Best Network Simulation Software in 2026
Updated
In short: EVE-NG is ranked #1 of 29 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of IMUNES and GNS3. The best-ranked option with a free plan is IMUNES.
Network simulation tools let you work with models or emulations to explore network behavior. GNS3 and EVE-NG head the ranking, followed by OMNeT++ among the first entries. Compare simulation models, real-time emulation, and hardware-in-the-loop support to see which approach aligns with your work. Automation API, deployment options, and documented node limits help distinguish how each tool can be used and managed. Free-plan availability and paid-from pricing add cost context. As you move through the ranked entries, consider which combination of simulation capabilities and practical constraints fits the networks you want to study or build.
29 network simulation software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
#1 EVE-NG Top pick · 7.3 Free plan · Free
#2 IMUNES Runner-up · 7.3 Free plan · Free
#3 GNS3 Also great · 7.2 Free plan · Free- Free plan LinuxmacOSself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Simulation model
- emulation
- Real-time emulation
- Yes
- Hardware-in-the-loop
- Yes
- Deployment options
- server
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan LinuxmacOSself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Simulation model
- emulation
- Real-time emulation
- Yes
- Hardware-in-the-loop
- Yes
- Deployment options
- desktop
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan LinuxmacOSself-hostedWebWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Simulation model
- hybrid
- Real-time emulation
- Yes
- Hardware-in-the-loop
- Yes
- Deployment options
- desktop
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree About GNS3Visit site - Free planFree trial LinuxmacOSself-hostedWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Simulation model
- discrete-event
- Real-time emulation
- Yes
- Hardware-in-the-loop
- Yes
- Deployment options
- desktop
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan apiLinuxmacOSself-hostedWebWindowsRecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms
- Free plan apiLinuxmacOSself-hostedWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Simulation model
- emulation
- Deployment options
- desktop
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan LinuxmacOSself-hostedWindows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Simulation model
- discrete-event
- Real-time emulation
- Yes
- Deployment options
- desktop
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatformsFree About ns-3Visit site - Free plan Windows
- Free plan
- Yes
- Simulation model
- discrete-event
- Real-time emulation
- Yes
- Hardware-in-the-loop
- Yes
- Deployment options
- desktop
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free plan Linuxself-hosted
- Free plan
- Yes
- Simulation model
- emulation
- Real-time emulation
- Yes
- Deployment options
- server
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - WebWindowsmacOSLinux
- Simulation model
- emulation
- Real-time emulation
- Yes
- Hardware-in-the-loop
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - LinuxWindowsmacOS
- Free plan
- Yes
- Simulation model
- emulation
- Deployment options
- desktop
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - WindowsmacOSLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Deployment options
- desktop
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - WindowsmacOSLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Simulation model
- emulation
- Deployment options
- server
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Free trial apiLinuxmacOSself-hostedWindows
- Free plan
- No
- Simulation model
- discrete-event
- Real-time emulation
- Yes
- Hardware-in-the-loop
- Yes
- Deployment options
- desktop
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - WebWindowsmacOSLinux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Simulation model
- emulation
- Deployment options
- server
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - WebWindowsmacOSLinux
- Free plan
- No
- Paid from
- 59 /mo
- Deployment options
- cloud
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - WindowsmacOSLinux
- Simulation model
- discrete-event
- Deployment options
- desktop
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - WebLinux
- Simulation model
- emulation
- Deployment options
- server
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - WindowsLinux
- Free plan
- No
- Simulation model
- hybrid
- Real-time emulation
- Yes
- Hardware-in-the-loop
- Yes
- Deployment options
- desktop
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - WindowsLinux
- Free plan
- No
- Simulation model
- emulation
- Real-time emulation
- Yes
- Deployment options
- server
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Linux
- Simulation model
- emulation
- Real-time emulation
- Yes
- Hardware-in-the-loop
- Yes
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Linux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Simulation model
- emulation
- Deployment options
- server
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Web
- Free plan
- No
- Simulation model
- emulation
- Real-time emulation
- Yes
- Deployment options
- server
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Linux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Simulation model
- hybrid
- Real-time emulation
- No
RecognisedDocumentedFree planPlatforms - Linux
- Free plan
- Yes
- Simulation model
- emulation
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 simulation software is ranked first on Everything Xiaomi?
EVE-NG is ranked #1 of 29 with a score of 7.3. IMUNES is second and GNS3 third.
How many of these have a free plan?
9 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
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.