Head-to-head · Virtual Routers Software
Juniper vMX vs Juniper vJunos-router
Juniper vMX leads on 1 check, Juniper vJunos-router on 1, and 2 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 scoreJuniper vMX · 9.0/10
- Free planonly Juniper vJunos-router
- Free trialonly Juniper vMX
- Most featuresJuniper vMX · 2 of 2
Juniper vMX scores higher on our rubric for virtual routers software: 9.0 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #6.
Juniper vJunos-router offers free plan; Juniper vMX doesn't. Juniper vMX offers high availability; Juniper vJunos-router doesn't.
Juniper vMX is the better fit for service providers needing Junos virtual routing. Juniper vJunos-router is the better fit for free Junos labs and small-scale virtual routing.
- Juniper vMX fits best
Service providers needing Junos virtual routing
- Juniper vJunos-router fits best
Free Junos labs and small-scale virtual routing
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Side by side
| Feature | Juniper vMX 9.0/10 Visit ↗ | Juniper vJunos-router 8.5/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.0 | 8.5 |
| Ranking | #2 in Virtual Routers Software | #6 in Virtual Routers Software |
| Best for | Service providers needing Junos virtual routing | Free Junos labs and small-scale virtual routing |
| Pricing model | Paid | Free |
| Starting price | Pricing on request · 60-day trial | Free |
| Free plan | — | ✓ (best) |
| Free trial | 60 days | — |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted | Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Linux | Linux |
| Support | Docs | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Mid-market, Enterprise | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features Juniper vMX 2/2 · Juniper vJunos-router 0/2 | ||
| VPN support | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| High availability | ✓ (best) | — |
| Specs | ||
| Deployment type | Virtual machine | Virtual machine |
| Routing protocols | SPRING (segment routing) | BGP, IS-IS, OSPF, static routing |
| Max throughput | 100 Mbps | 100 Mbps |
| Cloud platforms | AWS, AWS GovCloud, Microsoft Azure | Not checked yet |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | Juniper vMX is a licensed virtual version of the MX Series universal edge router, running Junos OS with a virtual Trio forwarding plane on x86 servers or supported public clouds. It is aimed at service providers, cloud operators and… Read the review → |
Juniper vJunos-router is a virtual version of Juniper’s Junos-based MX routing platform, packaged as a virtual machine for x86 servers. It is aimed at network labs, training, demonstrations, proof-of-concept work and configuration… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Juniper vMX — where it wins
- Combines IPv4/IPv6 routing with unicast and multicast Layer 3 VPNs
- Supports BNG subscriber interfaces including PPPoE, DHCP and RADIUS
- Offers dual virtual Routing Engines and multiple automation interfaces
Where it doesn't
- Requires a sales inquiry for licensing rather than published monetary pricing
- Integrations listed are limited to OpenStack and Juniper Contrail Cloud Platform
- Product page is an older datasheet and may not reflect current release support
Juniper vJunos-router — where it wins
- Free Junos virtual machine for x86-based network labs
- Supports BGP, IS-IS, OSPF, static routing and virtual route reflection
- Offers up to 96 interfaces with console and SSH control-plane access
Where it doesn't
- 100 Mbps aggregate throughput limits larger or production workloads
- Single-VM architecture does not provide documented high availability
- Self-hosted deployment requires Linux and virtual-machine administration
- Juniper vMX9.0/10 · Pricing on request · 60-day trial
Junos-based virtual routing for service providers and enterprises needing MX edge capabilities.
Visit JuniperFull verdict → - Juniper vJunos-router8.5/10 · Free plan
A capable free Junos lab router, limited by 100 Mbps throughput and single-VM design.
Visit JuniperFull verdict →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update