Open Network Diagram review
A free, open-source network documentation tool with diagrams, IPAM, racks, and inventory.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Open Network Diagram is a declarative, self-hosted application for documenting home-lab and network infrastructure. It is aimed at small teams that need a straightforward way to map network topology, hosts, virtual machines, racks, IP addresses, VLANs, and physical cabling. The web application is distributed as a Docker container and licensed under GPL-3.0. Its core views cover Ethernet-labeled network topology, machine and device inventory, and rack placement with U-position support, giving teams several ways to represent the same environment.
The free, open-source offering has useful depth for a focused documentation tool. IPAM includes subnet utilization, duplicate-IP detection, and next-free-IP suggestions, while subnet and VLAN declarations can be filtered. Cable records can include type, color, and length. JSON-backed autosave and rolling backups support ongoing changes, and optional read-only mode provides a way to share documentation without allowing edits. These features make it a practical fit for teams that want documentation and lightweight infrastructure inventory in one focused application rather than a broader integrated platform.
Deployment is best suited to teams comfortable running self-hosted software. Docker support simplifies the deployment path, but the application relies on a writable data volume for its documentation data. Authentication and TLS are not included, so the deployment should be protected with a firewall, VPN, or authenticated reverse proxy. Open Network Diagram is a good choice for small teams and home-lab operators who value free, local control and clear network records. Teams that require integrations, built-in authentication, or included TLS should choose a different tool.
Open Network Diagram pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Free, open-source deployment with Docker support
- Combines topology, inventory, racks, IPAM, VLANs, and cable tracking
- Duplicate-IP detection, next-free-IP suggestions, autosave, and backups
- Where it doesn't
- No integrations for connecting other tools or services
- Authentication and TLS are not included
- Self-hosted deployment requires managing the environment and data volume
Open Network Diagram fact sheet, pricing and score →
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