NAPALM review
A focused, self-hosted foundation for automating configuration and device data across vendors.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
NAPALM is an open-source Python library for developers and network teams that need a common way to interact with devices from multiple vendors. Its unified API connects to devices, retrieves operational data, manipulates network configurations, and supports deployment validation. Core drivers cover Arista EOS, Cisco IOS, Cisco IOS-XR, Cisco NX-OS, and Juniper JunOS, with additional community drivers available. Linux, macOS, and API-based use are supported.
Its strongest fit is as an automation foundation rather than a complete operations platform. NAPALM supports loading and replacing configurations, device data retrieval, and validation workflows, while its CLI tools cover configuration, testing, and validation tasks. Integration with Ansible, SaltStack, and StackStorm allows teams to place those capabilities within existing automation environments. Developers who want a consistent interface across different network operating systems can build around that common layer instead of handling each vendor connection separately.
The trade-off is ownership and scope. NAPALM is self-hosted and delivered as a library, so teams are responsible for deployment and for shaping it into their preferred automation workflows. It is a strong choice for developers who want direct control over multivendor network automation and already work with Python or compatible frameworks. Teams seeking a hosted commercial service or a packaged workflow-orchestration environment should choose a broader platform instead.
NAPALM pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Unified API across major network device vendors
- Supports configuration changes and deployment validation
- Integrates with Ansible, SaltStack, and StackStorm
- Where it doesn't
- Requires self-hosted deployment and engineering ownership
- Python library format may not suit teams seeking a hosted service
- Workflow orchestration is outside its stated core capabilities
NAPALM fact sheet, pricing and score →
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