in-the-loop, the entries give you distinct approaches to consider. Check automation API support, deployment options, and documented node limits against the environment you need to work in. Free-plan availability and paid-from pricing round out the comparison, helping you weigh capabilities and cost as you narrow down software for your stack.
29 network simulation software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
| # | Platform | Score | Why | From | Free plan | Paid from | Simulation model | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Containerlab | 7.2 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | — | — | — | View |
| 2 | EVE-NG | 6.0 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | Yes | — | emulation | View |
| 3 |  IMUNES | 6.0 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | Yes | — | emulation | View |
| 4 |  NetSim by Tetcos | 6.0 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | Yes | — | discrete-event | View |
| 5 |  OMNeT++ | 6.0 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | Yes | — | discrete-event | View |
| 6 |  EMANE | 5.9 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | Yes | — | emulation | View |
| 7 |  GNS3 | 5.9 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | Yes | — | hybrid | View |
| 8 |  ns-3 | 5.9 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | Free | Yes | — | discrete-event | View |
| 9 | Cisco Packet Tracer | 5.5 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | — | View |
| 10 |  Kathará | 5.5 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | emulation | View |
| 11 |  Marionnet | 5.5 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | emulation | View |
| 12 |  Mininet | 5.5 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | emulation | View |
| 13 |  Mininet-WiFi | 5.5 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | emulation | View |
| 14 |  Shadow | 5.5 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | hybrid | View |
| 15 | Mahimahi | 5.4 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | emulation | View |
| 16 |  NetSim | 5.4 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | 15 /mo | — | View |
| 17 |  PNETLab | 5.4 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | emulation | View |
| 18 |  Telephone | 5.3 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | Yes | — | — | View |
| 19 |  Common Open Research Emulator (CORE) | 5.1 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | — | — | emulation | View |
| 20 |  PacketStorm Network Emulators | 5.1 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | — | — | emulation | View |
| 21 |  Cloonix | 5.0 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | — | — | emulation | View |
| 22 | EXata Network Modeling | 5.0 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | No | — | hybrid | View |
| 23 |  MIMIC Simulator | 5.0 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | No | — | emulation | View |
| 24 |  Netropy Network Emulator | 5.0 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | No | — | emulation | View |
| 25 |  OMNEST | 5.0 | RecognisedAPIDocumented | — | No | — | discrete-event | View |
Is your platform 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 Inferse?
Containerlab is ranked #1 of 29 with a score of 7.2. EVE-NG is second and IMUNES third.
How many of these have a free plan?
8 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked on what each maker publishes, open and connectable first: a public API, open-source code, the depth of its documentation and a free tier to try it on. Model lists are sorted by the figure in their title, exactly as each provider publishes it. Paid placements never change a rank.