Best Network Simulation Software in 2026
Updated
In short: OMNeT++ is ranked #1 of 29 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of EVE-NG and IMUNES. The best-ranked option with a free plan is EVE-NG.
Whether you are exploring network models or emulating behavior, network simulation software offers different capabilities to assess. Compare simulation model with real-time emulation and hardware-in-the-loop support to understand the approaches covered. Automation API, deployment options, and documented node limit add further points to examine for your setup. Free-plan availability and paid starting prices help put costs in context. OMNeT++, EVE-NG, and IMUNES are among the entries, alongside Kathará and NetSim by Tetcos. Consider the type of network work you need to support and which of these listed capabilities are relevant to it.
29 network simulation software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
Network Simulation Software, ranked on how quickly a newcomer can get going. 12 of the 25 on this page can be tried for free.
- 1 OMNeT++Free plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 2 EVE-NGFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 3 IMUNESFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 4 KatharáFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 5 NetSim by TetcosFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 6 ns-3Free plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 7 OMNEST
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: yes
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 8 CloonixFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 9 GNS3Free plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 10 ContainerlabFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 11 EMANEFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 12 QuNetSimFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 13 PacketStorm Network Emulators
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: yes
- 14 Marionnet
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: yes
- 15 Cisco Packet Tracer
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: yes
- 16 Mininet
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: yes
- 17 PNETLab
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: yes
- 18 Common Open Research Emulator (CORE)
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 19 EXata Network Modeling
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 20 MIMIC Simulator
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 21 Mininet-WiFi
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 22 NetSim
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: yes
- 23 Shadow
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 24 Mahimahi
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 25 Netropy Network Emulator
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: not on record
Is your platform on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which network simulation software is ranked first on The Geeks Club?
OMNeT++ is ranked #1 of 29 with a score of 7.9. EVE-NG is second and IMUNES third.
How many of these have a free plan?
11 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked on how quickly a newcomer can get going: documentation depth, a free tier or trial, and the platforms it runs on. Paid placements never change a rank.