Sign in Submit an app

EVE-NG alternatives: 2 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 1, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave EVE-NG: free tier is capped at a few nodes, and community Edition has reached end of life. We ranked 2 alternatives by how directly each one replaces EVE-NG, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. GNS3 currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#	App	Pricing	Open source	Platforms	Verified facts	Score
1	GNS3	Open source	Yes	Windows, macOS, Linux +1	4 of 4	66.5

1. GNS3Top pick
Best for: Network engineers and CCNA/CCNP students who want free labs running real device images
Open sourceSelf-hostableWindows, macOS, Linux, Self-hosted
66.5
score / 100
Why switch from EVE-NG
Free and open source with a desktop client, and no node cap for single-user labs.
Pros
Free and open source under GPL v3
Runs real vendor images, not a simplified simulation
Mixes Dynamips, QEMU, VirtualBox, VMware and Docker nodes
One server can be shared by several clients
Cons
You must source your own licensed router and switch images
Bigger labs need a separate VM and lots of RAM
Mac version is unsigned and needs Gatekeeper workarounds
Visit GNS3 Details and reviews
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.3100
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.1585
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
Is GNS3 a good EVE-NG alternative?
Verified facts
4 of 4 verified
License
GPL-3.0
Checked Nov 1, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
Open source
Yes, GNU GPL v3
Checked Nov 1, 2026docs.gns3.com(opens source in a new tab)
Minimum RAM (Windows)
4 GB, 16 GB recommended
Checked Nov 1, 2026docs.gns3.com(opens source in a new tab)
macOS build
Unsigned DMG
Checked Nov 1, 2026docs.gns3.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best EVE-NG alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Best EVE-NG alternative for most people

Free and open source with a desktop client, and no node cap for single-user labs.

Best EVE-NG alternative for a free option

Free and open source with a desktop client, and no node cap for single-user labs.

Ci

Best EVE-NG alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Cisco Modeling Labs

Comes with licensed Cisco images and Cisco support, which matters for corporate labs.

Best EVE-NG alternative for open source

Free and open source with a desktop client, and no node cap for single-user labs.

Best EVE-NG alternative for self-hosting

Free and open source with a desktop client, and no node cap for single-user labs.

Best EVE-NG alternative for Mac

Free and open source with a desktop client, and no node cap for single-user labs.

Best EVE-NG alternative for Windows

Free and open source with a desktop client, and no node cap for single-user labs.

Best EVE-NG alternative for Linux

Free and open source with a desktop client, and no node cap for single-user labs.

Ci

Best EVE-NG alternative for working in the browser

Cisco Modeling Labs

Comes with licensed Cisco images and Cisco support, which matters for corporate labs.

EVE-NG alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to EVE-NG?

GNS3 ranks first right now. Free and open source with a desktop client, and no node cap for single-user labs.

Is there a free alternative to EVE-NG?

Yes. GNS3 (open source) and Cisco Modeling Labs (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to EVE-NG?

Yes: GNS3. GNS3 can also be self-hosted.

Which EVE-NG alternatives work on Linux?

GNS3 runs on Linux.

Why do people switch from EVE-NG?

The complaints we hear most: free tier is capped at a few nodes; community Edition has reached end of life; needs a dedicated server or VM and your own device images.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces EVE-NG, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.