GNS3 comparisons
GNS3 is compared head-to-head with Cisco Modeling Labs, EVE-NG and NetSim by Tetcos and more: 7 head-to-heads in Network Simulation Software, each with the specs and prices we checked.
GNS3 head-to-head
- GNS3 vs Cisco Modeling Labs
- GNS3 vs EVE-NG
- GNS3 vs NetSim by Tetcos
- GNS3 vs OMNeT++
- GNS3 vs ns-3
- GNS3 vs Containerlab
- GNS3 vs Common Open Research Emulator (CORE)
GNS3 vs each of them
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Simulation model | Real-time emulation | Hardware-in-the-loop | Deployment options | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GNS3 | Yes | Free | Hybrid | Yes | Yes | Desktop | 9.4 |
| 2 | Cisco Modeling Labs | Yes | No | Server | 9.2 | |||
| 3 | EVE-NG | Yes | €150/yr | Emulation | Yes | Yes | Server | 9.0 |
| 4 | NetSim by Tetcos | Yes | Discrete-event | Yes | Yes | Desktop | 8.9 | |
| 5 | OMNeT++ | Yes | Discrete-event | Yes | Yes | Desktop | 8.8 | |
| 6 | ns-3 | Yes | Free | Discrete-event | Yes | Desktop | 8.7 | |
| 7 | Containerlab | Free | 8.6 | |||||
| 8 | Common Open Research Emulator (CORE) | Free | Emulation | Yes | Yes | 8.5 |
Compare GNS3 with any network simulation tool
These are the matchups our editors wrote up. The compare tool pairs GNS3 with any other product in Network Simulation Software — and up to four at once — from the same checked specs.
Compare GNS3 with any tool side by side →
Every network simulation software head-to-head →
Our full GNS3 verdict, pricing and fact sheet →
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.
Compared by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update