Head-to-head · Network Simulation Software
Cisco Modeling Labs vs Common Open Research Emulator (CORE)
Cisco Modeling Labs leads on 0 checks, Common Open Research Emulator (CORE) on 1, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreCisco Modeling Labs · 9.2/10
- Free planonly Cisco Modeling Labs
- Most featuresCommon Open Research Emulator (CORE) · 3 of 3
Cisco Modeling Labs scores higher on our rubric for network simulation software: 9.2 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #8.
Common Open Research Emulator (CORE) offers hardware-in-the-loop; Cisco Modeling Labs doesn't.
Cisco Modeling Labs is the better fit for teams needing Cisco-focused lab automation. Common Open Research Emulator (CORE) is the better fit for linux-based real-time network emulation.
- Cisco Modeling Labs fits best
Teams needing Cisco-focused lab automation
- Common Open Research Emulator (CORE) fits best
Linux-based real-time network emulation
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Side by side
| Feature | Cisco Modeling Labs 9.2/10 Visit ↗ | Common Open Research Emulator (CORE) 8.5/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.2 | 8.5 |
| Ranking | #2 in Network Simulation Software | #8 in Network Simulation Software |
| Best for | Teams needing Cisco-focused lab automation | Linux-based real-time network emulation |
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid | Free |
| Starting price | — | Open source |
| Free plan | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted | Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Web, Linux, Windows, macOS | Linux |
| Support | Community, Docs | Community, Docs |
| Features Cisco Modeling Labs 1/3 · Common Open Research Emulator (CORE) 3/3 | ||
| Real-time emulation | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Hardware-in-the-loop | — | ✓ (best) |
| Automation API | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| Simulation model | Not checked yet | Emulation |
| Deployment options | Server | Not checked yet |
| Documented node limit | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Our review | ||
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | Cisco Modeling Labs is a network simulation platform for network engineers, students, educators, and enterprise teams. It provides an HTML5 interface for creating and managing virtual labs with Cisco and third-party virtual machine images.… Read the review → |
Common Open Research Emulator (CORE) is free, open-source software for building and running emulated computer networks on Linux. It is aimed at network and protocol researchers, application testers, security teams, educators, and users… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Cisco Modeling Labs — where it wins
- Cisco and third-party images with browser-based lab management
- REST APIs, Python automation, and integrations with pyATS, Ansible, and Terraform
- Clustering, external connectivity, Wireshark streaming, Docker, and KVM support
Where it doesn't
- Personal and Personal Plus are single-user plans with fixed node capacity
- CML Cloud Phase 1 is an invite-only proof of concept
- It does not emulate physical hardware or act as a discrete-event simulator
Common Open Research Emulator (CORE) — where it wins
- Real-time emulation with lightweight virtual nodes and Linux namespaces
- Connects physical networks and hardware through physical interfaces
- Python and gRPC APIs support programmable automation and distributed execution
Where it doesn't
- Linux-only platform coverage
- Self-hosted deployment requires managing the software environment
- Emulation-focused design may not fit users seeking other simulation models
- Cisco Modeling Labs9.2/10 · Free plan
A Cisco-focused virtual lab with broad automation, integration, and deployment options.
Visit Cisco CMLFull verdict → - Common Open Research Emulator (CORE)8.5/10 · Open source
A flexible Linux emulator for topology design, protocol research, and hardware-in-the-loop work.
Visit COREFull verdict →
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- EVE-NG vs Common Open Research Emulator (CORE)
All network simulation software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update