Best Software-Defined Networking Software in 2026
Updated
In short: TP-Link Omada Cloud-Based Controller is ranked #1 of 23 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Cilium and Kube-OVN. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Cilium.
Software-defined networking software lets you manage network behavior through software-based controls. The entries are ordered as a ranked best-of list, so compare control-plane and deployment models alongside supported protocols and policy segmentation. Managed device limits can help you gauge scope, while northbound API support may matter when connecting network management to other systems. Free-plan availability and paid-from pricing add cost context. TP-Link Omada Cloud-Based Controller and Cilium lead the entries, followed by VMware Workstation Pro and Antrea. Check which of these listed models and capabilities align with the network you need to manage.
23 software-defined networking software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
Software-Defined Networking Software, ranked on how quickly a newcomer can get going. 6 of the 23 on this page can be tried for free.
- 1 TP-Link Omada Cloud-Based ControllerFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 2 CiliumFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 3 Kube-OVNFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 4 VMware Workstation ProFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 5 AntreaFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 6 OpenDaylightFree plan
- Free to practise on: yes
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 7 Netris
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 8 Calico Enterprise
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: yes
- 9 Cisco Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 10 HPE Aruba Networking Fabric Composer
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 11 Huawei HiSecEngine USG6800G
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 12 Juniper Security Director
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 13 TeraFlowSDN
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 14 Open Virtual Network
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 15 Faucet
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 16 OpenStack Neutron
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 17 Ryu SDN Framework
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 18 VMware NSX
- 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 Isovalent Enterprise for Cilium
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 20 Juniper Apstra
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: yes
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 21 Ericsson Billing
- 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 Nokia Network Services Platform
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- Runs where you work: not on record
- 23 ONOS
- Free to practise on: not on record
- Free trial: not on record
- Well documented: not on record
- 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 software-defined networking software is ranked first on The Geeks Club?
TP-Link Omada Cloud-Based Controller is ranked #1 of 23 with a score of 7.1. Cilium is second and Kube-OVN third.
How many of these have a free plan?
6 of the 23 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.