VNS3
VNS3: A flexible cloud networking controller with a free edition and paid plans from $150/month. Ranked #18 of 27 in Network as a Service (NaaS) Platforms by our editors (7.7/10); pricing: Free plan; best for small teams needing low-cost cloud networking.
At a glance
- Editor score7.7 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forSmall teams needing low-cost cloud networking
- Free planYes
- Paid from$150/mo
- Network monitoringYes
- Facts checked24 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Connects cloud, datacenter and device networks with VPN and encrypted overlays
- Combines firewall policies, segmentation, NAT and automated failover
- Offers Terraform, CloudFormation, Python SDK and Ruby CLI automation
Where it doesn't
- License prices exclude cloud VM runtime costs
- Free Edition is limited to 1 controller, 5 clientpacks and 1 IPsec endpoint
- Plan limits on controllers, clientpacks and containers may constrain growth
Our verdict on VNS3
VNS3 from Cohesive Networks is an API-driven network edge controller for connecting, securing and automating cloud, multicloud and hybrid networks. Its mix of firewall, VPN, WAN, NAT and network-edge plugin capabilities is aimed at teams that want to manage these functions through a controller rather than assemble separate network services. Cloud and self-hosted deployment options make it relevant to small teams through enterprise deployments, though teams seeking a dedicated SD-WAN product should look elsewhere.
The product's breadth is its clearest draw: firewall policies span layers 3–7, with network segmentation, NAT rules, and encrypted overlays across regions and cloud providers. VPN connectivity includes IPsec, GRE over IPsec and NAT traversal, while Cloud WAN links clouds, datacenters and devices. Monitoring, tunnel-outage alerts and automated failover address operational continuity. Terraform, CloudFormation, a Python SDK, a Ruby CLI and REST API support automation; this ecosystem is a fit for teams comfortable managing networking through infrastructure tooling.
Pricing is tiered by controller and connection capacity. Free Edition costs $0 and includes 1 controller, 5 clientpacks, 1 IPsec endpoint, 1 tunnel and 1 container. Lite Edition is $150/month for 1 controller, 10 clientpacks, 4 IPsec endpoints, unlimited tunnels and 2 container slots. SME Edition is $350/month for 2 controllers, 25 clientpacks, 8 IPsec endpoints and 4 container slots; Enterprise Edition is $750/month for 2+ controllers, 50 clientpacks, 16 IPsec endpoints and 16 containers. All paid plans include a production license, and license prices exclude cloud VM runtime costs. VNS3 suits teams that value API-driven hybrid networking and can account for infrastructure costs; teams wanting a simpler, fully managed network service may prefer an alternative.
Your product? Our editors can test VNS3 in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
VNS3 pricing
VNS3 fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | $150/mo |
| SD-WAN included | No |
| Secure access/SASE | Yes |
| Cloud firewall | Yes |
| Network monitoring | Yes |
| Connectivity type | Hybrid |
| Managed sites | Not verified |
| API access | Yes |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Web |
| Compliance & security | SOC 2, HIPAA, PCI DSS |
| Support | Email, Tickets, Docs · 24/7 |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 4 integrations: Terraform, CloudFormation, Python SDK, Ruby CLI See all → |
| Pricing | Free plan (source) |
| Website | cohesive.net |
| Facts checked | 24 Sep 2026 |
VNS3 integrations
VNS3 lists 4 integrations on its own site.
- Terraform
- CloudFormation
- Python SDK
- Ruby CLI
Alternatives to VNS3
- Equinix FabricPrivate multicloud connections with portal, API, and Terraform provisioning.9.3
- AlkiraCentralized orchestration connects cloud, sites and WAN with security and visibility services.8.9
- Fortinet Secure SD-WANSecure SD-WAN with cloud connectivity, centralized management, and basic functionality included on FortiGate.8.5
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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