Alternatives to Cisco Packet Tracer
A free network simulation program for building and testing virtual network labs while learning networking. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
Cisco Packet Tracer
A free network simulation program for building and testing virtual network labs while learning networking.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as Cisco Packet Tracer.
EVE-NG
A network emulation platform for building virtual multi-vendor labs of routers, switches, firewalls and servers.
EVE-NG emulates devices from many network vendors in a self-hosted lab, but you must supply device images and advanced features need the paid Professional Edition.
Also worth comparing
These listings name Cisco Packet Tracer as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.
Containerlab
A command-line tool that builds and manages container-based network labs with virtual routers and switches.
Cisco Packet Tracer is free proprietary software for Windows, macOS and Linux that simulates only Cisco equipment rather than running real network operating systems.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
Killercoda
A browser-based platform with interactive Linux and Kubernetes environments for practice and guided scenarios.
LearnDMARC
An interactive web console that visualizes how SPF, DKIM and DMARC evaluate a real email.
OWASP Juice Shop
An intentionally insecure web shop covering the OWASP Top Ten, used for security training and CTFs.
Damn Vulnerable Web Application
A deliberately insecure PHP and MariaDB web application for practising common web vulnerabilities legally.
