Best Network Automation Software in 2026
Updated
In short: ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager is ranked #1 of 23 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Cisco Catalyst Center and ONAP. The best-ranked option with a free plan is ONAP. The lowest first paid tier on this page is ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager at $19.83/mo.
Network automation tools can address configuration work, deployments, testing, and coordination across platforms. Compare configuration management and workflow orchestration alongside network testing and deployment. Supported platforms and device limits help clarify environment fit, while free-plan availability and paid-from pricing add commercial context. The entries are ordered as a ranked best-of list, led by ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager. Arista NG Firewall and Nautobot follow among the names shown, with Netmiko and Cisco pyATS also included early. Use the listed criteria to consider how each option aligns with the devices, platforms, and network tasks you need to support.
23 network automation software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
Recognised 40% · Phone app 26% · Documented 20% · Free plan 14% of the score
- 1 ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 9.1$19.83/mo
- 2 Cisco Catalyst Center No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.3
- 3 ONAP No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.3Free Deployment: self_hostedConfiguration management: YesWorkflow orchestration: Yes
- 4 OpenDaylight No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.0Free Deployment: self_hostedConfiguration management: YesWorkflow orchestration: Yes
- 5 NetBrain No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.9
- 6 Nautobot No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.8Free Deployment: hybridConfiguration management: YesWorkflow orchestration: Yes
- 7 Itential Automation Platform No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.7
- 8 AlgoSec No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.7
- 9 Gluware No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.5
- 10 BackBox No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.5
- 11 SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.5
- 12 Tufin No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.5
- 13 Cisco pyATS No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.5Free Deployment: self_hostedConfiguration management: YesWorkflow orchestration: Yes
- 14 Containerlab No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.4Free Deployment: self_hostedConfiguration management: YesWorkflow orchestration: Yes
- 15 Nokia Network Services Platform No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.2
- 16 NAPALM No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.2Free Deployment: self_hostedConfiguration management: Yes
- 17 Netmiko No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.2Free Deployment: self_hostedConfiguration management: YesWorkflow orchestration: Yes
- 18 Nornir No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.1Free Deployment: self_hostedConfiguration management: YesWorkflow orchestration: Yes
- 19 Blue Planet Orchestration No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.9 Deployment: cloudConfiguration management: YesWorkflow orchestration: Yes
- 20 Juniper Apstra No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.8
- 21 Forward Enterprise No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.3
- 22 Batfish No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2 Deployment: self_hosted
- 23 ONOS No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 4.9 Deployment: self_hostedConfiguration management: Yes
Compare all 23 in a table
| # | App | Score | Free plan | From | Free plan | Paid from | Deployment | Configuration management |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager | 9.1 | Free plan | $19.83/mo | Yes | — | — | — |
| 2 | Cisco Catalyst Center | 7.3 | No | — | No | — | — | — |
| 3 | ONAP | 7.3 | Free plan | Free | — | — | self_hosted | Yes |
| 4 | OpenDaylight | 7.0 | Free plan | Free | — | — | self_hosted | Yes |
| 5 | NetBrain | 6.9 | No | — | No | — | — | — |
| 6 | Nautobot | 6.8 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | hybrid | Yes |
| 7 | Itential Automation Platform | 6.7 | No | — | No | — | — | — |
| 8 | AlgoSec | 6.7 | No | — | — | — | — | — |
| 9 | Gluware | 6.5 | No | — | No | — | — | — |
| 10 | BackBox | 6.5 | No | — | — | — | — | — |
| 11 | SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager | 6.5 | No | — | No | — | — | — |
| 12 | Tufin | 6.5 | No | — | — | — | — | — |
| 13 | Cisco pyATS | 6.5 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | self_hosted | Yes |
| 14 | Containerlab | 6.4 | Free plan | Free | — | — | self_hosted | Yes |
| 15 | Nokia Network Services Platform | 6.2 | No | — | No | — | — | — |
| 16 | NAPALM | 6.2 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | self_hosted | Yes |
| 17 | Netmiko | 6.2 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | self_hosted | Yes |
| 18 | Nornir | 6.1 | Free plan | Free | — | — | self_hosted | Yes |
| 19 | Blue Planet Orchestration | 5.9 | No | — | — | — | cloud | Yes |
| 20 | Juniper Apstra | 5.8 | No | — | No | — | — | — |
| 21 | Forward Enterprise | 5.3 | No | — | No | — | — | — |
| 22 | Batfish | 5.2 | No | — | — | — | self_hosted | — |
| 23 | ONOS | 4.9 | No | — | — | — | self_hosted | Yes |
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 Samsung Mobile US Press?
ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager is ranked #1 of 23 with a score of 9.1. Cisco Catalyst Center is second and ONAP third.
How many of these have a free plan?
9 of the 23 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 mobile-first: a phone app alongside the web or desktop product, a free tier and the depth of its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.