Alternatives to EVE-NG
A network emulation platform for building virtual multi-vendor labs of routers, switches, firewalls and servers. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
EVE-NG
A network emulation platform for building virtual multi-vendor labs of routers, switches, firewalls and servers.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as EVE-NG.
GNS3
Builds and runs virtual networks of real router and switch images, for lab work and certification study.
GNS3 is free and open source under GPL-3.0 with a desktop interface for Windows, macOS and Linux, instead of EVE-NG's browser management and paid Professional Edition.
Containerlab
A command-line tool that builds and manages container-based network labs with virtual routers and switches.
Containerlab is an open-source Linux command-line tool that defines container-based labs in a single file, requiring a container runtime rather than a dedicated server.
Cisco Packet Tracer
A free network simulation program for building and testing virtual network labs while learning networking.
Cisco Packet Tracer is free desktop software for learners that simulates only Cisco equipment and does not need device images supplied.
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.
VyOS
An open-source network operating system that combines routing, firewall and VPN functions in one platform.
Nautobot
An open-source network source of truth and network automation platform you host yourself.
Wireshark
The network protocol analyser: capture traffic and read it packet by packet, with dissectors for hundreds of protocols.
