The Best Network Automation Software in 2026
We researched network automation software using official websites, including pricing pages, plan tables, and product documentation. Rankings consider each product’s core automation capabilities, value for money, and verified features such as device support, deployment options, configuration management, testing, and orchestration. This guide focuses on network automation software.
Our top picks
-
Top ranked
Arista CloudVision#1 of 279.3/10Broad network automation and observability for Arista-led operations.
Pricing on request
-
Runner-up
Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN#2 of 279.2/10A mature SD-WAN platform for centralized enterprise connectivity, routing, and security.
Pricing on request
-
Top-ranked free plan
Cisco pyATS#12 of 277.9/10A capable free choice for Cisco-focused testing, validation, and automation.
Free plan
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
The full ranking 27 tools, best first
-
Best forArista-led network operations
Broad network automation and observability for Arista-led operations.
9.3/10★★★★★Visit Arista -
Best forEnterprise SD-WAN automation
A mature SD-WAN platform for centralized enterprise connectivity, routing, and security.
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Cisco -
Best forFirewall change control and compliance
A broad network security policy platform for controlled firewall change and compliance.
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Tufin -
Best forCisco-centric enterprise network automation
Broad hybrid automation for Cisco environments, with contact-sales pricing and required subscriptions.
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Cisco -
Best forConfiguration backup and compliance teams
A broad network configuration toolkit for backup, compliance, and controlled change.
Pricing on request · 30-day trial Our SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager verdict → Visit SolarWindsFor vendors Sponsor this spot · #5 · $59/mo →8.9/10★★★★☆Visit SolarWinds -
Best forVisual network assurance and runbooks
A broad platform for visual network assurance, policy control, and no-code runbooks.
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit NetBrain -
Best forHuawei campus network automation
A broad Huawei campus automation platform with lifecycle control, AI assistance, and REST APIs.
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit Huawei -
Best forMulti-vendor configuration governance
A broad self-hosted toolkit for governing multi-vendor network changes and configurations.
- Workflow orchestration
- Configuration management
- Network testing
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Infoblox -
Best forGoverned cross-system automation teams
Broad, governed automation for teams coordinating networks, cloud and IT operations.
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Itential -
Best forFirewall policy automation and compliance
Deep multivendor firewall analysis and controlled policy automation for enterprise teams.
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit AlgoSec -
Best forOpen-source programmable network control
A broad, programmable controller for teams building self-hosted network automation.
- Workflow orchestration
- Configuration management
- Network testing
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit OpenDaylight -
Best forFree Cisco network testing automation
A capable free choice for Cisco-focused testing, validation, and automation.
- Workflow orchestration
- Configuration management
- Network testing
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Cisco pyATS -
Best forOpen-source network source of truth
A broad, extensible platform for turning validated network data into automation.
- Workflow orchestration
- Configuration management
- Network testing
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Nautobot -
Best forDevelopers needing a multivendor API
A focused, self-hosted foundation for automating configuration and device data across vendors.
- Configuration management
- Network testing
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit NAPALM -
Best forLightweight SSH-based device automation
A focused, free Python library for engineers automating network devices over SSH.
- Workflow orchestration
- Configuration management
- Network testing
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit Netmiko -
Best forMulti-vendor network operations teams
Broad multi-vendor automation with discovery, control, topology, and APIs across hybrid deployments.
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit Gluware -
Best forPython developers building automation
A flexible open-source framework for Python-led network automation.
- Workflow orchestration
- Configuration management
- Network testing
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit Nornir -
Best forOpen-source service orchestration
A broad open-source stack for policy-driven network service orchestration.
- Workflow orchestration
- Configuration management
- Network testing
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit ONAP -
Best forFree network change validation
A focused, vendor-independent choice for validating network changes before deployment.
- Network testing
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit Batfish -
Best forIntent-based service orchestration
A broad orchestration platform for complex, multi-domain communications networks.
- Workflow orchestration
- Configuration management
- Network testing
7.1/10★★★★☆Visit Ciena -
Best forOpen-source network lab automation
A flexible lab automation CLI for multivendor network testing and validation.
- Workflow orchestration
- Configuration management
- Network testing
7.0/10★★★★☆Visit Containerlab -
Best forOpen-source programmable network control
A specialized open-source control plane for programmable, protocol-focused networks.
