Alternatives to Containerlab
A command-line tool that builds and manages container-based network labs with virtual routers and switches. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
Containerlab
A command-line tool that builds and manages container-based network labs with virtual routers and switches.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as Containerlab.
GNS3
Builds and runs virtual networks of real router and switch images, for lab work and certification study.
GNS3 is a GPL-3.0 graphical lab tool for Windows, macOS and Linux that combines vendor images, virtual machines and Docker containers, with more setup involved.
EVE-NG
A network emulation platform for building virtual multi-vendor labs of routers, switches, firewalls and servers.
EVE-NG is a freemium, closed-source emulation platform managed from the browser, with advanced features in the paid Professional Edition instead of file-defined topologies.
Cisco Packet Tracer
A free network simulation program for building and testing virtual network labs while learning networking.
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.
Batfish
A network configuration analysis tool that finds bugs and checks the correctness of router and switch configurations.
netshoot
A Docker and Kubernetes container image packed with network troubleshooting tools for debugging container networking.
NAPALM
Automate network devices with a common Python interface.
Netmiko
Script command-line sessions on network equipment with Python.
Nautobot
An open-source network source of truth and network automation platform you host yourself.
