Containerlab
7.6#1 in network simulation softwareFree planFree planWebAPIExtensionLinux
VisitContainerlab vs GNS3
What both publish
| Fact | Containerlab | GNS3 |
|---|---|---|
| Integrations | Containerlab can launch VM based routers through vrnetlab or boxen integration and can run containerlab style topologies on Kubernetes through Clabernetes. | GNS3 supports Docker instances, QEMU-based appliances, hypervisors including VMware, VirtualBox and Hyper-V, and connections to real networks. |
| Security | The installer can configure sudo-less operation using a SUID binary and clab_admins group, whose members are effectively granted root-level privileges. | GNS3 documentation says a GNS3 server has no authentication enabled by default and should be restricted at the network level. |
| Support | The project directs users with questions, ideas, and bug reports to its Discord community. | GNS3 points users to its documentation and community for help, questions, and bug reports. |
Containerlab plans
- ContainerlabFree
- Free and open-sourceFree
GNS3 plans
- GNS3Free
Pick Containerlab if…
Containerlab suits network engineers and others who need to define and manage network labs as code. It also fits users who want to start topologies in CI or pair labs with telemetry stacks.
Pick GNS3 if…
GNS3 suits network engineers and learners building labs for education, certification practice, demonstrations or interoperability checks. It can also serve proof-of-concept work where a host machine can support the desired topology.