- Configuration management
- Network testing
6.9/10★★★☆☆Visit ONOS -
Best forCarrier-scale multivendor networks
A broad, carrier-focused platform for automating multivendor IP and optical networks.
6.8/10★★★☆☆Visit Nokia -
Best forDevice lifecycle and configuration automation
Broad multivendor lifecycle automation with contact-sales pricing and tiered capabilities.
6.5/10★★★☆☆Visit BackBox -
Best forNetwork analysis and pre-change validation
A deep analysis and validation platform for complex hybrid networks.
6.2/10★★★☆☆Visit Forward -
Best forBudget-conscious configuration management
A practical choice for budget-conscious teams managing network configurations.
Free plan · 30-day trial Our ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager verdict → Visit ManageEngine6.1/10★★★☆☆Visit ManageEngine -
Best forIntent-based data-center fabrics
A deep data-center automation platform with self-hosted deployment and contact-sales pricing.
5.0/10★★☆☆☆Visit HPE Apstra
No tools match those filters.
Compare at a glance
| # | Tool | Paid from | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arista CloudVision | 9.3 | |
| 2 | Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN | 9.2 | |
| 3 | Tufin | 9.1 | |
| 4 | Cisco Catalyst Center | 9.0 | |
| 5 | SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager | 8.9 | |
| 6 | NetBrain | 8.7 | |
| 7 | Huawei iMaster NCE-Campus | 8.6 | |
| 8 | Infoblox NetMRI | 8.4 | |
| 9 | Itential Automation Platform | 8.3 | |
| 10 | AlgoSec | 8.2 | |
| 11 | OpenDaylight | Free | 8.0 |
| 12 | Cisco pyATS | Free | 7.9 |
| 13 | Nautobot | 7.7 | |
| 14 | NAPALM | Free | 7.6 |
| 15 | Netmiko | Free | 7.5 |
| 16 | Gluware | 7.4 | |
| 17 | Nornir | Free | 7.4 |
| 18 | ONAP | Free | 7.3 |
| 19 | Batfish | Free | 7.2 |
| 20 | Blue Planet Orchestration | 7.1 | |
| 21 | Containerlab | Free | 7.0 |
| 22 | ONOS | Free | 6.9 |
| 23 | Nokia Network Services Platform | 6.8 | |
| 24 | BackBox | 6.5 | |
| 25 | Forward Enterprise | 6.2 | |
| 26 | ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager | $595/device usage-based | 6.1 |
| 27 | Juniper Apstra | 5.0 |
Head-to-head All 20 comparisons →
- Arista CloudVision vs Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN
- Arista CloudVision vs Tufin
- Arista CloudVision vs NetBrain
- Arista CloudVision vs Infoblox NetMRI
- Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN vs Tufin
- Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN vs Cisco Catalyst Center
- Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN vs SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager
- Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN vs NetBrain
- Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN vs Huawei iMaster NCE-Campus
Explore other topics All topics →
- AI Tools 303 directories · 8,270 tools ranked AI Writing Tools · AI Video Generators · Text-to-Speech Software
- Web Hosting & Domains 275 directories · 6,107 tools ranked Shared Web Hosting · Managed Cloud Hosting · Dedicated Server Hosting
- Productivity 157 directories · 4,948 tools ranked Note-Taking Apps · Calendar Apps · Project Management Software
- Marketing 135 directories · 3,977 tools ranked SEO Tools · Influencer Marketing Platforms · Email Marketing Software
- Sales & CRM 152 directories · 4,161 tools ranked Real Estate CRM Software · CRM Software · Proposal Software
- Customer Service 55 directories · 1,547 tools ranked Chatbot Builders · Knowledge Base Software · Call Center Software
How we rank network automation software
Every tool on this page was researched by iTechGuides Editors from its official website — pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. We rank on how well each one does this category's core job, what the free or entry plan includes, and where it falls short. Where we have enough verified facts, the score out of 10 is a rubric — job fit, value and how much we could verify — shown with its breakdown on every tool's page; a tool we have not verified enough to score yet shows its rank without a number. Scores are re-checked when a product changes its plans. Read the full editorial policy, or submit a tool we missed.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update