Cisco Modeling Labs vs EVE-NG

CMCisco Modeling Labs9.2Visit EVE-NG9.0Visit

Higher score CM Cisco Modeling Labs #2 in Network Simulation Software 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 3 features Visit Cisco CML

vs

EVE-NG #3 in Network Simulation Software 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit EVE-NG

• Cisco Modeling Labs fits best

  Teams needing Cisco-focused lab automation

• EVE-NG fits best

  Large multivendor browser-based labs

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Side by side

Feature	CMCisco Modeling Labs 9.2/10 Visit ↗	EVE-NG 9.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.2	9.0
Ranking	#2 in Network Simulation Software	#3 in Network Simulation Software
Best for	Teams needing Cisco-focused lab automation	Large multivendor browser-based labs
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free plan + paid
Starting price	—	€150/yr
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Self-hosted	Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms	Web, Linux, Windows, macOS	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux
Support	Community, Docs	Live chat, Community, Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Cisco Modeling Labs 1/3 · EVE-NG 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	Server
Documented node limit	Not checked yet	1024 nodes
Our review
Pros	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	Supports up to 1,024 nodes per lab on paid plans Combines Docker, Wireshark, clustering and link-quality controls Provides multiuser labs, configuration import/export and a REST-style JSON API
Cons	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	The Freemium edition is limited to 7 nodes per EVE instance Freemium accounts are admin-only Base pricing starts at €150 per year, billed annually
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 →	EVE-NG is a clientless network emulation platform for network, security and DevOps professionals. Enterprises, training providers, individuals and collaborators can use it to build virtual proof-of-concept, testing and training… 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

• EVE-NG — where it wins

  • Supports up to 1,024 nodes per lab on paid plans
  • Combines Docker, Wireshark, clustering and link-quality controls
  • Provides multiuser labs, configuration import/export and a REST-style JSON API

  Where it doesn't

  • The Freemium edition is limited to 7 nodes per EVE instance
  • Freemium accounts are admin-only
  • Base pricing starts at €150 per year, billed annually

• CMCisco Modeling Labs9.2/10 · Free plan

  A Cisco-focused virtual lab with broad automation, integration, and deployment options.

  Visit Cisco CMLFull verdict →
• EVE-NG9.0/10 · Free plan

  A broad emulation platform for large, collaborative multivendor network labs.

  Visit EVE-NGFull verdict →