Best Network Automation Software in 2026
Updated
In short: ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager is ranked #1 of 26 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Containerlab and ONAP. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Containerlab. The lowest first paid tier on this page is ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager at $19.83/mo.
Network automation tools address tasks such as configuring devices, deploying changes, testing networks, and coordinating workflows. Compared on configuration management, deployment, device limit, free plan, network testing, paid from, supported platforms, and workflow orchestration, the entries give you several angles for assessing fit. The ranking starts with ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager and Containerlab, with Arista NG Firewall and Nautobot also among the first entries. Netmiko, OpenDaylight, Cisco pyATS, and Nornir follow. Check which platforms are supported and whether the listed device limit aligns with your environment, then weigh the configuration, testing, and orchestration capabilities relevant to your work.
26 network automation software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
#1 ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager Top pick · 7.3 Free plan · $19.83/mo
#2 Containerlab Runner-up · 7.2 Free plan · Free #3 ONAP Also great · 7.1 Free plan · Free
- Free planFree trial AndroidiOSLinuxself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms$19.83/mofirst paid tier About ManageEngine Network Configuration ManagerVisit site - Free plan apiLinuxmacOSself-hostedWebWindows
- Deployment
- self_hosted
- Configuration management
- Yes
- Workflow orchestration
- Yes
- Network testing
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan apiLinuxself-hostedWeb
- Deployment
- self_hosted
- Configuration management
- Yes
- Workflow orchestration
- Yes
- Network testing
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree About ONAPVisit site - Free plan Web
- Free plan
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms$22.50/mofirst paid tier About Arista NG FirewallVisit site - Free plan apiLinuxself-hostedWeb
- Free plan
- Yes
- Deployment
- hybrid
- Configuration management
- Yes
- Workflow orchestration
- Yes
- Network testing
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan apiLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Deployment
- self_hosted
- Configuration management
- Yes
- Workflow orchestration
- Yes
- Network testing
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan apiLinuxmacOSself-hostedWindows
- Deployment
- self_hosted
- Configuration management
- Yes
- Workflow orchestration
- Yes
- Network testing
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan LinuxmacOSself-hosted
- Free plan
- Yes
- Deployment
- self_hosted
- Configuration management
- Yes
- Workflow orchestration
- Yes
- Network testing
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan LinuxmacOS
- Deployment
- self_hosted
- Configuration management
- Yes
- Workflow orchestration
- Yes
- Network testing
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - apiLinuxself-hostedWebWindows
- Deployment
- self_hosted
- Configuration management
- Yes
- Workflow orchestration
- Yes
- Network testing
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free trial apiLinuxself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - apiLinuxself-hostedWebRecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms
- WebRecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms
- self-hostedWeb
- Free plan
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free trial apiself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - self-hostedWebRecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms
- WindowsmacOSLinux
- Deployment
- self_hosted
- Network testing
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan apiLinuxmacOSself-hosted
- Free plan
- Yes
- Deployment
- self_hosted
- Configuration management
- Yes
- Network testing
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms -
- Deployment
- cloud
- Configuration management
- Yes
- Workflow orchestration
- Yes
- Network testing
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Web
- Deployment
- self_hosted
- Configuration management
- Yes
- Network testing
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms -
- Free plan
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Web
- Free plan
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms
- Web
- Free plan
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Web
- Free plan
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms
Is your app 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 automation software is ranked first on Everything Xiaomi?
ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager is ranked #1 of 26 with a score of 7.3. Containerlab is second and ONAP third.
How many of these have a free plan?
10 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager has the lowest first paid tier we found: $19.83/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked on what each maker publishes: documentation depth, a free tier and the platforms it runs on. Paid placements never change a rank.